Christie’s sets global record for the most expensive watch auctioned online

The recently concluded Christie’s Hong Kong Top Of The Time Watches Online Auction achieved a total sale of HK$65,811,600 (approximately US$8,420,555). The top achiever of this sale was the Patek Philippe ‘SkyMoon Tourbillon’ Grand Complication watch that was sold for US$ 5.8 million / HK $45.4 million, setting the world record for the most expensive watch auctioned online.

Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon, The most expensive watch auctioned online
Lot 111: Patek Philippe, Grand Complications ‘Sky Moon Tourbillon’, Ref. 6002G-001, Price realized: HK$45,450,000 / US$5,815,300. The most expensive watch auctioned online.

Alexandre Bigler, Vice-President, Head of Watches, Christie’s Asia Pacific, commented: “The outstanding results established for Watches Online: Top of the Time demonstrate the power of Christie’s online sale platform to present exceptional lots and achieve top prices, on par with our live sales. There continues to be an extremely vibrant market for watches across the world, evidenced through the avid global bidding this sale witnessed, which further cements Hong Kong’s status as an international epicenter for watch collecting. This sale lays a very strong foundation for our Spring Auctions in May at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, where we look forward to presenting more exceptional timepieces for our esteemed clients and watch enthusiasts.”

Other Top Achievers

Lot 110: PATEK PHILIPPE, Grand Complications, with minute repeating, instantaneous perpetual calendar, single button chronograph, moon phases, leap year and day/night indication, ref. 5208P-001, circa 2015. Price realised: HK$7,812,000 /US$999,541.

Lot 60: GERALD GENTA, Platinum skeletonised minute repeating perpetual calendar wristwatch, with leap year indicator and moon phases. Price realised: HK$819,000 /US$104,791. Over 5 times over low estimate.

Lot 4: Rolex, Daytona, Ref. 116520 “Mustard” Dial, P series. Price Realised: HKD 693,000.

Lot 2: Rolex White Gold Daytona with Grossular Garnet Rubellite Dial, Ref. 116519. Price Realised: HKD 604,800.

Lot 27: ANDERSEN GENÈVE: Unique 18k white and pink gold wristwatch, case made by Jean-Pierre Hagman, with 21k blue gold dial, tapisserie decorated, art deco hands, historic LeCoultre minute repeater movement from the 1920s, perpetual calendar and leap year indicator inside 6 o’clock hour index, circa 2015. Price realised: HK$352,800 /US$45,141. Over 7 times over low estimate

Lot 72: JAEGER LE-COULTRE, 18k pink gold wristwatch, with reverso tourbillon and power reserve, limited to 500 Pieces. Price realised: HK$352,800 /US$45,141. Over 2 times over low estimate.

Lot 3: Rolex White Gold Daytona with Dark Grey Dial, Ref. 116509.Price Realised: HKD 302,400.

Lot 5: Rolex Yellow Gold Daytona with Golden dial and diamond-set hour-markers, Ref. 16528. Price Realised: HKD 302,400.

Lot 56: Dewitt Academia Tourbillon Force Constante, Ref. AC.8003.20.M118 (limited to 25 pieces). Price Realised: HKD 302,400.

MeisterSinger Astroscope Black and Yellow Limited Edition

This year, MeisterSinger is launching the new Astroscope Black and Yellow model in a limited edition of 200 pieces. This special version (reference S-AS902Y) comes with a black sunburst dial featuring sunny yellow details.

MeisterSinger introduced Astroscope in 2020. With the unique way of displaying the days of the week, this single-hand automatic wristwatch has won the German Design Award, the Red Dot Design Award, and the iF Design Award for its overall design concept.

MeisterSinger Astroscope Black and Yellow Limited Edition

In this new model, the current day of the week is indicated by a yellow dot. The hour hand, date and Arabic numeral hour markers are in white color, where as the days of the week, hour marker indexes, and border of the date window are in yellow.

Thanks to a Super-LumiNova coating, the hand, hour indices and weekday display glow in the dark. At 6’clock, it features the date display, which can be conveniently set via its quick-switch function.

image Astroscope explanation

The 40mm diameter stainless steel case is fitted with a sapphire crystal glass. Water-resistant to 50 meters, the watch also has a transparent case back secured with six screws on the rear side.

