Authentic? Aren't they all reissues or facsimiles of reissues?

 

The easy answer is that real Sea-Gull 1963 chronographs (made in Tianjin) will cost over $400, and have "Sea-Gull" branding and a model and/or Limited Edition number on the solid case back. Anything you can buy brand new for $350 and under, is not made by Sea-Gull, but will have a real ST1901 movement (unless quartz).

see the linked post below, for pictures of the real Sea-Gull models

Buying a Seagull 1963 - My experience

Hi everyone, Long time lurker, first time poster. I had a remarkable experience buying a Seagull 1963 and thought it would be helpful to share. For months I've been bidding on Seagull 1963s on eBay or trying to buy one in the forums. Either the bidding would get higher than I wanted to pay...

www.watchuseek.com

Ok, I found

Just to be perfectly clear; a 1963 style watch with an ST19 movement, but without Sea-Gull branding is not necessarily 'fake'.

Watches of this style are all homages to a vintage air force watch that lacked branding and was built to a military project specification, so the modern Sea-Gull company does not 'own' the design. The first homage versions were not Sea-Gull branded products. Sea-Gull's versions came later.

Everyone’s insights are very helpful. So the movement is what matters the most, in a sense

 

The easy answer is that real Sea-Gull 1963 chronographs (made in Tianjin) will cost over $400, and have "Sea-Gull" branding and a model and/or Limited Edition number on the solid case back. Anything you can buy brand new for $350 and under, is not made by Sea-Gull, but will have a real ST1901 movement (unless quartz).

see the linked post below, for pictures of the real Sea-Gull models

Buying a Seagull 1963 - My experience

Hi everyone, Long time lurker, first time poster. I had a remarkable experience buying a Seagull 1963 and thought it would be helpful to share. For months I've been bidding on Seagull 1963s on eBay or trying to buy one in the forums. Either the bidding would get higher than I wanted to pay...

www.watchuseek.com

 

Just to be perfectly clear; a 1963 style watch with an ST19 movement, but without Sea-Gull branding is not necessarily 'fake'.

Watches of this style are all homages to a vintage air force watch that lacked branding and was built to a military project specification, so the modern Sea-Gull company does not 'own' the design. The first homage versions were not Sea-Gull branded products. Sea-Gull's versions came later.

 

Just to be perfectly clear; a 1963 style watch with an ST19 movement, but without Sea-Gull branding is not necessarily 'fake'.

Watches of this style are all homages to a vintage air force watch that lacked branding and was built to a military project specification, so the modern Sea-Gull company does not 'own' the design. The first homage versions were not Sea-Gull branded products. Sea-Gull's versions came later.

Interesting assertion. What movement did these earlier homages use, since Sea-Gull had basically discontinued the ST3, and only revived it as the ST19 family when they came out with their D304 Reissue? I am wrong about the movement chronology? Or are you saying that after Sea-Gull did their D304 Reissue, other factories started to produce the "Thomas"/1963 prototype style that has become the most common version?

From my research, the first 1963 Reissue was launched in Hong Kong in 2007 by the "Sea-Gull Group", a limited run of 208 with a numbered solid case back. It was then followed by another release of 500 with exhibition case back. The Sea-Gull Group was incorporated in 1997, and is made up of 20+ parties (with 16 manufacturers and 4 joint ventures), including those who were producing under license agreements (Tianjin Watch Factory, Sea-Gull HK, Sea-Gull Singapore, etc.)

https://saicheung.com/the-history-of-seagull-1963-pilots-chronograph-the-definitive-answer-to-all-your-questions/

 

@HoustonReal It looks they restarted production back in 1992.
From this article

Tianjin TY2900/ST19 Family

reference.grail-watch.com

 

Thanks. The CCP's blocks on internet access often make getting information on Chinese movements, and their manufacturers, beyond difficult. Shanghai Jing He's website is down or unavailable most of the time, and even Peacock's site is sporadic. Shanghai Watches hasn't had a working, Western facing website in quite some time.

 

I think as long as there is no "天津手表厂" prints above 6 o'clock on the non-seagull version we can call it homage, otherwise it's a fake.

 

There are no fake 1963s. Period!

 

This question will haunt me until the day that I die.

 

Save yourself the trouble and just buy one from HKED his are BY FAR the best of the bunch.

Sent from my SM-G780G using Tapatalk

 

Man, I love this thread. I learn so much coming here.
I plan on one day getting a '63 aviator, and all this information is super helpful. I admit, I have held off on a purchase, due to the clutter of offerings and the differences in price. Of course, buying a '63 directly from Sea-Gull would be great, but holy crap they are pricey (for me at least).

 

This thread has some good information too.
A lot was unraveled in the discussion. Worth looking at.

Authentic Tianjin Seagull Factory- Seagull 1963 304 watches

Hello all, There have been a few posts recently showing Seagull 1963 watches. You must understand that these "Seagull 1963" were not made by the Tianjin Seagull Factory in Tianjin. They are reproductions made in Guangdong. I have spoken to an AD of Tianjin Seagull watches about this issue...

www.watchuseek.com

 

I would love to find the 41mm 0443 version. Wow!

 

I consider the $30 quartz ones fake, because they say "21 Zuan" (21 jewels) and they look exactly like the mechanical ones.