Swiss watch exports grew 3.3% on a year-on-year basis in December, reaching a total value of 2.103 billion Swiss francs (CHF), according to figures released by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry.
Wristwatches accounted for the bulk of the shipments, rising 3.3% from the prior year and totaling CHF2.021 billion for the month. The breakdown by destination shows uneven patterns across regions.
The United States was a standout market, with exports increasing 19.2% compared with the same month a year earlier, reaching CHF412.0 million. Among major markets, France posted the largest percentage gain, with imports of Swiss watches climbing 50.9% to CHF153.9 million.
At the same time, several Asian markets that are typically important for Swiss watchmakers experienced declines. Hong Kong imported CHF146.5 million worth of watches in December, down 8.0% year-on-year. Mainland China recorded a decrease of 6.8%, with imports valued at CHF140.9 million. Japan saw a smaller drop of 1.9%, with CHF135.3 million in imports.
The Middle East also registered a decrease in imports from Switzerland. Exports to the United Arab Emirates fell 5.2% year-on-year to CHF128.8 million.
These data present a mixed international picture for Swiss watch exports in the month, with strong growth in some Western markets and contractions across several Asian destinations and the UAE. The Federation's numbers provide the current, destination-level snapshot for December's trade flows in the watch sector.
Clear summary
- Overall Swiss watch exports rose 3.3% year-on-year to CHF2.103 billion in December.
- Wristwatch shipments mirrored that increase, totaling CHF2.021 billion.
- Growth was led by the United States (+19.2%, CHF412.0 million) and France (+50.9%, CHF153.9 million), while Hong Kong, China, Japan and the UAE posted declines.
Context note - All figures are taken from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry's December export data.