From Late Start to Global Dominance: Unravelling the Intriguing History of Chinese Watchmaking

Despite a late entry into watchmaking in 1955, China now reigns as a titan and produces more timepieces than all of Europe combined, commanding over 30% of the world market. While China’s watch exports, at about 600 million units in 2025, far exceed Switzerland’s roughly 15 million, the picture changes when we look at the value of these exports: $18 billion for China versus $31 billion for Switzerland. One of the secrets to China’s prodigious output is their enticing blend of affordability and reliability with an increasingly high-end range that includes features like tourbillons, micro-rotors, and repeaters, underscoring China’s standings in the global watchmaking industry. The nation is also nurturing a burgeoning independent watchmaking scene.

As the 1960s rolled in, China began to shape its horological identity with homegrown designs that were a departure from their Swiss inspirations. Eight major factories emerged as horological leaders, laying the foundation for the nation’s contemporary dominance in the global watchmaking sector. These were the Shanghai Watch Factory, Tianjin Watch Factory, Beijing Watch Factory, Guangzhou Watch Factory, Nanjing Watch Factory, Jilin Watch Factory, Qingdao Watch Factory, and Liaoning Watch Factory. They continue to wield considerable influence today. The rise of watchmaking in China is a captivating tale of tenacity, innovation, and remarkable adaptation, cementing China’s formidable presence in the world of horology.