Red Star Seagull 1963 Bronze 40mm Chronograph

Red Star Seagull 1963 Bronze Chronograph – Mechanical Tradition in Bronze

40 mm | Seagull ST19 Column-Wheel Chronograph | Sapphire Crystal | Genuine Bronze Case

I discovered this exceptional chronograph for you at the Hong Kong Watch Fair together with our long-standing partners and friends at Red Star.

The combination of a classic mechanical column-wheel chronograph, a genuine bronze case and historically inspired design gives this Red Star a truly distinctive character.

Bronze – a case that develops its own character

The 40 mm case is made from genuine bronze – not simply stainless steel with a bronze-coloured coating.

Bronze is a particularly fascinating material for a mechanical watch. Through contact with air, moisture and its surroundings, the surface gradually changes and develops an individual patina.

This means that after several months or years, a bronze watch will no longer look exactly as it did on its first day – and that is precisely part of its appeal. Every watch develops its own character over time and becomes increasingly individual to its owner.

The case back has been cleverly designed: the watch features a screw-down exhibition case back with a stainless-steel surround. This means that stainless steel, rather than bronze, rests against the wrist, helping to avoid direct skin contact with the bronze and possible discolouration of the skin.

The Seagull ST19 – a column-wheel chronograph with history

Inside the watch beats one of the most fascinating mechanical chronograph movements produced in China: the hand-wound Seagull ST19.

The movement features 21 jewels, operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour, offers approximately 45 hours of power reserve and uses a traditional column-wheel mechanism to control the chronograph.

It is precisely this column-wheel construction that makes the ST19 so interesting for enthusiasts of traditional mechanical chronographs. Operating the pushers allows you to experience directly how the mechanical chronograph is started, stopped and reset.

Its history reaches back to Switzerland. In the early 1960s, the Chinese watch industry acquired machinery, technical documentation and manufacturing know-how from the Swiss movement manufacturer Venus for the production of a mechanical column-wheel chronograph.

This technical foundation became the basis for the Chinese chronograph movement family from which today's Seagull ST19 was subsequently developed.

The ST19 therefore combines classic European chronograph technology with more than six decades of Chinese watchmaking history.

Thanks to the exhibition case back, this fascinating mechanical movement can be admired at work – for me, one of the most beautiful aspects of owning a mechanical watch.

Classic Airforce Design

The black metal dial creates a striking contrast with the warm tone of the bronze case.

Arabic luminous numerals, bronze-coloured cathedral hands with luminous material, the white central chronograph seconds hand and the two classic subdials give the watch its distinctive vintage instrument character.

The red star at 12 o'clock provides the characteristic finishing touch and underlines the heritage of this unusual chronograph.

The Chinese characters on the dial – meaning “Made in China” – are deliberately retained as part of the authentic appearance of the watch.

Technical Specifications

Including an Additional RIOS1931 Leather Strap

The watch is supplied with its original leather strap. In addition, you will receive a high-quality leather strap from RIOS1931, handmade in Augsburg, Germany. You can select your preferred version above.

The available options include the Louisiana Crocodile Calf and the exceptionally comfortable INZELL BIO leather strap.

My personal favourite: the RIOS1931 INZELL in light brown/cognac. Its warm colour harmonises beautifully with the bronze case and becomes even more attractive as the case develops its individual patina. The mocha/dark brown version is another excellent combination with this watch.

Quality and Service at Poljot24.de

After arriving at our premises in Munich, the ST19 movements are checked once again by us. Every watch is also individually inspected before shipment.

And our service does not end with your purchase: our own watchmakers can carry out maintenance and repairs and have access to the appropriate spare parts for watches purchased from us.

A mechanical watch that is not meant to remain looking brand new forever – but to become more personal with every passing year.

The Red Star Airforce Bronze combines the fascinating patina of a genuine bronze case with the visible mechanics of a traditional column-wheel chronograph and the remarkable history of the Seagull ST19.