Swiss Watch Rebound Continues, Led by Pricier Models

ZURICH, Switzerland — Swiss watch exports climbed for a fourth month in five as growth in higher-end mechanical timepieces made up for a decline in cheaper quartz models.

Shipments rose 3.6 percent to 1.7 billion francs ($1.8 billion) in July, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry said in statement Tuesday. Exports of watches wholesaling for more than 3,000 francs rose 5.9 percent, offsetting an 18 percent slump in timepieces costing less than 200 francs.

The outperformance of the higher-end segment is is more of a boon for Richemont, which only has one lower-priced brand, than Swatch, which has several, wrote Zuzanna Pusz, an analyst at Berenberg. Most of Richemont's brands, which include Cartier and Jaeger-LeCoultre, have models whose prices exceed $50,000, while Swatch's collection of monikers includes its $50 namesake plastic timepieces and relatively less expensive labels such as Tissot.

Among other highlights:

• Richemont shares up 1.2% at 10:54 a.m. in Zurich; Swatch gains 0.3%
• July increase was 4.1% in real terms, adjusted for working days: Swiss customs office
• Quartz watches dropped, while mechanical and automatic watches increased
• July faced easy comparisons and the rest of the year, except for October, will be more difficult, says Barclays analyst Julian Easthope
• Exports to Hong Kong, the industry's largest market, rose 17 percent for the third consecutive month of gains.
• FHS says watches approaching forecast for "stabilization" this year
• U.K. shipments drop for first time this year, down 8.5%

By Corinne Gretler, Luca Morreale; Editors: Eric Pfanner, Thomas Mulier.