Hi -
Basically, the Swiss and the Swedes in WW2 were neutrals that supplied to anyone buying. Trade for both countries was not a problem as long as they used their own national flag carriers or transshipped to a neutral third country.
Hence many watch movements went by Swiss airplanes to Portugal or Spain for further transport.
The rules of war (aka Geneva Conventions) are quite clear on the role of neutral shipping. Such a ship may be stopped and searched for war materials, and if it defends itself in may be sunk. Of course, the ocean is a large place, and Swedish shipping, for instance, was rarely stopped except on the high seas, so that the Swedish sale of iron ore to the Germans was largely without interdiction.
Watch movements were generally so small that they could be easily transported by air.
Watches were generally not considered to be war-critical supplies as well: while it was important to have good watches, there were enough options open. It's all a question of priorities: generally speaking, military action was taken against military targets, and inspection of neutral shipping was fairly rare (but did happen).
Commerce did not cease with the war. It was just made much more difficult.
JohnF
Basically, the Swiss and the Swedes in WW2 were neutrals that supplied to anyone buying. Trade for both countries was not a problem as long as they used their own national flag carriers or transshipped to a neutral third country.
Hence many watch movements went by Swiss airplanes to Portugal or Spain for further transport.
The rules of war (aka Geneva Conventions) are quite clear on the role of neutral shipping. Such a ship may be stopped and searched for war materials, and if it defends itself in may be sunk. Of course, the ocean is a large place, and Swedish shipping, for instance, was rarely stopped except on the high seas, so that the Swedish sale of iron ore to the Germans was largely without interdiction.
Watch movements were generally so small that they could be easily transported by air.
Watches were generally not considered to be war-critical supplies as well: while it was important to have good watches, there were enough options open. It's all a question of priorities: generally speaking, military action was taken against military targets, and inspection of neutral shipping was fairly rare (but did happen).
Commerce did not cease with the war. It was just made much more difficult.
JohnF