Inside beats the Swiss Sellita SW220 automatic movement, which provides the watch with a power reserve of 38 hours. Offering the views of the self-winding calibre with a custom oscillating weight, the glass exhibition back of this limited edition also has the imprint “One of 200”.

MeisterSinger Astroscope Black and Yellow Limited Edition

The Astroscope Black and Yellow model comes with a super-soft calfskin watch strap in a yellow that beautifully matches the graphic depictions on the dial.

Technical details

Model: MeisterSinger Astroscope Black and Yellow Limited Edition
Reference S-AS902Y

Movement
Sellita SW 220, Automatic
Power reserve 38 h
Day and date

Case
Stainless steel case
Sapphire glass
Diameter: 40 mm
6 screws exhibition back
Water resistance: 5 bar

Dial
Black and yellow

Strap
Vintage saddle leather, yellow

Recommended retail price
2,190 Euros

Availability
Q1 2023

Vulcain Chronograph 1970s

Inspired by its rich watchmaking heritage, Swiss watch brand Vulcain has relaunched the Chronograph 1970s. For this new edition, the brand took inspiration from a chronograph from the 1970s, with a blue dial and gray counters.

The new Chronograph 1970’s with its 38mm diameter and 12.40 mm thick “step-case” is identical to the original and set to appeal to vintage chronograph lovers.

Vulcain Chronograph 1970s with salmon dial

This Swiss Made manual-winding chronograph in stainless steel is available in 4 dial colors: blue, black, panda-silver and salmon (limited to 50 pieces). The semi-gloss, sunray-finished dial features black or white digits and texts.

Vulcain Chronograph 1970s with black and silver panda dial versions

It has a classic bi-compax layout with small seconds at 9 o’clock and chronograph 30 minute register at 3 o’clock.

Vulcain Chronograph 1970s with blue dial

The blue and black dial versions have silvered sub-dials, where as the salmon dial variant has matching color sub-dials. In the panda-silver model, the main dial is in silver color and the counters are in black. The dial also hosts baton-shaped index hour markers and tachymeter scale.

Each of them houses a hand-wound Sellita SW510 M BH chronograph movement with a 63-hour power reserve.

Each timepiece comes with a leather strap with matched stitching and 316L buckle with engraved Vulcain logo. Depending upon the model, the strap features Calf Harrison, Safari Louisiana calf imitation alligator or black carbon patterns.

The retail price of Vulcain Chronograph 1970s is $2,650.

Technical details

Model: Vulcain Chronograph 1970s

Case
316L polished steel case
Diameter: 38 mm
Thickness: 12.40 mm
Double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
Water resistance: 5 ATM (50 meters)

Dial
Semi-brilliant sunray dial: available in Blue, Black, Panda silver and Salmon

Movement
Sellita SW510 M BH mechanical, hand-wound chronograph, Swiss Made
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour
Power reserve: 63 hours
Blue screws

Functions
5-hand analog display – hours, minutes, seconds, subdials at 3 and 9 o’clock

Strap
Leather or crocodile style
Stainless steel pin buckle

Recommended retail price
2,500 € / CHF 2,500 / 2,650 USD

Edition
The version with the Salmon dial is limited to 50 pieces

Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42

Swiss luxury watch brand Breitling has unveiled six new models of its Premier B01 Chronograph. Updated with a heritage-inspired design, these models house the Manufacture Caliber 01.

The new Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Collection references_AB0145371L1A1_AB0145331K1P1_AB0145171C1P1

The origins of the Premier collection date back to 1940s when Willy Breitling designed a series of elegant chronographs named the Premier.

Reintroduced by Breitling in 2021, the Premier Heritage chronograph collection revived Willy’s dream of seeing the functional chronograph made undeniably elegant and infinitely wearable.

Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42

Breitling Caliber 01 is a manufacture self-winding movement designed for maximum precision, reliability, and functionality. Introduced in 2009, it is one of the most highly regarded chronograph movements in the industry. Moreover, this COSC certified calibre offers an accuracy of -4 and +6 seconds per day.

The latest iteration of the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01 found in the new Premier chronograph was redesigned in 2022 and features a trimmer profile and more compact oscillating weight. This movement is visible through the transparent sapphire-crystal caseback. It comes with a five-year warranty and provides an approximate 70-hour power reserve.

