Many of my customers and friends will ask me some basic questions about watch customization, especially for customers who are new to the watches industry, very confused about the customization of watches, how they should operate, what they need, how much MOQ, and other such issues, today I purposely write an article about this aspect of the problem.
What is the Process of Manufacturing Private-label Watches?
Customizing watches can be a fun and creative process that allows you to personalize your timepiece according to your preferences. While there are various approaches to watch customization, let me outline a general process that you can follow:
- Research and choose a watch: Start by selecting a watch that you want to customize. Consider factors like the brand, model, size, and movement type. It’s important to choose a watch that allows for customization options and has easily accessible parts.
- Determine customization options: Decide on the aspects of the watch you want to customize. This can include the dial, hands, bezel, case, crown, strap/bracelet, and even movement. Think about whether you want to change the color, material, or texture, or add any additional features like engravings or gemstones.
- Find a reputable watch customizer: Look for professional watch customizers or modders who specialize in the type of customization you want. You can find them through B2B platforms, social platforms, online forums, watch enthusiast communities, or by seeking recommendations from fellow watch enthusiasts. Ensure they have a good reputation and a portfolio of previous work.
- Consultation and design: Schedule a consultation with the customizer to discuss your ideas and preferences. They will guide you through the customization process, provide recommendations, and help you refine your design. They may also show you samples, mock-ups, or computer-generated designs to give you an idea of the final result.
- Component sourcing: Once you finalize the design, the customizer will source the necessary components and materials for your watch customization. This may involve ordering specific parts, working with suppliers, or even creating custom elements from scratch, depending on the complexity of your design.
- Assemble product: Assemble the watch, ensuring all components fit correctly and the movement is properly calibrated.
- Quality control and testing: The customizer will thoroughly test the watch to ensure it functions accurately and meets the desired standards. This includes checking the timekeeping accuracy, water resistance (if applicable), and overall performance. They will make any necessary adjustments or fine-tuning to achieve optimal results.
- Delivery and aftercare: Once the customization process is finished, the customizer will return the watch to you. They may provide you with care instructions and advice on maintenance to ensure the longevity of your customized timepiece. It’s essential to follow their guidance to keep your watch in the best possible condition.
Remember that the customization process may vary depending on the complexity of your design and the specific expertise of the customizer. It’s crucial to communicate, provide detailed instructions, and establish a good rapport with your chosen customizer to achieve the desired outcome.
How’s the MOQ Required for Each Order? Why is it so much Higher MOQ?
Each factory will ask for MOQ 500pcs for the same model, Why?
Most will ask What is the minimum order quantity (MOQ) when working with a private-label watch manufacturer?
That’s because different parts supplier has different MOQ requirements. Sometimes the whole market gives quantity requirements taking into account the requirements of the material supplier, the wear and tear of the machines, and the operating costs of the factory
What Services Does a Private-label Watch Manufacturer Provide?
- Customize watches,
- Customize watch boxes
- Design watches
- Designing boxes
- Shipments
Check to know more details
What Services does a Private-label Watch Manufacturer Provide
Full List of Frequently Asked Questions in Watches Customization
Q: What is a private label watch manufacturer?
A: A private label watches manufacturer can make your ideal watch into real watches according to your piece mess idea. They can make you with design pictures, and samples, lead you to make the perfect watch you need, solve your after-sales problem, and give you ideas of the market trends. they are your assistants.
Q: Customized watch process step-by-step/customize watch options/ Choosing materials for customized watches?
A: Pls check on above mentioned steps, For customization watch options/Choosing materials for customized watches. Check below post on what materials and components are commonly used in private-label watch manufacturing
Complete Guideline: What Should I Know When I Want to Customize My Watches?
Q: Custom watch design ideas and inspiration
A: Custom watch design ideas are quite a virtual thing, cause everybody is different, factory will provide the customer with professional suggestions for your design, or provide you with our catalog to inspire you, But it all depends on the customers as this is a brand. Only customers know their brand image and ideas
Q: Custom watch straps
A: You can refer to this post about the watch straps and bracelet options.
Mastering Wrist Watch Straps: A Must-Know for Watch Enthusiasts
Q: Customized watch dial options
A: You can refer to this post about customized watch dial options.
