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Swiss Watch Exports Jump to Record High on US and Qatari Demand but China slumps
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. Retailers in Qatar stocked up on expensive watches ahead of the World Cup, the data show, with exports soaring 112% to 36 million francs compared to the same month last year. Demand for luxury watches has risen ... (full story)