REVIEW & IMPROVE Chinese Chronograph Watch Sea-Gull ST1903

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In this video we take a look at the popular Chinese Chronograph movement as found in many budget watches and perhaps improve it’s performance.
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#seagull1903 #chinesewatch #review

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Опубликовано:

27 сен 2024

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Комментарии : 173

@WatchRepairChannel 4 года назад

@matrixmirage2148 4 года назад

Hello, Mark! Can I ask you something? How hard it is to remove fingerprints from a dial (like the Rolex Pepsi GMT-Master II)? I've seen you handling it without any kind of gloves, and I'll be honest, it made me a bit nervous (I've been obsessed with macro shots recently, courtesy of Watchfinder & Co. and it made me wonder) Thanks, M.M.

@Wimmel24 4 года назад

I've joined your facebook group but can't access the files section?

@WatchRepairChannel 4 года назад

@@Wimmel24 Direct link... facebook.com/groups/watchrepairlessons/files/

@Wimmel24 4 года назад

Thanks

@JoeyParkerJ 4 года назад

Thank you for making this great video for us :)

@CrimFerret 4 года назад

26:37 Still my favorite part of any reassembly. When the balance goes in and starts doing it's thing.

@willardhooton920 4 года назад

Heart transplant...success!!

@charlesflint9048 4 года назад

I have one of these inside a 1963 replica Chinese airforce chronograph watch. I’ve always suspected the blued screws were lacquered, but it looks good from the back, especially with the castle wheel action. Now I know what to do if I ever develop the skill to do a complete strip down service. I’ve owned the watch for about 4 yrs and it has run very well so far. Nice to see this. Thank you.

@sam9242 4 года назад

Thanks for this. One thing I really appreciate is when you mention the name of the part as you remove it.

@ravusursi893 4 года назад

Mark, not only are you talented in the dark art of horology, you also compile excellent films. Your production, including the choice of music, are just superb. Together, these skills make your videos so enjoyable. I can only wish you well for the future and, hopefully, I’ll be able to take one of your lessons soon. Take care.

@amypeterson4615 4 года назад

Thank you. I have two of these Chinese chronographs. This movement in particular, and most mechanical chronographs in general, do not like "add timing" operations. Both of my ST1903 chronos have jammed up on occasion when doing these operations, stopping the entire watch. A few pusher pushes and the jam up clears. The main thing that bothers me about these chronographs is that they are throw away items. When a problem occurs no one is going to send it to a professional watch maker because a service will cost about 3X the cost of a new one. A fun thing to have, just don't get too attached to one or expect too much from it.

@SonnetGomes 2 года назад

You are an expert at what you do. Hats off! I dont even understand which gear is doing what...but it sooths my soul watching these videos so up close. These mechanical movements are amazingly complex. I have no idea how the engineers fit so much in such a tiny little case. I am Awed!

@24934637 Год назад

I am consistently amazed by the skills of the watchmakers who design a mechanism such as this, and then manufacture and assemble it. I'm also amazed by the skills you have, being able to take it apart and put it back together still working!! I'd go totally insane if I tried to strip it and rebuild.

@ShanghaiGoat 2 месяца назад

This mechanism is over 80 years old too

@linoaque2471 4 года назад

I just love chilling out and watching a true craftsman at work with beautiful music playing. Many thanks for your vids

@orchardwatchandclockrepair8346 4 года назад

This is just a lovely video. Your go to heat lengths to make then. Not an easy thing to do. I just love the look of Cronographs movements.. Thankyou so much Mark. You make it look easy.

@watchhans 4 года назад

After servicing my Solvil et Titus chronograph powered by a ST19, properly oiled and greased, it's performance is much better than it's accuracy after I bought it. For me that means oiling and greasing was not that good when it left the factory in Tianjin. There were also some tiny burrs, probably left inside from the manufacturing process. After all I come to the conclusion that if properly produced, oiled and greased, the ST 19 is not that bad, at all.

