The wristwatch industry worldwide is being adversely affected by fake products.

Top executives in Swiss watchmaking companies say it is difficult to quantify how much damage the fake products are doing to sales of original products.

While they believe it is probable that those who buy fake products can't afford the original, so it is not a loss, they are working everywhere with local authorities to combat the counterfeit products.

But, even with the flood of fakes, watchmakers say the wristwatch market has continued to grow despite other sources of timepieces, in the form of mobile phones, computers and car clocks.