In the delicate world of timepieces, where each tick resonates with precision and passion, export numbers tell a story larger than just statistics. Like a watch regaining its rhythm after a pause, the Swiss watch industry saw its exports rebound in December, following several months of decline. This recovery, largely driven by renewed demand from the United States, shows how global market shifts and favorable conditions can restart a finely tuned mechanism that has faced ongoing challenges.

In December, Swiss watch exports rose 3.3% in value, reaching 2.1 billion Swiss francs compared with the same month a year earlier. This growth follows four consecutive months of decline, which had weighed on the industry after several years of steady performance. The main driver of this improvement was the American market, historically the largest destination for Swiss watches. December shipments to the U.S. jumped nearly 19.2% to around 412 million francs, fueled in part by the easing of tariffs that had previously slowed trade.

This rebound occurred against a backdrop of earlier tariff pressures, which had restrained exports during the year. The partial removal of these trade barriers encouraged brands to finalize shipments to the U.S., revitalizing December figures.

Despite this monthly increase, the overall performance for 2025 remained slightly down: Swiss watch exports closed the year at 25.6 billion francs, a 1.7% decrease from 2024, reflecting softer demand in some Asian markets, particularly China and Hong Kong.

While challenges remain, especially in some key regions, the surge in U.S. demand offers hope for renewed momentum in 2026.

In simple terms, after a series of difficult months, Swiss watch exports rebounded in December, thanks to strong U.S. demand. Although overall annual exports fell slightly, the late-year recovery provides a positive note for the industry as it moves into 2026. AI Image Disclaimer “Visuals are created with AI tools and are not real photographs.”

Sources Agefi Investing.com Boursorama (AFP/Reuters) Swissinfo.ch The Business Times