In November, exports of timepieces rose by 11% to CHF2.4 billion ($2.6 billion), reaching the best figure ever in a single month, said the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry and the Federal Office for Customs and Border Security.
The industry is going from strength to strength: in October, exports increased by almost 7%, in September by as much as 19% and in August by 15%. And in the first 11 months taken together, watch exports grew by 12% to CHF22.8 billion.
Last year Swiss watches worth CHF22.3 billion were exported in the wake of the strong recovery from the crisis caused by the Covid pandemic.
US business
The driving force for the Swiss watch industry remains strong demand from the United States, according to the watchmaking federation.
In November, watches worth CHF400 million were exported across the Atlantic, an increase of 33% compared with the same month last year.
Markets in Asia, notably Japan and Singapore, have also recovered, while the strict anti-Covid measures in China and Hong Kong had a negative impact on the Swiss watchmaking business.
Demand is very good for both inexpensive and expensive Swiss watches. In November, the highest price category with watches at export prices of CHF3,000 and more increased by almost 16%. Exports in the cheapest segment at prices of less than CHF200 rose just as strongly, according to latest figures, notably as a result of the commercial success of Swatch’s MoonSwatch.
More
More
Why the future for Swiss watchmakers lies beyond the ultra-luxury market
This content was published on
Renewed interest in luxury watches may be good news for the most prestigious brands, but it spells trouble for the industry as a whole.
Zurich court continues Gazprombank trial against bank employees
This content was published on
The court will not allow the Gazprom Bank trial to be called off, rejecting defence lawyers' motions that the trial be dismissed.
Catholic Church asks for more time to set up abuse help centres
This content was published on
More than six months after a study of abuse in the Catholic Church, officials on Monday announced that, “there are still many unanswered questions.”
This content was published on
The government is planning agreements or negotiating treaties with the EU on topics of health, food safety and air transport.
This content was published on
The underwater platform which should have carefully lifted the sunken ship from the bottom of the lake, has sunk uncontrollably and crashed.
Tariq Ramadan faces Swiss judges again in appeal trial
This content was published on
The 61-year-old Islamic scholar Tariq Ramadan, who was acquitted of rape and sexual coercion, will be back before judges in Geneva on Monday.
Police clear occupied university building in Basel
This content was published on
Basel cantonal police evacuated the Department of Social Sciences early on Monday morning, and banned 20 people from the premises.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Swiss watchmakers must boost training to meet labour shortages
This content was published on
Around 4,000 watchmakers must be trained or recruited over the next four years to manage labour shortages, according to an employers’ association.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.