DOU ZHUAN XING YI

斗转星移

CN ￥3,980

Brand: Sea-Gull (海鷗). Reference: 819.22.1069. [Version: 黑色]. Launch date: 2024-August-8. Limited 690 pieces.

The central sub-dial presents the Twenty-Eight Constellations as defined in ancient Chinese astronomy with the seven stars of the Bei Dou Qi Xing (the Big Dipper) emphasized by connected lines.

When the sub-dial turns anti-clockwise once per day and 365 days for a full round, the red circle with an arrow around the star 瑶光 (Alkaid) points to the Twenty-Four Solar Terms on the chapter ring. Among the 24 solar terms, Spring Equinox (春分) is set at 3 o’clock, Summer Solstice (夏至) at 12 o’clock, Autumn Equinox (秋分) at 9 o’clock, and Winter Solstice (冬至) at 6 o’clock. The design concept is based on observations by ancient Chinese astronomers that "when the dipper handle points to east, it's spring; when it points to south, it's summer; west, autumn; north, winter. As described in an ancient Chinese book called Heguanzi, see below:

斗柄东指，天下皆春，斗柄南指，天下皆夏，斗柄西指，天下皆秋，斗柄北指，天下皆冬。--《鹖冠子 · 环流》

Chinese character:
中國海鷗 - China Sea-Gull. Position: 12 o'clock on the underside of the front crystal.

On the edge of dial are 60 combinations of the Ten Heavenly Stems (十天干) and the Twelve Earthly Branches (十二地支) in the form of ancient Chinese seal script,
start from 12:12, they are:
甲子、乙丑、丙寅、丁卯、戊辰 (blocked)、己巳、庚午、辛未、壬申、癸酉 (blocked)、甲戌、乙亥、丙子、丁丑、戊寅 (blocked)、己卯、庚辰、辛巳、壬午、癸未 (blocked)、甲申、乙酉、丙戌、丁亥、戊子 (blocked)、己丑、庚寅、辛卯、壬辰、癸巳 (blocked)、甲午、乙未、丙申、丁酉、戊戌 (blocked)、己亥、庚子、辛丑、壬寅、癸卯 (blocked)、甲辰、乙巳、丙午、丁未、戊申 (blocked)、己酉、庚戌、辛亥、壬子、癸丑 (blocked)、甲寅、乙卯、丙辰、丁巳、戊午 (blocked)、己未、庚申、辛酉、壬戌、癸亥 (blocked)
(Note: 12 combinations are blocked by hour markers. The Ten Heavenly Stems are: 甲、乙、丙、丁、戊、己、庚、辛、壬、癸  The Twelve Earthly Branches are: 子、丑、寅、卯、辰、巳、午、未、申、酉、戌、亥)

On the chapter ring are the Twenty-Four Solar Terms, start from 6 o'clock, going anti-clockwise:
冬至 - Winter Solstice
小寒 - Minor Cold
大寒 - Major Cold
立春 - Beginning of Spring
雨水 - Rain Water
惊蛰 - Awakening of Insects
春分 - Spring Equinox
清明 - Pure Brightness
谷雨 - Grain Rain
立夏 - Beginning of Summer
小满 - Grain Buds
芒种 - Grain in Ear
夏至 - Summer Solstice
小暑 - Minor Heat
大暑 - Major Heat
立秋 - Beginning of Autumn
处暑 - End of Heat
白露 - White Dew
秋分 - Autumn Equinox
寒露 - Cold Dew
霜降 - Frost's Descent
立冬 - Beginning of Winter
小雪 - Minor Snow
大雪 - Major Snow

On the bezel are the names of the 28 constellations in ancient Chinese seal script, read them in the anti-clockwise direction.
7 in the east: 角、亢、氐、房 (3 o'clock)、心、尾、箕
7 in the south: 井、鬼、柳、星 (12 o'clock)、张、翼、轸
7 in the west: 奎、娄、胃、昴 (9 o'clock)、毕、觜、参
7 in the north: 斗、牛、女、虚 (6 o'clock)、危、室、壁
(Note: Since the bezel can be manually turned, the above position is correct when the bezel is set at default position, that is when the constellation 星 is set at 12 o'clock position.)

漢 - Hàn (Dynasty). Position: on case back center.

MOVEMENT
Mechanical, self-winding. China Made. Caliber: Sea-Gull ST2150. Functions: Hour, minute, second, solar term, stem-branch year (Central hour, minute and seconds hands. The red circle with arrow on the central sub-dial points to solar terms on the chapter ring. To find out the stem-branch year, use a formular, take the year 2024 for example, 2024-3=60x33+41, then start counting from 12 o'clock on the edge of dial, the 41th year 甲辰 is the stem-branch year for 2024.). Stop-seconds (hacking) to set time precisely. Jewels: 28. Frequency: 28800 vph. Power reserve: Around 42 hours.

CASE
316L stainless steel. Diameter: 43 mm. Thickness: 13 mm. Water resistance: 50 meters. Luminescence: Luminescence on hour hand, minute hand, the Bei Dou Qi Xing and the lines that connect the seven stars. Dial: Black. Sunburst finish. Applied hour markers. Crystal: Sapphire crystal. Chinese brand name "中國海鷗" on the underside of the crystal. Case back: Screw-down notched. Transparent. Sapphire crystal case back. Crown: Push-pull. Fluted cylinder shape. Stainless steel crown. Signed with the Sea-Gull watch logo.

STRAP
Black. Cowhide leather. No quick release: Need tool to remove strap from case. Clasp: Pin buckle. Stainless steel clasp.