In today’s world, watches are more than just a tool to tell time – they have become a fashion accessory and a statement of personal style. If you’re interested in creating your own watch brand, the design process is a crucial first step. In this blog post, we’ll explore the steps to how to design watches, from research and ideation to prototyping and branding. By the end of this post, you’ll have a better understanding of how to design a watch and start watch brand that reflects your unique vision and style.

Conducting research on existing watch designs:

Before starting the design process, it’s important to research existing watch design to understand what’s currently on the market, what works well, and what could be improved upon. This will help you identify opportunities for differentiation and innovation in your own watch design.

Gaining inspiration from other watch brand:

In addition to looking at other watches brand, you can also gain inspiration from other sources such as art, architecture, nature, and fashion. Consider what colors, shapes, and materials resonate with you and your target audience.

Bulid a watch from scratch

Once you have conducted your research and gained inspiration, it’s time to bulid a watch from scratch and idea. This is the stage where you will begin to develop your initial ideas and concepts for your watch design. Try to sketch out as many ideas as possible, exploring different forms, shapes, and styles. Don’t worry about making them perfect at this stage – the goal is to generate a lot of ideas that you can later refine and improve upon.

During this process, our watch factory can help you from design a watch from scratch and determine what designs are feasible and avoid some unnecessary mistakes.

Choose parts of a watch and watch material

Once you have a solid design concept, it’s time to start thinking about the watch parts and watch material you will use to bring your watch to life.This includes selecting materials for the watch case, strap, and face, as well as choosing appropriate watch components such as the movement,crown, hands, and dials. It’s important to ensure that the materials and components you choose are of high quality and durable enough to withstand everyday wear and tear.

So let’s now explain how to pick the right watch accessories to create a watch that looks and functions great.

Choose the watch case

The case is the component that holds the watch dial and movement. The case helps protect your watch mechanism from the elements and keeps everything running smoothly. They come in a variety of shapes and materials, allowing you to personalize your watch case design to your taste.

The watch case is composed of several parts, including the main body of the case, bezel,lug,the watch glass covering the dial, and the case back.

When you custom watch case, there are several materials to consider. Here are a few common options:

Stainless steel case: This is a popular choice due to its durability, scratch-resistance, and classic look. It’s also relatively affordable.Stainless steel watches are further categorized into 304, 316L and 904L steel materials. For example, dive watches are generally made of 316L and 904L steel.

Titanium watch case: This material is lightweight and durable, making it a great choice for sports watches. It’s also hypoallergenic and corrosion-resistant.

Ceramic watch case: This material is highly scratch-resistant and has a modern, sleek look. However, it can be brittle and more expensive than other materials.

Alloy watch case: It is a mixture of metals, usually consisting of two or more metals such as copper, zinc, and nickel. The advantage of using an alloy case is that it can be more affordable than other materials such as stainless steel or titanium.

In addition to this, the choice of watch glass in the case parts is also important. Glass is generally categorized into three types: acrylic, mineral glass and sapphire crystal glass. Sapphire crystal glass has a Rockwell hardness of 9 degrees, second only to diamonds and moissanite, and is the most scratch-resistant.

Besides the choice of case material and glass, the water resistance of the case is also very important. If it is only water resistant for life, such as washing hands and getting wet, 3 ATM water resistance is sufficient. If it is to be used for diving, then the water resistance should be at least 100 meter or more.

Choose watch movement

There are generally two options: quartz movement and mechanical watch movement. Quartz movement watches are battery powered and use an electronic oscillator to tell time. Quartz movement watches are known for their accuracy and low maintenance costs. On the other hand, mechanical movement watches are powered by a mainspring that needs to be wound manually or automatically by wrist movement. They are favored for their craftsmanship and traditional appeal.
When it comes to choosing between quartz vs mechanical movements, if your watch is an affordable watch with precision and convenience in mind, quartz movements may be the right choice for you. However, if you value complex mechanics and appreciate the art of watchmaking, a mechanical movement watch may be more in line with your tastes.

