Net sales fell 11.2% to CHF3.1 billion (US$3.8 billion), while net profit plunged 88% to CHF17 million.

“The decline in sales is exclusively attributable to China,” the company said, adding that sales in other regions reached record levels set in 2023 and 2024.

Besides its eponymous Swatch watches, the company owns high-end brands such as Omega, Longines and Tissot, and like other luxury firms the demand of Chinese consumers for Western goods has made it a top market.

However,  Swatch said the region’s share in total sales have fallen from a third to just under a quarter as China’s economy has struggled, with a real estate crisis hampering consumption by many households.

Sales to Chinese wholesalers fell by 30% during the first half of the year and were down by 15% in Swatch’s retail stores.

However, Swatch said it has seen the first signs of improvement in China and expects an improved market environment in the second half of the year.

Meanwhile, first half sales growth reached double digits in North America, India, Turkey, Middle East and Australia.

“The US, Japan and India continue to have great growth potential,” it said, adding it expects utilisation of its production capacity to rise in the second half of the year thanks to new product launches.