A watch inspection checks whether finished products keep time correctly, respond to their controls, remain secure during normal handling, and match the approved product and packaging requirements. A watch may look acceptable but still have inaccurate timekeeping, misaligned hands, a weak strap connection, an unreliable buckle, an incomplete digital display, or incorrect labeling.

This checklist mainly applies to common analog quartz watches and digital watches. Mechanical watches, smartwatches, GPS watches, and models with wireless or sensor functions may require additional model-specific tests. Before arranging an inspection, our office team reviews the purchase order, product specification, approved sample, instruction manual, packaging artwork, label information, and buyer inspection requirements. Where a physical reference needs to be checked before bulk production, a sample evaluation can also be used to compare workmanship, dimensions, functions, and packaging against approved requirements.

For completed orders, a Final Random Inspection is normally the main shipment-stage check. UTS arranges FRI when production is 100% complete and at least 80% packed. A During Production Inspection may be useful when quality problems need to be identified while production is still running, normally around 30%–50% completion. An Initial Production Inspection may be used for new models, new suppliers, or early production risks at around 5%–10% completion.

Unless the buyer specifies another sampling plan, the UTS watch working instruction uses General Inspection Level II for the main inspection sample. It lists Critical = None, Major AQL 2.5, and Minor AQL 4.0. Selected on-site tests use Special Inspection Level S-2, while several checks use a specifically stated sample quantity. S-2 is an inspection level, not an instruction to test only two pieces. The actual sample size still depends on the lot size and the applicable sampling table.

ISO 2859-1 defines AQL-indexed acceptance-sampling schemes for lot-by-lot inspection. The current edition is ISO 2859-1:2026. AQL should not be read as a percentage of defective products that a buyer simply agrees to accept; the lot size, inspection level, code letter, sample size, and corresponding acceptance and rejection numbers must be read from the sampling plan.^[1]

Inspection Area	UTS Watch WI Basis
Main workmanship and appearance sample	General Inspection Level II
Critical defects	None
Major defects	AQL 2.5
Minor defects	AQL 4.0
Selected on-site tests	Special Inspection Level S-2

A stopped watch, failed buckle, broken strap connection, serious function failure, or large specification mismatch may be classified as a major defect. Small cosmetic defects may be minor. Accessible sharp points or edges that can injure the user require stricter treatment. Final defect classification depends on the actual condition, severity, approved defect criteria, and buyer requirements.

Time Accuracy

Timekeeping should be checked in separate steps. Time setting confirms that the controls can change the displayed time. A running test checks whether the watch continues operating. An accuracy test measures how much time the watch gains or loses. Hand alignment checks whether an analog watch visually shows the correct position. Combining these into one general “time test” can hide different types of failure.

Time Setting

For an analog watch, our team checks whether the crown can be moved through its intended positions and whether the hour and minute hands respond correctly. If the model includes date or day adjustment, those settings are checked according to the approved instruction manual.

The setting check should confirm that:

• The hour and minute hands move when the crown is turned.
• The hands move smoothly without unexpected jumping.
• The hour, minute, and second hands do not touch one another.
• The hands do not scrape the dial, indexes, or crystal.
• The date or day can be adjusted when the function is included.
• The crown returns to its normal operating position.
• The watch runs normally after the setting operation is completed.

Some quartz movements stop the second hand when the crown is pulled into the time-setting position. This should only be expected when it forms part of the approved movement design. Our team does not add a function requirement simply because another watch model has that feature.

For a digital watch, our team follows the approved key sequence and checks whether the hour, minute, date, day, month, and 12-hour or 24-hour format can be set where these functions are provided. The selected values should remain saved after leaving the setting mode.

Typical problems include a value that cannot be changed, the wrong value changing when a button is pressed, a watch leaving setting mode before saving, an incorrect AM or PM indication, or the time returning to its previous value after the setting process.

Accuracy Comparison

Time accuracy is checked by synchronizing the selected samples with a reliable reference time and comparing them again after the required test period. Our team records the sample identification, start time, end time, test duration, actual gain or loss, applicable requirement, and final result.

