Shanghai Watch
Shanghai Watch is a Chinese watch brand from the country's first watch factory, which produced China's first mechanical watch in 1955. It makes mechanical watches ranging from affordable models to high end tourbillon pieces.
| First watch | 1955 |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | Shanghai, China |
| Notable model | A623 calendar watch |
| Category | Mechanical watches |
| Website | shwatch.com.cn |
What is Shanghai Watch?
Shanghai Watch is a watchmaker from Shanghai, China, regarded as the country's first watch factory. Its name and heritage are closely linked to the beginnings of the Chinese watch industry.
History
The factory produced China's first mechanical watch in 1955. Shanghai watches became highly popular between the 1950s and the 1970s, and Premier Zhou Enlai was known to wear the A623, the brand's first calendar model. The original block style logo of the Chinese characters for Shanghai was replaced by a calligraphic version in the 1970s and brought back for the company's 50th anniversary. At one point the company ran a reinvention campaign aimed at joining the ranks of elite watch brands, though it did not set out to rival the likes of Rolex.
Products and positioning
Most of the current range is affordable mechanical watches, while selected high end models feature complex tourbillon movements. Reissues of historic designs appeal to collectors interested in Chinese horology.
Why it matters
Shanghai Watch is a heritage name in China's watch industry and a reference point for collectors and consumers interested in domestic brands with a long history, offering an affordable entry into Chinese mechanical watchmaking.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Shanghai Watch from?
Shanghai Watch comes from Shanghai, China, where the country's first watch factory produced its first mechanical watch in 1955.
What is Shanghai Watch known for?
It is known for making China's first mechanical watch and for historic models such as the A623 calendar watch worn by Zhou Enlai.