Summary
Finding the right manufacturing partner is the most important step for any watch brand today. If you are a start-up or an established company, choosing a reliable partner in China can save you money and time. This article will talk deeply about how to identify a high-quality OEM watch factory. We will discuss why Chinese manufacturing is the top choice, the difference between OEM and ODM, and the critical importance of materials like 316L stainless steel and Swiss movements. Also, we highlight Aigell Watch capabilities, specifically our low MOQ of 50 pieces, which is very helpful for new brands. After reading this post, you will understand the process of custom watchmaking and how to start your journey with a professional factory.
Is finding a reliable OEM watch factory difficult for new brands?
When you are starting to look for a professional OEM watch factory, the first feeling is usually confusion because there are thousands of suppliers on the internet. Many brands face a big problem: they have a beautiful design concept, but they cannot find a factory that understands high-end quality. Some factories only want to produce cheap alloy watches, but you want luxury stainless steel watches. This is a mismatch.
Actually, the watch industry in China is very mature. But the gap between a “cheap factory” and a “high-end factory” is huge. You need a partner who understands that a watch is not just a tool for time, it is a jewelry piece. It needs to be beautiful and functionality. Aigell Watch has been in this industry for many years, and we see many clients struggle with this. They find a factory, pay the deposit, and the sample quality is terrible. The plating fades, the hands are not aligned, or the water resistance fails. This is a nightmare. So, finding a factory that has “Swiss standard” quality control in China is the key to your success. We are proud to say Aigell is one of the top manufacturers who can reach this standard.
Why should you choose custom watch manufacturers in China?
Many people ask, why China? Why not Switzerland or Germany? To be honest, even many “Swiss Made” brands purchase their cases, dials, and hands from China. The supply chain in China, especially in the Guangdong region, is the most complete in the world. You can find everything here. From sapphire glass to genuine leather straps, the speed of production is very fast.
If you choose custom watch manufacturers china, you get two main benefits: cost and efficiency.
First, the cost. Manufacturing in Europe is extremely expensive. For a start-up brand, it is almost impossible to afford. But in China, you can get the same quality of 316L stainless steel case polishing for a fraction of the price.
Second, efficiency. In China, we work fast. If you need a prototype, maybe it takes 25-30 days. In Europe, it might take months. Time is money in business.
However, you must be careful. Not all manufacturers are the same. Aigell Watch focus on the high-end market. We don’t do cheap quality. We believe that if a client wants to build a long-term brand, the product must be perfect. So, choosing China is the right decision, but choosing the right factory in China is even more important.
What is the difference between OEM and ODM services?
Let’s move forward to a technical topic. You will often see these two words: OEM and ODM. What do they mean for you?
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OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): This means you have your own design. You provide us the drawing (CAD or 3D file), and we produce it exactly according to your specs. You own the design. This is perfect for designers who know exactly what they want.
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ODM (Original Design Manufacturer): This means we provide the design. Maybe you just have a logo, but you don’t have a design team. You can choose from our existing high-quality models, and we put your logo on the dial, case back, and buckle. This is faster and cheaper.
At Aigell Watch, we are strong in both. We have a professional design team. If you only have a “feeling” or a “mood board,” our designers can help you draw the watch. We provide luxury watch oem services that cover everything from the first sketch to the final packaging. Many clients start with ODM because it is easier, then move to OEM when they grow bigger. Both ways are good, it depends on your budget and timeline.
[Image suggestion: A split image showing a CAD drawing on a computer screen on the left, and the finished physical watch on the right.]
Why is Low MOQ important for small moq watch manufacturer?
This is a very big pain point for the industry. Most factories in China require a Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) of 300 or 500 pieces per model. For a new brand, this is too much risk. You have to invest a lot of money in stock that you don’t know if you can sell.
Aigell Watch is different. We understand that every big brand starts small. That is why we are a small moq watch manufacturer. We support orders as low as 50 pieces. Yes, only 50 pieces. This allows you to test the market. You can make 50 watches, sell them, get money back, and then order more. This lowers your risk significantly.
Why do other factories not do this? Because setting up the production line for 50 watches takes the same effort as 500 watches. It is not profitable for them. But Aigell wants to grow with you. We view this as an investment in our relationship. We have flexible production lines that can handle small batches with high quality. This is rare in the industry.
How to ensure the quality of materials?
Quality is the life of a watch. If the material is bad, the watch is bad. A professional OEM watch factory must be transparent about materials.
