Seagull
Tianjin, China · Est. 1955
Founded by Tianjin Watch Factory collective
Seagull is a Chinese state-owned watch manufacturer founded in 1955 in Tianjin, producing mechanical movements sold to brands worldwide including the ST16 used by many independents. The brand offers its own line of affordable mechanical watches and is known for producing China's first self-made wristwatch movement.
- Founded
- 1955
- Headquarters
- Tianjin, China
- Group
- Other
- Price Segment
- Entry
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- 1963 — Reissue of the original Chinese Air Force chronograph from 1963, featuring the hand-wound ST19 column-wheel chronograph movement. A cult favourite among enthusiasts.
- Tourbillon — Affordable tourbillon watches showcasing Seagull's ST8000 series movement, offering mechanical complexity at a fraction of Swiss prices.
- Ocean Star — Dive watch collection featuring robust automatic movements and professional water resistance at accessible price points.
Timeline
- 1955 — The Tianjin Watch Factory is established as China's first watchmaking facility, producing the country's inaugural domestically made wristwatch.
- 1963 — Develops the hand-wound column-wheel chronograph movement for the Chinese Air Force, later known as the iconic '1963' watch.
- 2000 — Becomes the world's largest producer of mechanical watch movements by volume, supplying brands globally with the ST16, ST19, and ST25 series.
- 2015 — Expands its own-brand retail presence internationally, offering tourbillons and chronographs at unprecedented price points.
Frequently Asked Questions about Seagull
- How many movements does Seagull produce?
- Seagull produces roughly 25% of the world's mechanical watch movements annually — over 6 million units — supplying both its own brand and hundreds of other watch companies.
- Is the Seagull 1963 an authentic military watch?
- The modern 1963 is a faithful reissue. The original was produced in 1963 for Chinese Air Force pilots using the ST19 column-wheel chronograph movement, which Seagull still manufactures today.