Press release
Following the slight downturn in September (since adjusted by -1.5%) watch exports quickly returned to their customary rate. They registered an increase of 13.2% in October, reaching the two billion franc mark (2.1 billion). The variation of the cumulative result was unchanged, remaining static at +13.7% for the first ten months of the year.
Gold and steel watches helped to buoy growth in equal proportions, while bimetallic timepieces recorded a below-average increase. The number of timepieces exported also followed the trend of recent months, with a negative balance in relation to October 2011, due mainly to the categories of other materials and other metals.
The decline in volumes affected watches costing less than 200 francs (export price), where it was quite marked (-10.3%). It was partially offset by other segments, all of which showed a positive result compared to October 2011. The 200-500 francs category in particular recorded an 18.1% increase in volume terms. Between 500 and 3,000 francs, the upturn was in the order of 6%. Timepieces costing more than 3,000 francs again recorded the steepest rise in value, with +17.1%.
Performances on the three main markets for Swiss watch exports were below average. Hong Kong and the United States recorded modest increases, while China clearly lost ground. Most other markets registered strong growth. Germany and Italy set the tone in Europe, while France, in seventh place, saw its level fall by 2.8%. In Asia, a sharp upturn was also evident in most countries, with the exception of Singapore (-2.8%)
Statistics of the FH - Federation of the Swiss watch industry
