Seagull 1963 review

Let’s talk about Seagulls. I am not talking about the fairly annoying bird nor the 80’s action……hero(?) but the the watch that has been on many watch collectors wish list over the last few years - the Seagull 1963. Before we get into the watch, let’s talk about the models history.

The Seagull 1963 is interesting, while being loved by many it is confusing to yet as many or even more. Prices seems to be all over the place as well as quality, packaging etc. And there is a reason to this. In the early 2000’s (which I am afraid to say is more than 20 years ago😅) a man named Thomas Leung worked at the Tianjin factory mentioned later in the review. One day he saw on his boss’s wrist the watch that would later inspire him to design the 1963, named after the year his inspiration was made.

Thomas later started his own company Red Star and started manufacturing his own 1963. He did not however protect the design, meaning anyone could copy it. And this is what has happened. So, which is the original? Red Star or the brand simply known as Seagull? I’ll leave that to decide. But the watches from Red Star seems to hold a higher quality than most other 1963s. The watch I am reviewing is made by Leung’s Red Star and sold via a European retailer. I choose the newly released bronze version. I’ve wanted a bronze watch for a while as well as a 1963 so figured I might as well kill two birds with one stone so to say.

The case is finished very well with fine brushing throughout. It started out almost looking golden but have over time developed a beautiful patina. Have yet to decide if I want to keep it that way or reset it.

A nice, lightly domed sapphire chrystal covers the iconic dial. Different versions of the 1963 has different types of chrystal and I am tempted to add the acrylic version to the collection aswell. I believe most of you know this dial with the gorgeous applied golden indexes, Red Star at the 12 o’clock with 21 Zuan (21 jewels) printed underneath. As all other st19 powered watches it has a sub-dial at 9 with a running seconds hand and at 3 you will find the 30 minutes chronograph. Now, let’s dive deeper in to the famous movement. let’s talk about what beats inside of a Seagull 1963.

The ST19’s heritage goes back to 1961 when Venus, a Swiss Manufacturer sold all of his equipment. including machinery and blue footprints for the watch 175 calibers, to the Tianjin Watch Factory. Today, this modern watch has a higher beat rate of 21,600 BPH and an increase of 17 to 19 jewels - quote from seagull1963.com. So the design might be old but the movement has developed since the 60’s 😁

The hands are quite interesting, thin and thermally blue I believe they work well with the vintage aesthetics of the watch and is contrasted nicely by the red chronograph hand.

A display case back shows of the beautiful movement and the metal holding the back chrystal in place is stainless steel so no worries about it staining your wrist.

This version comes on a NATO with matching bronze hardware and it feels well made. As I am no fan of NATOs I wear it on a moss green suede strap that I believe complements the watch great!

All in all this feels like a solid, well put together watch. I have had no issues with the movement and everything is executed very well. So I would say that for what it is I have no moans or niggles for this one. Unless you don’t like bronze. Or seagulls 😁

Specs

Diameter 40 mm

Lug to lug 48 mm

Movement Seagull st19 (Swan neck)

Thickness 12.7 mm

WR 3 ATM

Lug width 20 mm

Seagull (Red Star) official retailer https://seagull1963.com/product/seagull-1963-38mm-acrylic-sapphire/?ref=slKK27T3