Watch distributors and wholesalers education and training is important for a business planning to sell watches to the public, whether as a distributor or in a retail store. More than just a way to keep time, watches can be an important accessory and a fashion statement among men and women.

There are countless varieties of watches available for resale. To learn about the business of buying and selling wholesale watches and finding watch suppliers to keep your customers happy and your business growing:

1. Get information to find and compare watch wholesalers;

2. Learn about the market for watches and trends in watch design and purchasing;

3. Use articles and tools to get expert help in establishing your retail business.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Learn about watch wholesalers and purchasing choices

There are many choices of watch distributors and wholesalers. Before forming a relationship with a company, go over directories of wholesalers to compare prices, policies and company profiles. Look at other avenues for acquiring watches to sell, like auctions or vintage items.

I recommend: WholesaleCentral and Wholesale Directory offer a wide range listings of watch distributors. PoliceAuctions is another source for purchasing expensive designer watches, offering watches confiscated in police investigations.

Find out about trends in wholesale fashion watches

Learning about trends and knowing what customers are looking for in watches is important. It's a necessary step to take to ensure that your product will be in demand. Learn about watch styles and current trends to keep a stock of popular items.

I recommend: Wrist Watch Trends features news articles about watches, covering trends and popular styles. MillionLooks and Forbes offer articles about upcoming watch trends.

Partner with a group to learn about watch manufacturers and styles

National groups are geared toward those who collect, repair or craft watches. They offer resources that can be helpful in building your business, from learning more about the industry to finding specialty watch makers to purchase from.

I recommend: The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors offers many services to members, including newsletters, local chapters and a lending library. The American Watchmakers Institute offers a referral directory and other services.

Learn about working as a distributor of watches

If you're just getting started as a watch distributor, you'll need to learn the overall aspects of running a retail business. Whether you sell only watches or just want to add them to an existing product line, or sell in a retail store or another venue, learn from experts to establish and grow your business.

I recommend: Inc. magazine features articles for retailers. Entrepreneur offers tips for starting a retail business. The Small Business Administration offers tools and guidance for starting a new business. Business Know-How offers a helpful article about selling accessories to retail stores

Once you have decided to get into the business of selling watches, it is important to find a watch supplier that can provide all of the different kinds of time pieces you want to carry. Choosing watch distributors and wholesalers can be a daunting task. There seem to be so many out there.

Deciding on what types of watches your business will carry is the first step to finding a watch distributor. Here are a few ideas to keep in mind when making a decision:

1. Find discount watch distributors to get more bang for your buck.

2. Consider a luxury watch wholesaler for those customers with discerning tastes.

3. Hit your goal with sporty wholesale watches.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Reach a wider audience with watches from discount watch distributors and wholesalers

While many people see a watch as a very important fashion accessory, others purchase a watch simply to be able to tell time. Those potential customers are not looking to spend a lot of money on a watch; they are likely to purchase a low cost one. Work with watch wholesalers who offer low-end watch brands to cater to these customers.

I recommend: Watchcloseouts.net features some of today’s top everyday brands at reasonable wholesale prices. Any Time Watch & Clock has discount watches of every style at rock bottom prices. The Alpha Watch Company website has a handy search feature to allow you to quickly narrow down your selection to just the watches you are looking for.

Cater to those who like the finer things with luxury watches from a high-end watch distributor

Some consumers like to show off their expensive taste with a high-end luxury watch. Consider teaming up with a dealer who sells items from luxury watch manufacturers to get watches at less-than-retail prices.

I recommend: ELuxuryTime.com carries top of the line timepieces sure to please any palate. AuthenticWatches.com has many years of experience in providing top-of-the-line watches. Finally, the About Time website sells many brands of authentic, luxury watches.

Improve your chances of scoring big with your customer by teaming up with sport watch suppliers

Bring your 'A' game and work with a watch wholesaler that can provide you with the latest styles in sport watches. These pieces are great for the business that has a lot of outdoor enthusiast customers.

I recommend: Global Sources Direct has sport watches of all kinds, in all price ranges. The ProSportWatches website features some of the top brands in sport watches. SourcingMap sells the latest models of sport watches that your customers will be looking for.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Ask your distributor of watches what kinds of watches are in high demand at the time and tailor your purchases accordingly to take advantage of the latest trends.

Selling watches requires you to find a dependable distributor or wholesaler that has what you need at prices you can afford. When your company works with or buys from watch distributors and wholesalers, you may be confronted with terms that you may not understand. For people who are new to the watch business this can be confusing and discouraging. Once you understand what these words or phrases mean, you will be able to find wholesalers and distributors that have what your customers are looking for.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Chronograph

Chronographs are watches that keep time and can be used as a stopwatch and in other ways. A chronograph has a main watch dial and several subdials. A scale is also included in the chronograph so that measurements can be read.

I recommend: Top of the Line has more information about chronographs, including a brief history. Visit Watch Report to read more about chronographs.

Cuff bangle watch

A cuff bangle watch is a watch that encircles the wrist with an extra wide band. It has ornate jewels or trinkets on it. The majority of cuff bangle watches are designed for women.

I recommend: Love to Know has more information about cuff bangle watches.

Analog watch

An analog watch is a watch that displays the time using hands and clockwork in the watch. Analog watches can have an hour and a minute hand or they can have an hour, minute and second hand.

I recommend: Absolute Astronomy has more information about analog watches. Discover the differences between analog and digital watches at Search Warp.

Bling watch

Bling is an urban slang term also called bling-bling. This term refers to gold, diamond or diamond-esque jewelry. Bling watches are embellished with flashy jewels and are meant to be noticed.

I recommend: The Time Factory shows a variety of bling watches.

Bezel

A bezel is the rim around the top of a watch that holds the crystals and watch face intact. A bezel can be fixed in place or it can rotate. A bezel can often be moved to mark a specific time.

I recommend: Learn more about bezels at Watches Giant.

Deployment buckle or clasp

A deployment buckle or clasp is a watch clasp with two to three pieces inside the locking element. These locking pieces fold inward to lock the watch in place.

I recommend: Find more information about and pictures of deployment buckles at eWatches. Timepieces-2-Watch also has information about deployment buckles.