Swiss Watch news and archive

Swiss watch exports tick ahead in April

Exports of Swiss watches ticked ahead nearly 14 percent in April, trade figures showed Tuesday, aided by strong demand from prime market Hong Kong. "After a relatively calm March, growth moved ahead strongly in April," the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry said, noting exports for the first four months of the year rose 11 percent on the...

Fairs

Swiss watch exports tumble ahead of Basel trade fair

The world's biggest watch fair will open in Switzerland this week, even as slumping exports of luxury Swiss timepieces appear to dash hopes of a market rebound. Global exports of Swiss watches slid 10 percent in February to 1.5 billion Swiss francs (1.5 billion dollars, 1.4 billion euros), the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FHS) said...

Fashion

Cheesy 'Swiss Mad' watch on offer for one million dollars

A Swiss watchmaker on Thursday unveiled a one-million-euro "Swiss Mad" wristwatch with a case made of local winter cheese and a dial recalling the nation's distinctive red-and-white flag. The tongue-in-cheek edition by H.Moser targets new strictures on watchmakers using the "Swiss Made" label who now have to source 60 percent of the components...

Fashion

Patek Philippe watch fetches record 11 million dollars at auction

A stainless steel Patek Philippe watch has sold for a record 11 million dollars (10.2 million euros) in Geneva, an auction house said Monday. The piece from the Swiss company's 1518 series sold on Saturday for 11,002,000 Swiss francs following a 13-minute bidding war, according to a statement from Phillips, a leading watch auction firm based in...

BusinessFeatured

Franc surge casts shadow on Geneva's luxury watch fair

Geneva's luxury watch show where shop owners search out such brands as Cartier and Piaget opened Monday under a cloud as the franc surged after the Swiss central bank abandoned its bid to hold down its value. The fair in Geneva, attracting only professionals, aims to draw 14,000 visitors in just four days from the world over. On opening day,...