40-jewel "Double Rhomb" Automatic watch?

[infinitime]

I have just been offered a Double-Rhomb automatic watch, manufactured by the Beijing Watch Factory in the 1980s. The movement is purportedly entirely in-house. I am unfamiliar at all with this movement, and didn't even know of its existence until I heard about this.... Unfortunately, I do not currently have a picture, but will try to post one upon receipt. Anyone care to venture a guess as to what type of movement I should be expecting?

[Chascomm]

I have just been offered a Double-Rhomb automatic watch, manufactured by the Beijing Watch Factory in the 1980s. The movement is purportedly entirely in-house. I am unfamiliar at all with this movement, and didn't even know of its existence until I heard about this.... Unfortunately, I do not currently have a picture, but will try to post one upon receipt. Anyone care to venture a guess as to what type of movement I should be expecting?Zhang will offer his comments here soon I'm sure. He has a couple of examples.

It is a 20 jewel standard movement with 20 jewel auto-winding module; calibre SZ1-C I think. 1980s you say? That is news to me as I understood that their hand-winds were all the thin 17 jewel versions only from the late 1970s, so that would not add up to 40 jewels with auto winding :-S

[soviet]

I have just been offered a Double-Rhomb automatic watch, manufactured by the Beijing Watch Factory in the 1980s. The movement is purportedly entirely in-house. I am unfamiliar at all with this movement, and didn't even know of its existence until I heard about this.... Unfortunately, I do not currently have a picture, but will try to post one upon receipt. Anyone care to venture a guess as to what type of movement I should be expecting?


I have two types of this 40 jewels automatic. One without date is much thinner at 12mm VS 14mm of the date version. The date can be set quickly and the watch can also be hand wound. I haven't seen a Chinese watch with more jewels than this. I think the movement is based on a 20 jewels Beijing standard movement. This watch is not very often seen and usually cost about RMB 80-100 in less than ideal condition. I never wear this watch, so I have no idea how accurate it is.

[infinitime]

My Beijing 40-jewel finally arrived! I will post a picture later, but it is interesting to note that the dial is marked in pin yin with the following text: "BEIJING SZB-1C ZI DONG"... I gather the "SZB-1C" is the designation for the movement, which is very close to what Chascomm has guessed it to be... "ZI DONG" means automatic, and as Zhang had stated, it is 12mm thick.

This particular examply has a gorgeous dark green textured dial... Can't wait till I get home, so I can dissemble it for cleaning (it has alot of grime on it!) and then post some scans of the watch and movement.

[soviet]

My Beijing 40-jewel finally arrived! I will post a picture later, but it is interesting to note that the dial is marked in pin yin with the following text: "BEIJING SZB-1C ZI DONG"... I gather the "SZB-1C" is the designation for the movement, which is very close to what Chascomm has guessed it to be... "ZI DONG" means automatic, and as Zhang had stated, it is 12mm thick.

This particular examply has a gorgeous dark green textured dial... Can't wait till I get home, so I can dissemble it for cleaning (it has alot of grime on it!) and then post some scans of the watch and movement.

It has a rare dial. |> So it should have a rarity grade of ***. |> BTW, many local collectors desperately want a clean black dial A581 or A611. Some has sought a clean one for years!! So please share your rare A581s with us. :-!

[infinitime]

Finally, pictures! The dial is textured green, but did not come through very clearly in the pictures.