The number of smartwatches shipped worldwide overtook Swiss watches for the first time ever, according to a new report by consulting firm Strategy Analytics.
In the three months to the end of 2015 a total of 8.1 million smartwatches were shipped compared with 7.9 million Swiss watches – and most of them were android smart watches for men.
There was a 316% increase in the number of smartwatches shipped in the fourth quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 – up from 1.9 million.
Meanwhile, the number of Swiss watches shipped in the fourth quarter of 2015 declined by 5% on a year-over-year basis, down from 8.3 million in Q4 2014.
Global Smartwatch vs. Swiss Watch Shipments in Q4 2015
| Global Shipments (Millions of Units) | Q4 ’14 | Q4 ’15 |
| Smartwatch | 1.9 | 8.1 |
| Swiss Watch | 8.3 | 7.9 |
| Total | 1.9 | 8.1 |
| Global Shipments Growth: Year-over-Year (%) | Q4 ’14 | Q4 ’15 |
| Smartwatch | ~ | 315.6% |
| Swiss Watch | ~ | -4.8% |
| Total | 100.0% | 100.0% |
| Source: Strategy Analytics |
Apple and Samsung account for 80% of smartwatches shipped worldwide
Cliff Raskind, Director at Strategy Analytics, said, “We estimate global smartwatch shipments reached 8.1 million units in Q4 2015, rising a healthy 316 percent from 1.9 million in Q4 2014. Smartwatches are growing rapidly in North America, Western Europe and Asia.
“Apple Watch captured an impressive 63 percent share of the global smartwatch market in Q4 2015, followed by Samsung with 16 percent. Apple and Samsung together account for a commanding 8 in 10 of all smartwatches shipped worldwide.”
Global demand for Swiss watches is slowing down
Steven Waltzer, Analyst at Strategy Analytics, added, “We estimate global Swiss watch shipments reached 7.9 million units in Q4 2015, falling 5 percent from 8.3 million in Q4 2014. Global demand for Swiss watches is slowing down, and major players like Swatch are struggling to find growth.”
The Swiss watch industry has been slow to react to the arrival of smartwatches
Neil Mawston, Executive Director at Strategy Analytics, added, “The Swiss watch industry has been very slow to react to the development of smartwatches. The Swiss watch industry has been sticking its head in the sand and hoping smartwatches will go away.
“Swiss brands, like Tag Heuer, accounted for a tiny 1 percent of all smartwatches shipped globally during Q4 2015, and they are long way behind Apple, Samsung and other leaders in the high-growth smartwatch category.”