About Sea-Gull
7 decades of excellence
The 70th anniversary of Sea-Gull marks seven decades of Chinese horology, a testament to the brand's unwavering commitment to independent innovation. Since debuting China's first watch in 1955, Sea-Gull has transformed the industry by mastering precision movement manufacturing and original mechanical watchmaking, continuing its legacy of excellence.
On March 24, 1955, at 5:45 PM, the "Five-Star"—China's first domestic watch was born.
1955: The Birth of the "Five-Star"
On March 24, 1955, at 5:45 PM, the "Five-Star"—China's first domestically manufactured watch—was born. Created by the Chinese working class, this milestone bridged a critical industrial gap and ended the era where China could only repair, but not manufacture, timepieces.
1957: The "Wuyi" Watch
In 1957, ahead of May Day, the "Wuyi" (May First) brand watch first appeared as a trial product. By October 1958, it had entered mass production as the first generation of mechanical watches from the Tianjin Watch Factory, laying the cornerstone for China's watchmaking industry.
1961: The D304 Chronograph
In April 1961, the Tianjin Watch Factory was commissioned to develop a top-secret aviation chronograph for the Air Force, codenamed "304." By October 1966, 1,400 finished pieces were delivered to front-line pilots. As China’s first military-spec watch, the "304" became a milestone of national significance.
1966: The "Dongfeng" (East Wind) Watch
In 1966, Tianjin Watch Factory engineers developed the "Dongfeng" watch, China's first domestically designed timepiece. Rebranded as "Sea-Gull" in 1973 with state approval, it became China's first exported watch, launching the brand to global acclaim.
1975: The ST6 Ladies' Watch
On March 8, 1975, the Tianjin Watch Factory successfully developed the ST6 ladies' watch. This achievement filled a critical void in China's watchmaking industry, which had previously produced only men’s timepieces.
Sea-Gull: A 70-Year Horological Journey
Following seven decades of rigorous growth, Sea-Gull has evolved from its humble beginnings into a global benchmark for Chinese precision horology. Today, the brand operates over 200 offline retail and experience stores across major commercial hubs in China and has participated in more than 20 premier international watch exhibitions, including Baselworld and the Hong Kong Watch & Clock Fair, consistently showcasing the excellence of Chinese watchmaking to a global audience.