Climbing the Costs — What It Really Takes to Build a Watch
We promised ourselves one thing early on: be transparent. No inflated markups, no vague manufacturing claims. Just honest costs, because anyone dreaming of starting a microbrand deserves to know what it really takes.
The Reality Behind the Numbers
The truth is, building a unique watch from scratch is expensive, and most of that money is spent before the first watch is sold. We refused to use off-the-shelf components, and that refusal comes with a price tag.
Here's the breakdown of where the money goes until we have a final, working prototype:
| Stage | Description | Estimated Cost (CHF/EUR) |
|---|---|---|
| Design Studio | Professional concept design (Rodolphe Design) | 8,000 |
| CAD Engineering | 3D modeling for Decagon case + bracelet | 1,500–3,000 |
| Rendering | High-quality visuals for marketing | 3,000–5,000 |
| Prototyping | Case molds + two sample watches | 4,000 + (500–800 per unit) |
| Packaging | Custom box and inserts | 10–40 per set |
| Assembly & QC | Swiss regulation target | 20–30 per unit |
| Defect Buffer | Covering 5% assumed manufacturing failures | Variable (Essential) |
These numbers aren't pretty, but they're real. Every microbrand founder funds these initial costs from savings, side projects, or family loans. There are no venture capital investors here—just two believers betting their own savings on this idea.
Our Pricing Philosophy
We decided on a 2.5x to 3x markup over total production costs. Why that number?
Sustainability: That margin isn't for yacht payments. It covers the 5% assumed defect rate (which is a guarantee we make to you), after-sales service, marketing, and the necessary reserves to design the next model. We don't want to be a one-and-done brand.
Fair Value: We are providing a custom-designed, Nitrided steel watch with Swiss-regulated Soprod movement. Our retail range will be 800–1,200 CHF/EUR, with early Kickstarter pricing offering a steep discount on that. For U.S. buyers, import duties add a small premium, but we'll stay open about that too.
We're not chasing short-term hype; we're building endurance. Every cost, every compromise, every choice—is part of the climb. That's why transparency matters.