Product Description
SEA-GULL 1963 International Edition – ST1901 Manual Chronograph, Pilot Watch
The SEA-GULL 1963 International Edition is a faithful continuation of China’s first military aviation chronograph — built around the genuine ST1901 manual-wind column-wheel movement, the same mechanism lineage that equipped Chinese Air Force pilots from the mid-1960s onward. Cream/yellow vintage dial with blue sub-dial hands, a red chronograph seconds hand, gold-tone hour markers, and a red star detail beneath 12 o’clock. Transparent exhibition case back. 316L stainless steel case. Available with canvas/NATO or leather strap. 37.5mm diameter, 60g, 3 Bar water resistance.
Key Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | SEA-GULL |
| Model | D1963, 1963 International Edition |
| Movement | ST1901 manual-winding column-wheel chronograph |
| Jewels | 22 |
| Frequency | 21,600 vph |
| Power reserve | Up to ~45 hours |
| Case material | 316L stainless steel |
| Case shape | Round |
| Case diameter | ~37.4-37.5mm |
| Case thickness | ~15-15.1mm |
| Lug to lug | ~47mm |
| Crystal | Mineral/glass |
| Case back | Transparent exhibition |
| Dial colour | Yellow/cream |
| Strap material | Canvas/NATO (main option) or leather |
| Strap width | ~18mm |
| Strap length | ~28cm |
| Clasp | Pin buckle |
| Weight | ~60g |
| Water resistance | 3 Bar / 30m, daily life only |
| Warranty | 1 year |
| Variants | 1963 INE Canvas, 1963 INE Leather A, 1963 INE Leather B |
The History — China’s First Aviation Chronograph
In 1961, China’s Ministry of Light Industry assigned the Tianjin Watch Factory (later renamed Sea-Gull) a significant task under Project D304: develop the country’s first chronograph for Air Force pilots, ending dependence on imported foreign aviation watches. The engineering team travelled to Switzerland to acquire patents and machinery from the Swiss manufacturer Venus for the Venus 175 column-wheel chronograph — a sophisticated mechanism more typically associated with high-end Swiss watchmaking even today.
The watch takes its name from 1963, the year the final prototype design was confirmed, though sample production and rigorous military testing (accuracy, temperature extremes, vibration, demagnetization resistance) continued until October 1965. The first official production batch — roughly 1,400 pilot’s chronographs — reached the front line in October 1966. The resulting movement, now known as the ST1901, remains in production today and is the direct technical ancestor of the movement in this watch.
Genuine ST1901-powered 1963 watches carry engravings reading “天津手表厂” (Tianjin Watch Factory) and “空军” (Air Force) directly on the movement, visible through the transparent case back — a tangible link to the watch’s military origin.
ST1901 Column-Wheel Chronograph Movement
The ST1901 is a manual-winding column-wheel chronograph — a genuinely sophisticated mechanism, not a simpler cam-lever chronograph design used in many budget movements. Column-wheel construction provides smoother, more precise pusher action when starting, stopping, and resetting the chronograph function. With 22 jewels and a beat rate of 21,600 vph, the movement offers up to approximately 45 hours of power reserve from a full manual wind.
Because this is a hand-wound movement, there is no automatic rotor — the watch must be wound regularly via the crown to keep running, which many enthusiasts consider part of the engaged, hands-on experience of wearing a historically significant mechanical chronograph.
International Edition Upgrades
This International Edition variant includes two specific upgrades over the standard, non-transparent-back version: a transparent exhibition case back, allowing the ST1901 movement to be viewed from the rear, and a glass crystal (rather than acrylic), improving scratch resistance and optical clarity over the dial.
Vintage Pilot Dial Design
The dial follows the classic 1963 two-register chronograph layout — a cream/yellow dial background, gold-tone Arabic numeral hour markers, blue sub-dial hands, and a long red central chronograph seconds hand. A red star sits beneath the 12 o’clock position, a recurring design element across Seagull’s military heritage watches. The overall look is a faithful continuation of the original 1960s pilot chronograph aesthetic rather than a heavily modernised reinterpretation.
Strap Options
Canvas (1963 INE Canvas) — a green canvas/NATO-style strap with pin buckle, giving the watch a military field-watch character. Ships with the watch and a watch box.
Leather A / Leather B (1963 INE Leather) — leather strap variants. The leather strap package additionally includes a green canvas strap, a strap link/pin remover tool, and a watch box — giving buyers both strap styles in one purchase.
3 Bar Water Resistance
Rated 3 Bar / 30m — suitable for light daily contact such as handwashing or rain. Not suitable for bathing, showering, swimming, diving, or hot water exposure.
Commemorative Packaging
The watch ships in a red “1963 International Edition” commemorative box, reflecting the model’s historical significance within Seagull’s catalog.
Related SEA-GULL Watches
For other watches in the 1963 chronograph lineage, browse Seagull’s broader range of historic reissues, including pilot chronographs and Bauhaus dress watches. For an open-heart automatic alternative powered by the ST2502, see the SEA-GULL D819 Open-Heart Watch. For another ST2502-based pilot-style watch, see the Seagull Classic Pilot Watch 819.33.6080H.
FAQ
Is the Seagull 1963 actually based on a real historical watch? Yes. The original Seagull 1963 chronograph was developed under a genuine 1961 Chinese government mandate (Project D304) to create the country’s first Air Force aviation chronograph, using technology and machinery licensed from the Swiss manufacturer Venus. The first production batch reached pilots in 1966. The ST1901 movement used today is the direct descendant of that original caliber.
What movement does this watch use? The ST1901 — a genuine manual-winding column-wheel chronograph, 22 jewels, 21,600 vph, up to approximately 45 hours power reserve. Column-wheel construction is a more sophisticated chronograph mechanism than simpler cam-lever designs.
