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Swiss watch exports rebounded in April to 2.1 billion Swiss francs<\/strong>, surpassing the April 2023 level by 4.5%<\/strong>, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH).<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Despite this overall recovery, year-to-date results show a cumulative decline of 2.6%.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Steel watches<\/strong> were the only segment to record a decline in April, down 2%<\/strong> in value terms to 699.4 million Swiss francs<\/strong>. However, the number of steel watches exported remained relatively stable, with a slight increase of 0.4%.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n By contrast, sales of precious metal watches<\/strong> increased in value by 5.9% to 767.9 million Swiss francs<\/strong>. Bimetallic watches<\/strong> also progressed, with a 4.9%<\/strong> increase in value to a total of 345.9 million Swiss francs.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The \u201cother metals\u201d and \u201cother materials<\/strong>\u201d categories posted the strongest increases in value, with growth of 23.7% (137.3 million Swiss francs) and 16.2% (95 million Swiss francs)<\/strong> respectively, despite a drop in the number of pieces exported.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n <\/p>\n The most expensive watches, those exported at over 3,000 Swiss francs<\/strong>, returned to growth in April, with a 7.8%<\/strong> increase in value, although their number fell by 4.2%<\/strong>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n By contrast, the intermediate segment (500-3000 Swiss francs)<\/strong> suffered a significant decline (-10% in value and -7.7%<\/strong> in number of pieces). Watches under 500 Swiss francs were also down 1.3%<\/strong> in value, and 3.8%<\/strong> in number of units exported.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n Performance in individual markets varied significantly.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n China<\/strong> was the only market to record a decline (-7.5%)<\/strong> compared with April 2023. In contrast, Hong Kong<\/strong> maintained relative stability, with a slight rise of 0.2%<\/strong>. Other Asian markets reported double-digit growth, including South Korea (+27.1%), Japan (+13.6%), Singapore (+12.5%), and the United Arab Emirates (+13.3%).<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The United States<\/strong> also posted strong growth of 11.6%. In Europe<\/strong>, overall growth in Swiss watch exports was around the world average, with an increase of 6%. The United Kingdom (+4.6%), Germany (+8.9%), and Italy (+5.3%)<\/strong> recorded notable increases, while France was virtually stagnant at +0.4%.<\/strong><\/p>\n <\/p>\nRecovery in high-end watches<\/h2>\n
Contrasting export markets<\/h2>\n
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