Approximately 1.5 million watches were exported in July 2026, totaling CHF 2.3 billion—a 9.6% increase year-over-year, according to an article by the FHS.
Even the slightest delay in the delivery of components or finished watches can disrupt the schedule of a workshop, a watch manufacturer, or a supplier. Transporting watch components and products in Switzerland requires regular delivery routes to Swiss suppliers and the secure delivery of high-value goods.
STAR Logistique is a Swiss transportation company based in Geneva since 1988. Regular routes for transporting watchmaking products to our suppliers must then become a precise operational process.
Regular watch industry logistics flows to prevent disruptions between suppliers and workshops
21% of kilometers traveled were still empty runs in 2024, according to a Eurostat study. A regular route involves repeated pickups and deliveries along a predetermined route, with stops and a schedule agreed upon in advance, allowing for optimal use of the vehicle.
It can connect multiple suppliers to a workshop, facilitate exchanges between production sites, or transport finished watches to another facility.
Consistency provides a predictable framework for production and receiving teams. They can prepare the goods, reserve the necessary resources, and incorporate delivery times into their daily schedules. Logistics managers also have a well-defined process for handling discrepancies.
STAR Logistique manages shuttles and regular delivery routes for business shipments. The route can follow a fixed path and a predefined schedule. The frequency can be daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, or customized with the client.
Before designing the route, identify the sites involved, typical volumes, receiving constraints, and the desired frequency.
Who are regular watch industry delivery routes for?
Regular delivery routes are designed for companies that repeatedly transport goods between specific locations. They are particularly suited to the needs of those responsible for supply chain management, procurement, production, and operations.
This service is suitable for a route between two sites as well as for a route involving multiple pickups and deliveries. The transportation plan must take into account the role of each location, access schedules, and the conditions applicable to the goods.
Suppliers, workshops, and manufacturers
A supplier may need to regularly ship dials, movements, cases, or other parts to multiple workshops. A manufacturing facility may also organize a shuttle service between a storage site, a production unit, and an assembly site.
In a route involving multiple suppliers, the order of stops affects both preparation and receiving. Each site must know its time slot, the nature of the shipment, and the contact information for the operations representative to contact in case of any discrepancies.
Scheduled stops help teams prepare shipments before the vehicle arrives. At the destination, the receiving department can plan for the processing of goods without having to rely on a separate transport request for each shipment.
Components, finished watches, and high-value goods
Watch logistics flows may include spare parts, production components, and finished watches. Their value, sensitivity, or confidentiality determine the level of protection required.
STAR Logistique also offers a dedicated service for the secure transport of jewelry for the luxury, fine jewelry, and Swiss watchmaking sectors. This service is designed for operations where a regular delivery route must incorporate security measures tailored to the goods.
The initial assessment must distinguish between routine shipments and goods that require special arrangements. Provide details on the nature of the products, their value, their dimensions, and any confidentiality requirements before finalizing the route.
How to structure a recurring delivery route
A recurring route is based on consistent information and shared rules. Some elements are part of the service offering, such as scheduled pickups at fixed intervals and service to multiple locations. Others must be agreed upon with the customer, including time slots, stops, confirmations, and the handling of discrepancies.
Information to define before launch
Preparation follows a logical sequence:
- Identify locations and operational contacts
- Determine the nature, value, dimensions, and weight of the goods
- Set the frequency and time windows for visits
- Sequence stops according to pickup and delivery needs
- Define delivery and validation rules
- Plan for handling returns, emergencies, and volume discrepancies
- Test the route and then adjust its organization
The service may combine a scheduled pickup, multiple delivery points, and a route defined by the customer. The frequency remains a contractual parameter to be established based on the actual flow of shipments.
Next-day delivery and morning time slot options are available for domestic shipping. Their suitability for a given route must be evaluated during planning, based on the addresses and operational constraints.
The flow of operations between pickup and delivery
Preparation involves ensuring the availability of the goods and relevant information. Pickup then takes place at the agreed-upon locations. Transportation follows the defined route, and delivery is carried out according to the rules established with each destination site.
The table distinguishes between confirmed details and parameters that still need to be agreed upon. A dash indicates that no specific terms can be determined without first analyzing the route.
