Swiss Watch Exports Rise 9.1% in August 2026 While the US Market Falls

Chart: change in Swiss watch exports in August 2026 compared with August 2025 by market
Swiss watch exports in August 2026, change vs August 2025. Data: FH. Chart: Montre24

Swiss watch exports continued to grow in August 2026. According to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), exports reached CHF 1.79 billion, an increase of 9.1% compared with August 2025. It was the fourth month of growth in a row; in July, exports had risen by 9.6%. August 2026 also had one more working day than the same month last year, which helped the result.

Wristwatches, which make up most of the industry's exports, grew by 8.6% in value and 9.5% in the number of pieces.

The United States goes into reverse

The weak spot was the United States, the largest single market for Swiss watches. Exports there fell by 19.4% to CHF 197.5 million, even though the comparison with August 2025 should have been favourable. The decline followed a very strong July, when exports to the US had grown by more than a quarter.

The US has been the most volatile market for Swiss watchmakers over the past year and a half. In spring 2025, shipments were brought forward ahead of expected American import tariffs, which inflated the figures at the time and has distorted year-on-year comparisons ever since.

Europe and Asia grow

Other markets made up for the US decline. The United Kingdom grew by 46.1% to CHF 164.7 million, and exports to France more than doubled to CHF 157.3 million. Germany rose by 34.0%, Japan by 22.1% and mainland China by 15.8%. Singapore (+8.5%), the United Arab Emirates (+6.1%) and Hong Kong (+1.4%) also posted gains. Italy, by contrast, fell by 40.4%.

Slightly up for the year

After eight months, Swiss watch exports total CHF 17.24 billion, up 1.7% on the same period of 2025. The first half of the year had ended almost flat, so the summer months have pushed the industry back into positive territory. In 2025 as a whole, exports amounted to about CHF 25.6 billion.

Key figures for August 2026

  • Total exports: CHF 1.79 billion, +9.1%
  • Year to date (January–August): CHF 17.24 billion, +1.7%
  • United States: CHF 197.5 million, −19.4%
  • United Kingdom: CHF 164.7 million, +46.1%
  • France: CHF 157.3 million, more than doubled
  • Japan: +22.1% · China: +15.8% · Hong Kong: +1.4%

The FH will publish the September figures later in October. Montre24 will follow the numbers through the end of the year.

Source: Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH), export figures for August 2026, as reported by Keystone-SDA and MF Milano Finanza on 17–18 September 2026.