The new Premier spotlights distinctive vintage-Premier design details, including the smooth fixed bezel, twin-register dial, streamlined rectangular pushers, and applied Arabic numerals.

Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph Salmon Dial

At 42 mm, the case diameter is slightly larger than the 40 mm found on the existing B09 (manual-wind) models. The Premier is water resistant to a 100 m (10 bar) water resistance.

The tone-on-tone subdials with chronograph minutes at 3 o’clock and running seconds at 9 o’clock lend a polished style, while new dial shades in salmon, blue, green, black, and cream add a contemporary twist to the stainless-steel models.

Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42 Rose Gold Ref. RB0145371G1P1

A further variation in 18K red gold features a classic cream dial. The watches come on a choice of classic alligator leather strap or sleek 7-row metal bracelet.

Technical details

Model: Breitling Premier B01 Chronograph 42

Movement
Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01
Diameter: 30 millimeters
Depth: 7.2 millimeters
Winder: self-winding mechanical, bidirectional with ball bearing
Power reserve: approximately 70 hours
Number of components: 334
Balance frequency: 28,800 a/h or 4 hertz
Chronograph: column-wheel, vertical clutch, 1/4th second, 30-minute and 12-hour totalizers
Display: hour, minute, second, date window
Certification: COSC-certified

References: AB0145221B1P1, AB0145221B1A1, AB0145171C1P1, AB0145171C1A1, AB0145331K1P1, AB0145331K1A1, AB0145371L1P1, AB0145371L1A1, AB0145211G1P1 or AB0145211G1A1

Case
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 13.6 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 50.03 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glare-proofed on both sides
Case back: screwed steel, sapphire crystal
Crown: non-screw-locked, two gaskets
Bezel: fixed

Dial
Black, blue, salmon, green or cream with tone-on-tone chronograph counters
Super-LumiNova® luminescent hour and minute hands

Strap
Black, gold-brown, or brown alligator leather strap with a folding buckle (22/18 mm) or stainless-steel seven-row bracelet with a butterfly clasp

References RB0145371G1P1 and RB0145371G1R1

Case
Material: 18K red gold
Diameter: 42 millimeters
Thickness: 13.6 millimeters
Height (upper lug tip to lower lug tip): 50.03 millimeters
Water resistance: up to 10 bar (100 meters)
Glass: cambered sapphire, glareproofed on both sides
Case back: screwed steel, sapphire crystal
Crown: non-screw-locked, two gaskets
Bezel: fixed

Dial
Cream with tone-on-tone chronograph counters To create the design of the
Super-LumiNova® luminescent hour and minute hands

Strap
Brown alligator leather strap with an 18K red gold folding buckle (22/18 mm) or 18K red gold seven-row bracelet with a butterfly clasp

MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Stainless Steel

MB&F presents a new stainless steel version of its award winning LM Perpetual.

Introduced in 2015, the Legacy Machine Perpetual was the winner of the Best Calendar Watch Prize at the GPHG in 2016.

MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Stainless Steel

Created in collaboration with independent Irish watchmaker Stephen McDonnell, this revolutionary perpetual calendar watch already exists in red gold, platinum, white gold, titanium, yellow gold and palladium versions. Joining this year, the new LM Perpetual Stainless Steel comes with an elegant salmon-coloured plate.

MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Stainless Steel

The steel and salmon combination is a first for MB&F. This new model also features the ergonomic corrector pushers first seen on the LM Perpetual EVO editions.

MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Stainless Steel

Equipped with a fully integrated 581-component calibre, LM Perpetual displays day of the week at 3 o’clock, power reserve indicator at 4 o’clock, month at 6 o’clock, retrograde leap year indicator at 7 o’clock, and date at 9 o’clock. The off-centred dial with the hour and minute hands is located at 12 o’clock, between the elegant arches of the balance.

MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Stainless Steel

Technical details

Model: MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual In Stainless Steel with Salmon Face

Engine
Fully integrated perpetual calendar developed for MB&F by Stephen McDonnell, featuring dial-side complication and mechanical processor system architecture with inbuilt safety mechanism. Manual winding with double mainspring barrels. Bespoke 14mm balance wheel with traditional regulating screws visible on top of the movement. Superlative hand finishing throughout respecting 19th century style; internal bevel angles highlighting hand craft; polished bevels; Geneva waves; hand-made engravings.
Power reserve: 72 hours
Balance frequency: 18,000bph/ 2.5Hz
Number of components: 581
Number of jewels: 41

Functions/indications
Hours, minutes, day, date, month, retrograde leap year and power reserve indicators

Case
Stainless steel case
Dimensions: 44 mm x 17.5 mm
Number of components: 69 components
Water resistance: 30 m / 3 ATM
Sapphire crystals on top and display back treated with anti-reflective coating on both faces.

Strap
Brown hand-stitched alligator strap with stainless steel folding buckle

Other versions

  • Platinum 950 with blue face (limited to 25 pieces)
  • 18k red gold with grey face (limited to 25 pieces)
  • 18k white gold with purple face (limited to 25 pieces)
  • 18k white gold with dark grey face
  • Grade 5 titanium with green face (limited to 50 pieces)
  • 18k yellow gold with blue face (limited to 25 pieces)
  • Palladium 950 with aquamarine face (limited to 25 pieces)

Christopher Ward C63 SH21 Blue Marine and C63 SH21 Snow Leopard

Christopher Ward presents the C63 SH21 Blue Marine and the C63 SH21 Snow Leopard, the first timepieces from the Sealander series to feature CW’s in-house movement.

Each watch is limited to 150 pieces and 5% of the sale price of the watches will go to their associated environmental charities.

Christopher Ward C63 SH21 Blue Marine

The C63 SH21 Blue Marine has been made in collaboration with Blue Marine Foundation (BMF), who Christopher Ward have previously worked with on many occasions – most notably on the C60 BLUE, which raised over £200,000 for the charity.

Christopher Ward C63 SH21 Blue Marine

5% of the sale price of each Blue Marine will go to the BMF to help them tackle the rising levels of plastics found in the ocean.

Christopher Ward C63 SH21 Blue Marine

The C63 SH21 Blue Marine watch features a spectacular wave like dial with a matching teal date calendar.

Christopher Ward C63 SH21 Snow Leopard

The C63 SH21 Snow Leopard is a watch made in partnership with Christopher Ward’s long-standing charity partner, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF).

5% of the sale price of each Snow Leopard piece will go directly to DSWF to help fund their mission to fight, protect, and preserve snow leopard populations across Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan.

Christopher Ward C63 SH21 Snow Leopard

The watch boasts a stunning white, textured leopard-print dial, power reserve indicator and subtle ice-blue detailing.

C63 SH21 Snow Leopard

To date, Christopher Ward has donated over £400,000 to charities and organisations including the Blue Marine Foundation and the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

Both models feature brushed and polished stainless steel cases measuring 41mm in diameter. They are water-resistant up to 150 meters. Other features include embossed screw-down crown, anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass and exhibition caseback.

Case-back of C63 SH21 Snow Leopard
Case-back of C63 SH21 Snow Leopard

Inside these watches beat Calibre SH21, the first commercially viable mechanical movement from a British watch company in 50 years.

The SH21 self-winding movement offers an exceptional power reserve of 5 days. Visible through the sapphire crystal case-back, it also incorporates superb finishing and a custom, open-worked oscillating weight.

Case-back of C63 SH21 Blue Marine
Case-back of C63 SH21 Blue Marine

These watches feature power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock, small seconds at 6 o’clock and date at 3 o’clock. Moreover, both models are COSC certified chronometers.

Technical details

Case
Stainless steel case, brushed and polished finish
Diameter: 41mm
Thickness: 13.10mm
Lug-to-lug: 48.20mm
Circular brushed and polished fixed steel bezel
Embossed screw-down crown
Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
Custom exhibition caseback with limited edition number
Water resistance: 15 ATM (150m)

Movement
Calibre SH21 COSC
In-house self-winding movement with chronometer certification
Power reserve: 120 hours
No of Jewels: 33
Vibrations: 28,800 p/hr (4Hz)
Timing tolerance: -4/+6 sec p/day
Anti-shock system

Functions
Hacking small seconds at 6 o’clock
Date at 3 o’clock
Power reserve indicator at 9 o’clock

