I am currently on holiday in a very cold location, reluctant to even expose my hands outdoors, but I remain available to answer any questions you may have. Our New Year holiday is brief, but watch factories take extended breaks, many resuming operations only by February 6th, with some remaining closed throughout February. Today, I’d like to share insights about these watch factories, focusing particularly on ZF and Clean.
Contrary to common perceptions, the watch factories in our market aren’t large-scale operations. While you might imagine factories with hundreds of workers, the reality is different. Factories like ZF, VS, APS, Clean, and others mentioned in replica watch forums typically operate with just one or two master watchmakers in small workshops. Larger operations like ZF and VS might employ five or more watchmakers to handle assembly and repairs due to higher order volumes. These factories maintain an air of mystery, which is necessary for their operations but shouldn’t be mistaken for grandeur. Their small-scale nature becomes evident if you visit our market and request to meet with their bosses directly.
In truth, the real manufacturing happens at parts suppliers who provide movements, cases, bracelets, and other components to these so-called factories, which are more accurately described as assemblers. Clean was originally a parts manufacturer known for producing excellent ceramic bezels, but it’s unclear if they still operate as before. Currently, someone appears to be using the Clean name to assemble and sell overpriced replicas, particularly noticeable with their high-priced Panda Daytona that doesn’t compete well with BT factory’s offerings.
ZF follows a similar pattern, launching new models at premium prices. While their watches appear high-quality at first glance, new releases often have hidden flaws. Established models with proven track records are safer purchases. Both Clean and ZF need to focus on quality improvement to justify their premium pricing, as customers expect near-perfect clones for the prices they charge.