Q: What colors should i choose? Is there a good option?
A: Yes, The best coloring of wrist watches is PVD, check below post to know more;
Q: Logo engraving options for personalized watches
A: Engraving, laser graving, erosion, embossing, debossing on watch dial and case,
plus gold hot stamping, and silver hot stamping extra on the watch boxes.
Q: Cost of customizing a watch
A: The cost of customizing different watches is different,
Average Sample: 500usd( quartz), 1000-2000usd ( mechanical)
Average Mass order: 500pcs *15=7500dollars(quartz), 500*40=20000dollars( mechanical)
Shipping average: 0.5-1usd per unit, 500dollars
Import Tax: depends on different countries, are different.
Total: 500+7500+500=8500 dollars 1000/2000+20000+500=21500/22500 dollars
Of course, You will have marketing fees, and other start-up costs, which cannot be estimated for you.
Check to know about the cost of customizing a watch
Q: Custom watch samples and prototypes
A: Sample/prototypes can be quartz watches or mechanical watches, in Swiss or Japan movement is the most comment, Quartz watch style is common, and features depend on customers.
Q: What watches movement should i choose?
A: Japanese quartz movement is widely used and is the most used movement by many brands
Watches Customization: What Do You Know of the Watches Movement?
Q: How can I find a reliable private-label watch manufacturer?
A: You can check this post we shared before, Some ideas from a watch manufacturer.
Q: Can a private label watch manufacturer customize the design and branding of the watches?
A: Yes, Design, Branding logo, Anything you required, the watch manufacturer can meet it.
Q: How long does it take to manufacture private-label watches? How long does it typically take to produce a customized watch?
A: The custom watch manufacturing timeline is nearly 45 days on average
check below to know why customize watches takes so long time;
Q: Can a private-label watch manufacturer assist with packaging and labeling?
A: Yes, 99% of the private-label watch manufacturer will customize the watches box for you.
Q: Are there any quality control measures in place during the manufacturing process?
A: Yes, We have LQC online when making production
Check post to know the quality check list of Watches
Q: Can a private-label watch manufacturer assist with shipping and logistics?
A: Yes, we can provide Door Door Service, It’s very freely for you to get the package to sit at the house.
Q: What is the cost involved in working with a private-label watch manufacturer?
A: Product cost, molding cost, sample cost
Q: Can the private label watch manufacturer provide samples or prototypes before production?
A: Yes, for watches, The sample is quite expensive, Mostly hundreds of dollars, so no free samples, samples will be provided before production or before placing the order.
Q: Are there any options for warranty or after-sales service when working with a private-label watch manufacturer? Maintaining and servicing customized watches
A: Mostly are 1-2 years warranty, non-human damage range.
Q: Are there any limitations or restrictions when it comes to designing and customizing private-label watches?
A: Yes, the MOQ is a limit, The strap material if from Italy, so It’s a limit
Q: What is the difference between private label watches and OEM watches?
A: Private label watches actually the same as OEM watches in my mind.
Q: Can an OEM watch manufacturer produce watches based on my design and specifications?
A: Yes, the watch manufacturers can produce based on your design and specifications, but if your size or features, or design is special, They will tell you if they can make it by current techniques, also the cost estimated
Q: Is it possible to customize various aspects of the watch, such as the dial, case, hands, or straps?
A: No, not the full aspect, but the 90% aspect.
for most watches, the hands can not customize, You can only choose what existing styles, as hands are needs to make expensive molding if you need new styles, they can only customize the dial, case, straps, and some other accessories.
Q: What are the options for branding and logo placement on OEM watches?
A: The branding and logo can be put on the dial, straps, case back, and buckle.
Q: How involved can I be in the manufacturing process as the client?
A: You can design your watch till they produced a sample and mass order. It means you can take full involvement in the watches manufacturing process.
Q: Are there any limitations on the type of materials that can be used in OEM watches?
A: Yes, stainless steel/Alloy/brass material are commonly used in watches,
Leather materials are for bands
Seems other materials are no limits, but not that common
Check to know widely some market information
Q: How does the OEM watches process handle quality control and assurance?
