Geneva [Switzerland], June 18 (ANI): Swiss watch exports remained broadly secure in May 2026, posting marginal development of 0.4 per cent year-on-year to succeed in CHF 2.1 billion (USD 2.63 billion), in line with knowledge launched by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH. The consequence helped ease the cumulative decline recorded in the course of the first 5 months of the yr, which now stands at 3.1 per cent.
The trade physique mentioned May was a ‘regular month’, with exports of wristwatches rising 0.6 per cent in worth phrases to CHF 2.01 billion, even because the variety of watches shipped fell by 1.2 per cent to 1.16 million items. Overall exports, together with different watchmaking merchandise, totalled CHF 2.105 billion (USD 2.63 billion).
Performance throughout product classes was blended. Exports of gold-steel watches registered the strongest development, surging 34 per cent in worth to CHF 408 million (USD 510.4 million). Watches constituted of different metals additionally carried out effectively, with export worth rising 14.7 per cent.
However, these positive factors have been partly offset by weaker demand for conventional high-value segments. Exports of valuable metallic watches declined 7.2 per cent to CHF 744.1 million (USD 930.2 million), whereas metal watches fell 5.4 per cent to CHF 649.8 million (USD 811.7 million). In quantity phrases, metal watch shipments dropped 9.6 per cent, contributing considerably to an general discount of almost 14,000 watches exported in the course of the month.
Price segments additionally confirmed divergent traits. Watches with export costs above CHF 3,000 (USD 3747) recorded worth development of three.7 per cent, whereas merchandise priced between CHF 500 (USD 624) and CHF 3,000 (USD 3747) contracted sharply by 17.2 per cent. Meanwhile, watches within the CHF 200-500 (USD 250-624) vary noticed strong development of 23.6 per cent.
Among key export locations, the United States remained the most important market, with exports rising 12.3 per cent to CHF 301.5 million (USD 376.7 million). France emerged because the second-largest market, recording a exceptional 57 per cent enhance to CHF 190.7 million (USD 238.3 million), largely resulting from its function as a logistics hub since December 2025, the FH mentioned.
The United Kingdom additionally posted robust development of 24.9 per cent, whereas Hong Kong continued its gradual restoration with a 3.4 per cent enhance.
In distinction, China remained a drag on general efficiency, with exports falling 21.4 per cent to CHF 130.1 million (USD 162.6 million), highlighting continued volatility available in the market. Japan recorded a 3.5 per cent decline, whereas the United Arab Emirates and Germany additionally registered vital decreases of 13.5 per cent and 18 per cent, respectively. (ANI)