Sea-Gull ST-19 aka Venus 175

[cyberface]

As some of you are well aware, the Chinese Sea-Gull manufacture (hell, I'll give them that name, they've got a 50 year heritage in making watch movements, even though some of the designs may have been bought / reverse-engineered / etc.) makes a lovely column-wheel chronograph. It's basically the Venus 175, and the story goes that Sea-Gull bought the tooling off the Swiss. There are some who claim that Sea-Gull reverse-engineered the movement, but IMO if they wanted to do that then they'd have reverse-engineered the 7750 as it's more widely used.

Taking them at face value, currently Sea-Gull are making lovely-looking column wheel chronos. I've seen them in a lot of fakes, but I'd really like one of these *for the movement* with a display back, since I think it looks ace:



So - does anyone know of a *genuine* watchmaker that is currently making decent-looking watches using Sea-Gull's ST-19? I don't want something chintzy or blingy, just a nice subtle watch but with a display back so I can see the movement. Since I respect this movement (and Sea-Gull) it'd be a shame to buy a counterfeit watch, since it's a movement I'd like to show off, really. I think Invicta make some watches with the movements in - anyone know anything about Invicta as a brand? I've tried their website but it's a Flash-ridden monstrosity that puts me off immediately....

[tertius]

I have this, a PRS-5 with the ST-19 movement:





Alternatively there are a number of variations on the CHinese Air Force re-issue, of which I had this:



Apart from the crown which always thought was a bit OTT it was a really nice watch, and only about £100. The PRS-5 is a bit pricier, though I'm planning to move mine on shortly once I've had the crystal changed.

[cyberface]

That Chinese Airforce re-issue watch - if it's got a display back - would rock, as it'd 'make sense' with the Chinese chrono movement as well.

The Precista looks too much like my CWC!

[tertius]

cyberface said:

That Chinese Airforce re-issue watch - if it's got a display back - would rock, as it'd 'make sense' with the Chinese chrono movement as well.

It does have a display back - I didn't bother posting a pic as it obviously looks pretty much the same as the Precista. I'll dig one out for you.

ETA: here you go, the back:

Edited by tertius on Saturday 15th August 21:43

[cyberface]

Cheers mate - I may just have to buy one of those! Any links for me?

[tertius]

Umm, I got mine used, don't actually know where they are available new.

So I'd watch the sales forums on TZ-UK and thewatchforum.

[sneijder]

Cyberface, did you get anywhere with this ?

I'm going to take the plunge soon. Seagull USA are cheaper than EU, and will ship to Europe no problems.

http://www.usseagull.com/chronograph.htm

I don't know if you've seen these threads :

http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=2428...

http://forums.watchuseek.com/showthread.php?t=2258...

The only alternative I've found is Perpetual in HK :

http://www.perpetual-watch.com/chronograph.html

Let me know if you've found anything else with a display back.

[cyberface]

No - been snowed under with other stuff since then

I'd really like the Air force watch as it has a bit of history behind it, but the M200S chrono in the modern Sea-gull line looks good. Importing from the USA normally involves stupid customs charges and 'administration fees' that often exceed the actual duty paid - $399 is a good price though.

At least I know where to get one from if an original air-force watch doesn't show up.

Other things have come up though, and new watches are lower priority now I'm afraid

[sneijder]

Sorry to hear that.

The US Seagull site seems to post UPS to Europe, I find that things that come through the 'normal' post services escape the tax, whereas couriers will pull your pants down.

I have an expensive month coming up, first born is on the way, so I might have to put it on hold.