The 1963 LEGACY BURGUNDY EDITION

From Seagull 1963 -

Courtesy of Seagull 1963

Now before you jump to any conclusions, let me kick this off by informing you, gentle reader, that I am the proud owner of a Seagull 1963 chronograph (ordered and paid for with my own $), and it has given me better service than several other, much more expensive, "Swiss" chronographs that I have owned. 

So, I therefore am pretty excited about Seagull 1963's latest offering. It is a hand wound chronograph with moonphase. And, four all of you fancy-pants out there - it is a manufacture movement.

Courtesy of Seagull 1963

The Tianjin watch company (China) purchased a lot of their chronograph technology from Venus a now defunct Swiss brand. The big push was to develop chronographs for the nascent Chinese air force. Venus did the deal and sold the original blueprints, machinery, and tooling to the Tianjin Watch Company in China. This kit became the foundation for the Seagull ST19.

Now, am I saying that the ST19 is ready to replace Valjoux, etc.? Of course not, they are very different things. But with that said, I challenge anyone out there to find a column wheel chronograph (with moonphase complication) for a little bit more dosh than a Swatch/Blancpain 50 Fathoms mash-up.

The quality of watches (and movements) coming out of China continues to improve. And at a price of $660 (if I have read the website correctly) it represents very real value for not a lot of pocket money.

Here are the pertinents, straight from the source -

• Limited and individually numbered edition

• Burgundy Sunburst Dial: The convex sunburst burgundy dial remains flat through the centre before curving towards its edges. It is fitted with polished pin capped hands which follow the shape of the dial.

• Moonphase: More accurate mechanical 29.5-day moonphase display, following the waxing and waning cycle of the moon

• Movement: Seagull ST1908 hand-winding Chronograph movement; 21 Jewels; 21600 BPH

• Power Reserve: 42 Hours

• Case Material: 316L Stainless Steel

• Case Diameter: 40.00mm

• Case Thickness: 12.70mm

• Water Resistance: 5 ATM

• Lug to Lug: 46mm

• Bracelet Material: Red Wine genuine leather

• Crown: Pull Out Crown

• Lug Width: 20mm