Here is a list of standard high-end materials we use at Aigell:
| Component | Standard Material | Why it is good? |
| Case | 316L or 904L Stainless Steel | It is anti-corrosion and surgical grade. It does not rust and is safe for skin. |
| Glass | Sapphire Crystal | It is very hard, only diamond can scratch it. Cheap watches use mineral glass. |
| Movement | Swiss (Sellita/Ronda) or Japan (Miyota/Seiko) | Reliable and accurate. The heart of the watch must be strong. |
| Plating | PVD / IP Plating | The color stays for long time. Bad plating fades in one month. |
| Strap | Genuine Leather / Solid Steel | Comfort and durability are key for the wearer. |
You should always ask your manufaturer what steel they use. Some bad factories use 304 steel or alloy to save money, but call it 316L. This is cheating. Aigell Watch always uses real 316L stainless steel. We can provide material certification if you need. We believe honesty is the only way to do business. We want you to come back for the second order, not just the first one.
What is the process of working with Aigell Watch?
Let’s explain the steps. If you want to start a project with us, it is actually very simple. We make it easy for you.
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Consultation: You tell us your idea. What kind of watch? Diver? Dress watch? What price range?
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Quotation: We give you a price based on your specs.
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Design/CAD: We make the technical drawing for you to confirm the size and details.
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Prototyping: This is the most important part. We make a sample. You receive the sample and check the quality. You wear it, feel it.
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Mass Production: After you approve the sample, we start bulk production.
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QC & Assembly: We assemble the watches and check every single one.
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Delivery: We ship to you.
The prototyping stage is where we spend a lot of time. Sometimes the color of the dial is slightly different from the computer screen. We will adjust it until it is perfect. We do not rush. Quality takes time. But once mass production starts, we are very efficient.
How about Private Label Watch Manufacturers options?
Maybe you are a gift company, or a car club, or a corporate company. You don’t want to design a new watch, you just want gifts for your employees or clients. This is where private label watch manufacturers service comes in.
We have a catalogue of ready-made designs. These are classic styles that are popular in the market. You can choose a model, tell us “I want my company logo here,” and we do it. The lead time is very short because we often have the case parts in stock. This is great for corporate gifts.
Also, the packaging. Do not forget the box. Aigell Watch can also customize the watch box. A luxury watch needs a luxury box. We can make wooden boxes, leather boxes, with your logo on it. This makes the whole package look very professional. The unboxing experience is part of the product value.
Why Quality Control (QC) matters most?
I want to talk more about QC. In many factories, QC just means looking at the watch for 5 seconds. At Aigell, QC is a strict process.
We check:
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Water Resistance: Every watch goes into a machine to test air pressure. If it leaks, it fails.
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Accuracy: We put the watch on a timegrapher machine to check if it is running too fast or too slow.
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Visual Check: We look for dust on the dial, scratches on the case, or alignment issues.
If you buy from a bad factory, you might get 10% defect rate. That means if you buy 100 watches, 10 are broken. You lose money and you lose your customer’s trust. At Aigell, our defect rate is extremely low. We try to catch every problem before we shiping the goods out. This is why our clients trust us for many years. We protect your reputation.
How to start your brand with Aigell Watch today?
Starting a watch brand is a dream for many people. It is a journey of passion. But passion is not enough; you need a strong partner. You need a partner who can solve technical problems, who can source the best materials, and who supports you when you are small.
Aigell Watch is that partner. We are more than just a OEM watch factory; we are your business partner. We help you with design, we help you with logistics, we help you with marketing materials (photos). We offer low MOQ because we believe in your potential.
If you have an idea, do not wait. Contact us today. Send us an email with your design or just a simple description. Our team will reply to you quickly. We speak English, so communication is easy. Let’s create something amazing together. Let’s make a watch that people will love to wear.
In conclusion, the watch market is competitive. To win, you need high quality and unique design. You need a factory that cares about details. Aigell Watch is ready to serve you. Whether you need 50 pieces or 5000 pieces, our standard of quality never changes. We look forward to hearing from you.
FAQ
Q1: What is the Minimum Order Quantity (MOQ) at Aigell Watch?
A: Unlike many other factories, we are a small moq watch manufacturer. We support orders starting from just 50 pieces per model. This helps you start your business with less money risk.
Q2: Can you make a watch from my own drawing?
A: Yes, absolutely. We are a professional OEM watch factory. You can send us your 2D or 3D files. If you don’t have files, our design team can help you create them based on your ideas or sketches.
Q3: How long does it take to make a sample?
A: Usually, the prototyping time is about 25 to 35 days depending on the complexity of the design. We need to open new molds for the case and source the specific hands and dials. We will confirm the timeline with you before we start.
Q4: Do you use real Swiss movements?
A: Yes, we offer both Swiss movements (like ETA, Sellita, Ronda) and Japanese movements (Miyota, Seiko). It depends on your budget and requirement. We only purchase brand new original movements.
Q5: How do you handle shipping to my country?
A: We have long-term cooperation with DHL, FedEx, and UPS. We can ship worldwide. We help you handle the documents. The shiping cost is usually calculated based on weight and volume.
Q6: What if I receive a defective watch?
A: We have very strict QC. But if there is a manufacturing defect, we will take responsibility. You can return it to us for repair or replacement. We value long-term cooperation, so we always solve problems for our clients.
