The month of March gave a boost to Swiss replica watches exports. Their value rose 6.3% compared to the previous year, registering the highest monthly increase since January 2014. At nearly 1.8 billion francs, the result helped the sector to a very good first quarter, surpassing the level of 5 billion francs and recording growth of 3.1%.

All materials showed an upward trend in March. Value was lifted by precious metal Breitling fake watches. The total number of timepieces leapt up 13.2%, the likes of which have not been seen for more than three years. This figure was buoyed by the categories of other metals and other materials, as well as steel.

Replica Breitling watches sale costing less than 200 francs (export price) performed particularly well in March with an increase in excess of 22%. They were decisive in volume terms. The 200-500 francs category continued to slow, recording its second consecutive negative month. Albeit showing only a modest decline, the 500-3,000 francs segment dragged down the overall result, as it has done for seven months. Timepieces costing more than 3,000 francs played a key role in improving the overall result.

Last month the bad news came from Asia, whereas practically all other markets recorded upturns, often very marked. Hong Kong underlined a difficult period by plunging clearly into the red. After two positive months, China once again registered a decline, albeit more moderate in nature. Suffering from an unfavourable base effect, Japan remained subdued. Elsewhere, results were far more pleasing. The United States showed once more that they remain a very dynamic market, with growth in excess of 20%. Singapore bounced back strongly and Europe also contributed actively to the overall increase with +16.3%.