Market evolution: Other clocks excluding watches (CN 9105) — 2015–2025

Introduction

This report analyses the trade performance of the European Union in customs heading 9105, covering clocks such as alarm clocks, wall clocks, and other timepieces not classified as watches, instrument panel clocks, or clocks with watch movements. The period examined spans from 2015 to 2025. The EU market for these products has experienced a significant contraction over the decade, characterized by declining trade volumes, a narrowing trade deficit, and notable shifts in trading partners and product composition. This evolution reflects broader trends of digital substitution, changing consumer habits, and supply chain adjustments.

A Decade of Contraction: The Squeeze on Traditional Clock Trade

The most prominent trend across the period is a sustained decline in the physical volume of trade, both for imports and exports, accompanied by a shift towards higher-value goods.

Import and Export Volumes Have Fallen Sharply

Between 2015 and 2025, the EU's overall trade in CN 9105 contracted substantially. Import volumes (in tonnes) fell by 28.8%, from 28,089 tonnes to 19,989 tonnes. Export volumes experienced an even steeper relative decline of 28.4%, falling from 1,983 tonnes to 1,420 tonnes. The supplementary unit data (number of items) tells a more dramatic story, with import quantities dropping by 26.0% and export quantities plunging by 43.5%. This divergence between weight and unit count suggests a trend towards importing lighter, potentially more specialized products.

Trade Value Trends Diverge from Volume, Indicating Upgrading

While trade volumes contracted, the value dynamics were more nuanced, revealing a process of value upgrading, particularly in exports.

Metric (Value, EUR)	2015	2025	Change
Imports	200,340,979	161,756,644	-19.3%
Exports	82,995,056	71,837,305	-13.4%
Trade Balance	-117,345,924	-89,919,339	+23.4%

The trade deficit narrowed by 23.4%. This improvement is partly due to exports declining less sharply in value than imports. Crucially, unit prices rose significantly. The average export price per item (supplementary price) increased by 53.3% to €37.97, indicating a shift towards higher-value, niche products. The import price per item also rose, but more modestly, by 8.0% to €3.71.

Geographic Shifts: Declining Dominance and New Niches

The top trading partners for CN 9105 have evolved, with traditional partners losing ground while some new relationships have strengthened.

China's Dominant Import Position Weathers a Structural Decline

China has remained the EU's primary source of imported clocks, accounting for a value of €130.3 million in 2025. However, this represents a 15.0% decline from 2015. Its share, while still vast, has faced headwinds from a general market contraction. Other traditional Asian suppliers saw much sharper declines: imports from Hong Kong fell by 81.6% and from Taiwan by 71.2%. Conversely, imports from Vietnam grew by 211.9%, though from a low base, signaling some diversification in Asian supply chains.

Export Geography Shows Concentration and Vulnerability

The EU's export concentration increased, as measured by the Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI), rising from 1,070 to 1,719. Switzerland became the overwhelmingly dominant export destination, with its share of EU exports (by value) rising to 32.1% in 2025. In contrast, exports to the United Kingdom fell by 49.7%, and those to Russia collapsed by 83.4%, likely due to geopolitical factors. The data also reveals high volatility; for instance, exports to Cambodia experienced extreme price shocks (coefficient of variation of 0.69), suggesting sporadic, high-value shipments rather than stable trade.

Structural Transformation Within Product Categories

Behind the top-line figures, a detailed look at the subcategories of CN 9105 reveals divergent fortunes, highlighting the market's evolution.

Electrically Operated Wall Clocks Remain the Volume Anchor, but Are Shrinking

The single largest product category by weight is 910521 - Wall clocks, electrically operated. In 2025, it accounted for 70% of all imported tonnes. However, its import volume (in tonnes) declined from 17,251 to 14,071 over the period. Its import value fell more sharply, by 20.5%, indicating price pressure. This category represents the commoditized, volume-driven segment of the market that is contracting.

Niche and Non-Electric Segments Show Resilience or Volatility

EU Specialisation Highlights a Narrow, High-Value Niche

The market structure data for 2025 shows that the EU has a revealed comparative advantage (RCA > 1) in CN 9105 only in a few member states: the Netherlands, France, Poland, and Denmark. Notably, EU-wide production of clocks has collapsed, with the number of items produced plummeting by 88.3% and production value by 27.6%. This indicates a strategic retreat from volume manufacturing, with EU activity now concentrated in design, branding, and the assembly or export of higher-value, niche products—explaining the rising export prices.

Conclusion

The EU's trade in clocks (CN 9105) over 2015-2025 has undergone a profound structural transformation. The era of large-volume trade in standardized, mass-produced clocks is fading, as evidenced by the consistent decline in both import and export quantities. The market has become smaller in size but, for the EU, more focused on value. The narrowing trade deficit and soaring export unit prices signal a shift towards specialized, higher-margin products, while the collapse of domestic production underscores a full transition away from volume manufacturing. Geographic dependencies have shifted, with China's import dominance persisting but eroding, and EU exports becoming highly concentrated in Switzerland. The future of this trade likely belongs to niches—design-led products, specialized timekeeping devices, and possibly custom or luxury segments—rather than the traditional wall and alarm clocks that once defined the category.