Dial

  • C63 SH21 Blue Marine: Stamped matte dial with wave pattern reflecting Blue Marine’s logo, Top-brushed indexes with diamond polished facets, Brushed and polished hands, Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 BL C1-filled hands and indexes
  • C63 SH21 Snow Leopard: Stamped matte dial with unique pattern, Top-brushed gun metal indexes with diamond polished facets, Brushed and polished gun metal steel hands, Super-LumiNova® Grade X1 BL C1-filled hands and indexes

Bracelet
Stainless steel bracelet with ‘Christopher Ward’ engraving, micro-adjustable ratchet clasp, pin & collar links and quick-release system for easy changing
Strap width: 22mm

Box
Eco-friendly luxury presentation case and owner’s handbook

Origin
Swiss made

Edition
Limited edition of 150 pieces

Suggested retail price
C63 SH21 Blue Marine: From £1,595 | $1,925 | €2,075
C63 SH21 Snow Leopard: From £1,595 | $1,925 | €2,075

Konstantin Chaykin Smilodon

Konstantin Chaykin presents Smilodon, the latest addition to the famous Wristmons (wrist monsters) collection from the world renowned Russian master watchmaker. This playful wristwatch is a tribute to the tiger, one of the twelve symbols of the traditional Chinese lunar calendar.

Konstantin Chaykin Smilodon watch wrist shot

According to Chinese zodiac calendar, 2022 was the year of Tiger. The idea for the Smilodon watch emerged in 2022 but it was unveiled on 16th February 2023 in Moscow.

Inspiration

To create this timepiece, Konstantin Chaykin took inspiration from sabretooth tiger, a ferocious animal dating back to the prehistoric era. According to Paleontologists, the last sabretooth tigers (also known as smilodon) had died out around 10 thousand years ago in America.

In 1842, Danish paleontologist Peter Wilhelm Lund discovered the fossils of these pre-historic monsters. He gave them the name smilodon, the amalgamation of the ancient Greek words “smilo” (σμίλη; a double-edged knife) and “odonthos” (οδόντος; tooth).

Konstantin Chaykin Smilodon watch

Konstantin Chaykin was attracted by an unexpected association with his creations: the ancient Greek “smilo” had another meaning, “smile”. And “Smile” was the working title of the anthropomorphic watch project, chosen in 2016. From this project the Joker watch and the entire Wristmons collection was born.

Konstantin Chaykin Smilodon

Tiger is a powerful, brave and unpredictable creature, all the traits clearly showing in the Smilodon project, which sets its own rules. The characteristic smile of the Joker and other wristmons is replaced by a tusky maw, framed by powerful saber-like fangs which gave the prehistoric predator its name. When night falls, the movable lower jaw closes, hiding a petroglyph-style image of an extinct prey animal, one which Smilodon have likely hunted.

In these petroglyphs Konstantin Chaykin has hidden the names of the days of the week. In the morning the jaws open again, revealing a new petroglyph, indicating the new day. A camelops, a mammoth, a mastodon… The final one is a man, a symbol used by Konstantin Chaykin for Sunday, the seventh day of creation according to the Old Testament. The owner of the watch can decide for themselves from witch petroglyph to start the week.

Konstantin Chaykin Smilodon

The Smilodon watch has a bronze case measuring 42mm in diameter. The bronze-colored dial is decorated with four different kinds of guilloche finish. The crazed yellow tiger eyes spin around and indicate the time. To get the shade of yellow exactly right, the master personally covered the time indicator disks with hundreds of superfine layers of lacquer.

Konstantin Chaykin Smilodon watch

The top lugs are shaped like smilodon ears, and the bottom ones have a classic oblique shape familiar from other models in the Wristmons collection, starting with the Joker. Instead of bronze, the watch features a titanium with sapphire crystal case-back that protects the wrist from the possible exposure to the patina formed on the case.

For this model Konstantin Chaykin designed a custom collectable leather watchstrap with two-row perforation for the buckle with double pin. What’s more, the buckle pins look like smilodon fangs.

Movement

The Smilodon watch houses an automatic calibre, self-wound by a custom oscillating weight. Thanks to the hand-winding function, it can be wound manually using the winding crown at the 6 o’clock, directly under the Smilodon’s chin.

