*Very* rare HePing from Shanghai Watch Factory (1956)
Most collectors of vintage Chinese mechanical watches, even seasoned collectors in China, have never seen one of these in the flesh, let alone held one.
It's an extremely rare "bird on the dial" version of the HePing (or Peace) model, one of two Shanghai Watch factory prototype models built concurrently as test pieces while assembling the tooling for Shanghai Watch Factory's first general distribution watches, the 581 series.
The other was named DongFangHong, or "East Is Red". Although a few of each were produced, neither were marketed.
I was shown and allowed to handle both by Mr. Zhang Zhenghao, the Chairman of the Clocks and Watches Branch of the Shanghai Collector's Association when we met in Shanghai just a few days ago--but I'm teasing and only showing this, for now.
Mr. Zhang noted that there is only one HePing with the bird on the dial known to exist in mainland China. He later told me there may be another in existence but, if so, it's in Hong Kong--and he's not certain.
I am so fortunate!
Curator: Alberta Museum of Chinese Horology in Peace River; Member: China Horologe Association; Chief Expert: China Watch Overseas Working Committee (CWOWC); Sino-Canadian Horological Cultural Affairs...
Thanks for sharing. Beautiful watch and very interesting story.
Thank you very much for sharing this interesting piece and history. Please know that it would be great to follow up with the current state of the Chinese watch industry.
Forget the watch, let’s hear more about the noodles!
Thanks for sharing. Looking forward to the follow-up.
Forget the watch, let’s hear more about the noodles!
Found at the Old Shanghai Noodle House on FangBangZhong Lu, Old Town tourist area (which is where Mr. Zhang has his shop, in the lower level).
The noodles are long classic medium thick round Shanghai noodles, not ultra firm but substantial. They come in a very flavourful but not spicy meat and vegetable soup. I added the red Chao Zhou chili sauce you can sort of see in the short glass container by my bowl, and the tofu patty you see in a separate bowl, and the meal was perfect.
Found at the Old Shanghai Noodle House on FangBangZhong Lu, Old Town tourist area (which is where Mr. Zhang has his shop, in the lower level).
The noodles are long classic medium thick round Shanghai noodles, not ultra firm but substantial. They come in a very flavourful but not spicy meat and vegetable soup. I added the red Chao Zhou chili sauce you can sort of see in the short glass container by my bowl, and the tofu patty you see in a separate bowl, and the meal was perfect.
The noodles look very tasty and Chao Zhou chili sauce is a favorite!
Found at the Old Shanghai Noodle House on FangBangZhong Lu, Old Town tourist area (which is where Mr. Zhang has his shop, in the lower level).
The noodles are long classic medium thick round Shanghai noodles, not ultra firm but substantial. They come in a very flavourful but not spicy meat and vegetable soup. I added the red Chao Zhou chili sauce you can sort of see in the short glass container by my bowl, and the tofu patty you see in a separate bowl, and the meal was perfect.
The noodles look yummy! Was trying to figure out what the oval disk was (the tofu patty).
I’d get a slap upside the head if I put my chopsticks they way you did in the photo. 😆
Awesome Ron.
I've missed your China trip chronicles. Keep the pictures coming.
Beautiful watch. Must be fantastic to get aquinted with a unicorn. Thank you for sharing👍
Good to see a post from you again. Thanks!
The noodles look yummy, but that watch is eye candy to me!
That’s what I love about watches. There are so many interesting stories behind these little mechanical marvels.
The noodles look yummy! Was trying to figure out what the oval disk was (the tofu patty).
I’d get a slap upside the head if I put my chopsticks they way you did in the photo. 😆
My friends are tolerant, I guess 😀
But...why?
Very cool. You didn't mention the year of manufacture but it certainly looks like period Seikos in the mid century years.
Wonderful story. Leaned a lot from it. I will be heading to Shanghai and Tokyo in a few weeks, very excited 😊
My friends are tolerant, I guess 😀
But...why?
For those who follow traditional Chinese beliefs, you give prayer/honour the deceased with 2 joss sticks that you stick into the incense urn. So go figure. 😆
From my own experience, it is mainly the older generation of the Chinese diaspora that mind chopsticks placed this way. Chinese nationals mainly don’t know/mind this.
Great post, fascinating watch. Thanks for sharing!👍
Very cool. You didn't mention the year of manufacture but it certainly looks like period Seikos in the mid century years.
Thank you--this one: 1956
For those who follow traditional Chinese beliefs, you give prayer/honour the deceased with 2 joss sticks that you stick into the incense urn. So go figure. 😆
From my own experience, it is mainly the older generation of the Chinese diaspora that mind chopsticks placed this way. Chinese nationals mainly don’t know/mind this.
I'd heard fully upright is still kinda frowned upon. That noted, because I'm from elsewhere, I'm sure I have inadvertently crossed a few norms but, as I noted, people in China have been very gentle with me, or said nothing, if I have.
I'd heard fully upright is still kinda frowned upon. That noted, because I'm from elsewhere, I'm sure I have inadvertently crossed a few norms but, as I noted, people in China have been very gentle with me, or said nothing, if I have.
Most people nowadays aren’t superstitious and won’t take offence to it. 😄