Chinese Watches

[Douglas]

I hope some of the WISes on here can help me out. I've seen a few posts referring to the Chinese watch brand Seagull. In Hong Kong magazines, I've also seen reference to another brand called Shanghai. I also passed a few shops with a Russian-sounding brand name (that is escaping me at the moment) but seemed to proudly proclaim it's made in China as well.

I'm on my way to Shanghai in a few days, and I'm wondering if anyone has any thoughts on the quality, pricing, or distribution of these watches. I'd be willing to spend a few hundred bucks for a decent quality mechanical watch that might not yet have the brand cachet but might represent value for the money. Is it possible to find good Chinese-made, proudly Chinese-branded watches in Shanghai for a reasonable amount of dough?

 

[acidboy]

I could be wrong, but I don't think so. If you're in the market for lower-priced but good mechanical watches, you could just play safe and buy a Seiko or a German brand.

 

[skalogre]

There are very good watches made in China under Chinese brands. BUT: you will be paying domestic market prices - aka much higher than export market. See here (similar question) http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=124630 and http://forums.watchuseek.com/showpos...9&postcount=14 Edit: Old, NOS Shanghai watches can be found on Fleabay for VERY VERY little and they are an amazingly good bargain at that price. I don't know what the modern Shanghai watches are like.

 

[Coho]

I'm itching for a Chinese Tourbillon.

But until it goes under $300, I'm not wasting my money.

 

[whacked]

This thread reminds me that I have always wanted a Seagull 1963 Chinese Air Force reissue, handwound ST19 column wheel chronograph movement.

There's a fellow on PMWF (MarkB, I think) who sells Seagull watches on PMWF. His price is $200, give or take a few; not sure how it compares to Chinese domestic watches pricing.

 

[Coho]

That's a very nice design.

Originally Posted by whacked

This thread reminds me that I have always wanted a Seagull 1963 Chinese Air Force reissue, handwound ST19 column wheel chronograph movement.

There's a fellow on PMWF (MarkB, I think) who sells Seagull watches on PMWF. His price is $200, give or take a few; not sure how it compares to Chinese domestic watches pricing.

 

[skalogre]

Originally Posted by whacked

This thread reminds me that I have always wanted a Seagull 1963 Chinese Air Force reissue, handwound ST19 column wheel chronograph movement. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2015/...4cd147c1_b.jpg

There's a fellow on PMWF (MarkB, I think) who sells Seagull watches on PMWF. His price is $200, give or take a few; not sure how it compares to Chinese domestic watches pricing.

I contacted cnmark on WUS (I think it is the same chap), asked him to put me on the list for one of these when he gets them in next. I already have the "dress" version of the 1963. Great watch. Edit. cnmark is MarkB. Nice

 

[Douglas]

Originally Posted by acidicboy

I could be wrong, but I don't think so. If you're in the market for lower-priced but good mechanical watches, you could just play safe and buy a Seiko or a German brand.

Thanks, acidicboy. I should have been clearer... I do already have a very small collection of reasonably-priced mechanical watches, including two 1950s-1960s Omegas, a WWI-era Omega Patria, a 1940's Hamilton, and a new Seiko 5 military. I am interested in the Chinese watches partly because they might represent decent value, but primarily because I think a Chinese-manufactured mechanical watch would be an interesting addition to my collection.

Thanks for all the help, guys. After reading some of the posts here and some of the posts on the referenced fora, it sounds like it's a much better idea to buy a Seagull outside of China. I may just buy one of those 1963 re-issues. At $200, it's a handsome watch at a steal.

 

[yfyf]

Originally Posted by whacked

This thread reminds me that I have always wanted a Seagull 1963 Chinese Air Force reissue, handwound ST19 column wheel chronograph movement.

There's a fellow on PMWF (MarkB, I think) who sells Seagull watches on PMWF. His price is $200, give or take a few; not sure how it compares to Chinese domestic watches pricing.

That is a great watch ... it's just so communist! Does anyone have MarkB's e-mail address? If he's selling, I'll get in line.

 

[Bic Pentameter]

I'd be interested in MarkB's e-mail address, too.

 

[whacked]

[email protected]

Again, I have neither affiliation nor experience doing business with this seller (the latter will likely change though).