Swiss watch exports dramatic fall but China lead COVID-19 market recovery
Aden-Jay Wood
Europe;
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Swiss watch export industry market to fall by 81.3 percent worldwide. /AP

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Swiss watch export industry market to fall by 81.3 percent worldwide. /AP

China accounted for 33.5 percent of Swiss watch exports last month as all other markets continue to contract sharply, another sign that the country's economic recovery continues. 

Exports of the watches to China fell by 16.1 in April percent following an increase in March, a measly reduction compared to many of the main markets across the world. 

U.S. exports of Swiss watches fell by 86.4 percent, whilst Germany's, which hold the sixth highest market share, dropped by 82.1 percent in April.

Exports of the watches were at a grim low in April as a result of halted production, sales and distribution, causing the market to fall by 81.3 percent worldwide. 

Performance across all prices of watches were very similar, with every range seeing a least a reduction of 70 percent. 

The story was very similar in terms of materials used to make the watches, as all designs continued to struggle during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The future of the industry looks more positive however, as some of Switzerland's biggest watch brands such as Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe have resumed production, and with increasing numbers of people exiting lockdown, shopping for such items in person will become much easier.