Swiss Watch Exports Jump in April Ahead of Threatened US Tariffs

Swiss watch exports jumped by almost a fifth in April as shipments to the US more than doubled ahead of expanded tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump.

Total shipments rose 18% to reach 2.5 billion Swiss francs ($3 billion) for the month, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry, with exports to the US, the single biggest market, up a whopping 149%.

This is the “result of early shipments prompted by the announcement of US tariffs,” said Jean-Philippe Bertschy, an analyst at Vontobel. Watches made from precious metals, steel and bimetallic materials, products also ...