The sapphire crystal caseback showcases the self-winding K.08-2 caliber based on the Swiss-made Vaucher VMF 3002. The self-winding rotor features a relief of a smilodon.

The basic movement is complemented by the Joker-indication module produced by the “Konstantin Chaykin” manufacture, modified and combined with Smilodon-indication of the day\night cycle.

The Konstantin Chaykin Smilodon watch is a limited edition of 8 pieces.

Technical details

Model: Konstantin Chaykin Smilodon

Movement
Caliber K.08-2 with automatic winding
Indication module: “Konstantin Chaykin” manufacture
Base movement: Swiss-made Vaucher VMF 3002, modified
Movement size: 31.5 mm diameter, 7,6 mm thickness (with module)
Escapement: Anchor
Balance frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 50 hours
Number of jewels: 50 (base movement – 28, module – 22)
Number of module pieces: 142

Functions
Joker-indication of time with disk hour and minute indicators and a day of the week indicator, Smilodon day\night indication

Casing
Ferrous bronze case
42 mm diameter, 13 mm thickness
Sapphire crystal glass with non-reflecting coating, 34.5 mm diameter
Number of case parts: 49
Caseback titanium with a sapphire window

Dial
Finish: four types of guilloche, multi-layered laquer
Number of dial parts: 32

Watchstrap
Exclusive, fine leather
Buckle “Konstantin Chaykin” manufacture, special issue, titanium

Edition
Limited edition of 8 pieces

Seagull 1963 Chinese Air Force Pilot Chronograph

With its origins dating back to the 1960s, the Seagull 1963 Chronograph is one of the most recognizable wristwatches ever made. It is a product of Tianjin Watch Factory, the world’s largest manufacturer of mechanical watch movements.

Founded in 1955 in China, this state-owned firm was initially known as WuYi Watch Company. Producer of the first Chinese mechanical watch, it relocated to Tianjin in 1962 and came to known as Tianjin Watch Factory. This company rose to fame with the launch of the first Chinese pilot’s chronograph in the early 1960s.

Seagull 1963 Chinese Air Force Pilot Chronograph

The People’s Liberation Army Air Force wanted a reliable chronograph watch for its pilots, and the Chinese Government appointed Tianjin Watch Factory to manufacture a suitable timepiece for the Air Force Pilots.

Meanwhile in Switzerland, the iconic movement company Venus was searching for capital to develop the Cal.188 chronograph movement. Then known as Fabrique d’Ebauches Venus SA and based in Moutier, the Swiss manufacture decided to sell the production rights and tooling of the Cal. 175 to a potential buyer so that it could raise money for the production of Cal.188.

It was the right opportunity for the Tianjin Watch Factory, and it acquired the manufacturing rights and production facilities of the Venus 175 chronograph calibre from the Swiss company.

With the help of these blueprints and machinery, the Chinese manufacturer succeeded in creating movements for equipping the chronograph watches proposed for the Chinese Air Force.

Introduced by the Fabrique d’Ebauches Vénus in the 1940s, Calibre 175 is a manual-winding mechanical column-wheel chronograph movement with a 30-minute counter. To equip the Chinese Air Force chronograph, TWF modified the 17 jewel Cal. Venus 175 and produced the 19 jewel ST3 movement. The oscillator frequency was also increased from 2.5 Hz to 3 Hz.

Using the ST3 chronograph calibre, TWC had created several prototypes and submitted for approval. In the end of 1960s, the company supplied approximately 3,000 chronographs to Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force, also known as PLAAF. Later on, the production was discontinued.

In the early 2000s, Tianjin SEA-GULL Company launched a timepiece based on the prototype that they developed for the PLAAF in 1963. Named 1963 Chinese Air Force Chronograph, this re-launch model houses the Seagull ST1901 calibre with 21 jewels.

Seagull 1963 Chinese Air Force Pilot Chronograph

This stainless steel chronograph soon became a highly sought-after collector’s piece. The Seagull Watch Company subsequently expanded this series by adding several new models.

Equipped with the 21 jewel Cal. Seagull ST1901, this hand-wound mechanical chronograph is presently available in 38mm, 40mm and 42mm case versions in stainless steel, bronze or blackened steel. It still maintains the emblematic bicompax dial layout. Once fully wound, the movement offers a power reserve of 42 hours.

