Reply With QuoteGreat looking piece, congrats 8)
In the early 1970s, the Shanghai Watch Factory produced about 30,000 military dive watches for People's Liberation Army commanders and divers. Here's an example of one of the 24 jewel "SS4 movement" original versions from Joel Chan's wonderful Micmicmor collection (there was also a 29 jewel version):
Since that time, these pieces have become prized by collectors of vintage Chinese watches although most (although not all) of the surviving watches are well used and in rough condition.
Recently, the Shanghai Watch Factory produced a small run of a commemorative re-issue (evidently far less than 30,00 pieces) using a 22 jewel 2813 movement by Dixmont Guangzhou instead of one of their own movements. This actually makes sense since, according to WUS moderator Chascomm--who has an encyclopedic knowledge of these things--the 22 jewel DG is closer to either of the original 24 or 29 jewel movements than anything the Shanghai Watch Factory currently produces since the DG 2813 has "unidirectional auto-winding and centre seconds run indirectly off the 3rd wheel".
So, after the explanation/history...here's my much-prized re-issue...and I'm thrilled because this watch was a true GRAIL for me :D
Great looking piece, congrats 8)
"I looked with pity not untinged with scorn upon these trivial-minded passers-by"
That's rather nice, congratulations.
Dave E
Skating away on the thin ice of a new day
Very noice 8)
Cheers,
Daddel.
Got a new watch, divers watch it is, had to drown the bastard to get it!
The original looks very like the Seiko 62MAS of the '60's.
Cheers,
Neil.
Like that, have just bought a 62MAS, which is sitting in Australia waiting for me to decide how to get it here, this reminds me very much of that, where can we get one of the re-issues?..........if that is not too rude a question?
:D Not rude at all, and I'm happy to provide anyone with details regarding these, although I don't know if any--or how many--remain available. I'll happily accept PMs and answer in the morning; it's 2 AM here and I'm headed to bed.Originally Posted by simonsev
Best to all, and thanks for the kind words on this recent happy find of mine!
May you all find your grails!
.
Nice reproduction. Thanks, I enjoy your posts.
john
"The whole purpose of mechanical watches is to be impertinent." ~ Lionel a Marca, CEO of Breguet
+1, it's good to read and see chinese watchmaking in a positive light
Only yesterday I was thinking, that behind all the fakes and replicas, there is still an “old watch industry” in China making efforts to survive.+1, it's good to read and see chinese watchmaking in a positive light
I was also looking into comparisons between the current Chinese and Russian mechanical watch industries … they way we perceive them from our European viewpoint and how they see themselves.
What I like about the Chinese “old watch industry” is that they are not trying to sell “to us” … and that’s what makes them interesting and magical. In the same way that us Europeans became fascinated by the Seiko “Japan only” models. Now they are trying to sell “to us” with the Ananta series, they have fallen flat on their face.
john
"The whole purpose of mechanical watches is to be impertinent." ~ Lionel a Marca, CEO of Breguet
I really like this. I like the oddballs of the watch world, the curiosities and the rarities. This is a watch with a heritage and design ethos all of its own. I agree that the moment they start reconfiguring their watches for European tastes then they'll have discarded the thing inherently makes them interesting. Far cooler IMO than any modern Submariner.
Indeed, does anyone know where to source this watch in particular and Chinese watches in general? I'd assume the price to quality ratio would be quite attractive. :)
An excellent point John and sums up the Seiko debacle quite brilliantly.
+1, & that re-issue is beautifully proportioned.
Thank you all for your very kind comments! :D:D
My website links to many resources on Chinese watches, both current and vintage:
http://www.rongood.net/amch/ (AMCH/PR)
I buy most of my pieces on Taobao and instructions on how to use Taobao if you don't speak/write Chinese can be found here:
http://www.rongood.net/amch/navigating_1.htm
I welcome you all to look around.
http://www.rongood.net/amch/
best regards,
Ron/AlbertaTime
I like it!
Many thanks for another very informative post about an area about which most of us know very little.
In the Sotadic Zone, apparently.
Many thanks for the info on how to procure the little beauty and one is winging it's way towards me as we speak.... :mrgreen:
Very nice Ron. Always interested in what you find. Glad you got one of your grails, and in new condition too. You've got one of the 60s Chinese flight chrono reissues too, don't you?
Your comment is very, very appreciated. I hope my efforts are at least a bit of a reasonable trade for all the very valuable information I receive on beautiful Swiss, German, Japanese, British and other watches I learn about on this forum.
Yep, I do. I think it's very cool that these companies are re-issuing their own early/historic pieces so a new Chinese generation can appreciate their own horological history--but also so people in the rest of the world can learn about the early days of the Chinese watch industry, days that were hidden while China was so insular in the 50s and 60s especially.
That brightens my day! I look forward to your photos and comments when it arrives.
...and just a comment on the watch, now that I've had it for a few days: it's wonderful to wear, an extremely comfortable size, the lume is certainly not luminova but it's OK, the watch keeps marvelous time (within a couple of seconds a day on the wrist) na dalthough the bracelet is light, it's very, very comfortable and has a quite secure clasp. I was thinking of swapping the bracelet for something else when I first got it but not any more--this watch stays like it is.
Before we die we have to give them all a spin. Have a Cuervo y Sobrinos from Cuba. :D
john
"The whole purpose of mechanical watches is to be impertinent." ~ Lionel a Marca, CEO of Breguet
VERY,VERY nice! how much do these cost and are they easily available?
In the early 1970s, the Shanghai Watch Factory produced about 30,000 military dive watches for People's Liberation Army commanders and divers. Here's an example of one of the 24 jewel "SS4 movement" original versions from Joel Chan's wonderful Micmicmor collection (there was also a 29 jewel version):
Since that time, these pieces have become prized by collectors of vintage Chinese watches although most (although not all) of the surviving watches are well used and in rough condition.
Recently, the Shanghai Watch Factory produced a small run of a commemorative re-issue (evidently far less than 30,00 pieces) using a 22 jewel 2813 movement by Dixmont Guangzhou instead of one of their own movements. This actually makes sense since, according to WUS moderator Chascomm--who has an encyclopedic knowledge of these things--the 22 jewel DG is closer to either of the original 24 or 29 jewel movements than anything the Shanghai Watch Factory currently produces since the DG 2813 has "unidirectional auto-winding and centre seconds run indirectly off the 3rd wheel".
So, after the explanation/history...here's my much-prized re-issue...and I'm thrilled because this watch was a true GRAIL for me :D
ktmog6uk
marchingontogether!
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