Red Star Seagull 1963 40mm Chronograph Seagull ST19, Sapphire, with 3 straps

Red Star Seagull 1963 Chronograph 40mm – Modern Sapphire Crystal Version

The legendary Chinese pilot’s chronograph – now in 40 mm!
The Red Star Seagull 1963 Chronograph is a faithful reissue of the iconic pilot’s watch originally developed in 1963 for the Chinese Air Force. This 40 mm version with sapphire crystal retains the historical design of the original while offering a modern, wearable size and extra scratch resistance for everyday use.

Scope of Delivery

• Red Star Seagull 1963 Chronograph 40 mm with sapphire 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 looks especially elegant 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 – 40 mm diameter
• Height: 14 mm
• Lug width: 20 mm
• Lug-to-lug length: 50 mm
• Sapphire crystal (lightly domed, highly scratch-resistant)
• 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 distinctive 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 ticks the proven Seagull ST19 caliber – a mechanical hand-wound column-wheel chronograph movement, manufactured by Seagull in Tianjin. This movement is based on the Swiss Venus 3017, as Seagull acquired the original production machines 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
▶️ Short video of the new decorated Seagull ST19 Red Star movement

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 the ISO 9001-certified quality control at Red Star in Shenzhen and is then carefully inspected and fine-regulated once again by us in Munich. Before shipping, every timepiece undergoes a final precision test.

We offer a cost-effective repair service with original spare parts for all watches purchased from us. These watches are also 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 team of experts, mass 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 produced) and the Red Star workshop in Shenzhen (where the watches are assembled) – an impressive blend of tradition and modern craftsmanship.

▶️ Read the full report with background information and photos from this watchmaking trip

Available Variants

• 38 mm with acrylic crystal (true to the 1963 original)
• 38 mm with sapphire crystal (classic version)
• 40 mm with sapphire crystal (this version – modern size)
• 42 mm version

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

Conclusion

The Red Star Seagull 1963 Chronograph 40 mm with sapphire crystal combines authentic vintage design with modern durability. It offers greater wrist presence, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and the legendary ST19 hand-wound chronograph movement – a timepiece that perfectly unites history and engineering. Ideal for collectors, watch enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates a historical pilot’s chronograph in a contemporary size.