TOPHILL TL025G 1963 Chronograph – Seagull ST1901, Sapphire, 40mm Pilot Watch

TOPHILL TL025G 1963 Chronograph – Seagull ST1901, Sapphire, 40mm Pilot Watch

The TOPHILL TL025G is a 1963-style pilot chronograph built around the genuine Seagull ST1901 manual-wind movement — 21 jewels, 21,600 vph, with a chronograph layout including a 60-second counter, 30-minute sub-dial, and tachymeter scale. Sapphire crystal on the dial window. 316L stainless steel case with a screw-down case back. Super-Luminous (C3 green) hands and markers. Available in Panda, Full Black, Blue, and Orange dial themes. 40mm diameter, 12.4mm thick, 5ATM water resistance.

Key Specifications

Seagull ST1901 — Genuine Historic Chronograph Movement

The TL025G runs the genuine Seagull ST1901 — a manual-wind column-wheel chronograph descended from China’s first Air Force aviation chronograph, itself based on technology and machinery licensed from the Swiss manufacturer Venus for the Venus 175 movement in the early 1960s. With 21 jewels and a beat rate of 21,600 vph, it’s the same historically significant movement family found across several independent watch brands building 1963-style chronographs, including Sugess and Seagull’s own branded releases.

Sandblasted Dial and Tachymeter Chronograph

The dial uses a sandblasted finish in beige (on the standard colourway), with applied hour markers and slim stick/pencil-shaped hands. The chronograph layout includes a 60-second counter and a 30-minute sub-dial, framed by a tachymeter scale around the outer edge — a classic vintage racing and pilot chronograph detail used for calculating speed over a measured distance.

Sapphire Crystal Dial Window

The front dial window uses sapphire crystal — Mohs 9 hardness, providing strong scratch resistance for the dial face. Note: the case back uses a different material (see below) — only the front crystal is confirmed sapphire.

Case Back Material — Please Note

Available source material for this watch contains conflicting descriptions of the case back: one description states “sapphire exhibition caseback,” while the more detailed technical specification states a screw-down case back constructed from 316L stainless steel with transparent mineral glass, not sapphire. These are materially different in terms of scratch resistance. If a sapphire exhibition case back specifically matters to your purchase decision, confirm this directly with the seller before ordering.

Super-Luminous Hands and Markers

Hands and hour markers carry C3 green luminous coating, providing strong low-light and nighttime readability — a meaningful detail for a watch styled after historical aviation instruments, where legibility in poor conditions was an operational requirement.

316L Stainless Steel Case

The 40mm case uses 316L stainless steel construction, with a push-pull crown at the 3 o’clock position featuring a star logo detail. The screw-down case back adds a secure seal against the rated water resistance.

5ATM Water Resistance

Rated 5Bar / 5ATM (50m) — suitable for splashes, rain, handwashing, and incidental water contact such as a car wash. Not designed for swimming or diving despite the relatively generous-sounding rating; treat the chronograph pushers with particular caution around water, as they represent a common ingress point on any chronograph watch.

Strap Options

Available in leather, silicone rubber, or nylon depending on the variant selected, all sharing the same 20×18mm tapered width and fitting wrists from approximately 15.5cm to 20.5cm. The silicone option is comfortable for active wear; some buyers may prefer to swap to leather for a dressier look, which the standard 20mm lug width accommodates easily.

Dial Variants

Panda — the classic high-contrast two-tone chronograph dial style, named for its visual resemblance to a panda’s face — light dial background with dark sub-dial registers (or the reverse). A favourite among vintage chronograph collectors specifically for this dial format.

Full Black — a uniformly dark dial and sub-dial treatment for a more stealth, modern look.

Blue — a blue dial colourway.

Orange — an orange accent colourway, leaning further into the motorsport and racing chronograph aesthetic.

Related Watches

For Seagull’s own branded 1963 chronograph using the same ST1901 movement family, see the SEA-GULL 1963 International Edition. For the Sugess version with a swan-neck regulator upgrade, see the Sugess 1963 ST1901 Swan Neck Chronograph. For an automatic open-heart alternative, see the SEA-GULL D819 Open-Heart Watch.

FAQ

Is the TL025G suitable for swimming or diving? No — it’s rated 5ATM, meaning splash and rain resistance, not diving suitability.

Does the watch need a battery? No — it’s powered by the genuine Seagull ST1901 manual-wind movement, wound by hand via the crown.

Is the case back sapphire or mineral glass? Source material conflicts on this point. The detailed technical specification lists mineral glass for the case back, while a shorter marketing description claims sapphire. Confirm directly with the seller if an exhibition sapphire case back specifically matters to you — the front dial crystal is confirmed sapphire regardless.

What makes this watch significant? It uses the genuine Seagull ST1901 — a manual column-wheel chronograph movement descended from China’s first Air Force aviation chronograph, originally developed in the early 1960s using Swiss Venus 175 technology and machinery.

Can I see the movement? Yes — the case back is an exhibition window (material per the note above), and the historically significant ST1901 column-wheel chronograph mechanism is visible through it.

What is a “Panda” dial? A high-contrast two-tone chronograph dial style — typically a light dial face with dark sub-dial registers — named for its resemblance to a panda’s face. It’s one of the most recognized and sought-after chronograph dial formats among collectors.

5Bar Water Resistance Depth

With a water resistance depth of 5Bar, this watch is perfect for pilots and outdoor enthusiasts who demand top-level protection against water damage.

Luminous Hands Feature

The watch’s luminous hands design allows for easy time reading even in low light conditions, enhancing its practicality and functionality.

Sapphire Crystal Dial Window

The sapphire crystal dial window provides superior protection for the watch’s dial, making it more resistant to scratches and impacts.

Stainless Steel Case Material

Crafted from stainless steel, the case of this watch offers superior durability and resistance to corrosion, ensuring long-lasting longevity.