Key Takeaways
- The Swiss watch industry employed 52,000 people directly in 2022, with an additional 25,000 indirect jobs in supply chains.
- Average salary in the Swiss watch industry was 92,000 CHF annually in 2022, 25% above national average.
- Women accounted for 42% of the Swiss watch workforce in 2022, up from 35% in 2015.
- In 2022, Swiss watch exports reached a record value of 24.8 billion Swiss francs, representing a 10.5% increase from 2021, with 17.5 million units shipped.
- Swiss watch exports to the USA grew by 18% in value to 5.2 billion CHF in 2022.
- Hong Kong imported 2.8 million Swiss watches worth 4.1 billion CHF in 2022, down 15% in volume.
- Omega introduced 25 new models with METAS Master Chronometer certification in 2023, featuring 15,000 gauss magnetic resistance.
- Patek Philippe launched the Aquanaut 5164A with a new in-house calibre 30-255 PS IRM, offering 40-hour power reserve.
- TAG Heuer's Carrera Plasma introduced lab-grown diamond bezel with 11 carats total weight in 2023.
- Rolex held a 30.9% market share in the Swiss luxury watch export value in 2022, leading all brands.
- Luxury watches over 3,000 CHF accounted for 92% of Swiss export value in 2022.
- Global Swiss watch market share was 52% in value terms for luxury segment in 2022.
- Switzerland produced 18.1 million watches in 2022, including 1.2 million mechanical watches and 16.9 million quartz watches.
- In 2022, the number of Swiss watchmaking companies stood at 1,400, concentrated in 17 cantons.
- Mechanical watches represented 7% of Swiss production volume but 65% of export value in 2022.
In 2022, Swiss watchmaking hit record exports and strong growth while powering jobs, innovation, and training.
Related reading
Employment and Economic Impact
Employment and Economic Impact Interpretation
Export and Import Data
Export and Import Data Interpretation
Innovation and Brand Performance
Innovation and Brand Performance Interpretation
More related reading
Market and Consumer Trends
Market and Consumer Trends Interpretation
Production Statistics
Production Statistics Interpretation
How We Rate Confidence
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
Felix Zimmermann. (2026, February 13). Switzerland Watch Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/switzerland-watch-industry-statistics
Felix Zimmermann. "Switzerland Watch Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/switzerland-watch-industry-statistics.
Felix Zimmermann. 2026. "Switzerland Watch Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/switzerland-watch-industry-statistics.
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fhs.swiss
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swissinfo.ch
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statista.com
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omegawatches.com
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swisswatchmaking.ch
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patek.com
- Reference 7MORGANSTANLEYmorganstanley.com
morganstanley.com
- Reference 8TAGHEUERtagheuer.com
tagheuer.com
- Reference 9IWCiwc.com
iwc.com
- Reference 10ECec.europa.eu
ec.europa.eu
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- Reference 16BREGUETbreguet.com
breguet.com
- Reference 17ZENITH-WATCHESzenith-watches.com
zenith-watches.com
- Reference 18EUROPASTAReuropastar.com
europastar.com
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- Reference 32WATCHESANDWONDERSwatchesandwonders.com
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- Reference 33CHOPARDchopard.com
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- Reference 34MONTBLANCmontblanc.com
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- Reference 35PARMIGIANIparmigiani.com
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- Reference 36RICHARDMILLErichardmille.com
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