Horological Meandering

Like to share a recent acquisition, fresh outta the box. Most the most expensive nor the most refine, but very attractive and excellent value for money (lets jus say you cannot even get leather straps from the tops brands for the same money)

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Seagull Chronograph, Model no. 1963 / Sea-Gull (Tianjin) 1963 Chinese Air Force Re-Issue:

“The Tianjin Watch Factory became famous throughout China for producing the first Chinese watch in 1961. The factory was assigned to manufacture the first Chinese aviation watch (chronograph) for the Air Force of the People's Liberation Army. The code of the assignment was "304".

The factory pre-manufactured three batches of the aviation watch by October 1962. In the end of the year 38 leaders and experts (industrial ministry, air command, and naval equipment supervisors) came together for the appraisal of the watch. After the meeting the Tianjin Watch Factory received permission to begin the mass production of the watch. In 1963 the factory completed and delivered 1400 aviation watches to the Chinese Air Force.”

This is the official remake of the watch as it was created in 1963; a unique and limited classic masterpiece. It has hand winding chronograph movement with 19 jewels and power reserve of over 40 hours. The watch is a special edition and comes with a wooden box and user manual.

The dial says "19 ZUAN", Chinese for "19 jewels". The symbols on the lower half spell "China - Tianjin Watch Factory".

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Here are 2 quick pictures of my actually watch. Came with a military khaki green NATO (not photographed) which I plan to swap with a leather and a milanese bracelet.

 

I've accumulated a half dozen or more Chinese watches, mainly Sea Gull and Shanghai. Admittedly I rarely wear them but they are affordable and fun. Many of them were bought on a recent trip to China where I failed to gain entrance to the Shanghai Watch factory. Thanks to a good friend in China who showed me where to buy some of these. 

I wanted that chrono you have but never got around to buying one.

- SJX

a shop at Xin Tian Di (starts with a " T" name which escapes me) that carries seagull.

I got the 1963 online and the seller may have some pcs left, PM me if you like the url, and I could have placed an order for the BOTH of us  

Waited 2 weeks for my package to arrive.

I bought one back in 2009 from that shop. Not very big range though.

Best,

Horo

That is the one !

..on the dive watch, SJX.

Any further photos or details of that watch?

The bezel is bidirectional. It's a reissue of a watch issued to the Chinese army in the 1950s apparently.

- SJX

...on that one. I'm interesting something of that nature.

[Bidirectional bezels can be OK for diving (if not ISO) and actually better if you're just using them for a timer...but it's the countdown aspect that's cool]

 

 

If you google you'll find plenty of pages on this but I'm not sure how accurate it is since it's all English language. What I know is that this is the second generation reissue with 25 jewels, the earlier one had 22 jewels and was cheaper. The shop staff indicated this is a special edition and not many were received in the store, but beyond that and the fact that it's a reissue of a 60s watch there wasn't much more they could say. The staff were extremely helpful though, I'm sure aided by the fact that I bought some 10 watches. I'm not even sure if the movement is domestic design or a Chinese clone of an ETA.

- SJX

This message has been edited by SJX on 2011-09-28 01:21:39

Much appreciate it. I think this is the second watch you've put on my list....

I have lying around.

- SJX

too well! He is dangerous to your bank account! Trust me!



cen@jkt

....so far it's only been an orange faced Seiko diver and now this SWC watch....A friend now lives in Shanghai, so I'm putting him on the hunt for that and a Seagull chrono...

This message has been edited by BDLJ on 2011-09-28 16:59:34

never considered buying one as i often wonder if they use the translation to misrepresent items.

G

..have a Seagull boutique there.  Grande date version with interesting Chinese writing to indicate day and date..and the dial is with guilloche.  Sis in law works in Shangai.  Or was it Suzhou, cannot quite remember..

the have a store in SIC, so possible you got this while in Suzhou. Never knew that they are quite a few of us who got the watch.

A testiment to the great eye catching design. Will have to monitor its functionality for now, till then, I will will provide an update.