Does the watch need a battery? No — it’s a fully manual mechanical movement. It must be wound by hand via the crown and does not self-wind or use a battery.
What makes this the “International Edition”? Two specific upgrades over the base version: a transparent exhibition case back (showing the ST1901 movement) and a glass crystal in place of acrylic.
Is it waterproof for swimming? No — rated 3 Bar / 30m for daily splash protection only. Not suitable for bathing, showering, swimming, diving, or hot water.
What’s included with the leather strap option? Both the leather strap model and a separate green canvas strap, plus a strap link/pin remover tool and watch box — giving you two complete strap looks in one purchase.
Does it come with a warranty? Yes — a 1-year warranty with full official after-sales support.
Real Watch Show
Shipping & Delivery
SHIPPING
We are proud to offer international shipping services that currently operate in over 200 countries and islands world wide. Nothing means more to us than bringing our customers great value and service. We will continue to grow to meet the needs of all our customers, delivering a service beyond all expectation anywhere in the world.
Do you ship worldwide?
Yes. We provide free shipping to over 200 countries around the world. However, there are some locations we are unable to ship to. If you happen to be located in one of those countries we will contact you.
What about customs?
We are not responsible for any custom fees once the items have been shipped. By purchasing our products, you consent that one or more packages may be shipped to you and may get custom fees when they arrive to your country.
How long does shipping take?
Shipping time varies by location. These are our estimates:| Location | *Estimated Shipping Time |
|---|---|
| United States | 5-20 Business days |
| Canada, Europe | 5-20 Business days |
| Australia, New Zealand | 5-20 Business days |
| Central & South America | 5-25 Business days |
| Asia | 5-20 Business days |
| Africa | 5-25 Business days |
Do you provide tracking information?
Yes, you will receive an email once your order ships that contains your tracking information. If you haven’t received tracking info within 5 days, please contact us.
My tracking says “no information available at the moment”.
For some shipping companies, it takes 2-5 business days for the tracking information to update on the system. If your order was placed more than 5 business days ago and there is still no information on your tracking number, please contact us.
Will my items be sent in one package?
For logistical reasons, items in the same purchase will sometimes be sent in separate packages, even if you've specified combined shipping.
If you have any other questions, please contact us and we will do our best to help you out.
RETURNS
Order cancellation
All orders can be cancelled until they are shipped. If your order has been paid and you need to make a change or cancel an order, you must contact us within 12 hours. Once the packaging and shipping process has started, it can no longer be cancelled.
Refunds
Your satisfaction is our #1 priority. Therefore, you can request a refund or reshipment for ordered products if:
- If you did not receive the product within the guaranteed time (45 days not including 1-3 day processing) you can request a refund or a reshipment.
- If you received the wrong item you can request a refund or a reshipment.
- If you do not want the product you’ve received you may request a refund but you must return the item at your expense and the item must be unused.
We do not issue the refund if:
- Your order did not arrive due to factors within your control (i.e. providing the wrong shipping address)
- Your order did not arrive due to exceptional circumstances outside the control of jwlraddicts.com (i.e. not cleared by customs, delayed by a natural disaster).
- Other exceptional circumstances outside the control of jwlraddicts.com.
*You can submit refund requests within 15 days after the guaranteed period for delivery (45 days) has expired. You can do it by sending a message on Contact Us page
If you are approved for a refund, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within 14 days.
Exchanges
If for any reason you would like to exchange your product, perhaps for a different size in clothing, you must contact us first and we will guide you through the steps.
Please do not send your purchase back to us unless we authorise you to do so.
Refunds & Returns
Order cancellation
All orders can be cancelled until they are shipped. If your order has been paid and you need to make a change or cancel an order, you must contact us within 12 hours. Once the packaging and shipping process has started, it can no longer be cancelled.
Refunds
Your satisfaction is our #1 priority. Therefore, you can request a refund or reshipment for ordered products if:
- If you did not receive the product within the guaranteed time( 45 days not including 2-5 day processing) you can request a refund or a reshipment.
- If you received the wrong item you can request a refund or a reshipment.
- If you do not want the product you’ve received you may request a refund but you must return the item at your expense and the item must be unused.
We do not issue the refund if:
- Your order did not arrive due to factors within your control (i.e. providing the wrong shipping address)
- Your order did not arrive due to exceptional circumstances outside the control of jwlraddicts.com (i.e. not cleared by customs, delayed by a natural disaster).
- Other exceptional circumstances outside the control of //jwlraddicts.com
*You can submit refund requests within 15 days after the guaranteed period for delivery (45 days) has expired. You can do it by sending a message on Contact Us page
If you are approved for a refund, then your refund will be processed, and a credit will automatically be applied to your credit card or original method of payment, within 14 days.
Exchanges
If for any reason you would like to exchange your product, perhaps for a different size in clothing. You must contact us first and we will guide you through the steps.
Please do not send your purchase back to us unless we authorise you to do so.
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Arrived in 8 days, so very fast. The watches looks very wonderful.
Incredible watch. The presentation box is very beautiful. I couldn't be happier with the purchase.
Good watch
This is a fascinating watch. Beautiful and accurate.
Very nice watch, although I found the crown a bit hard to press when charging. I recommend purchasing the 38 mm version; the curved glass is very beautiful.
Just as I expected, it is the original Seagull 1963 watch. Very nice. Works perfectly. I am satisfied.
Looks very good and everything i was expecting from the brand.
Beautiful piece as it is the size of the original, it is more compact which makes it a rare piece compared to the current digital watches that are quite larger. The moon on the watch is very pretty and clear.
Love it. Thank you.