Seagull 1963 Chronograph Reissue Honors Cold War Legacy

Seagull 1963 Chronograph: A Historic Flight Reimagined for Collectors

There are reissues, and then there are resurrection pieces—watches so deeply woven into the fabric of history that to wear one is to time travel. The Seagull 1963 Chronograph belongs squarely in the latter category. Originally conceived under the cloak of secrecy during the Cold War as part of China’s “Project 304,” this mechanical marvel was the country’s first military chronograph. Today, Seagull Watch Group has given it a new lease on life, bringing a faithful reissue of the Seagull 1963 Chronograph to a global audience.

Born out of necessity in 1961, the watch was developed by the Tianjin Watch Factory to eliminate the Chinese Air Force’s reliance on imported Swiss chronographs. The engineers crafted a fully domestic movement—no small feat in an era of limited resources and Cold War tensions. That movement became the Type 304, a hand-wound, column-wheel chronograph that would become a point of national pride.

Now, over six decades later, that same column-wheel DNA lives on in the reissued Seagull 1963 Chronograph, powered by the ST19 movement. It’s a hand-wound mechanical engine that pays homage not just to its military roots, but to the artistry of horological engineering. Watch collectors across the globe are taking notice, drawn by the irresistible combination of authenticity, performance, and aesthetics.

Seagull 1963 Chronograph: Vintage Soul, Modern Cult Status

The Seagull 1963 Chronograph is not a design homage—it is the real thing. Its 38mm stainless steel case is period-correct, housing a cream-colored dial accented with golden markers, red stars, and syringe-style hands. A domed hesalite crystal enhances the vintage appeal, giving the watch the look and feel of a Cold War pilot’s wrist companion. Flip it over and you’re greeted by an exhibition caseback, showcasing the ST19 movement with its blued column wheel, levers, and springs moving in perfectly choreographed rhythm.

Performance-wise, the chronograph’s pushers have that snappy tactile feel only a true column-wheel mechanism can deliver. With approximately 45 hours of power reserve and crisp reset functions, it’s a mechanical workhorse wrapped in vintage elegance.

At a fraction of the price of its Swiss contemporaries—$839.00—it’s a shockingly affordable entrée into the world of column-wheel chronographs. For that reason, it’s earned cult status in the global watch community. As James Lamdin of Analog/Shift put it, “It’s not just a ‘good Chinese watch’—it’s a globally important piece.”

Whether you’re a seasoned collector or a mechanical purist looking to add historical weight to your rotation, the Seagull 1963 Chronograph offers an unbeatable blend of value, pedigree, and soul. It doesn’t scream on the wrist—it whispers stories of pilots, engineers, and a nation’s resolve to master horology on its own terms.

About The Author

Allan Lane

Philadelphia born and bred, Allan Lane is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of digital magazines. He launched his first publication, SportBikes Inc Magazine in 2010, followed by dosage MAGAZINE in 2019. Recently, Allan launched his third online publication, Club For Man. As a journalist, Allan covers fashion, lifestyle, culture, art, and motorcycles.

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