Exports of Swiss Watches Fall Faster Than Expected

Swiss watch exports fell 15% in November from a year earlier to 1.52 billion Swiss francs ($1.41 billion), a steep deterioration from the drop of around 5% posted for October. November is the watch industry's most important month of the year because of the run-up to Christmas.

Swiss watch exports plunged for the fourth straight month in February, falling 22.4% compared with the year-earlier period, says the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry. When consumers cut back, if they buy at all, they're more likely to buy blue-chip brands, some analysts say, and that hurts niche brands like Nubeo.