🔄Flow Stage
📍Areas Served
📅Agreed Frequency
📦Type of Packaging
✅Inspection upon Delivery
🔎Traceability
🔄Preparation
📍—
📅—
📦—
✅—
🔎—
🔄Pickup
📍Locations agreed upon with the customer
📅Agreed-upon fixed frequency
📦—
✅—
🔎—
🔄Transport
📍Switzerland and border regions
📅Agreed-upon schedule
📦—
✅—
🔎Real-time
🔄Delivery
📍Agreed-upon delivery points
📅According to the defined schedule
📦—
✅Rules to be agreed upon
🔎—
A testing phase allows you to verify the sequence of stops and ensure that the time slots are compatible with the sites’ constraints. Adjustments should focus on observable factors, such as access times, shipment preparation, or typical volume fluctuations.
Before making contact, prepare the addresses, operational contacts, the nature of the goods, their dimensions, weight, desired frequency, and receiving times.
Securing the transport of watches, components, and other valuables
A regular delivery schedule facilitates the consistent application of security measures. Each delivery follows a framework defined according to the nature of the goods, their value, and their sensitivity.
The categories handled include watches, jewelry, precious metals, spare parts, confidential documents, and luxury goods. Requirements may vary between a shipment of components intended for production and a shipment of finished watches.
Security measures during transport
Depending on the needs, secure transport protocols may include armored or secure vehicles, confidential routes, and continuous geolocation tracking. They may also include restricted access, staff trained in risk management, and customized insurance.
STAR Logistique states that it guarantees the confidentiality of all shipments. The company also specifies that transportation is provided at no additional cost.
The level of protection must be defined before the first shipment. This assessment covers the declared value, the sensitivity of the goods, the individuals authorized to handle them, and any information restrictions.
Real-time tracking is one of the features offered in STAR Logistique’s transportation solutions. The specific terms and conditions applicable to the route must be specified during the planning phase.
Temporary storage and continuity of flow
A delivery route may require temporary storage when pickup and drop-off schedules do not align. This situation must be identified during the route planning phase, particularly for valuable goods.
Secure warehouses feature 24/7 surveillance and access control. Any storage request must specify the nature of the goods, their expected storage duration, and the conditions for their return to the distribution chain.
To maintain continuity of the flow, also define the procedure to follow if a site is unable to receive a delivery. Assess in advance the value, sensitivity, confidentiality requirements, and any potential need for temporary storage.
Covering Swiss, cross-border, and exceptional needs
A watch supply chain may connect sites within the same region, span multiple cantons, or include a supplier based in a neighboring country. Its design must account for the standard route and any necessary additional operations.
Returns, urgent pickups, and volume fluctuations must be treated as exceptions. Their acceptance depends on the constraints communicated and the feasibility assessed by the logistics team.
Shuttle services in the watchmaking region
The Neuchâtel branch serves as a local hub in the heart of the Swiss watchmaking region. It supports transportation needs related to watches, watch components, and other valuable goods.
Weekly shuttle services connect Neuchâtel, La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, and Geneva. These shuttles connect several major watchmaking hubs and can meet recurring transportation needs between suppliers, workshops, and logistics sites.
To explore connecting to these routes, please provide the exact address of each stop and the available pickup days. Please also specify whether the goods need to be transported to another location.
Shipments from neighboring countries and additional services
STAR Logistique provides secure domestic and cross-border transportation of valuable goods. Routes include Switzerland, France, Germany, and Italy.
Logistics solutions for valuable items may include secure domestic or international transportation, customs clearance, and specialized handling. These services may apply to products such as watches.
Read the article on "The Best Logistics Providers for Luxury Brands Imported into Switzerland".
Formalities and border crossings must be incorporated into the transportation plan when the route crosses a border. Information about the goods must allow for the preparation of the associated customs procedures.
Returns, urgent pickups, and volume discrepancies are situations that require specific handling. The route must therefore incorporate both regular shipments and the rules applicable to exceptions from the outset.
FAQ about regular watch delivery routes
Provide the addresses, on-site contacts, relevant goods, desired delivery frequencies, and time constraints. Also specify any foreseeable variations so that the plan takes into account the suppliers’ actual operations.
The security measures must be commensurate with the value, sensitivity, and confidentiality level of the goods. A preliminary assessment allows us to select the appropriate modes of transportation, access points, and insurance coverage.
Yes, STAR Logistique offers real-time traceability as part of its transportation services. The tracking procedures applicable to the route must be confirmed during the operational assessment.
The team must assess the address, the goods, the requested schedule, and any security constraints before making any commitments. The request is then reviewed based on available resources and its potential integration into the transportation plan.
An efficient watch delivery route relies on clearly identified locations, an agreed-upon frequency, and appropriate security measures. Prepare the operational data, then have STAR Logistique analyze the regular route and its exception rules.
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Regular Logistics Deliveries for the Swiss Watch Industry