Swiss watch industry - statistics & facts

Switzerland is known today as the leader of the watchmaking scene. Swiss watches are said to be some of the most reliable, attractive, well-crafted products. Swiss watchmaking has also withstood the test of time, surviving the invention of Quartz watches, digital watches, as well as smart watches. Today, Swiss watches can be seen as a luxury item, and many people buy them for their superior quality and status.

Swiss Watch exports worldwide

In 2022 alone, global Swiss watch exports were valued at approximately 25 billion Swiss francs. The leading importer of Swiss watches was the United States, which accounted for approximately 15.6 percent of all imports in the same year. This was followed by China, at just over 10 percent. In recent years, the majority of Swiss watch export value has been driven by luxury items. Swiss watches valued over three thousand Swiss francs account for an overwhelming share of the market export value.

The Swiss watch market

As of September 2022, there were 680 individual companies within the Swiss watchmaking industry. The highest number of these watchmaking companies are located in the canton of Neuchâtel. Nearly 190 Swiss watch companies operate in that canton alone. Unsurprisingly, Rolex is the brand with the largest market share of Swiss watches in the world. In 2022, Rolex accounted for nearly 30 percent of the entire market. Rolex is a luxury Swiss watch manufacturer located in Geneva, Switzerland. The brand with the second highest market share was Omega, which is now a subsidiary of the Swatch Group. The Swatch Group's revenues have fluctuated over the years, in the financial year 2022, the company generated 7.5 billion Swiss francs.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Statista Research Department, Oct 1, 2024

Key insights

Export value of mechanical Swiss watches worldwide
22bn CHF
Leading material of construction in Swiss watch exports
Steel
Number of employees working in Swiss watch production
65,237
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Current statistics on this topic

Retail market share of the leading Swiss watch brands worldwide in 2022

Luxury Goods

Market share of the leading luxury watch brands worldwide in 2022

Swiss watch exports value from 2015 to 2023, by country (in billion Swiss francs)

Accessories, Jewelry, & Watches

Swiss watch exports by country from 2015 to 2023

Number of companies in the watchmaking industry in Switzerland from 1980 to 2023

Accessories, Jewelry, & Watches

Companies in the watchmaking industry in Switzerland 1980-2023

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Overview

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Overview

Swiss watch industry

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Swiss watch industry

Exports

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Exports

Corporate key figures of selected Swiss watch companies

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Corporate key figures of selected Swiss watch companies

Further reports

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Personal luxury goods industry worldwide
Personal luxury goods industry worldwide
Switzerland
Switzerland
Luxury watch industry
Luxury watch industry
Swiss watch industry
Swiss watch industry
Luxury goods in Europe
Luxury goods in Europe
Smartwatches
Smartwatches

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