Minimum order requirements & cooperation terms

1. Minimum order quantity (MOQ)

Our standard minimum order quantities are:

For complete watch orders, different dial or component colors may be combined within the 500-piece quantity, depending on the manufacturing process and the complexity of each variation.

The final MOQ and permitted color allocation will be confirmed after reviewing the design.

2. Why do we require a minimum order quantity?

One of the most common questions we receive is:

Why can't you manufacture just 1, 10, 50, or 100 customized watches?

The main reason is that custom watch manufacturing involves substantial fixed development and production preparation costs, regardless of whether the order is for one sample or hundreds of watches.

For a fully customized watch, the manufacturing process generally requires:

• Technical drawing and engineering development
• Design feasibility evaluation
• CNC programming and machining setup
• Mold and tooling preparation
• Production fixture development
• Material sourcing and procurement
• Custom component manufacturing
• Surface finishing preparation
• Dial and hand manufacturing setup
• Assembly preparation
• Prototype inspection and adjustment
• Quality-control procedures

These processes must be completed even when only one prototype is required.

The upfront manufacturing preparation cost for producing a single customized prototype can be nearly the same as the preparation cost for mass production.

The main difference is how these costs are distributed.

For example, if a project requires USD 5,000 in initial engineering, tooling, and setup expenses:

This is an illustrative example only and does not represent an actual quotation.

As production quantity increases, the fixed preparation cost can be distributed across more watches, making the unit price more commercially reasonable.

This is why our MOQ is based on manufacturing efficiency and cost structure rather than simply the number of watches requested.

3. Why are custom prototypes expensive?

A prototype is not simply a finished watch assembled from existing parts.

For a fully customized design, our production team must often complete many of the same steps required for mass production.

These include:

Even when only one prototype is produced, the machines must still be programmed, materials prepared, and individual components manufactured.

In many cases, the total engineering, tooling, and setup effort required for one prototype is almost identical to that required to prepare a full production order.

Furthermore, prototype manufacturing generally requires additional manual work because the production process has not yet been standardized.

Therefore, the cost of making one prototype cannot simply be calculated by dividing the mass-production price by the number of watches.

• Engineering evaluation and technical drawing preparation
• Tooling and fixture preparation
• Programming and machine setup
• Material preparation and machining
• Custom dial and component production
• Surface finishing
• Assembly and inspection
• Manual adjustments and testing

4. Sample development policy

Our standard manufacturing process begins with a confirmed production order.

Once the order is confirmed and the required deposit is received, we proceed with engineering preparation, tooling, and prototype development.

The prototype is produced for the customer's review and approval before mass production.

For selected projects, standalone prototype development may be considered separately, depending on the type of component and technical requirements.

However, standalone prototype availability does not automatically mean that a small production order will be accepted.

Sample development fees and any applicable tooling charges are non-refundable.

If a customer requests additional prototype revisions because of design changes, additional development fees may apply.

If a revision is required because of a manufacturing defect attributable to us, the corresponding correction will be handled without an additional sample revision charge.

5. Order confirmation & payment terms

For customized OEM/ODM projects, our standard payment policy is:

50% deposit of the total confirmed order value before development begins.

This payment is not merely a fee for producing one sample.

It represents the formal confirmation and commencement of the entire manufacturing project, including both sample development and preparation for the subsequent production order.

The deposit supports:

• Engineering and technical development
• Tooling and fixture preparation
• Material purchasing
• Custom component manufacturing preparation
• Prototype production
• Initial production planning and setup

Because these costs are incurred at the beginning of the project, the deposit is non-refundable.

The remaining 50% is payable according to the agreed order and delivery terms.

6. Movement purchasing policy

We can source Japanese and other suitable watch movements according to the customer's requirements.

Common movement options include:

Please note that movement procurement has a separate payment condition.

• Miyota quartz and automatic movements
• Seiko / TMI quartz and automatic movements
• Selected Swiss movements, subject to project requirements

Once the movement order is confirmed, the full movement cost must be paid in advance and is non-refundable.

