Les exportations horlogères suisses atteignent un record en 2023

For a record, it’s a record. The value of Swiss watch exports in 2023 reached 25.5 billion francs (26.7 billion including movements). This is 7.7% above the previous record set in 2022 at 23.7 billion francs. Thus sweeping away all the statistical series recorded since 1885 (the date of the first compilation of customs data by the Swiss Watch Industry Federation, FH). Another salient point, the volume also regained some momentum, with 16.9 million pieces, up 1.1 million units, or 7.2%, from 2022.

Yves Bugmann, the new president of the FH, reached by phone, logically gives a positive interpretation of these figures, which he describes as “very good”, demonstrating that “a phenomenon like inflation has little impact on exports” and that “the Swiss watch industry remains competitive in all segments”. The market by market evolution reinforces the message, as the top ten export destinations are showing growth. Sometimes with catch-up effects, as in Hong Kong, the third strongholds of Swiss watches, up 23.4% to 2.35 billion francs.