Watches Inc. sees 40% jump in qualified leads after adopting Photoroom
The challenge: When it came time to take his beloved business to the next level, Saad Basir faced a major challenge in visually showcasing the unique qualities of his diverse inventory at Watches, Inc. Using plain, standard backgrounds for product photography limited his ability to communicate the personality and story behind each watch. This constraint impacted customer engagement and ultimately sales, as potential buyers weren’t fully captivated by the product images and their potential uses.
Our solution: Photoroom’s powerful Background Remover and AI Backgrounds allowed Saad to create visually engaging scenes that matched the mood and story of each watch without the logistical challenges of setting up countless physical backgrounds. This capability gave Saad the flexibility to enhance the visual appeal of his product photos, making them more relatable and appealing to his audience.
Results: After adopting Photoroom, Saad saw a 40% increase in qualified leads, with product inquiries jumping from 20% to 60% per post on social media. The streamlined process facilitated by Photoroom allowed him to edit and share more high-quality images, boosting productivity and engagement. The enhanced visuals not only attracted more potential customers but also reinforced the credibility and trustworthiness of Watches, Inc., further cementing its reputation in a very competitive market.
In May 2022, Saad Basir turned his lifelong passion for watches into a dream business. At Watches, Inc., fellow watch enthusiasts can shop a large, diverse range of luxury and everyday new and pre-owned timepieces. Each piece tells a different story, allowing the customer to express themselves in a unique and personal way. It’s what Saad has always loved so much about watches.
His passion-led venture first came to life in his home country, Pakistan, and today is run out of both Pakistan and the UK—where he also splits his time. Previously a marketing professional, Saad is now enjoying an entrepreneurial journey a lifetime in the making.
“I’ve been fascinated by watches ever since I was a kid, even though I couldn’t afford them back then. As I entered my professional life, watches became my go-to reward, and that passion inspired me to turn this into a business opportunity.” - Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
With a vast inventory including high-end Swiss pieces and popular Japanese watches, in addition to other renowned brands and watch care accessories like cases and straps, Watches, Inc. quickly gained traction. The growing brand has enjoyed substantial growth over the course of just two years, and is well-positioned to maintain this upward momentum and continue to expand in the future.
Starting everything from his home—managing photography, customer interactions, and now supported by a dedicated small team—Saad has grown a loyal customer base exceeding 1,000 watch lovers around the world. He’s also turned Watches, Inc. into one of the biggest watch dealerships in Pakistan that only deals in authentic new and pre-owned watches.
“Even today, I handle most customer interactions personally, responding to nearly every query. This hands-on approach keeps me connected and ensures exceptional service for my customers.”
- Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
Despite his initial success, Saad faced unique challenges like competing with large-scale retailers and managing high-quality photography for his inventory—a key aspect of appealing to serious watch enthusiasts online who want to be sure they’re buying from a quality provider.
This challenge led him to discover Photoroom through an Instagram ad. The powerful and easy-to-use-right-out-of-the-box app streamlined the process and elevated the quality of his product images almost immediately. Photoroom proved to be a game-changer, helping Saad maintain and even expand the high customer experience standard he set for Watches, Inc. while ensuring every timepiece is showcased at its best to attract customers.
This commitment to quality and attention to detail has also played a crucial role in building trust with his customers, reinforcing the credibility and reliability that Watches, Inc. is known for.
The Photoroom ad that changed everything for Watches, Inc.
The moment that Instagram ad showed Saad Photoroom’s ability to instantly and seamlessly remove backgrounds from any photo with just a swipe, was the moment he knew he had found the perfect tool to elevate his product photography and take his business to new heights.
“Given how much I rely on visuals to showcase and sell my products, Photoroom immediately caught my attention. I decided to try it out, and from the moment I did, I was hooked. I paid for the subscription on the spot. The ease of use and the powerful editing capabilities made it an absolute no-brainer.”
- Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
One of the biggest challenges when photographing watches is matching the visual mood to each unique piece. Watches are more than just timekeeping instruments; they embody different themes and personalities. So capturing that essence means pairing each photo with the right background and setting a tone that resonates with the product's story. For example, a sports watch might call for an adventurous, rugged scene, with bold and dark hues, while a classic dress watch needs a softer, more refined backdrop, and a diving watch needs a dynamic, aquatic background that evokes the sense of being underwater.
Photoroom gave Saad the flexibility to create these critical visual stories without the logistical complexity of setting up countless physical scenes. With his large inventory of watches, it would have been nearly impossible to stage the appropriate background for every product. Photoroom simplified that process, allowing Saad to pair high-quality images with perfectly tailored digital backdrops to enhance the customer experience.
“Photoroom has been a game-changer in maintaining consistency and elevating the overall visual impact of my product photos.”
-Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
But the app’s capabilities don’t just stop at convenience; they contribute directly to building a strong, trustworthy brand presence. By ensuring each product is presented with care and attention to detail, Saad has been able to maintain a professional standard that resonates with his customers and strengthens their confidence in Watches, Inc. That’s why Photoroom has become an integral part of his workflow, helping him turn already high-quality images into compelling scenes that invite trust and spark interest.
Photoroom enhances the customer experience and boosts qualified leads for Watches, Inc.
