Red Star Seagull 1963 38mm Chronograph ST19, Acryl, with 3 straps

Red Star Seagull 1963 Chronograph 38mm – Classic Acrylic Crystal Edition

A piece of history on your wrist – just like in 1963!
The Red Star Seagull 1963 Chronograph is a faithful reissue of the famous pilot’s watch originally built for the Chinese Air Force. This 38mm version with a classic acrylic crystal follows the exact look and feel of the original model – authentic, lightly domed, and full of vintage charm.

Scope of Delivery

• Red Star Seagull 1963 Chronograph 38mm with acrylic crystal
• 2 textile straps: green (military style) & black (NATO style)
• 1 high-quality RIOS1931 leather strap or Milanese bracelet (your choice above)
• Watch case included
• 2-year warranty

Tip: This model pairs beautifully with the INZELL Bio Leather Strap or the Louisiana Crocodile Calf Leather Strap in light brown / cognac – see the comparison video:
▶️ Strap comparison on YouTube

Design & Specifications

• Polished stainless-steel case – 38 mm diameter (40 mm including crown)
• Height: 14 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Classic domed acrylic crystal (true to the 1963 original)
• Screw-down exhibition case back with large viewing window
• Water resistance: 5 ATM

The silver dial features gold-colored Arabic numerals and indices, blued hands, and the iconic Red Star at 12 o’clock. The Chinese characters on the dial translate to “Made in China” – an authentic detail of this historic reissue.

The Movement: Seagull ST19 – Classic Column-Wheel Chronograph

Inside beats the proven Seagull ST19 caliber – a mechanical hand-wound movement with column-wheel control, produced by Seagull in Tianjin. This movement is based on the Swiss Venus 3017, as Seagull purchased the original production equipment and blueprints from Venus (Switzerland) in the 1960s.

Technical Data – Seagull ST19:

• Hand-wound column-wheel chronograph
• 21 jewels
• 21,600 vibrations per hour
• Shock protection
• Power reserve: approx. 45 hours
• Swan-neck fine adjustment
• Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph with 30-minute counter

▶️ How to operate the chronograph
▶️ How to change the straps

Using the Chronograph

• Top pusher: Start/stop the chronograph
• Bottom pusher: Reset to zero

The watch can be fully wound – overwinding is not possible.

Quality & Inspection

Each watch passes ISO 9001-certified quality control at Red Star in Shenzhen and is then carefully inspected and fine-regulated again by us in Munich. Before shipping, every watch undergoes a final detailed test.

We provide a low-cost repair service with original spare parts for all watches purchased from us. These models are maintenance-free and do not require regular servicing.

Historical Background

In 1961, the Tianjin Watch Factory was commissioned to develop the first Chinese pilot’s chronograph for the Air Force of the People’s Liberation Army. After successful testing by a panel of experts, production began in 1963, and the factory delivered the first 1,400 chronographs to the Chinese Air Force.

During my visit in April 2025, I personally toured both the Seagull factory in Tianjin (where the movements are manufactured) and the Red Star workshop in Shenzhen (where the watches are assembled) – a fascinating combination of tradition and modern craftsmanship.

Available Variants

• 38 mm with acrylic crystal (true to the 1963 original)
• 38 mm with sapphire crystal (modern version)
• Also available in 40 mm and 42 mm

▶️ Size comparison 38mm vs. 42mm
▶️ View all Seagull models

Conclusion

The Red Star Seagull 1963 Chronograph with acrylic crystal is the most authentic version of this historic classic – featuring the original-style crystal, vintage dial design, and traditional hand-wound movement. A true collector’s piece for mechanical chronograph enthusiasts and fans of historical pilot’s watches who appreciate the timeless charm of the 1963 original.