Modern watchmaking has shifted steadily from largely manual assembly to a blend of traditional craft and advanced engineering systems. Over the past two decades, manufacturers have increasingly relied on digital design software, precision machining, and structured production models to meet changing expectations in durability, accuracy, and customization. The global industry, valued at over USD 75 billion according to international market analyses, now expects tighter tolerances, faster turnaround, and consistent quality standards. Within this environment, companies have had to invest in technical training, design systems, and production automation. These changes have defined how contemporary watch manufacturers approach both innovation and operational control.
Billow Time Watch Co., Ltd., established by Chen Fu Jun and Wang Jian in Shenzhen, China, represents one example of this technological shift. It began operating as Billow Time Watch Factory in 2004 and gradually moved toward a more engineering-driven model. In its earliest phase, the company relied heavily on manual processes and traditional inspection techniques. Quality inspectors focused on visible flaws in raw parts such as cases and straps. Over time, the growing complexity of watches required a move toward digital accuracy and structured process control, marking the first steps in its technological development.
By 2006, quality inspection practices became more detailed, focusing on precision assessment of unprocessed cases and finished components, including crowns, glass, and steel bands. This period reflected a broader industry movement toward tighter quality checks as consumer markets demanded reliability. By 2009, inspection protocols extended to monitoring accuracy across all processing stages. This improved oversight allowed for better consistency and fewer production deviations. By 2012, full process supervision had become possible, with a clearer understanding of each stage in watch assembly and mechanical structure.
The rise of the internet in China around 2014 influenced the company’s next phase of modernization. This period saw an internal push toward engineering design education and software adoption. CAD systems began to play a central role in translating concepts into precise digital models. Over two years, design proficiency expanded to include detailed structural planning. This aligned with broader manufacturing trends where digital modeling reduced material waste and shortened prototyping cycles by nearly 30 percent, according to industrial production reports from engineering sectors.
By 2016, technical capabilities extended into SolidWorks, a program widely used in industrial design for creating engineering files and structural schematics. This allowed for more accurate planning of watch dimensions and internal movement layouts. It also created a smoother transition from design to production. The company began to operate within a more integrated system where design, machining, and quality control were directly linked. This structure reflected a global standard in which the separation of departments gradually gave way to coordinated workflow systems.
After 2019, with the broader adoption of CNC machines across Chinese manufacturing hubs, Billow Time Watch Co., Ltd. incorporated MasterCam programming into its production process. This enabled precise machining of components, particularly for complex materials such as Damascus steel, forged carbon fiber, titanium, ceramic, and bronze Cusn8. CNC machining reduced manual error margins to micrometer levels and supported scalability. Industry data suggests CNC adoption can increase production efficiency by up to 40 percent when properly implemented, marking a measurable shift in operational capability.
The company also restructured its internal departments to support these advancements. CNC machining joined existing sections such as R&D, quality assurance, grinding, drilling, and assembly. Customer service and international trading departments remained closely linked to production planning. This reorganization supported more controlled workflows and data-driven monitoring. By the early 2020s, the workforce had grown to over 300 employees, indicating the scale required to manage increasingly technical production standards and broader product ranges.
Technical evolution was not limited to machinery alone. The design and engineering process began incorporating Swiss-influenced production methodologies for durability and water resistance. While not directly manufacturing Swiss movements, the process supported the production of deep waterproof watches and luminous dial systems. These upgrades answered the growing global demand for technical reliability and functional clarity. The use of high specification materials such as 904 stainless steel and composite carbon reflected changing consumer preferences toward durability and mechanical resilience.
Despite its technical growth, the company’s development remained rooted in structured training and incremental progression rather than sudden shifts. From early manual inspection through complete CNC programming mastery, the path highlights a gradual learning curve common in mid-sized industrial manufacturers. By combining engineering education, practical experience, and digital integration, it adapted to a production environment that favors efficiency and precision without departing from core assembly practices.
Today, Billow Time Watch Co., Ltd. operates as a manufacturer that integrates design software, precision machining, and standardized quality processes. Its technological direction reflects the broader transformation of the global watch industry from craft-based operations to digitally supported production systems. While the company continues to evolve, its documented history shows how structured adoption of engineering tools such as CAD, SolidWorks, and MasterCam has shaped its capacity to handle diverse materials and increasing technical complexity. This development cycle remains closely tied to the vision and operational foundation established by Chen Fu Jun and Wang Jian.