“Before discovering Photoroom, my approach to product photography for Watches, Inc. involved using plain, standard backgrounds on my website and social media. But with the app’s Background Remover and AI Backgrounds, I was able to dramatically increase engagement. In fact, we’ve seen the number of product inquiries jump by 40%, boosting my customer interactions from 20% to 60% per post.” - Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
This was particularly impactful given that Saad's sales strategy relies heavily on direct, community-based interactions. While Photoroom didn’t replace any part of his sales process, it enhanced it by attracting more potential customers who reached out with genuine interest. In other words, Photoroom effectively increased the number of [qualified] leads generated from his online presence.
And Saad’s use of Photoroom extends beyond just marketing on social media. He’s also integrated Photoroom-edited images into his website by including a final image for each product that captures the mood and vibe of the watch. While the initial four photos for each product show the watch's condition—especially important for pre-owned timepieces—the fifth and final image, created with Photoroom, now adds that critical narrative element, helping customers connect with the design and fashion aspect of the watch.
One of the biggest operational impacts has been in content production. Before Photoroom, Saad was limited in how many product photos he could edit and share on his social channels due to the time-intensive editing process. This meant that if he had 10 new products, he might only manage to post images of three in a day.
And putting up an unappealing photo of a watch that could potentially turn off a would-be customer? That was never even an option in Saad’s mind. But now, with Photoroom, he could suddenly handle the editing for six or even eight products, significantly boosting the volume of social content he could produce and share.
In the future, Saad also plans to explore Photoroom’s Batch Mode for more efficient bulk editing. While he values giving individual attention to each product image, he sees potential in using Batch Mode to streamline his workflow, provided he sets up the initial guidelines correctly.
Photoroom’s impact on Saad’s business is clear. It has given him the ability to visually and effectively tell the stories behind his products; significantly increased customer engagement and ultimately sales; and allows for greater overall productivity—all essential elements for the continued growth and success of Watches, Inc.
Photoroom’s Background Remover and AI Backgrounds become workflow staples for Watches, Inc.
With an extensive background in marketing and content management, Saad has explored numerous photo editing tools over the years, so he knows his stuff. When it comes to Photoroom, a few standout features have become essential to his workflow for Watches, Inc.
Saad’s absolute favorite Photoroom feature—a fan favorite all around—is of course the Background Remover. Coming in a close second is the AI Backgrounds.
“The background removal is fantastic. I think it’s the best in the industry right now because I’ve used a lot and none can compare to what Photoroom can do. For someone with over a decade of experience managing content, this feature stands out as industry-grade.”
- Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
Saad also highly appreciates Photoroom’s ability to generate AI backgrounds that align with each product’s story. And the ecommerce friendly presets like the Shopify vertical and Shopify square formats really come in handy for a (mostly) solopreneur who manages many aspects of the business himself. These presets streamline the process and save time by providing ready-made formats that fit seamlessly into his online store.
Recently, Saad has also started collaborating with his team on Photoroom. The app’s collaboration feature allows him to review the images his team creates, provide feedback, and ultimately shorten the feedback loop. While Saad feels strongly that the creative elements of the work still rely on human input in order to get the best out of the app or any AI, this feature makes it easier to maintain high standards across the board.
Even though the feedback loop often happens in person for Saad and his team, he still appreciates the collaborative capabilities in Photoroom for times when his team needs guidance or when he’s demonstrating how Photoroom works to new team members or entrepreneurs looking to enhance their ecommerce practices. It’s a simple yet powerful tool that brings both creativity and efficiency to his business.
“I love showing others all that there is to experience with Photoroom, and how simple and exciting it is to use.”
-Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
More sales, more community, more Photoroom: The future of Watches, Inc.
As Saad looks ahead to the future of Watches, Inc., he’s motivated by more than just growth in sales. What truly excites him is the potential to transform his business from being solely a reseller to becoming a bridge between watch brands and watch enthusiasts.
“I’m talking to watch brands so that I can show them that I am not just a reseller of pre-owned watches but I am also a spokesperson for watch enthusiasts.”
-Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
By deepening these connections, he aims to bring richer, more informed stories to his community, enhancing their appreciation for each timepiece. Because while the core goal of any business is to increase customers and sales, Saad is already achieving that. His sights are now set on elevating Watches, Inc. to the next level—becoming a representative of luxury watches in his country and fostering a community that celebrates the art and craft of watchmaking.
“It’s not just a watch store; it’s a watch family. Watches, Inc. is a space where people can buy, sell, and, most importantly, discover what makes the world of watches so brilliant.”
-Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
As Saad scales his operations and collaborates with more brands, having a reliable tool like Photoroom will be crucial in maintaining the high-quality, visually compelling content that sets his business apart. That’s why the app will continue to play a significant role in the ongoing evolution of his vision.
“If you're considering Photoroom today and worried about how your product will look, Photoroom will take that worry away from you.”
- Saad Basir, Founder, Watches, Inc.
Try Photoroom yourself today. Available on Android, iOS, or the Web.
Love watches like Saad does or curious about the wonderful world of timepieces? Check out the website, and follow Watches, Inc. on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to dive in!
You can also reach out directly on WhatsApp or message them on Facebook to ask to join the Watches, Inc. community!