As the Seagull 1963 chronograph gains popularity among watch enthusiasts, the market has seen a rise in imitations. Fortunately, there are key indicators to help distinguish a genuine Seagull 1963 re-issue from a fake. Here's what to look for.
Inspect the Movement:
Start by examining the movement inside the caseback. A real Seagull 1963 features the hand-wound ST19 column wheel chronograph movement with these characteristics:
Crisp "SEAGULL" engraving on the top plate
19 or 21 jewels
A vertically positioned column wheel under the balance
Blued screws for decoration
Geneva stripes on the winding rotor
A smooth seconds hand sweep
A securely screwing winding stem
Lower-grade clone movements may superficially resemble the ST19 but lack precise details like the blued screws or fine decoration. An authentic ST19 will always appear well-finished.
Examine the Case Design:
Seagull has produced various case designs for the 1963, but certain features remain consistent:
38mm diameter excluding the chronograph pushers
Drilled lugs for easy strap changes
Polished beveled edges on the lugs
A signed winding crown matching the movement brand
Securely screwing chronograph pushers
No gap between the bezel and acrylic crystal
Crisp engraving on the stainless steel back for model information
Fakes often exhibit cruder finishing on details like the lugs or engravings. The polished bevel accent is a subtle hallmark of genuine cases.
Scrutinize the Dial Components:
The panda dial configuration provides several elements to check:
Applied steel hour markers with beveled edges
Properly centered bi-compax subdial layout
The "Tianjin Watch Factory" heritage logo
ST19 D304 designation on the dial near 6 o'clock
A red star tip on the central chronograph seconds hand
Evenly printed white minute track on the outer edge
An aligned date window frame at 6 o'clock
The chronograph minute counter jumps precisely
Shoddy replicas often omit finer details like the red star tip, heritage logo, or ST19 D304 text. The crisp black-on-white panda contrasts should also be apparent on genuine models.
Assess Chronograph Function:
A true Seagull 1963 must have properly working chronograph functions:
Column wheel engagement gives a crisp pusher feel
Instant reset to zero when the pusher is activated
Central seconds hand aligns precisely with indexes
No jittery ticking or sticking on subdials
Timekeeping remains consistent while the chronograph is running
If the chronograph seems sticky, jumpy, or inaccurate, the watch is likely a fake. A perfectly tuned ST19 movement operates flawlessly.
Buy from a Trusted Seller:
The most reliable way to ensure authenticity is to purchase from reputable retailers who source directly from Seagull. Although you might pay a premium, it guarantees peace of mind. Be cautious of sellers on platforms like eBay, Aliexpress or Amazon offering prices that seem too good to be true. While high-quality fakes exist, careful inspection of a Seagull 1963’s finer details will help confirm its authenticity. Trust your eyes to verify the stellar reputation of this iconic chronograph.