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Watch exports continue to clock up growth

Production at the International Watch Company in Schaffhausen Keystone Archive

Swiss watch manufacturers enjoyed their 18th consecutive month of export growth in January with business valued at SFr 767.7 million ($460 million). The figures come on the back of record export figures for the year 2000.

There had been fears that the watch industry would be hit by the economic slowdown in the United States, but those fears have so far proved unfounded.

Exports to the US grew by 28.5 per cent to SFr129 million, while those to Hong Kong were up 26.3 per cent to SFr116 million.

Some sectors showed a more impressive performance than others, with top end products from precious materials and steel most in demand.

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