International sales of Swiss watches jumped 19.1% to 2.2 billion francs compared to the same month last year.

Swiss watch exports rose again in September, the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH) announced on Thursday.

Sales of Swiss watches abroad jumped 19.1% to 2.2 billion francs compared to the same month the previous year, detailed the umbrella in a press release.

The United States remained the leading outlet for Swiss watchmakers, with sales up 33.2% and a market share of 16.4%. China is just behind, posting sales up 15.0%. Hong Kong, on the other hand, fell by 2.8%, while in Japan they soared by 34.3%.

In Europe, the United Kingdom recorded an increase of 18%.

By price range, only watches in the range of 200 to 500 francs (export price) saw their exports decline. At the top of the range (prices above 3000 francs), sales increased by 22.6% in value.