Swiss watch exports record record

Swiss watch exports grew, in 2012, € 17 billion, 10.9% more than in the previous year, and record a new record, yesterday announced the Switzerland of Watch Industry Federation (FH).
The watch industry has had over the last three years an unprecedented growth, particularly in China, where the purchase of luxury goods is led by male clientele. The country also should boost this year, sales of luxury watches due to the Chinese new year celebrations on February 13.
However, exports of Swiss watches fell 5.6% in December to € 1.42 billion, with a drop of 15% in Hong Kong, its main market, and 32.3% in China.
The increase in exports was more moderate in the second half of the year. Beyond December, September was also a bad month with a drop of 1.4% and November, despite having been positive (4.7%) had high results far worse than in the first half of the year, when growth was in double figures.
The number one of the watchmaking industry, the Swatch Group, promotes healthy growth and now predicts a high of 5% the industry 10%.
To the President of the Federation of Swiss watch manufacturers, Jean-Daniel Pasche, there is a potential for growth in many emerging markets, particularly in India, Viet Nam and Indonesia, among others. Sales rose in Hong Kong and the USA 6.8% and 10.1%, respectively; 19.7% in Japan; 25.2% in the United Arab Emirates; 21.7% in South Korea and Taiwan.
The surprise came from European countries with strong crisis, such as Spain and Italy, where it was registered an increase in sales of 17.4% and 16%, respectively. Sales of gold watches are more grown up (20.5%) and the models that cost more than € 2, 000 increased by 13.1%.
Swatch's profit grows
The Swatch Group, the largest manufacturer of watches of Switzerland, recorded a profit of € 1.27 billion in the fiscal year, up 20% compared to last year. Sales of the company's watches were segment of € 5.8 billion, up 16%. The basic models and intermediate price range were the items most sought after by consumers last year.