1. Confirm the watch type and movement or display format.
2. Review the approved time-accuracy requirement.
3. Synchronize the selected samples with the same reference time.
4. Record the start time and sample identification.
5. Allow the watches to operate for the required period.
6. Compare them again with the same reference time.
7. Record how many seconds each sample gained or lost.

The UTS watch working instruction gives the following reference values:

Watch Type	UTS WI Reference
Quartz watch	±1 second per day
LCD watch or clock	±3 seconds per day

These values are working-instruction references rather than one universal legal or industry tolerance for every watch. If the approved movement specification, product specification, instruction manual, or buyer requirement states a different limit, that documented requirement takes priority.

The report should show the measured difference rather than only “Pass” or “Fail.” Recording that a sample gained 0.5 seconds, lost 2 seconds, stopped completely, or ran intermittently gives the buyer more useful evidence than a result without the actual reading.

The UTS working instruction also includes a four-hour running test under Special Inspection Level S-2. The watch is set to the required time and operated for four hours while the movement of the hands is checked. This can identify stopped movements, intermittent running, or hand interference.

The four-hour running test is different from the daily accuracy comparison. A watch may continue running for four hours but still gain or lose too much time over the applicable accuracy period.

If several samples gain or lose time in the same direction, the report should show the pattern. Similar deviation across multiple watches may indicate a batch-level movement, battery, assembly, or process issue that requires wider review rather than correction of only the sampled pieces.

Hand and Display Alignment

For analog watches, the UTS working instruction requires hand alignment to be checked at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock positions on all samples in the main inspection sample. The listed maximum deviation is ±5 minutes.

The ±5-minute figure refers to hand-position alignment. It does not mean that a watch is allowed to gain or lose five minutes per day. Daily time accuracy is checked separately using the time-accuracy requirements above.

During the alignment check, our team reviews whether:

• The hour hand reaches the correct hour position when the minute hand reaches 12.
• The hour and minute hands align correctly at 3, 6, 9, and 12 o'clock.
• The hands are not bent, loose, detached, or installed at visibly different heights.
• The hands do not interfere with one another.
• The hands do not touch the dial, applied indexes, or crystal.
• The hand color, shape, finish, and length match the approved sample.

Where a date window is included, the displayed number should remain readable and correctly positioned. A date disc trapped between two numbers, visibly tilted, or partly hidden by the dial opening should be recorded.

For LCD or LED watches, our team checks display quality separately from alarm, calendar, and timer operation. Typical display problems include:

• Missing or incomplete number segments
• Flickering or unstable digits
• Dark spots, bright spots, lines, or damaged display areas
• Incorrect or missing time, alarm, date, battery, or mode symbols
• Weak contrast that makes the display difficult to read
• Numbers or icons partly hidden by the case opening

Where a display defect is difficult to see in a normal product photograph, our team records a closer image showing the affected segment, icon, or display area.

Function Checks

Function checks follow the features actually supplied with the inspected model. A basic quartz watch may require only movement and time-setting checks, while a digital model may include an alarm, calendar, stopwatch, timer, backlight, dual time, or other functions. Our team checks the functions stated in the approved product documents rather than assuming that every watch has the same feature set.

Crown and Buttons

This check focuses on the physical condition and response of the controls. The crown should be straight, secure, and correctly positioned in the case opening. It should not be unusually loose, extremely tight, rough during operation, or separated from the stem.

Our team checks whether:

• Each intended crown position can be selected clearly.
• The crown does not slip without operating the selected function.
• The crown returns fully to its normal position.
• No abnormal gap remains between the crown and case.
• The stem and surrounding case remain stable during normal operation.

For push buttons, the complete press-and-release action is checked. A button should respond to normal pressure, activate the intended function, and return to its original position. Sticking, delayed response, missed input, excessive looseness, abnormal resistance, or a button that remains depressed should be recorded.

The visible button marking should also match the actual operation. A mode button should change the intended mode, a light button should activate the light where fitted, and a start/stop button should control the relevant timing function.

The UTS watch working instruction also lists tap-unit and manual-shock checks where applicable. These checks should follow the approved inspection method and should not be treated as substitutes for the separate bare-watch free-fall test.

