Swiss May Watch Exports Boosted by U.S. & HK Sales

Recording a 29 percent increase, Swiss May watch exports posted a record monthly growth rate, totaling 1.03 billion Swiss francs ($810 million), lifted by a 44 percent leap in exports to the U.S.

Boosting annual sales figures, one industry analyst quoted by Bloomberg expects a 15 percent sales growth in the first half of the year.

Naturally the Swatch Group, which has seen sales grow since the start of the year and record sales and results in the first two months of this year, was the main engine of Swiss watch sales, while Richemont reported earlier this month that its sales grew 15 percent at actual exchange rates in April and May, helped in particular by the watch business.

Exports to the U.S. totaled 190.2 million francs ($149.13 million), followed by exports to Hong Kong rising 25 percent to 159.8 million francs ($125.3 million), and exports to Japan surging 52 percent to 103.7 million francs ($81.3 million).