The watch-making industry has undergone significant changes over the last two decades, especially due to globalization, technological advancements, and an explosion in international trade. Increasingly, manufacturers are not only involved in direct sales to consumers but are also expanding into OEM offerings to work with brands and distribution companies worldwide. OEM manufacturing enables a company to specialize in particular manufacturing expertise but work together to create custom designs for specific clients, all branded as a third party.
Billow Time Watch Co., Ltd. was established in Shenzhen in the year 2004, with Chen Fu Jun and Wang Jian as its founders. Billow Time Watch Factory Co., Ltd. was founded in China with a small staff of 23 workers, eight machines, and elementary teams for polishing, drilling, quality assurance, and quality control. Its first manufactured product was a stainless steel quartz watch intended for a customer in the Middle East, which can be attributed to its early beginnings in undertaking OEM projects.
The years 2004 to 2007 also saw the diversification of Billow Time’s range to include titanium, damascus, bronzed, CARBON FIBER FF, MECH, and ceramic timepieces. The above met the client’s needs across markets. It reflected the firm’s dedication to the OEM, as it produced a range of timepieces for various labels. The expansion also led to the development of capabilities within the firm, to the extent that it later established more sophisticated manufacturing and refining operations.
From 2007 through 2010, the emphasis moved to international market development. With the expansion of internet access in China, the company utilized online resources to reach global clients. It began building such contacts in Europe, North America, and Southeast Asia. Chen and Wang expanded staff and resources to handle the rising quantities and complexity of OEM contracts. Engineering and assembly units, as well as quality oversight units, had to be strengthened to ensure that client specifications were consistently met.
Between 2011 and 2019, Billow Time established a business model focused on producing medium to high-end watches for clients. The company established quality control procedures. The company incorporated engineering control into its entire manufacturing procedure. Staff were trained to handle the entire manufacturing process, with trained personnel overseeing polishing, drilling, assembly, and finalization. This made the whole procedure efficient and reduced discrepancies in the orders. The customer service department established a business model to ensure proper channels for international clients to communicate effectively and track orders.
In 2019, the brand PRYZM was introduced. It was an aftermarket brand, but OEM was the main business operation. This combination yielded a model that indicated the need to focus on producing products for other companies while building brands. However, the focus was always on producing while maintaining production discipline, ensuring scalability, and adhering to design and quality parameters.
Billow’s OEM business orientation also impacted their internal organization. The engineering department expanded from simple technical monitoring to the execution of complex client requests. CNC machining was added to the list of completed tasks, including polishing and assembly. The control of quality went beyond monitoring raw materials to the evaluation of components and the finished product at the assembly stage of approval. The customer service and trading group aligned with the production planning group to regularly update the clients.
Over the years, the OEM’s commitment has shaped the relationship with clients, reflecting reliability and flexibility. International partners lean on the company’s ability to churn out different variations of their watches—quartz-based, mechanical, and hybrids—that do not necessarily entail the company possessing its own capabilities. The company’s ability to work with different materials, such as stainless steel, bronze, Damascus steel, and carbon fiber, addresses Billow Time’s consistency rather than its brand advertising. Industry trends are evident in the support for the strategies these companies are undertaking.
By the late 2010s, it was estimated that more than 40% of the world’s watch manufacturing was in China, with the use of OEMs becoming more popular among new companies and global distributors seeking expert manufacturing. Therefore, the growth of Billow Time can be seen in the industry’s broader trends, underscoring the importance of organized departments, processes, and adaptability in meeting clients’ needs.
In other words, the history of Billow Time Watch Co., Ltd. since 2004 demonstrates the firm’s strategic, business-oriented approach to OEM watch manufacturing. The focus on third-party manufacturing influenced the development of key departments within the firm, such as quality control, engineering, assembly, and customer service, which enabled the firm to effectively work together with global clients on the continuous manufacture of custom products.
The focus on the overall structure and processes within the firm, rather than on building the consumer brand, enabled the firm to forge lasting client relationships and establish a strong presence in the global market for watches. This is evident in the strategic approach taken by Chen Fu Jun and Wang Jian.
