Swiss check their watches, it shows India's time

Slowing consumption in China is pushing makers of luxury Swiss watches to sharpen focus on India-their fastest-growing market globally.
Exports of Swiss watches to India grew nearly 30 per cent during January-March 2025, compared to the same period in 2023. It was the fastest pace of growth among 30 markets worldwide, according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. Exports increased nearly 13 per cent over Q1 2024.
In contrast, Swiss watch shipments to China and Hong Kong fell 39 per cent and 32 per cent , respectively. The US and Japan posted growth of 9.3 per cent and 5.4 per cent , respectively. India's robust show was however partly due to a much smaller base.
Swiss watch exports to India rose to CHF62.3 million in the March quarter of 2025 from CHF48 million in the same period of 2023.
Exports to China fell to CHF 423.6 million from CHF 695.9 million while US shipments rose to CHF 1124.5 million from CHF 1029.1 million, according to data from the Swiss watch industry body.
Others like Singapore and the UAE showed declines, with double-digit growth in Taiwan, South Korea, and Turkey.
The data signifies continued momentum for India, as the country also saw the fastest pace of growth in Swiss watch exports in 2024, growing about 25 per cent . In comparison, Swiss watch exports to China declined 26 per cent last year, while the US recorded a 5 per cent growth.
Read More Nike's comeback plans threatened by tariffs, overstocked shelves
Pradeep Bhanot, managing director of luxury Swiss watchmaker Breitling in India, said the company has recorded strong double-digit growth over the past year. Breitling opened new boutiques in Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, and Gurugram to deepen its foothold.
'Not only do we have a strong position in metros but we are also now expanding in markets such as Kochi, Surat, Indore, and Coimbatore,' he said.
Luxury watch sales at Time Avenue in Mumbai-a retailer of brands such as Tudor and Rolex-increased more than 29 per cent in 2024, said owner and director Viraal Rajan. 'We expect similar growth rates for this year as well. The luxury watch industry as a whole has changed dramatically post Covid. The younger generation is very aspirational, and we are a growing economy with young people,' he said.
Over the past five fiscal years, the luxury watch category on Tata CLiQ Luxury has grown at 95 per cent compounded annually. This was driven primarily by brands in the mid-to-high-priced segments, said Gopal Asthana, CEO, Tata CLiQ, an online marketplace. Retailers noted rising demand for high-end, off-beat timepieces in addition to entry-level luxury watches, highlighting evolving consumer tastes.
'We have also recorded good demand from a curated catalogue from niche brands like HYT, Konstantin Chaykin, and L'Epee, which are not mainstream yet,' said Asthana.

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With so much of the company's logistics network in China, Vietnam and Indonesia, the recent tariff tensions have put enormous stress on the profitability analysts are expecting over the coming years, with some suggesting that as much as [url="]95[/url]% of profits could be at risk in the worst case scenario. Of course, Nike is not the only company dealing with this landscape, but with newer brands amassing loyal followings from social media and more dynamic brand campaigns, firms such as Lululemon are seeing surges in key markets, such as women-led athleisure. Nike is clearly making moves to correct this, with a partnership with [url="]Skims[/url] likely to roll out in 2026, but it suggests that the firm is perhaps on the backfoot with these emerging trends. That said, there is enormous strength in the Nike brand, with a track record of cash-generation, innovative campaigns, and huge deals with athletes such as LeBron James and Kylian Mbappe. 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