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Pursuits

Swiss Watch Exports Jump to Record High on US and Qatari Demand But China Slumps

  • Americans snap up pricey timepieces, lifting exports by 33%
  • Retailers in Qatar stocked up ahead of the football World Cup
Demand for luxury watches has risen to unprecedented value levels.

Demand for luxury watches has risen to unprecedented value levels.

Photographer: Alain Costa/Rolex
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Swiss watch exports jumped to a record high in November as Americans snapping up pricey timepieces outweighed slumping demand from China. 

Shipments rose 10.9% to a monthly record of 2.4 billion francs ($2.6 billion) last month, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry said Thursday. Exports totaled 22.9 billion francs from January to November, an 11.9% rise and on track for the industry’s best year ever.