Xiaoya: Replica Watch Analysis - Production Edition

The production process of replica watches can be very simple or very complex. Let us talk about the simple one first: look for styles online or at retail counters, understand the size specifications, and then contact accessory factories to start producing samples. A watch has many important components: case, strap, crown, dial (graduations,LOGO), hands, and movement. These components are made by different factories according to genuine specifications; for example, the case factory produces cases and straps according to the size, specifications, and thickness of the genuine article.

Note that this belongs to the low-cost production process. It only references pictures and parameters of the genuine article without a real physical reference, so the degree of simulation in the finished product will be compromised. This is why issues frequently occur, such as discrepancies between the dial colour, hand colour, or English fonts on the dial compared to the genuine original.

In addition, watches made using this production process generally do not have very good workmanship, because they inherently start from a cost-saving perspective. Therefore, the strength of the manufacturing factory and the materials used for accessories are basically mid-to-low grade.

Another production process is similar to the aforementioned one, but the boss making the watch will find a genuine watch as a sample, disassemble every single component, and hand them over to corresponding factories to study and replicate for production. The produced components are basically identical to the original with no major differences. At the same time, when choosing manufacturing factories and accessory material qualities, they are willing to invest funds. These are the watches we usually call one-to-one replicas, superfine replicas, or top-tier replica watches. However, the price of such watches is also correspondingly much higher.

After accessories are produced, they are not all directly assembled into watches. Instead, a certain quantity of movements is purchased to assemble a portion first, or they wait until a customer (or distributor) places an order before a watchmaker assembles a complete watch. Doing this firstly reduces capital tie-up and secondly reduces the risk of being investigated.