In the first quarter of 2020, global smartwatch shipments rose 20 percent year-over-year to 13.7 million, according to Strategy Analytics.
The Apple Watch holds the number one spot with 55% market share, with Samsung in second place and Garmin moving up to third.
Steven Waltzer, senior analyst at Strategy Analytics, said: "Global smartwatch shipments grew from 11.4 million units in the first quarter of 2019 to 13.7 million units in the first quarter of 2020, up 20 percent year-over-year."
Despite the significant negative impact of the Covid-19 epidemic, global demand for smartwatches continues to grow. Smartwatches are selling well through online retail channels, and many consumers have been using them to monitor their health during isolation, he said.
Strategy Analytics said Apple Watch shipped 7.6 million units worldwide in the first quarter of 2020, up more than 23 percent from 6.2 million units in the first quarter of 2019, and growing its market share from 54 percent to 55 percent.
Samsung shipped 1.9 million smartwatches worldwide, up slightly from 1.7 million a year ago, but its market share fell from 15 percent to 14 percent.
Strategy Analytics director Woody Oh said global smartwatch shipments are expected to slow significantly in the second quarter of 2020 due to the ongoing Covid-19 outbreak.