Swiss watch exports in October recorded its best month ever, thanks to continued recovery in the U.S. market.
According to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), exports for the month grew by 1.1 per cent to 2.2 billion CHF ($2.6 billion Cdn).
Steel watches led the pack with a rise in value of 4.6 per cent, while gold and bimetal pieces declined. Platinum watches made a strong showing, with a 69 per cent increase.
Exports by price category changed little from previous months. Watches costing less than 200 CHF ($238 Cdn) continued to taper off, while pieces between 200 and 500 CHF ($238 and $600 Cdn) showed a significant, though less marked, increase. Watches costing more than 500 CHF recorded growth between one and two per cent in value and volume.
Although exports to the United States remain above average in growth, China continues in its downward trend. Italy and France are also on the decline, while Germany recorded an upturn.
