This is not a new watch, and versions of this one with the tried and tested calibre ST19 have been around for years. It acquired Swiss movement manufacturer Venus in the 1960s, along with its machinery and designs, where Seagull movements are still manufactured on Venus equipment.Īlthough unclear, this movement was part of a government mandated development of a chronograph for the Peoples Liberation Army Air Force and based on the Venus calibre 175. Founded in 1955, Seagull movements have actually had Swiss origins for over 50 years. Seagull, or the Tianjin Seagull Watch Group, is a Chinese manufacturer and the largest producer of mechanical movements in the world. The case back is screw down with 10 sides framing the display of the movement. It has a slender midcase with the lugs dropping off nicely to aid fit and a domed bezel and sapphire crystal. The case is all high polished and in 316L steel according to the website. This takes a 20mm strap, so there are plenty of options. The watch sits 16mm tall on the wrist thanks to the nato bunched underneath, but wear it on a strap and this reduces to a manageable 13mm. You can buy this watch direct from Seagull 1963 at their retail site to ensure you get the correct size as well as choose from a variety of different straps, sizes and dial colours. I’d say 50mm is top end for my 6 ¾” wrist. I did request the 38mm with the olive nato, but sadly AliExpress have sent me the 40mm, so if you order one yourself, make sure you are clear on the size.Īt 40mm in diameter, this version has a lug to lug of 50.2mm, but the curved profile does help a little. This watch comes in 2 sizes with a variety of strap options. Like Indiana Jones picking out the one true grail, the carpenters cup amongst the shiny goblets, this watch immediately spiked my interest in the see of copy cats. It’s just a different world now, and I think in a world of everyone wanting to look the same and have the same things, I can see the temptation.īut then I cam across this interesting looking chronograph, and thought. As a penniless 17 year old, looking for his first watch, my Sekonda Datejust look alike fitted the bill, so I’m not here to judge. Normally, this fakery is not what I’m about, but even I had to start somewhere. Arguably better than an out and out fake, as they don’t carry the original logo, but copies none the less. I mean, who wants to be mugged for wearing a Pagani Design Pepsi or a San Martin Kermit. So when I was browsing the offerings from Ali Express, you could understand why I may have been a little reluctant to take up their offer of sending me a watch to review. At all levels and price points, there are releases that at first glance look like direct copies, but are in fact trends where success breads success, be it in dial colour or bracelet design. The symbols on the lower half spell “China – Tianjin Watch Factory”.They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, and when it comes to homage watches, it appears that anything goes. The dial mentions “21 zuan”, Chinese for “21 jewels”. Unique hand winding chronograph originally created for the Chinese Air Force in 1963. The watch is a special edition and comes with special edition tin packaging. It has a hand winding chronograph movement with 21 jewels and a power reserve of over 40 hours. This is an official remake of the watch as it was created in 1963 a unique and limited classical masterpiece. In 1963 the factory finished and delivered 1400 aviatic watches to the Chinese Air Force. By the end of 1962, 38 leaders and experts (industrial ministry, air command, naval equipment supervisors) came together for the appraisal of the watches.Īfter the meeting the Tianjin Watch Factory received permission to begin the mass production of the watch. Until october 1962 the factory preproduced three batches of the aviatic watch. The factory was assigned to produce the first Chinese aviatic watch (chronograph) for the Air Force of the People”s Liberation Army. In 1961 the Tianjin Watch Factory was already famous in China for producing the first Chinese watch.
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