EXPORTS - The positive trend continues
After an excellent 2011, watch exports continued to grow steadily in January. Their monthly value totalled 1.3 billion francs, a rise of 15.5% compared to January 2011.
Press release
Bimetallic watches made the biggest contribution to the general upturn with an increase of 31.7%. Steel and gold timepieces on the other hand registered a slightly below par performance. In volume terms, bimetallic watches also featured prominently, as did the category of other materials.
© Federation of the Swiss Watch industry FH
© Federation of the Swiss Watch industry FH
The Swiss watch industry’s three main export markets recorded particularly strong growth in January. This outcome was unexceptional for Hong Kong which remained aligned with the 2011 trend, as did China. The United States however picked up the pace slightly, following a minor slowdown at the end of last year. In contrast with these results, Singapore posted a significant decline. This downturn is however only an isolated variation reflecting an unfavourable base effect and an exceptionally strong month of December. France also recorded a two-digit decline, the largest in two years, which confirms the marked slowdown evident on this market since last autumn. Japan continued its good results of the second half of 2011 and numbered among the top six markets for the month of January.
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