@xmarcovinzx 4 года назад

Great video Mark! I have this movement in a customized watch (thanks to you and your dial printing video!), and it's my first column wheel chronograph. Works great, looks great (don't care about macro) and it really is the best value for mechanical watch lovers. Thumbs up!

@KarmaFlight Год назад

Although I am not a watchmaker, I have been an avid watch enthusiast for many decades. Videos like this are educational and serve to deepen my understanding and appreciation of horology in general. Thank you!

@chriskammerer221 3 года назад

It's incredible to watch you disassemble and reassemble this movement! Nicely done! To what extent could you "hotrod" it, while it's apart? For instance, could you replace the hairspring with something anti-magnetic or replace the mainspring with one with a longer power reserve? Are there companies that sell parts for this purpose?

@Rog5446 4 года назад

Even the Seagulls produced by other Chinese workshops are considered by Seagull to be genuine, as they are made under licence. Mine has a display caseback and keeps excellent time, and I don't care if it wasn't made at the Seagull factory. (I also don't know if it was)

@JayB-lz6yd 4 года назад

hahaha! keep going smart ass. XD

@MrWizardjr9 3 года назад

@@JayB-lz6yd i mean hes not completely wrong we don't know why seagull lets all these other manufacturers make their own version but ive heard the seagull factory is the only factory in china capable of producing that movement so all the movements are genuine at least.

@LenHere 2 года назад

I own the Seagull 1963 (the real one) and I do love it; but it is a bit quirky. The chronograph has a mind of it's own, stalling periodically at the 4 second and 58 second mark. Hitting the stop and then restarting will usually get it going again. It's very intermittent, I often think a good service would have it running tip top. Overall, it's a gorgeous watch, it wears great, it has a sapphire crystal and is fantastic value. I could never otherwise afford a nice chronograph. Thanks for the video, if you ever want to service mine I would be happy to send it off :D Grace and peace!

@SQueme Год назад

7:25 that spring .... the most common broken part when you wind a ST19, and it just unwind the crown

@ronyrodriguezortiz993 5 месяцев назад

how many turns of winding is recommended to give this ST19 movement so as not to break it, thank you.

@SQueme 5 месяцев назад

@@ronyrodriguezortiz993 this is the main barrel spring that will break if you "force" when you feel resistance (just got slowly until you feel small resistance, no need to count IMHO) That one is the click spring, it breaks ... probably because of bad metal used, or a bad shaped curve on the old ST19 ? any other idea ? ♻ still searching & bvying them (ST19 watches) in "not-working condition", for parts or repair ♻

@andreasthuringia5918 4 года назад

I got one of these movements in my Omega replica. I love the column wheel chronographs. The background from this movement is very old (venus 175) and became Chinese with project 303. A newer version of this movement has a swan neck regulation. In my opinion a good movement for about 100 euros. I think it is more classic than a 7750 or 2892. Not better but really okay. My watch is gaining about +5 seconds a day.

@MyRetroWatches 4 года назад

I really can’t wait for part 4 of the course Mark. These dual register chronos is a scratch I need to itch but with a bit of tuition. Great video , superb macro! You really did improve the performance by some margin .

@eliescaldesvilar6421 4 года назад

one skilled guy following the master, i follow you both, anyway " my retro watches", my dad's seiko is repaired and ticking again thanks to you...really appreciate it

@FiveStringCommando 4 года назад

I believe this is probably a real Seagull. Regardless, I’d be interested to see a comparison with one obtained directly from Seagull. Thanks for the content!

@brunonjezic6208 4 года назад

I would love to see video on comparison between one orderd direct from seagull and this one. Also i hope you do assembly and reassembly on whole seagul 1963 and maybe compare one that is around 100e with the "genuine" that is going between 270 to 300e. I think to se dial from back case from in and all taken apart and put together would make great video

@isimisoko 3 года назад

Mision impossible done! U are a great craftmen! I am electrician and releve my self from stres when I am watching these videos! Great work!

