The Turkish Patent and Trademark Office (TÜRKPATENT), aiming to enhance the design capacity and industrial property awareness of Turkish industry, is building a brand-new innovation ecosystem. The institution has officially launched the application process for a large-scale national design competition, designating "Watch Design" as the primary theme for 2026. The application window, which is currently active and will remain open until 30 June 2026, covers a broad spectrum from high school students to independent professionals. Ultimately, this strategic organisation does not merely aim to reward aesthetic drawings; the institution positions the official registration and direct commercialisation of domestic designs as its fundamental objective.
Trio Concept Requirement in Domestic Watch Designs
Watch design requires traditional mechanical engineering and modern digital technologies to operate in seamless harmony. TÜRKPATENT management demands that contestants demonstrate this holistic approach. According to the regulations, each application file must contain three distinct yet complementary designs: one men's wristwatch, one women's wristwatch, and one desk clock.
Contestants are tasked with reinterpreting the flow of time, daily life scenarios, and modern ergonomics while creating this triple set. Regarding technical infrastructure, applications are accepted exclusively through EPATS, the online electronic application system. The institution mandates the upload of a minimum of two and a maximum of five different visuals reflecting the details of the designs. Furthermore, as professional industrial production is targeted, the institution specifically recommends the use of 3D computer modelling instead of hand drawings.
Indigenisation in Industrial Property
In previous years, Turkish industry generally focused on contract manufacturing or the assembly of imported designs rather than producing original designs with high added value. However, in today’s global competitive environment, the true value of a product is determined by the intellectual and industrial property rights behind it.
This competition organised by TÜRKPATENT aims to transform this exact production doctrine. The institution places participants' designs under legal protection within the scope of Industrial Property Law (SMK) No. 6769. Thus, young people and independent designers can bring their ideas directly to industrialists without the risk of theft. This approach, which combines aesthetic value with technical feasibility, represents a massive step for Türkiye in establishing its own unique industrial design know-how.
Evaluation Criteria and Commercialisation Guarantee
Expert jury members will not evaluate the submitted projects solely on their visual appeal. The evaluation panel utilises five main strategic criteria, each calculated over 20 full points. These criteria consist of commercialisation potential, originality, user experience and functionality, aesthetics, and manufacturability. Consequently, a design's capability to be manufactured in a factory using current production technologies and its consumer appeal in the market are of equal importance to its visuality.
Major Prize Pool by Category
To encourage talent, TÜRKPATENT divides the competition into three categories: high school, university, and independent participants. The top five designs in each category are supported with significant cash prizes.
- Independent Category: 100,000 TL for first place, 80,000 TL for second, and 60,000 TL for third.
- University Category: 75,000 TL for first place, 60,000 TL for second, and 45,000 TL for third.
- High School Category: 50,000 TL for first place, 40,000 TL for second, and 30,000 TL for third.
However, the most striking aspect of the organisation lies in the "Commercialisation Award" system. Designs found suitable for mass production following the jury evaluation will have their rights transferred to industrial firms through exclusive licensing. In exchange for this transfer, the designer is paid an additional commercialisation fee of 100,000 TL (or 150,000 TL if multiple requests are received from the same firm). Indeed, this system ensures that successful ideas move directly to the storefronts rather than gathering dust on shelves.
Watch Design Competition Application Process: EPATS and e-Government Integration
To facilitate the work of designers, TÜRKPATENT has fully digitalised the application process, eliminating the need for physical documents. High school students, university students, and independent designers wishing to participate in the competition can submit their applications entirely online via the Electronic Application System (EPATS).
Applicants must first log in to the system using their e-Government passwords at https://epats.turkpatent.gov.tr/run/TP/EDEVLET/giris After logging in, on the new application screen, they must select the "Design Application" tab first, and then, as the application type, select "Design Application (within the scope of the watch competition)" to complete the process. Applicants from the student categories (High School and University) are required to upload their current student certificates, obtained via e-Government, to the system. Only applications completed without omission via this official portal by June 30, 2026, will proceed to the jury evaluation stage.
From Idea to Production Line
The Watch Design Competition implemented by TÜRKPATENT is a rational and industrial ecosystem project far beyond a traditional art event. This vision, which brings designers and industrialists to the same table, provides unique support to Türkiye’s value-added export targets.
Following the conclusion of applications on 30 June 2026, a rigorous patent and innovation review will commence. Through this competition, Turkish watch designers will reinterpret the concept of time with an innovative language, creating brand-new and entirely domestic platforms capable of competing in the global watch industry.
