Thanks for the interesting post. But that's one rough looking movement :blackeye:
During the period when most of the vintage Chinese mechanical watches at the AMCH/PR were made (roughly 1955--1975/80), watches were prohibitively expensive for most workers in the People's Republic.
A watch like a Shanghai, WuYi or Beijing would cost the equivalent of 3 or 4 months wages, and I don't mean a worker would have to save for for four months. I mean an average worker would have to save the equivalent of every penny made during four months. Then he could afford a higher end watch. Even a worker with a lower paying job would have to save perhaps the equivalent of a full months wages to buy a less common lower-priced watch like a Zhongshan.
Consequently, watches (even Zhongshans) were considered a real symbol of accomplishment and they were very highly prized. But saving the money was only part of the battle.
Even with the money saved, a worker would also need a ration coupon because many things were rationed. WUS moderator "Soviet" described the process like this: "There were coupons for watches, bicycles, furniture, etc. So when a coupon arrives, people in a working unit would discuss who this time should get the coupon. Usually it is the guy who needs it most would get it. For example, a guy was to get married, or the guy who never got a coupon, etc. It was very democratic."
So, here's a 1971 ration coupon for a Zhongshan watch that is now in the AMCH/PR collection along with the watches:
(the ration coupon is the top paper with the green printing. the print on the left side is from a 1972 PRC painting called "warm in the shop.")
and you might get one of these...
(Zhongshans are 9 jewel wonders but they were considered a "poor man's watch"...one month's wages. Many of these beauties have a 50 hour power reserve :D .)
Thanks for the interesting post. But that's one rough looking movement :blackeye:
Thanks for that post. A nice looking watch but it's breathtaking that such basics would be rationed.
I like the painting too. :-)
Fantastic information and the watch looks great - thanks for posting.
It's just a matter of time...
Fantastic information and the watch looks great - thanks for posting.
It's just a matter of time...
That's a pretty scathing indictment of communism.
We moan a bit here but our cheapest watches would seem like untold luxury to them.
They even rationed the hands on this watch. :lol: :wink:
Originally Posted by AlbertaTime
Cheers,
Neil.
Thank all for your comments.Originally Posted by 50kopek
That "rough looking movement" (very true!) usually runs within 3-5 seconds a day on the wrist. :D so it's basic---but it's a good design.
Caseback looks 8)
Nice post :D The watch looks pretty good considering its supposed to be the most basic, cool case back and dial, just a shame about the short hands :lol: the movement may look basic but I'm sure that they made them the best quality they could at the time.
Well, the Zhongshan 9 jewel was a basic movement for the Chinese, and they knew it. At the very same time, the Chinese manufacturers were also making quite high quality automatic and manual movements. Here's a few examples:Originally Posted by dutchgray
Sea-Gull day-date 28 jewel ST-7:
ZuanShi SM1A Developed in 1969 and improved in 1973, the highly regarded Zuan Shi SM1AK movement won China's highest prize for watch movement technology **10 times** and is very capable of chronometer-like performance when regulated. It is extremely robust and very accurate:
...and an older version...
Also, a later 1970s Beijing Shuangling SZB-1C / 40 jewel automatic.
One of the most interesting threads i have read this week on tz-uk! thank you very much sir for an informative post :)
Agreed...it's always good to learn something new. Great post and watches.Originally Posted by omegaUK