@christopherbussell8714 4 года назад

I am only just getting in to watches, these are works of art. I have started to collect a few watches but i am no way an expert so it is great just to look and learn. Thank you for sharing.

@runrin_ 4 года назад

i have one of these in a seagull watch, and it runs consistently fast by about 15 seconds. i don't have the equipment to regulate it, but because it is so consistent im sure it could be regulated to keep excellent time.

@dirk4926 4 года назад

Another great video, so relaxing to watch, and the music is perfect....thanks again!

@Lunalysis 4 года назад

How about a project on fitting the movement to a case? A quick search through eBay only brought up two cases (that I could find) that claimed to fit ST19 movements. Maybe being able to modify a different case and dial combo to use with the movement.

@Animalkisser 4 месяца назад

You chose the perfect music.

@rhisiart 4 года назад

Fascinating video, thanks for sharing this with us. I believe I have one of these movements in a Seagull 1963 watch that I purchased a few years ago. Unfortunately, I have pressed the chronograph buttons in the wrong order and now the main red second hand refuses to reset/return to the 12 o'clock position. Would it be possible to post a video on how to cure this issue without performing a complete strip-down? I would love to cure this problem and wear more often what is, for me, a very attractive watch.

@KenFritz-j8u 4 месяца назад

I enjoyed this video immensely! It’s like watching brain surgery. I applaud your skill as well as all the time and discipline you have given to your profession. Thank you for sharing. Quick question: I have ordered a 1963 Seagull chronograph with an at 1901 movement. Are there major differences I should look for or be concerned about? Again, wonderful video! Ken

@indramatic 4 года назад

Judging solely by the amount of striations on plates and bridges I can assure this movement was assembled by hand in a small shop on an old-school tin table cover and people who did it were in a hurry. I don't think it is the same grade of movements used by Seagull in their reissue chronos.

@gheckolock81 3 года назад

Yeah, it would definitely be great to see a deep dive into the wild world of Chinese watch authenticity!

@BiffTannenBTTF Год назад

Like others have said, the scratching on the plates is highly unusual. Something fishing going on there.

@easterneurope451 11 месяцев назад

Is this movement capable of a smooth chrono second hand movement? Out of the box i can see that mine skips the chrono second hand tick quite often, even though the engagement between the 4th wheel and the coupling wheel looks tight. The problem does not seem to be the second wheel and the coupling wheel engagement. Edit: I am answering my own question (now that I have reviewed the diagrams), smooth chrono second hand requires the coupling clutch gear and the 4th wheel engagement regulation plus the coupling clutch gear and chrono second gear engagement regulation plus the tension spring regulation (if its too weak). The latter is my case because the smoothness is highly dependant on the remaining power reserve, namely if I fully wind it up the chrono second hand stutters.

@brunonjezic6208 4 года назад

To talk about ware and tare of seagull movements maybe you could get hands on one that was in possession of someone and maybe needs service. They are in production for quite a few jears so it shouldn't be impossible

@michaelr21 4 года назад

I have had 5 Watches with the ST19 Movement, 1 genuine Sea-gull D304.1963 limited Edition (very high build quality, very precise, pushers had perfect feedback - unfortunately the plexiglass got smashed in a bike accident - hopefully i will find someone in germany who will replace the glass - because the rest of the watch works perfectly) 2 reissues from different places, one had only 6 hours power-reseve so i sent it back, the other one is okay but the version from sea-gull has a better quality in every aspect 1 Sugess that looks like the M199S, but i got it new for 150€ from Germany (is the company behind it forging sea-gull watches and selling some of them with other brand-names?). The quality is okay for the price but sometimes when stopping the chronograph, the chronograph jumped back instead of only pausing - but the transparent caseback gives a nice view on the ST1908. 1 ST1940 Vintro Le Mans 1952 - the automatic Version of the ST19. Quality is good but the original sea-gull has pushers that are a bit more precise. And: Very nice customer service. All my ST19 movement watches behave a bit differently, especially the behaviour when winding it up...

