Are you curious about which watch design process produces the best watches?
While some people might think of a watch design sketching their new timepiece out with a pencil and paper, this is often not the case.
Some believe that the best watch brands, like this Seiko collection, create their best luxury watches through special 3D printing techniques or by hand-carving each piece.
But what does the watch design process actually look like in practice in the watch industry? Keep reading to find out!
How Are Watches Made?
The movement of a watch consists of several parts, which work together in order to tell time. Usually, the movement is made of the following elements.
- The Case (or housing)
- The Crystal or Glass
- Dial or Face with Hands
- Crown
- Movement
- The Strap or Bracelet
- Clasp
Each part of a watch’s structure is designed and crafted in a different way. This means that watches can be designed and manufactured in different ways.
It is important to understand how the movement of a watch works, as this affects the design process as well as how it will look at its finished stage.
Specifically, there are two main types of movements: Mechanical and Quartz.
The difference between them lies within the way they work and their accuracy, but it also affects how watches are designed.
The Mechanical Watch Design Process
Ever wondered how mechanical watches are designed? Well, the design process of a mechanical watch varies from company to company, but it usually consists of the following stages:
Design Concept
This stage is when designers gather to decide whether they would like to base their new collection on existing concepts or create something entirely new.
It generally takes them a week (or longer, depending on the company) to decide which concept is best for the next collection.
Digital Design
Once they have decided on their new design, 3D modeling begins. This step takes them around one week (or longer, depending on the company).
After this, they move forward with prototyping and watch case production (which can take up to two months).
The Quartz Watch Design Process
The quartz design process is different from a mechanical watch. The design process of a quartz watch varies from company to company, but it usually consists of the following stages:
Digital Concept
This stage is where designers decide whether they would like to base their new collection on existing concepts or create something entirely new.
It generally takes them a week (or longer, depending on the company) to decide which concept is best for the next collection.
Digital Design
Once they have decided on their design, 3D modeling begins. This step takes them around one week (or longer, depending on the company).
After this, they move forward with prototyping and watch case production (which can take up to two months).
What Is the Best Watch Design Process?
Is there a best design process? No, there is no ‘best’ watch design process. All designs are unique in that they require different levels of detail and time, but the end result is always a prize-winning product.
If you’d like more informative articles on watch materials and watch history, please head over to our blog and make sure to share this article with your friends.
