In September 2026, Swiss watch exports experienced a significant rise of 11.7%, marking the fourth consecutive month of growth. The total export value for the first nine months of the year reached CHF 19.5 billion, a 2.7% increase over the same period last year.
What Materials Drove the Growth in Swiss Watch Exports?
The financial growth of Swiss watch exports in September was primarily driven by steel watches, which saw an increase of 13.0%, and bimetallic models, which surged by 29.3%. In terms of quantity, the growth was supported by steel watches, up by 21.5%, and watches made from 'other materials', which rose by 17.9%. These two categories account for 81% of the exported models, with approximately 228,000 more watches exported compared to the previous year.
How Did Price Segments Perform?
Watches with an export value exceeding CHF 3,000 contributed significantly to overall growth, with an increase of 9.9%. Other segments also saw growth, with a notable leap in the category of watches priced below CHF 500, which grew by 39.5%.
Which Markets Showed Significant Changes?
The United States saw a substantial rise in Swiss watch exports, up by 85.7%, primarily due to a low base effect. Japan also experienced growth at 12.3%, followed by Hong Kong at 3.0%. However, most other top-10 markets showed a decline, notably China with a decrease of 14.2% and the United Kingdom by 5.2%. Singapore and the UAE also recorded drops of 8.3% and 9.0%, respectively.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the growth percentage of Swiss watch exports in September 2026?
Swiss watch exports grew by 11.7% in September 2026, marking continuous growth for four months.
Which material categories led the growth in Swiss watch exports?
Steel and bimetallic watches drove the growth, with increases of 13.0% and 29.3% in value, respectively.
How did the US market perform for Swiss watch exports?
The US market saw an 85.7% increase in Swiss watch exports, attributed to a low base effect.