@ronyrodriguezortiz993 5 месяцев назад

how many turns of winding is recommended to give this ST19 movement so as not to break it, thank you.

@davechuasoup 4 года назад

Hi Mark, love your work and your videos has helped me get into tinkering with watches as well. Have you ever considered investigating a counterfeit Daytona 4130 movement? It's said to have been completely cloned to the last detail except for the free sprung balance and is the first clone of this level. Naturally I am intrigued and want to take it apart myself but willingly admit that a full chronograph movement is way beyond my skill level. Would you consider borrowing mine for a teardown video? I'll take full responsibility if anything breaks.

@OldSkoolF 4 года назад

Should Send the movement to Shaun Hughes or Casey Burns ( cbwim) for some love... Would be interesting to see how nice it could be finished.

@Rog5446 4 года назад

Good use for a Seagull, time an Egg, especially if you are wearing a Miestersinger.

@pauldevey8628 4 года назад

I looked at my ST movements and the quality in this piece you show is not good. Mine are highly finished. Maybe they sell different grades?

@jackdale9249 Год назад

great video ! i just bought one new so please do 2 year test and see how it's doing ? all the best !

@tom-hk 4 года назад

Looks like a Sea-Gull to me. I picked up a few of these when I lived in China and it looks identical. Not at all like what I have seen from the Tianjin company, so I don't know that I could agree with the gentleman who claims this is from there.

@hosseinordoubadian5439 4 года назад

Wonderful content. I am in the process of working through your first 3 courses and gathering my tools and supplies. I assume you have the oil recommendations PDF in the course work? I am not a facebook person. Nonetheless, your content and courses have made the pandemic lock down here in California bearable. For this, I am grateful. Thanks again.

@RelojeandoconFelipe 4 года назад

Awesome and thanks a lot to share your knowledge and experience!!! 🙏

@sAmiZZle82 Год назад

How on earth do you keep track of where all those parts go and how they are placed!?

@LeGiaWatchService 19 дней назад

How can I remember all the screws on each part? Thanks!

@urieelSEptim 4 года назад

I think Seagull is the biggest producer of mechanical movements, all of those have to go somewhere. It seems that Seagull has different quality/finishing levels and the highest are really hard to obtain even for watch manufacturers, basically only used in real seagulls

@eko89er 4 года назад

Hi Mark! I love the channel and the quality of your videos. They are very relaxing and I enjoy both viewing them as well as just listening to them if I'm busy with something else. I do have one question. You were talking about the fingerprints in this video, and I noticed a lot of scratches on the main body of the movement. How would the movement behave if one were to do a polish on the main body components (using a metal polishing paste) or even doing a stone wash? Just to even out the way the it looks. I don't know much about watches, I don't even wear one. But I do love the look of one whenever I see them. Thanks for the content! Have a good day!

@tiburonski 3 года назад

Wonderful, very informative! And relaxing 😎

@doctortimepmd4887 4 года назад

If you say it's a seagull ...that works for me it's your show and it's good show ..

@nolanreed7090 3 года назад

These movements get a lot of hate, but I've owned three of them, each of which performed better than any Seiko I've ever owned (excluding Grand Seiko)

@Jubal.Harshaw 2 года назад

The Venus movement is a similar movement and not any better polished - but no one says anything because it has a 'Venus' name on it. Of course, this is the movement that is used in many more high end watches with large price tags. But, i suppose it is inconvenient to mention that as well.

@Jubal.Harshaw 2 года назад

The bridges here do not look highly polished. However, the other parts are much to small to make out any 'fingerprints' that might have occurred. When I was a child in the 1950's everyone in my family wore a watch even though they were less reliable and not necessarily as well made. My father was careful how he treated his watch, taking it off prior to washing the dishes (yes, prior to 'dish washers') and never wore it working in the yard or on his truck. Today, we take the durability of watches for granted. This Seagull is a beautiful, yet a little bit delicate. The inner workings date back to 1963. Don't wear it working in the yard or washing dishes - if you do those sorts of things. She is beautiful - just a little bit delicate.

