WUS Chinese Mechanical Watch Special Edition

[Torsten]

I'd subscribe to both projects. A 40-42mm moon phase and a 38-40mm Wuxing replica. We could ask Thomas if using the original logo (the five stars from the Chinese flag) would cause any copy write infringement issues. Which I doubt after such a long time. Cream-coloured dial as per Chascomm's reply. Everything else same same. Both watches without straps as we all know what will happen to the original.

Quick question. Should the Wuxing use a fast beat ST25 (21,600bph) or a high beat ST2130 (28,800bph)? I'd be going for the latter.



See you all at the Hong Kong watch fair.

[Eurythmic]

I am interested. The orange diver, classic watch on mesh or moon phase all seem to tickly my fancy. Not too crazy on the Chinese writting though.

This is an exciting project.

[skywatch]

Worth mentioning, if we were to go with the simple three-hand style, we could use the excellent ST18 movements for a very thin elegant watch. In that case, potential 8mm thickness would have better balance at a 38-39mm diameter. However, when I tally all of the size requests throughout the thread right now, 40mm comes up in dominant first place.

Both the M308S and 816.351 (M177S) cases are 40mm, so they make good models I think. The current 816.351 uses the ST21 movement, which is extremely solid but perhaps lacks the Chinese heritage, being an ETA 2824 copy. ST25 would be obvious choice for moonphase, but it might be unnecessarily thick for the Wuxing-inspired watch. ST16 would be the most cost affective option for that one, and I think ST18 would be the sexiest.

[Xding]

awesome project! count me in.

[Torsten]

Worth mentioning, if we were to go with the simple three-hand style, we could use the excellent ST18 movements for a very thin elegant watch. In that case, potential 8mm thickness would have better balance at a 38-39mm diameter. However, when I tally all of the size requests throughout the thread right now, 40mm comes up in dominant first place.

Both the M308S and 816.351 (M177S) cases are 40mm, so they make good models I think. The current 816.351 uses the ST21 movement, which is extremely solid but perhaps lacks the Chinese heritage, being an ETA 2824 copy. ST25 would be obvious choice for moonphase, but it might be unnecessarily thick for the Wuxing-inspired watch. ST16 would be the most cost affective option for that one, and I think ST18 would be the sexiest.

Just looked at the ST18 specs and I have to agree. It would be a better choice for a Wuxing project. Which brings us to cases. Do we want to go with an off-the-shelve case or see how much something closer to an up sized Wuxing would cost? Which might be a bit too much.... Talking about prices. Seagull in Hong Kong currently charges US$45 for a single ST2130 and US$39 if one buys in larger quantities. That might be a good indicator for either the Wuxing or moon phase project.

I might have someone knowledgeable regarding tailor made case prices. Let me ask around.

Oh, and I am a big fan of clean simple dials. If we go for a WUS logo and limited edition serial numbers I'd like to suggest engraved case backs.

[linsook]

the wuxing idea is starting to grow on me.

my playtime with photoshop:

[Torsten]

I have copied some of the comments (Chascomm and others) into this email as I think they summarize what we are all after. I do like the above idea and picture with some minor changes.

Just in case my comments got lost amongst the rest, here are my prefered specs:

- simple 3 hand, no date function (Check)
- auto or hand-winding I don't mind, but would prefer a decent quality Chinese-designed movement e.g. ST25. The ST18 would be a trade off as it is a ETA 2892 clone but would allow for the case to be thinner (So ST25 or ST18?)
- classic Chinese styled all-steel case (I prefer 1960s long-lug style, rather than the squared-off 1970s style) (Check)
- diameter sans crown 38-40mm (Check either way I guess. But maybe as a homage to a 60s watch we should stick with 38mm?)
- dial inspired by Wuxing with discrete raised red stars (gold edging would be nice), raised hour markers (numerals or 'dart' style or combination of both), and some Chinese text (Check)
- Zhonggou zhizhao "中国 制造 " on the dial (Check)
- hands as per picture below would be great
- case rim thickness could be somewhere between linsock's pic and the one below.

Anyone with 1963 chronograph on hands will agree that that kind of creamy pearl white dial with applied golden arabic markers is a real beauty. Yes! The dial color was not something that I specifically mentioned, but there is something about the color of those older watches which I find much more appealing than the 'refrigerator white' of many modern watches (my HMT Janata is a singular exception ) (Check)



I think we are on to something here.

[linsook]

I have copied some of the comments (Chascomm and others) into this email as I think they summarize what we are all after. I do like the above idea and picture with some minor changes.

Just in case my comments got lost amongst the rest, here are my prefered specs:

- simple 3 hand, no date function (Check)
- auto or hand-winding I don't mind, but would prefer a decent quality Chinese-designed movement e.g. ST25. The ST18 would be a trade off as it is a ETA 2892 clone but would allow for the case to be thinner (So ST25 or ST18?)
- classic Chinese styled all-steel case (I prefer 1960s long-lug style, rather than the squared-off 1970s style) (Check)
- diameter sans crown 38-40mm (Check either way I guess. But maybe as a homage to a 60s watch we should stick with 38mm?)
- dial inspired by Wuxing with discrete raised red stars (gold edging would be nice), raised hour markers (numerals or 'dart' style or combination of both), and some Chinese text (Check)
- Zhonggou zhizhao "中国 制造 " on the dial (Check)
- hands as per picture below would be great
- case rim thickness could be somewhere between linsock's pic and the one below.

Anyone with 1963 chronograph on hands will agree that that kind of creamy pearl white dial with applied golden arabic markers is a real beauty. Yes! The dial color was not something that I specifically mentioned, but there is something about the color of those older watches which I find much more appealing than the 'refrigerator white' of many modern watches (my HMT Janata is a singular exception ) (Check)



I think we are on to something here.

totally not feeling those hands.

how about these?

[RuffRydas]

Loving the Wuxing idea guys! For the red stars, how about encasing them in gold borders like on the 1963 re-issue?

[Chascomm]

totally not feeling those hands.

how about these?

They balance very nicely with the hour markers. If the majority favour lumed hands and markers, then I would cheerfully accept something similar to the 816.351 but I don't feel that it is really necessary.

I like your proportioning of the 5 stars. I still would like gold border if possible.

As for case style, either the simple round case as you have shown, or the 816.351 with the lugs blending into the sides of the case; both have that timeless quality that is in keeping with the dial