Display, Alarm, and Calendar

This check focuses on functional response. Display appearance and missing segments are already reviewed under the previous section, so the same visual defects do not need to be counted again unless they affect a function result.

For an alarm function, our team checks whether:

• The alarm setting mode can be opened.
• The required alarm time can be entered.
• The alarm indicator appears when the function is active.
• The alarm activates at the selected time.
• The alarm can be stopped using the intended control.
• The alarm indicator changes correctly after the function is disabled.
• The snooze function works when it is included in the model.

Calendar checks depend on the watch design and may cover date, day, month, and year. The selected values should remain saved, appear in the correct position, and change according to the approved operating logic.

Other model-specific functions may include:

• Stopwatch
• Countdown timer
• Dual time
• Hourly signal
• Backlight
• Night display
• Touch controls
• Vibration alert

A stopwatch should start, stop, and reset correctly. A countdown timer should count down from the selected value and give the intended end response. A backlight should switch on when activated and make the required display information readable.

Mode changes should not create unintended changes elsewhere. For example, returning from a stopwatch or alarm screen should not unexpectedly reset the main time or erase a saved function unless that behavior is part of the approved design.

Battery and Water Resistance

Battery checks can identify an incorrect battery, weak voltage, poor electrical contact, abnormal working current, corrosion, leakage, or incorrect installation. They are not a substitute for a long-term battery-life test.

The UTS watch working instruction uses Special Inspection Level S-2 for battery-voltage and working-current measurement. The actual acceptable voltage and current should be compared with the applicable battery, movement, product, or buyer specification.

IEC 60086-3:2021 specifically covers primary batteries for watches, including dimensions, designation, test methods, and requirements. This supports checking that a watch battery and the applicable product documentation correspond to the intended battery type, while the actual on-site acceptance values still need to follow the approved watch or movement specification.^[2]

The battery review may include:

• Battery type and size
• Battery voltage
• Working current
• Correct polarity
• Battery seating and contact condition
• Visible corrosion, leakage, or contamination
• Battery insulation tab where supplied
• Low-battery indication where the function is included

A watch may still operate during a short function test when its voltage or working current is outside the approved requirement. For that reason, our team records the actual reading when the measurement is included in the inspection scope.

Water resistance is checked when the watch makes a water-resistance claim and the test is included in the approved inspection scope. The claim on the dial, case back, tag, packaging, and instruction manual should first be reviewed for consistency.

The case, crown, and back cover are also checked for visible gaps, cracks, deformation, or incorrect assembly. These observations can identify possible assembly problems, but visual examination alone cannot verify water-resistance performance.

The UTS working instruction requires water-resistance performance to be checked against the product specification or instruction manual using suitable measuring equipment within the required test range. The pressure, test duration, sample quantity, preparation method, and acceptance requirement should therefore be confirmed for the specific watch before testing.

ISO 22810:2010 establishes requirements and test methods for verifying the water resistance of watches and also addresses the related marking. An on-site UTS product inspection does not certify a watch to ISO 22810; where formal verification against the standard is required, the applicable test program and conformity-assessment requirements need to be handled separately.^[3]

After a water-resistance test, our team checks the relevant samples again for continued operation, normal display and controls, fogging under the crystal, visible moisture entry, and movement or loosening of housing parts.

Strap and Housing

The strap and housing check covers both appearance and the parts that keep the watch assembled during normal use. A clean case finish does not compensate for a weak spring bar, failed buckle, loose back cover, damaged crystal, or strap connection that separates under load.

Strap and Buckle

The strap should match the approved material, color, width, length, hole pattern, buckle type, stitching, and hardware. Different materials have different common defects, so our team reviews the construction actually used on the inspected watch.

Strap Type	Main Inspection Points
Leather or synthetic leather	Cracking, peeling, edge coating, folds, stitching, adjustment holes, lining, and surface finish
Silicone, rubber, or plastic	Cracks, whitening, bubbles, deformation, incomplete holes, sticky surfaces, and damage after bending
Metal bracelet	Link movement, connecting pins, sharp edges, surface coating, distortion, clasp operation, and case attachment
Fabric strap	Fraying, loose weave, seams, thread ends, hole reinforcement, and hardware attachment

The UTS watch working instruction lists a broken strap and a non-working strap closure or buckle as major defects. Other workmanship points include incomplete adjustment holes, pronounced folds or wrinkles, poor seams, loose or open seams, needle holes, frayed threads, and uncut thread ends.

