- Apple Smart Watch was not only last year’s best-selling smartwatch but also beaten the Swiss watch industry, according to new sales figures collected by Strategy Analytics.
The Apple Smart Watch was not only last year’s best-selling smartwatch but also beaten the Swiss watch industry, according to new sales figures collected by Strategy Analytics. The report estimates that in 2019 Apple delivered nearly 31 million units, a 36 percent improvement over the previous year. The Swiss watch industry, which includes brands such as Swatch and TAG Heuer, delivered only an estimated 21.1 million units, a decrease of 13 percent, Strategy Analytics reports.
While Apple in its quarterly earnings does not break out individual Apple Watch unit sales, Strategy Analytics collects data from retail partners and other suppliers to arrive at its revenue figures. “Analog wristwatches remain popular among older consumers but younger buyers turn to smartwatches and computerized wristwear,” writes Neil Mawston, Strategy Analytics ‘ executive director.
“Classic Swiss watchmakers like Swatch and Tissot are losing the smartwatch battles,” according to fellow Strategy Analytics analyst Steven Waltzer. Apple Watch offers a better product across wider retail channels, targeting younger customers who are increasingly looking for wearable wristwear. The gap for Swiss watch companies to make an impact on smartwatches is closing.
“For many years now, Apple Watch has been the market leader in the smartwatch segment and once exceeded the Swiss watch industry in quarterly sales in 2017, but this is the first full year that the company has surpassed its analog rival, reports MacRumors
What seems to work in Apple’s favor is the growing popularity of smartwatches, particularly among young purchasers. “Traditional Swiss watchmakers, such as Swatch and Tissot, are losing smartwatch wars. Apple Watch offers a better product across broader retail channels and appeals to younger customers who increasingly want digital wristwear. Swiss watch companies are closing the window to make an impact on a smartwatch. Swatch, Tissot, TAG Heuer and others may run out of time,” added Waltzer,
Apple Watch’s revenues have for the first time in 2017 exceeded that of Swiss watchmakers. This is, however, the first time that Apple has beaten its analog competitor by full-year Apple Watch sales.
Shipments rose an incredible + 42 percent year-on-year to hit 14 million units in the third quarter of 2019, according to recent research on the global smartwatch industry. Apple leads the market, in the same order followed by Samsung and Fitbit. During the third quarter of 2019, Apple delivered 6.8 million units, followed by 1.9 million units from Samsung, and 1.6 million units from Fitbit. Apple kept a market share of 47.9 percent in the same quarter.