@justinbjork5682 5 месяцев назад

What’s that piece of piano music you have going in the beginning?

@malzenteno6 4 года назад

Interesting, thanks for the video, hi from México!

@craigjones325 4 года назад

Fascinating, thank you for such interesting videos.

@ribo2007 3 месяца назад

How did you determine the lift angle, did you manually test for that or did yoj just go with 52 deg as a standard.

@ktprojects2077 4 года назад

Can you do a video of you testing, comparing, and opening a cheep $30 mecanical watch such as the Derieter watch from amazon. I think it's a very good watch considering its price.

@carloscarvalhido2424 4 года назад

Great video, Mark. I'm a basic amateur on my free time dealing only with handwind and automatic movements. For starting with a chrono which would be the easiest or the most "template" movement? This one? I noticed you only oiled the left pallet jewel. Is it always like that? Some say the entry, others say the exit one and most say both. Or it depends on the movement? Well, I do both. Thank you.

@briancarruthers1738 Год назад

I don't understand why you grease both the clutch wheel and winding pinion when only one is necessary (everyone does it). if you grease just one, then turn the stem back 360 degrees, then they're both fully greased

@amicoorologiaio 4 года назад

Bellissimo video, complimenti

@Vinscb 4 года назад

Excellent video! Haven't you had knocking issues after servicing? I have serviced one of mine and afterwards it started knocking; just over half winding is enough to make in knock. I have other two watches with this movement and with factory lubrication they tend to knock for a few seconds after full winding. I think the mainspring Seagull uses is a bit too strong.

@achimkohlhage1328 4 года назад

A proper improvement, congrats. May I ask a question what is wrong when I cant adjust the beat error to less that 0.9ms. Tks for hint. Cheers fm Singapore+

@paulhelmuth6012 4 года назад

Can't wait for the 4th level course. And feel like it's a bonus that you will be using the 1903 for the course - as I have one in a Seagull 1963 (counterfeit or not - I don't know). I have a question about greases. Thank you for sharing that you use 9501 on the keyless works. I have purchased some 9504 - which is a lighter blue in color. Similar in applications (I think). But when viewed under magnification, the 9504 seems to be separated. Not a homogeneous blend. This makes me a bit hesitant to use it. Even though it comes from Moebius. So, I shouldn't worry. Is the 9501 the same? Or does it appear to be uniform under magnification? Thanks.

@waterzap99 4 года назад

Do you prefer column wheel or lever chronographs.? Are there pros and cons to each?

@tirinsplay 4 года назад

How different is the Venus 175 from the 170? I have my grandfathers Orfina from 1949 which has the 170 movement.

@saulgrant8263 4 года назад

Hi Mark, Please can you tell me the brand of screwdrivers that you use as the ones I bought don't seem to be up to scratch?

@kevgermany 4 года назад

Nice job. Pity about the finish if the movement.

@b4nnediss_here721 4 месяца назад

Hey i want to ask something cause im thinking about buying this movement .. is it worth to service in 5 years or is it better to buy a new one?

@diegogonzalezluna3400 6 месяцев назад

Hello could you please fix one watch I just bought it supossed to be waterproof but it doesn't.

@williamwang8034 3 года назад

Hi I was wondering if you could do a review of Seagull 2153 moonphase movement please? There are some really enticing Brequet style antique looking Seagull watches but not sure how accurate they are.

@cal2201 4 года назад

So, this is a replica Sea-Gull movement of replica Venus 175...

@upinmyglider 4 года назад

Could you find a good looking quartz chronograph and swap this movement into it?

@TheSaints-ls5cu 4 года назад

Hi Mark. I like be your work. May I ask where you source your music?

@amphibiousone7972 2 месяца назад

It would be interesting to see how this movement holds up after your servicing. Thanks 🫡

@davidcoleman2463 4 года назад

They say they are all fake ? Is this right ? Inside the seagull 1963 ?

@CyberlightFG 6 месяцев назад

Can you reset the chronograph hand back to zero?