The buckle should open, close, adjust, and release according to the product design. Our team checks that it engages fully, remains closed during normal handling, releases correctly, and does not expose an abnormal rough or sharp contact surface.

Spring bars, connecting pins, screws, end links, strap loops, and case lugs should also be present and secure. A buckle can work correctly while the watch still has a serious attachment problem at the strap-to-case connection.

The UTS working instruction includes strap or bracelet pull and torsion tests under Special Inspection Level S-2. For the pull test, the selected watch is attached to a force gauge and a clasp-type strap or bracelet remains in its closed position.

The working instruction does not provide one universal pull-force value for every watch strap. The required force therefore needs to follow the approved product specification or buyer instruction rather than an unsupported value added during inspection.

After pull or torsion testing, our team checks for:

• Breakage
• Permanent elongation
• Connecting-pin movement
• Spring-bar release
• Stitch opening
• Surface cracking
• Layer separation
• Adjustment-hole tearing
• Buckle deformation
• Loss of normal adjustment or locking function

A strap that remains attached but can no longer be adjusted, locked, or worn normally should still be recorded as a functional problem.

Case, Crystal, and Back Cover

The watch case is checked against the approved sample and specification for construction, finish, assembly, and visible damage.

Typical case findings include:

• Scratches, dents, impact marks, or deformation
• Peeling paint, coating loss, or uneven plating
• Incorrect color or surface finish
• Rust, oxidation, oil, grease, or contamination
• Missing, loose, over-tightened, or damaged screws
• Uneven assembly gaps or breaks
• Sharp points or sharp edges
• Incorrect, missing, or badly positioned logos
• Bent or damaged case lugs

The UTS working instruction lists oxidation or corrosion on skin-contact areas as a major or minor defect depending on severity. If a different condition creates an actual safety risk, such as an accessible sharp edge, that condition is assessed separately rather than automatically treating all visible corrosion as a critical defect.

The crystal should be checked under suitable lighting for cracks, chips, scratches, loose fitting, contamination, dust or fibers underneath, visible distortion, and finish problems. Where a protective film hides the surface, selected samples may require closer review so defects below the film are not missed.

The back cover should sit correctly against the case without an abnormal visible gap. Screws and retaining parts should be complete and correctly seated. Model information, material information, battery marking, water-resistance claims, and other approved markings should be compared with the relevant product documents.

The UTS working instruction includes an internal-component check on one piece. When opening the back cover is included in the approved scope, our team may review the visible movement, battery, retaining parts, screws, spacers, insulation, foreign material, corrosion, and internal cleanliness. The sample should be reassembled and its basic function checked again.

The bare-watch free-fall test uses Special Inspection Level S-2. The UTS working instruction gives the following method:

• Drop height: 1 meter
• Number of drops: 4
• Directions: different directions
• Impact surface: wood floor or a 1 cm thick wood board
• Basic requirement: no breakage and the watch continues to work

After the test, our team checks for a cracked crystal, shifted hands, case damage, a loose crown, loose back cover, strap separation, and loss of function. The test result should include these post-impact findings rather than only confirming that the watch is still ticking.

Dimensions, Labels, and Packaging

Dimensions and weight are measured against the approved drawing, specification, label claim, or buyer requirement. Depending on the model, measurements may include case diameter, case thickness, strap width, strap length, buckle width, adjustment-hole position, and product weight.

The UTS watch working instruction lists a ±5% reference for product and carton size or weight claims where applicable. This value should not automatically be applied to every individual watch dimension. If an approved drawing specifies a tighter case diameter, strap width, thickness, or weight tolerance, that documented tolerance takes priority.

Where a measurable requirement is available, the inspection report should show the nominal value, applicable tolerance, actual result, sample identification, and measuring tool rather than simply stating that the size is correct.

