ZURICH -(Dow Jones)- Swiss watch exports reached 1.42 billion Swiss francs ($ 1.39 billion) in April, up 18.8% on the year in real terms, data from the Swiss customs office published Tuesday showed.

The monthly watch export numbers are closely watched by investors and analysts who are following Swiss watchmakers Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA (virt-x:CFR) (CFR.VX) and Swatch Group AG (virt-x:UHR) (UHR.VX).

Customs office Web site: www.zoll.admin.ch

-By Hans Schoemaker, Dow Jones Newswires; +41-43-4438045; hans.schoemaker@ dowjones.com

    (END) Dow Jones Newswires   05-27-08 0237   Copyright (c) 2008 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.