This is because movements are purchased specifically for the confirmed production project.

Customers may also arrange their own movement supply when this has been agreed upon during the development stage.

7. Design drawings & quotation accuracy

We welcome concept renders, reference images, sketches, and design briefs for initial evaluation.

However, accurate production quotations generally require detailed technical drawings or 3D CAD files.

Important information includes:

Every machining process requires time, labor, and equipment preparation.

Even relatively small design changes may significantly affect manufacturing costs.

Therefore, preliminary prices based on concept renders are budgetary estimates only.

Final pricing will be confirmed after the detailed engineering drawings and manufacturing requirements have been reviewed.

• Case dimensions and side profiles
• Movement specifications
• Dial dimensions and construction
• Hands and applied indices
• Crown and caseback designs
• Crystal specifications
• Bracelet and clasp construction
• Surface finishing requirements
• Water-resistance requirements
• Packaging specifications

8. Prototype approval & mass production

Our standard development sequence is:

1. Step 1 – Design evaluation We review the customer's concept, specifications, and technical drawings.
2. Step 2 – Quotation & order confirmation We prepare a quotation based on the agreed design, production quantity, materials, and manufacturing requirements.
3. Step 3 – Deposit payment The customer confirms the order and pays the required 50% deposit.
4. Step 4 – Engineering & tooling We prepare the required production drawings, tooling, fixtures, materials, and manufacturing procedures.
5. Step 5 – Prototype manufacturing We produce the prototype for evaluation.
6. Step 6 – Prototype approval The customer reviews the physical sample and confirms its appearance, construction, and finishing. Any requested changes are evaluated before proceeding.
7. Step 7 – Mass production Once the sample is approved, we proceed with the confirmed production quantity.
8. Step 8 – Quality control & delivery The completed watches undergo the required inspections and testing before shipment.

9. Estimated production lead time

Typical estimated lead times are:

These periods are estimates and may vary depending on project complexity, material availability, and the number of revisions required.

10. Quality control

Quality control is an essential part of our manufacturing process.

Depending on the project specifications, our inspections may include:

Water-resistance requirements, such as 50M, 100M, or 200M, must be evaluated according to the final case construction and sealing design.

Individual inspection reports or additional testing documentation can be discussed based on the customer's requirements.

• Visual and cosmetic inspection
• Component dimension inspection
• Movement function testing
• Dial and hand alignment inspection
• Crown and bezel function inspection
• Bracelet and clasp inspection
• Water-resistance testing
• Final assembly inspection

11. Packaging & shipping

We can provide customized packaging according to customer specifications.

Packaging costs depend on the materials, dimensions, structure, branding, and quantity.

Our preferred international shipping term is FOB, with the named shipping port to be confirmed in the quotation.

Import duties, destination customs clearance, and applicable taxes are generally the buyer's responsibility.

Shipping arrangements and freight costs will be evaluated according to the order quantity, package dimensions, shipment weight, destination, and selected delivery terms.

12. Confidentiality & design protection

We recognize that original designs and brand identity are important assets for independent watch brands.

Customer-specific designs, drawings, branding, and manufacturing information are treated as confidential.

We are willing to review and sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) before detailed technical development.

Customers are welcome to provide their standard NDA for our review.

13. Our commitment to long-term manufacturing partnerships

We understand that many emerging watch brands prefer to begin with smaller production quantities to evaluate their market potential.

However, fully customized watch manufacturing requires substantial engineering resources and upfront investment.

Our minimum production quantity and deposit requirements help us allocate these resources responsibly while maintaining consistent manufacturing quality.

Our objective is not simply to manufacture a watch sample.

Our goal is to develop a reliable, repeatable manufacturing process that allows the approved prototype to be reproduced consistently in mass production.

We believe this approach provides a stronger foundation for quality control, production efficiency, and long-term cooperation.