Swiss Watch exports head for record year after bumper September

Swiss watch exports surged 19% in September, putting the industry on track for a record year in 2022.

Shipments rose to 2.2 billion francs ($2.2 billion) last month, making September one of the best on record, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry said Thursday. Exports are up 13% in the first nine months of the year.

Growth was led by the U.S., Japan, Singapore and the United Arab Emirates last month. Exports rose 15% in China despite the government’s Covid-zero strategy. The luxury-goods industry has bounced back from the pandemic, helped by consumers accumulating savings during lockdowns and online sales.