Hope to read more on this or come across them some day. Thanks for sharing.

f

I saw a seagull shop in TST, I could be wrong. To be honest, never really looked at em until I chanced upon this re-issue.

Am currently monitoring its functionality, tiil then, and I certainly provide an update.

The venus looks great, jus wish they had not printed the wordings (in red) on the see thru case back.

shop somewhere but also never bothered. I will pay a visit sometime to see what they have. Look forward to further updates. Thanks!

F

pretty near to the Halewinner and Oriental watch shop near Jordan MTR. I hope i am correct LOL.

Seagull will attract more customers if the finishing of the movement can be improved.

Thanks for showing the watches.

 

Regards

Ling

Got me intrigued enuf to buy one , tat will do for now untill I have had some time with it , and am sufficiently satisfied with its accuracy and functionality.

Will certainly provide an update down the road.

I don't think the chinese would give a attention to that.

Actually it doesn't look that bad for a chrono that cost less USD250

Our beloved swiss sure didn't try that hard

I think the chinese did more to spread the appreciation of classic chrono.


Just my mindless babbling LOL

Regards
Tyler
This message has been edited by T.Bean on 2011-09-29 04:11:44

You must be kidding.

Actually, the chrono looks pretty good with a lot of blue thingy and moderate polishing.

Is that movement from Seagull?

Regards

Ling

The screw are chemically blue and most of the lever are disposalable but bare in mind the chinese has been making these venus 175 variant for close to 50 years. They may not be Dufour but 50 years of making the same thing will make you an expert on that calibre. I heard stories that it takes as little as 15 minutes for a repair of changing parts. Training thousand of watchmakers along the way. The servicibility this calibre in the future is certain.

Again thanks for reading my mindless babbling:-P

Regards
Tyler

Got mine for less than USD250 + shipping

Apparently they are at least 3 or perhaps up to 5 variants of this very same watch floating the market (used or otherwise). I think the resllers speced them differently when they got Tianjin watch company to manufacture them for resale.

I have also seen the watch on a milanese (on various other forms) and its look very vintage !

 

Seagull 1963 re-edition chronographs and, initially, I was impressed with the vintage design.

An old pic of my ex-mine:

The watch, as everyone with less than 40mm, stayed with my daughter.
After few weeks, she complained about the precision and I took to my watchmaker.

He did his best, as usual, but the overall movement quality didn't help. For sure this watch is not a chronometer.

One day a friend saw it and I let the watch go.

My summary: Cool design, loved the big crown. I have a soft spot for old style chronographs.

If Tianjin could (and I'm sure that they can) put more quality on the movement, they could produce a very nice and desirable watch.

Thanks for remind me about this watch. I forgot that I had one.

Cheers

Nilo ! Never knew u had an eye on this. Yes I have my concerns with the accuracy as well and have been keeping it running since I got the watch, so far so good. "fingers crossed" However, I think I will keep mine nonethless

A bit late but thanks for the excellent write up watch photography, wish I could take photos half as good as you do !!

Flamenco,

To take good pictures requires almost the same skills of watch collecting. Try, try and try again.

Thank you.

I just posted a short review of this watch on another forum!  Here is an abbreviated version...

Mine came equipped with a olive colored nato, but looks nicer with a dash of color.  The red of the new nato goes nicely with the red of the chrono seconds hand.

This is the 19 jewel (zuan) dialed version. There is also a 21 jewel dial version – I've heard that it is the same ST-1901 movement in both, twith 21 jewels, but that an early batch of dials was printed with 19 since that what was on the original watch.  Nice applied markers and star.

The printing could be better - some smears around 15 - 20 on the minutes chapter.

Colorful and highly readable.  The hands are thin but they don't get lost.  They are perhaps a little longer than expected, but work very well here.  The color varies from bright blue to black, depending on the light.  The red seconds hand doesn't vary too much.

Although the finishing of the hands could have been a little nicer… still, this is something you never will notice on the wrist.

Certainly shiny enough!

Here's the back, same Chinese as on the front (Tianjin Watch Factory天津手表厂, China中国)

And a picture of the watch in repose

It's not haute horology, but it is certainly a fun watch to have.