watchmaking news and archive

Switzerland: watch exports fall by 1 percent in March

Swiss watch exports contracted by one percent in March to 2.1 billion Swiss francs, driven down by the US market, according to figures published on Tuesday by the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH). American market in decline In March, exports to the US, the largest market for Swiss watchmakers, fell by 1.6 percent compared to the same...

Fashion

The King’s Foundation partners with Cartier to support decorative watchmaking skills

The King’s Foundation, a charity founded by King Charles III, has announced a three-year partnership with luxury jewellery house Cartier to form a new education programme to teach the next generation of specialist artisans for the watchmaking industry. In a statement, The King’s Foundation said the move with Cartier was born of a “shared belief...

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Sales volume of watches and precious jewellery in France struggles in 2025

The French watch and fine jewellery sector reported a decline in sales volume for watches and precious jewellery last year. This occurred even though turnover climbed due to rising metal prices. “The creative industries of French watchmaking and jewellery-making have not been spared by either general economic uncertainties or the somewhat...

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Hermès expands watchmaking factory in Switzerland despite sector decline

More powerful than ever with 15.2 billion euros in revenue in 2024, Hermès announced on Monday its plans to expand its watchmaking factory in Le Noirmont, Switzerland. This expansion is set to eventually accommodate one hundred new employees, a move that comes despite the company witnessing a drop in its watchmaking segment sales in 2024. By...

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US tariffs drive deceptive spike in Swiss watch exports

Boosted by a surge in US demand, Swiss watch exports jumped by 18.2 percent in April 2025. However, this increase mainly masked the sector's deep concern about the new tariffs imposed by Washington. A cyclical surge linked to US trade policy The Swiss watch industry experienced a spectacular upturn in April 2025. According to data from the...

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Chanel acquires minority stake in watchmaker Kenissi

Chanel is looking to strengthen its position in the watchmaking market. The French fashion house has acquired a 20 percent stake in Kenissi, a Swiss company making small timepiece parts, Reuters reports. Kenissi joins a number of other watch companies in Chanel’s investment portfolio, which also includes Bell & Ross, Romain Gauthier, G&F...