In addition to the emblematic vintage cream dial, the brand is offering new colour choices like black, blue, green, grey, yellow and white. The dial boasts the iconic star emblem just below the 12 o’clock. Below the star is the inscription 21 Zuan, which means 21 jewels.

The watches are available with a retro-styled acrylic glass or scratch-proof sapphire crystal. These watches also come with exhibition case-backs allowing to admire the iconic Seagull ST1901 manual-winding chronograph movement.

Seagull ST1901 Movement

These highly sought-after homages of the historic Seagull Chinese Air Force Chronograph are now available for purchase via Seagull 1963, official reseller of Seagull watches.

Depending upon the version, the prices range from 279 to 429 Euros. Based in Belgium, the reseller is offering worldwide delivery.

For more details, please visit the Seagull 1963 online store.

 

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DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH II

Swiss dive watch specialist DOXA presents a smaller version of its SUB 200 C-GRAPH model. This new stainless steel Doxa diving chronograph features a 42mm diameter case and available in six dial color choices.

DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH II Turquoise Aquamarine

The DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH II was developed for daring divers who explore underwater caves and caverns. In comparison with regular divers, they need compact equipment and accessories.

DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH II Black Sharkhunter

With a more contemporary diameter of 42mm and a reduced thickness of 15.85mm, it offers the same functionality and features as the 45mm DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH presented in 2020.

It houses a reliable Swiss automatic chronograph movement beating at 28,800 vph (4.0 Hz) with a power reserve of up to 56 hours.

DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH II Navy Caribbean

This Tri-Compax chronograph model comes with three counters for keeping track of dive times and a unidirectional rotating steel bezel with the minute indication highlighted in white Super-Luminova™.

DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH II Orange Professional

The scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment offers an uninterrupted view of the luminous sunburst effect dial. This new timepiece is available in six dial color versions: Orange Professional, Whitepearl, Black Sharkhunter, Navy Caribbean, Yellow Divingstar and Turquoise Aquamarine.

DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH II Whitepearl

The SUB 200 C-GRAPH II is water resistant to 20 ATM (200 meters or approx. 650 feet).

The watch is available with the iconic stainless-steel ‘beads of rice’ bracelet or a softer and suppler FKM rubber strap.

DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH II Yellow Divingstar

The SUB 200 C-GRAPH II model will be available from April 2023 at all DOXA Watches points of sale and on the official DOXA Watches e-commerce platform.

Technical details

Model: DOXA SUB 200 C-GRAPH II

Case
Stainless steel case
Diameter: 42.00 mm x 46.00 mm
Thickness: 15.85 mm
Screw-down crown
Crystal: Sapphire
Unidirectional rotating bezel
Solid steel back, screw-in
Water resistance: 20 ATM, 200 meters, approx. 650 feet

Dial
Sunray-finished
Available in the 6 colors of the collection
Hour, minute and counter hands coated with Super-LumiNova™

Bezel
Steel, unidirectional rotation
Marker at 12 o’clock coated with white Super-LumiNova™
Caribbean & SharkHunter models: Super-LumiNova™ on all markers, except the timer
Whitepearl ceramic model: no Super-LumiNova™ on the bezel

Movement
Swiss, mechanical self-winding, 3 hands, chronograph
Power reserve: approx. 56 hours
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
27 jewels
DOXA decorations

Indications
Hours, minutes, seconds, chronograph
Three counters: 60 seconds, 30 minutes, 12 hours

Strap/Bracelet
Stainless steel “beads of rice” bracelet, attached by screws for a secure fit
Folding clasp with wetsuit extension, embossed “DOXA fish” symbol
or
FKM rubber strap, tone-on-tone color-matched with the dial
Buckle featuring the exclusive “DOXA Fish” symbol

Retail price

Models with stainless steel bezel insert:
Stainless steel bracelet: 2‘790.00 CHF / 2‘890.00 EUR / 2‘890.00 $
FKM rubber strap: 2‘750.00 CHF / 2‘850.00 EUR / 2‘850.00 $

Models with ceramic bezel insert:
Stainless steel bracelet: 2‘890.00 CHF / 2‘990.00 EUR / 2‘990.00 $
FKM rubber strap: 2‘850.00 CHF / 2‘950.00 EUR / 2‘950.00 $