@mikex3619 4 года назад

I read on watchuseek that once the hands for the subdials are removed on the st19 they can't be re-used or they will fall off. Can anyone confirm this? Thanks

@alvinwatchiadorvlog2587 3 года назад

Always watching idol.

@tannerlarson276 4 года назад

Hey Watch Repair Channel! I recently bought a watch with this movement and the chronometers second hand is jerky for around 15 seconds and then catches back into a sweep. Is there a solution you know of that would fix this issue. I am very finicky with my watches and i know it will bug me to no end. Thanks for your time!

@JuanJose-tn8yd 4 года назад

Anybody knows why the two gears (16:44 and 18:55) have different teeth size ? i only can guess because the lever acting as break, so it´s for more friction. But since im a not know anything about watch repair drive me crazy.

@HANDBALLDIEHARD 3 года назад

Anyone know where replacement balance can be bought , have a seagull powered chrono that only runs on its face now , hard stop when flipped , top end worn out. or these are made cheap disposable , just replace entire movement ? nothing wrong with it except needs a new balance wheel ! I'm in the US ,can't find one on line,

@watchmedraw4340 4 года назад

Personally, I am trying to make myself a customized watch and I will probably use a seagull. I am an artist and I am going all out with the dial also.

@ctxrider7585 Год назад

How many parts?

@dazzystart 4 года назад

Pretty effective movement. Nothing pretty but works fine.

@sgnt9337 4 года назад

"Some of these parts look like they were in a boxing match with sandpaper". HILARIOUS!!!!!

@MrWizardjr9 4 года назад

i think it is a seagull since ive heard they are the only factory in china able to make that movement at a reasonable cost but maybe its a B grade stock.

@panosa963 3 года назад

Isn't the lift angle of the ST1903 42 degrees? That would bring down the amplitude to around 230? Oops professional secrets....

@ethanspaziani5269 3 года назад

How about a frog watch would love to see a pocket watch

@pablorages1241 4 года назад

How the hell do time graphers work out all that information?

@beauleader5026 4 года назад

7:54 Jump Scared !

@S-Ltd1000 8 месяцев назад

Are there really people cloning these movements in China? I can't see it myself.

@liviostrazzaboschi4425 4 года назад

👍

@karthiksampatharao7790 4 года назад

Sir Please service the citizen movement The ultimate work horse 8200

@daveparker6892 4 года назад

Selling seagull watches for more than 10 years, i can garranty you this is a 100% seagull st19. Finish!

@MrRobbyvent 4 года назад

how make sure I get the good quality seagull? Or otherwise how not spend $400 and get the fake one.....

@anthonyiodice 4 года назад

Just One More Watch’s channel just did a “real” vs fake seagull video. Seagull authenticity is not very cut and dry

@Serega_Batn. 4 года назад

Здравствуйте, отправил заявку в группу. Заявка не подтверждена.....

@chrisc475 4 года назад

Cousins is legit. Would be astonished if this wasn't genuine.

@gregs7519 Год назад

I just stopped by to say that the piano used in the background music is severely out of tune

@sheemondallasgeorgia 3 года назад

In every industry I encountered, Chinese products are considered kits. A collection of parts, somewhat assembled, in need of disassembly, cleaning, de-burring, fitting, etc. Why should a watch be any different? It is not the Chinese factor. IMHO, it is the CCP factor. The system is devoid of human value in any measurable way. Again, not Chinese, but CCP. You demonstrate, rather artfully, the maintenance of complex mechanical systems. I enjoyed for few decades trying to cope with CCP made metal working machines. You are dealing in grams, I was struggling with tons. The "issues", the problems, are exactly the same. For a living, I worked with electronic systems. S The very same story, both at the design, manufacturing, finishing, etc. it was always the same "small head" - A term we used when I lived in a very socialist culture; Everything is centrally decided, enforced, and planned (in that order!) by officials with political stance and no business being where they were. Keep up the good honest job! I for one enjoy it. Simon