By John Revill
ZURICH--Swiss November watch exports rose 4.6% year-on-year,
according to data released Thursday by the Swiss customs
office.
Exports of Swiss watches stood at 2.15 billion Swiss francs
($2.35 billion) in November. In nominal terms, which aren't
adjusted for inflation, the increase was 4.6%. In real terms, the
November reading was up 2.9% compared with the corresponding period
a year ago.
The figures show a slowdown from the 13.2% nominal growth
reported in October as Chinese consumers stayed on the sidelines
amid the government handover.
In the first 11 months of the year, total watch exports were up
12.6% to CHF19.6 billion, meaning the industry has already beaten
last year's annual record of CHF19.3 billion of exports.
Swatch Group AG (UHR.VX), Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA
(CFR.VX) and privately-held Rolex are the main producers in the
Swiss watch market.
Swatch closed Wednesday at CHF466, up 33% so far this year, and
Richemont at CHF72.15, up 52% since the start of 2012.
Write to John Revill at john.revill@dowjones.com