A: When the factory orders product parts, it will let the parts supplier provide samples first, and then send them to the customer to confirm the appearance, and confirm function and so on all, the big goods will come to inspect the raw materials, try to assemble the product, if not, will all return to re-production.
During product assembly, the factory also has a special LQC to check the problems encountered in the production process and correct them in time. By the time the product is assembled, there will also be an FQC inspection to ensure that the product is good in the hands of the customer this whole process, is the QC
Q: Can an OEM watch manufacturer provide certifications or compliance documentation, such as CE or RoHS?
A: Yes, CE and Rohs are the most basic
Q: What is the typical lead time for OEM watch production?
A: Quartz watch 45-60 days, mechanical watch 45-90 days.
Q: Can the OEM watch manufacturer handle packaging and labeling according to my requirements?
A: Yes, customizing the packaging is part of the service of the watches manufacturer, but it will vary by a different factory.
Q: Is there a minimum order quantity (MOQ) for OEM watches?
A: Yes, 300-500PCS Per style
Q: What are the payment terms and conditions for OEM watch manufacturing?
A: Each factory has different payment requirements, but most have a 30% deposit for the production area and 70% before delivery.
Q: Are there any after-sales services or warranties provided for OEM watches?
A: Yes, there are, and the watch manufacturers’ after-sales are all-inclusive of quality issues for 1-2 years after you receive the product, except for human damage. Generally based on refunds
Q: What are the options for customizing the design of a watch?
A: Customized dial, case, strap, box, and product packaging
Q: Can I choose the materials used in the customization of the watch?
A: Yes, you can check this details page in customize watches options.
Q: Is it possible to engrave personal messages or logos on the watch?
A: Yes, it can, but it has the MOQ limited, some diy watches supplier can provide personal message customize, but you can only use their fixed styles, so both have the limits.
Q: Can I select specific colors for different components of the watch?
A: Yes, there are many colors for the cases and straps, also some other components
Q: How detailed can the customization be, such as adding intricate patterns or textures?
A: No matter how complex the pattern or texture is, as long as it is the right size to suit the market for the watch, it can usually be made.
Q: Are there options for customizing the watch hands, indices, or numerals?
A: Can be customized instructions and numbers, but the needle, generally looking for similar and existing styles, is not recommended to customize, because of the batch processing, once you start to do will be shipped in large quantities, and the price is cheap, so require a lot of quantity and the high cost of opening the mold
Q: Can I customize the type of movement used in the watch?
A: You can choose the right brand of movement to use in your watch. For example a Japanese Miyota, a Swiss Ronda, a slight modification of the position of the calendar, etc., but only for this kind of customization, you cannot make your movement according to your ideas, because the technology is not up to the requirements. Unless you can find a major brand movement manufacturer and can do the quantity he requires
Q: What are the options for customizing the watch strap or bracelet?
A: For the strap, you can customize the size, style, pattern, material, colors
Q: Can I include additional features or complications in the customized watch?
A: Yes, you can, the functions are decided by the movement, you can choose the movement, so you can customize the features.
Q: How does the process of approving and finalizing the design for a customized watch work?
A: A little bit of communication and confirmation, then a drawing to confirm again, and finally a sample to confirm
Q: Can the customized watch manufacturer provide samples or prototypes for approval before production?
A: Yes, watch manufacturers provide samples or prototypes for approval before production
Q: Is there a limit to the number of customization options available for a watch?
A: Yes, the MOQ is 500pcs for one type
Q: What is the pricing structure for customized watches?
A: The accessories of the individual products determine the price, The components of a watch are the case, the strap, the movement, the face, the bezel, the hands, the various other small parts, etc.
With the addition of the factory’s share of labor, utilities, and rent, the price structure of the watch is determined by these components and the factory’s operating costs.
Q: Can the customized watch manufacturer provide ongoing support or maintenance for the customized watches?
A: Mostly after selling service is 1-2 years for quality assurance, depending on different suppliers.
Watch customize is a complicated process that requires patience and confidence, and making your own watch brand is not something you can succeed at overnight, so learning more about ordering watches at the beginning will be very helpful to your brand. With this article, your doubts about needing a bespoke watch should have been solved, if you have any other questions, you can leave me a message
