Swiss watch exports delivered one of their strongest recent monthly performances in June 2026, with shipments rising 11.2% to nearly CHF 2.4 billion.
The rebound matters because it follows two difficult years for the sector and a choppy start to 2026, when early signs of stability were interrupted by a sharp April decline.
For brands, retailers and collectors, June’s figures suggest fresh product deliveries and renewed appetite for higher-end watches may be starting to change the mood.
At a glance
- Swiss watch exports increased by 11.2% in June 2026 to nearly CHF 2.4 billion.
- Bimetallic watches rose sharply in value, while steel and other-material watches also gained in volume.
- The United States remained the largest market, while first-half exports were still slightly down at CHF 12.8 billion.
June brings a sharper recovery for Swiss watchmaking
The June result marks the second consecutive month of rapid improvement for Swiss watch exports.
That follows a first quarter that was only marginally positive, with exports up 1.4%, before the market weakened noticeably in April.
May and June have now provided a more encouraging counterpoint, and the timing is notable.
Many watches introduced during the spring fair season are now making their way into boutiques and retail networks, which may have helped lift export values after a slower opening stretch.
Even so, the broader 2026 picture remains uneven.
Across the first six months of the year, Swiss watch exports reached CHF 12.8 billion, representing a slight decline of 0.7%.
Bimetallic watches stand out in value
Growth was not limited to one material category in June, with all major groups rising in value.
Watches made from precious metals increased by 2.9%, while steel models rose by 5.0%.
The most striking movement came from bimetallic watches, where export value jumped by 42.1%.
That surge needs some context, as elevated gold prices have pushed up the unit value of watches using gold alongside another metal.
Volumes also improved in several areas, a useful signal after a period in which the industry often saw higher values paired with fewer watches shipped.
Steel watches increased by 7.0% in volume, while the other-materials category, which includes ceramic and titanium, climbed by 21.9%.
The United States leads while France skews the ranking
The United States remained the largest destination for Swiss watch exports in June, with CHF 349 million in shipments and growth of 12.7%.
France moved into an unusually prominent position, rising 103% and accounting for 10% of total Swiss watch exports for the month.
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry cautioned that France’s result was broadly unrepresentative of real demand in that market, which suggests logistical or distribution effects may be distorting the monthly picture.
France nevertheless ranked ahead of the United Kingdom, Japan, Hong Kong and Singapore in June.
China did not appear among the top six markets for the month, an absence that will be watched closely given its long-standing importance to the luxury watch trade.
Price segments show strength at the entry and high end
By export price, most segments expanded in June.
The exception was the CHF 500 to CHF 3,000 export-price bracket, which is distinct from final retail pricing and tends to translate differently once taxes, distribution and brand positioning are included.
The CHF 200 to CHF 500 segment grew by 54%, showing renewed activity below the mechanical luxury mainstream.
Watches with export prices above CHF 3,000 also increased, reinforcing the continued resilience of the high-end segment.
For the Swiss industry, June is not yet a full turnaround story, but it is a meaningful improvement after a long period of pressure.
If the next few months can build on this momentum, 2026 may begin to look less like another defensive year and more like the early stages of a measured recovery.