Label and marking checks compare information across the watch, case back, hangtag, selling box, instruction manual, accessories, and shipping carton. Depending on the product and destination requirements, our team may check:

• Brand and product identification
• SKU, model, or item number
• Country-of-origin marking where required
• Battery information
• Instructions and warnings
• Required language
• Water-resistance claims
• Material information

Where certification or safety marks are included in the approved product documents, our team can check whether the mark is present, clear, and consistent with the model, rating information, label, packaging, and buyer-provided documents. UTS does not issue these certifications, and an on-site marking check does not establish or certify the validity of a certification.

Barcode verification focuses on practical identification and scanning. GS1 standards use barcodes as machine-readable data carriers for identifiers and other defined data used in supply-chain applications.^[4] During normal UTS product inspection, our team checks whether the barcode is printed clearly, whether it scans successfully, and whether the scanned content matches the SKU, model, label, purchase order, and approved artwork.

When barcode verification is included in the inspection scope, barcode readability must reach 100% for the checked samples. An unreadable barcode or incorrect scanned result is recorded for correction and recheck according to the buyer requirement. Routine inspection does not require barcode grading or scoring unless a separate client-defined barcode-quality assessment is specifically included in the scope.

Watch packaging should protect the product as well as identify it correctly. Important watch-specific checks include:

• The correct watch model, color, strap, and selling box are packed together.
• Required manuals, tags, warranty cards, and accessories are present.
• The watch is held securely in its inner tray or support.
• The product does not move freely inside the selling box.
• The buckle does not rub against the crystal or finished case.
• The crown is not placed under damaging pressure from the packaging.
• The strap is not folded tightly enough to create cracking or permanent deformation.
• The selling box remains clean and keeps its intended shape.
• The shipping carton quantity, SKU, carton marking, and packing arrangement are correct.

Where moisture, wet cartons, mold, mildew, or other visible environmental damage is found, our team records the actual condition and affected packaging or products. We do not apply a fixed humidity percentage or universal moisture threshold unless the buyer has provided a product-specific requirement.

The UTS watch working instruction also includes a shipping-carton drop test under Special Inspection Level S-2. The carton is opened and its contents are reviewed before testing, then repacked using the same packaging materials and method.

The working-instruction sequence is one corner, three edges, and six faces:

Packaged Weight	UTS WI Drop Height
Below 21 lb / 9.5 kg	30 in / 76 cm
21 lb / 9.5 kg to below 41 lb / 18.6 kg	24 in / 61 cm
41 lb / 18.6 kg to below 61 lb / 27.7 kg	18 in / 46 cm

ASTM D5276-19(2023) is an active ASTM method for free-fall drop testing of loaded containers and is intended to evaluate either the container's resistance to drop impact or the ability of the container and inner packaging to protect its contents.^[5] The specific 1C/3E/6F sequence and drop heights above come from the UTS watch working instruction and should not be presented as universal ASTM D5276 acceptance values.

After the carton drop test, the package is opened again. Our team checks whether the carton still provides reasonable protection, whether a gift box remains suitable for sale, whether the watch moved inside its package, and whether the crystal, case, crown, strap, buckle, or basic functions were damaged.

The final inspection report should connect each finding to the actual inspected sample and test scope. Useful evidence includes model and SKU coverage, lot and sample size, defect quantities, time-accuracy readings, dimensions, battery measurements, water-resistance test conditions, barcode results, packaging findings, and photographs of defects or failed tests.

If an inspection finds repeated time deviation, weak strap attachment, failed buckles, incorrect labels, unreadable barcodes, or another repeated problem, correction of only the inspected samples may not address the affected production lot. After rework, the buyer may arrange a targeted re-inspection. The same approach is relevant after a failed Final Random Inspection, where the affected SKU, defect type, corrected quantity, and recheck scope should be reviewed before the shipment decision.

Third-party product inspection provides documented findings from the agreed sample and test scope. It does not guarantee a zero-defect shipment, certify product compliance, or remove the supplier's responsibility for manufacturing quality. After our team completes the inspection and internal report review, our project service team provides the report for client review so the buyer can decide whether the order is ready for shipment, requires corrective action, or needs further verification.