

Smaller dials, quieter luxury drive India’s ₹3,500 crore Swiss watch market
Subscribe to enjoy similar stories.NEW DELHI: India’s appetite for Swiss watches is expanding, but the bigger shift is in how consumers are buying them. As the market crossed ₹3,500 crore for the first time in 2025, demand is increasingly being shaped by more informed, deliberate choices—moving away from logo-driven purchases towards craftsmanship, heritage and understated design.“The Indian luxury customer has evolved from buying brands to buying watchmaking,” said Pranav Saboo, managing director and chief executive of Ethos Ltd, one of India’s biggest watch retailersThat shift is showing up across the market.
Swiss watch imports into India rose to about ₹3,500 crore in 2025, up from ₹3,244.6 crore in 2024, according to data from the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FH). The current year has also begun on a strong note, with imports for January and February 2026 estimated at ₹620-625 crore based on FH data and prevailing exchange rates.While part of the increase reflects a stronger Swiss franc, industry executives said underlying demand remains robust, supported by a widening consumer base.More importantly, purchase behaviour is becoming more considered.
Retailers said first-time buyers are entering the category alongside seasoned collectors, but with a greater focus on movements, craftsmanship and long-term value. Decisions are less impulsive and more informed, signalling a maturing market.Design preferences are shifting in tandem.
Executives said the sweet spot for men’s watches has moved to 39-41 mm, down from 44 mm and above a decade ago, reflecting a move towards minimalism and restraint.“The designs reflect the changing preference for non ‘in the face’ formats. It is becoming more understated and elegant,”
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