TAIHANG 17 Jewel Mechanical 36mm
I purchased this old beauty locally a few days ago in original (non-refurbished) condition for ¥32 ($4.48). Taihang is known for being manufactured by Shijiazhuang Watch Factory*, Hebei, where I used to live, and named for a mountain chain in that part of China. The little Triangle badge with the T in it represents a mountain. I know that they are old, one of the few manufactories from the early (modern) days of China, I guess started sometime in the '60's. Glass is broken and cracked in a few places but I decided not to replace it, after all the glass is part of the old guy's character. Can see by the case-back that it is a worn watch, not a drawer watch. I gave it a good toothpaste scrubbing getting it looking pretty good imo and then I fitted it with a new Italian Calf-skin strap, bringing the total investment to ¥115 ($22). I wound it up and it began running! haha, for some reason that surprised me pretty much. It seems to keep pretty good time too. The crown is tiny and it is hard as heck to wind, but runs fine once I do. I like to sit and think about the places it has been and the things it has seen...
*sometime, somehow a part of Seagull
Live/work in China. Oris or Omega is my wish, but pricey for my budget. Have an Omega Seamaster I bought new 30 yrs ago, and a Bulova Moonwatch replica purchased in HK maybe 8 years ago. Love them bot...
Oh, the two pics w/out the strap were pre-cleaning.
I have always liked the little extra flourish on the the casebacks of vintage Chinese watches. I would change out the crystal. It would brighten it just a little. Acrylic crystals are like tires on an automobile, they need to be changed after many miles. Nice watch. Do you know what grade it is?
I have always liked the little extra flourish on the the casebacks of vintage Chinese watches. I would change out the crystal. It would brighten it just a little. Acrylic crystals are like tires on an automobile, they need to be changed after many miles. Nice watch. Do you know what grade it is?
🙂 I'm new to learning about watches. I considered trying to change the crystal myself, but the little bit of online reading I did about it dissuaded me from trying. I may have another look at it though, even keep my eye open for a real watch repair shop China-style. Like I said, I'm a newbie, so I don't even know what is meant by 'grade'.
🙂 I'm new to learning about watches. I considered trying to change the crystal myself, but the little bit of online reading I did about it dissuaded me from trying. I may have another look at it though, even keep my eye open for a real watch repair shop China-style. Like I said, I'm a newbie, so I don't even know what is meant by 'grade'.
That is a quick and cheap repair for someone with experience. I would let someone else do it. Chinese watches were separated into four Grades, with Grade One being of the highest quality. Taihang is a Grade 2 according to the Chinese Watch Wiki. Perhaps @AlbertaTime can share some insight on watch grades because they appear somewhat arbitrary from what I can see.
Xiexie, ok, I'll keep my eye open for a watch repair. Tip for anyone in china, the cheap watch fix-it guys are usually on the basement level in big markets,, down where you access parking garage. You can find really interesting, cheap shops down there, overlooked by many.
The writing on the caseback: Peacock Liaoning Watch Factory 3113 . I have read that they collaborated with the manufactory over in Liaoning, so maybe this model is a cool example.
I'll be in Shijiazhuang (and a bunch of other cities) in early September 😀
I really like it there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGgX8V7jUBo
Taihang are among my favourite vintage Chinese mechanical watches. All mine run well and they have some great dials. Their linen dials are very well done.
Yes, they were technically Grade two but that didn't really mean inferior, in my view. I think it more reflects the technical standards the factories were held to, but I think some Grade two brands are easy equals to Grade 1 brands. (Zhufeng is another brand that I hold in as much respect.)
Factories did work together, especially during some of the leaner times in the industry, so it's possible the caseback is as it left the factory. But even if it isn't original, it would reflect a reality of those time, where watches were valuable, and generally repaired, not tossed away.
I'd expect the watch is an easy fix for any Chinese repairer I've ever encountered. The movement is Tongji (standard) and the crystals and parts are widely available.
Nice catch. and agreed about the lower level shops. I've also had good results asking watch sellers on the upper floors of the bigger multi--floor/multi-shop markets, shops that usually sell new inexpensive watches, asking if they have vintage watches. Sometimes they have trays of them, and sometimes they point me to sellers that have NOS stock.
This was in Shijiazhuang a few years ago.