The deed is done, and how. As predicted, in 2012 Swiss watchmaking surpassed previous performances with exports rising by almost 11% to reach CHF 21.4 billion. One for the record books, for a year at least. Historians will tell us how 2012 fares in the wider scheme of things. In the meantime, however, there are lessons to be learned from this latest financial year. An eight-point analysis (eight being a lucky number on China…).

Three recent studies show that Chinese consumers are buying more luxury goods when they travel. A fast-growing phenomenon that Swiss watchmakers can only welcome.