SEA-GULL 1963

Brand: Sea-Gull (海鷗). Reference: 819.87.1963. Mechanical, manual winding. Launch date: 2023-March-25.

In April of 1961, the Chinese Ministry of Light Industry tasked the former Tianjin Watch Factory to make a chronograph watch for the Chinese Air Force, mission code: 304. The mission was completed in 1963 and several thousand pieces of the D304 chronograph were handed over to Chinese Air Force.

This watch was launched in 2023, marking the 60th year of the D304 watch since 1963. The identical design and the Chinese characters on the dial confirm the identity of this watch. The ivory white dial and the domed sapphire crystal adds up to the vintage feel of this watch.

Chinese character:
22 ZUAN (钻/占) - 22 JEWELS. Position: 12 o'clock on dial.
中国 - China. Position: 6 o'clock on dial; on case back.
天津手表厂 - Tianjin Watch Factory. Position: 6 o'clock on dial; on case back.

MOVEMENT
Mechanical, manual-winding. China Made. Caliber: Sea-Gull ST1901. Column-wheel chronograph. Functions: Hour, minute, second, chronograph (Central hour, minute and chronograph seconds hands, small seconds hand at 9 o'clock, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock.). No hacking (Seconds hand does NOT stop when crown is pulled out). Jewels: 22. Frequency: 21600 vph. Power reserve: Around 42 hours.

CASE
316L stainless steel. Diameter: 40 mm. Thickness: 14 mm. Lug width: 20 mm. Lug to lug: 46 mm. Water resistance: 30 meters. Luminescence: No lume. Dial: Ivory white. Applied hour markers, numerals and a five-pointed star, Recessed sub-dials. Crystal: Sapphire crystal. Domed. Case back: Screw-down decagon shaped. Not transparent. 316L stainless steel case back. Crown: Push-pull. Fluted cylinder shape. Crown not signed.

STRAP
Black. Cowhide leather. No quick release: Need tool to remove strap from case. Fit for case lug width: 20 mm. Clasp: Pin buckle. Stainless steel clasp. (Additional strap: Army-green. Nylon. Clasp of additional strap: Pin buckle. Stainless steel material.)