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Starter Package: Watches

Planning to import watches from China? In this article, we explain how you can implement our framework to go from design drawing and prototype to mass production and quality control.

This is covered

• Product Specifications
• Watch Movements
• Design Customization Options
• Straps
• Product Packaging
• Tooling Costs
• Unit Prices
• Prototype Development
• Watch Standards and Regulations
• Quality Control
• Watch & Clock Trade Shows

Product Specifications

Watch Case

The biggest price factor is the watch case material. You have two options: Stainless steel or Zinc alloy. The latter is only used in low-quality watches, retailing for less than $50. Watches sold for above that price are almost always made of Stainless Steel, if exclude other less common watch case materials, such as plastic and silicon. Continue reading Importing Watches from China: A Complete Guide

Suggestion: Watch the 20 minutes video tutorial before reading this article

Click Here to Get the
Starter Package: Watches

Millions of watches are assembled in China every year, primarily in Shenzhen, Guangdong province. With hundreds of watch manufacturers to choose from, it can be somewhat tricky to find one capable to manufacture your watch design.

In this article, we share our experience of China’s wristwatch industry and explain the factors that matter when selecting a manufacturer. We also explain what importers must know about design customization, and how this has a direct impact on pricing and minimum order quantity requirements.

This is covered:

• List of Watch Manufacturers in Shenzhen
• The role of the Watch manufacturer
• Materials and Components
• Design Customization
• Heavy metals, phthalates, and other restricted substances
• Product Packaging
• MOQ Requirement
• How do I know if the supplier can make my watch design?

List of Watch Manufacturers in Shenzhen

Shenzhen is known as an electronics manufacturing powerhouse but is also the worlds largest industrial base for watch manufacturers. A few years ago I was told there are more than 3000 companies, both watch factories, and component suppliers, in Shenzhen’s Bao’An district aline.

Below follows a list of Shenzhen based watch suppliers that’s been around for a while:

• Shenzhen Aiers Watch Co. Ltd
• Shenzhen City Yonghao Clock And Watch Co., Ltd
• Shenzhen City Yongda Clock And Watch Co., Ltd.
• Shenzhen Kastar Timepieces Co., Ltd.
• Window’s Clock & Watch Co., Ltd.
• Shenzhen Zhongshi Watch Co., Ltd.

Note that all listed suppliers require that you provide a clear product specification for your watch, complete with design files, bill of materials and logo design.

Product Scope

While these companies all make watches, they are also specialized in certain types and materials. Here are a few examples:

• Stainless steel watches
• Zinc alloy watches
• Plastic watches
• Wooden watches
• Digital watches

The role of the Watch manufacturer

The truth is that a ‘Watch manufacturer’ don’t really manufacture the watches. They assemble the watches and procure all individual components. The Watch case, crown, hands, clock face, and even the indexing are all produced by specialized subcontractors.

This also applies to movements, which are often procured directly from Miyota, Seiko or Ronda.

The Watch supplier is essentially managing these subcontractors, and assemble the final products. In general, all Watch suppliers have access to the same subcontractors. As they don’t invest much in R&D, this means that all suppliers in the industry have access to the same materials and components.

Does that mean that all suppliers are equal? Definitely not. Watch manufacturers differ on the following factors:

a. Product compliance: Most suppliers are not aware of EU and US product regulations,  such as REACH and RoHS. Hence, they may supply a product with excessive amounts of lead and other restricted substances.

b. Quality management: Managing a large number of subcontractors is not an easy task. At a minimum, the supplier must have established procedures for checking incoming materials and components – and checkpoints on the assembly line.

c. Management: Some people are just better at taking care of their customers and running businesses than others. This is also how it works in China’s watch industry.

So, what about pricing? The price difference between two different suppliers is normally small, assuming you get quoted based on the same product specification. As mentioned, the suppliers are buying materials and components from the same network of subcontractors.

Continue reading Watch Manufacturers in China: A Complete Guide