In addition to choosing the type of movement, it matters whether the movement is made in China, Japan or Switzerland. The best representative of Chinese movement is Chinese Seagull brand, and the representative of Japanese movement is Miyota and Seiko, the more famous Swiss movement is Swiss ETA, Sellita, etc. In particular, you should pay attention to Swiss movt. When choosing a Swiss movement, you should pay special attention to the difference between Swiss movement vs Swiss made vs Swiss part.

When choosing a watch movement, it is important to consider the intended use and the required accuracy. For example, if your brand’s main focus is Swiss made, then choose Swiss made movement.

Choose the watch band

The choice of watch band will depend on the desired aesthetic and functionality of the watch.There are several materials to consider. Here are a few common options:

Genuine leather strap: This is a classic choice for a watch band, offering a timeless look and comfortable feel. Leather straps can come in a range of colors and finishes, from glossy to matte.

Mesh bracelet: A mesh bracelet is made up of a series of interlocking metal links, creating a breathable and flexible band. This type of band is often seen on sporty or dress watches.

Solid stainless steel band: This type of band is highly durable and can provide a sleek and modern look. Stainless steel bands can come in a variety of finishes, including brushed, polished, or matte.

Rubber: Rubber bands are often used on sport or diving watches due to their water-resistant and durable properties. They are lightweight and comfortable to wear, and can come in a range of colors.

For example, if the watch is used for diving, then choose a stainless steel strap or rubber strap instead of a leather strap.There is also a popular trend in the last few years to pair a watch case with 2 or 3 straps as a combination. So the strap is with switch spring bar.

Choose the watch face

There are a variety of options to consider. Some popular watch faces include:

Shell dial: These dials are made from iridescent mother of pearl or abalone shell, offering a unique and luxurious look.

Digital display: This type of face displays the time in a digital format, making it easy to read at a glance.The most common counterpart to the digital display is the analog watch which shows the time.

Enamel dial: Enamel dials are made using a technique where powdered glass is fused onto a metal base, resulting in a smooth and glossy finish.

Chronograph dial: This type of dial features additional sub-dials that allow for stopwatch or timer functions.

Diamond dial: These dials feature diamonds or other gemstones as hour markers or decorative elements, adding a touch of luxury and sparkle.

When choosing a watch face, it’s important to consider the style and function of the watch, as well as personal preferences and budget. Other factors to consider may include the size and layout of the dial, the type of hands used to indicate the time, and any additional features or complications offered on the face. For example, for some watches that are often used in low-light environments, the hour marker on the face is usually lume.

Choose the watch hand

The watch hands not only indicate the time but also contribute to the overall design and style of the watch. When choosing watch hands, there are several factors to consider, such as the intended use of the watch and the desired aesthetic. Some common types of watch hands include sword hands, leaf hands, baton hands, and skeleton hands,luminous hand.Each type offers its own unique look and feel, and can be tailored to fit the style of the watch. It should be pointed out here that luminescent watch hands are special, most of them are filled with luminescent materials, but tube watch hands have become popular in the past few years.

It’s important to consider the size and proportion of the hands, ensuring they are legible and easily visible against the watch face. Additionally, the color and material of the hands should be chosen carefully to ensure they complement the overall design of the watch. Ultimately, the choice of watch hands will depend on the desired aesthetic and functionality of the watch, as well as the needs and preferences of the target audience.

Choose watch crown

The watch crown is typically located on the side of the watch case. It serves to wind and set the watch, as well as adjust any additional features or complications(Chronograph ,Dual time,GMT,date/window,etc).

Crown types include push/pull, screw-down, and screw-in crowns. Crown shapes can vary from traditional rounded shapes to more unique designs, and can be made of a variety of materials, including metal, plastic, and precious stones. The choice of watch crown will depend on the desired look and functionality of the watch.

Conclusion-how to design watches

To design a watch from scratch can be a complex and challenging process, but it doesn’t have to be done alone. Our watch company can help our customer who want to create own watch brand by providing expert guidance throughout the design process. From selecting materials and components to watch manufacturing and package, we can help bring your vision to life.By working with our team, you can create a unique and high-quality watch that will stand out in the marketplace and appeal to your target audience.