King of the blogosphere Michael Williams turns us to this gem he recently came across during his last trip to Vegas. It’s supposedly a reproduction Chinese pilot’s watch from the ’60s and the detailing is really worth checking out. Notice the Chinese Star as well as the other markings on the dial. There were roughly 1,400 watches made exclusively for the Chinese Air Force. It’s got an automatic movement with a 40 hour power reserve, is made in China and comes with a steel back but add $35 for a crystal back.
In 1961 the Tianjin Watch Factory was assigned to manufacture the first Chinese aviation watch (chronograph) for the Air Force of the People’s Liberation Army. The code of the assignment was “304.” The factory pre-manufactured three batches of the aviation watch by October 1962. In the end of the year 38 leaders and experts (industrial ministry, air command, and naval equipment supervisors) came together for the appraisal of the watch. After the meeting the Tianjin Watch Factory received permission to begin the mass production of the watch. In 1963 the factory completed and delivered 1400 aviation watches to the Chinese Air Force.
Buy It: $339 at Seagull1963
Speedmaster
Very cool, I love that look, and a legit mechanical chrono as well.