SEA-GULL M199S review.

[Aaron Weikart]

Hello everyone, I just received my SEA-GULL M199s moon-phase chronograph, and I would love to review it for anyone considering this beautiful time-piece. I am doing this because of the lack of a Chinese chronograph review, and the lack of any in-depth pictures of the USSEAGULL box and the time-piece itself.

First thing is first, it is an AMAZING deal. I went and converted the euro and British pound value from the European website, and got the same figure: $1,369 USD.
What did I pay for it? $349 USD. And the shipping is free. You are getting a true $1,000+ watch here folks, and it is absolutely stunning.
First, the packaging. It felt like braking into Fort-Knox while opening the 6"x6"X6" box that fit perfectly in my mail box. It was very well packed, with absolutely no damage to any part of it's contents.
The package:



Inside of the box, was the shipping invoice, and a very handy manual for the watch translated in English along with precautions.

Very thick layer of paper shreds to protect the box:


The Manual:


Now, the presentation box. First is a sleeve that slides over the box, and it is very well done. Once the sleeve is removed, the box is exposed. It is very durable on the outside (I am guessing for shipping) but it is still nicely done, with the beautiful silver lettering. The top of the box comes off, vertically and exposes the conservative inside with the beautiful blue manual, and, of course, the watch.

The box with the sleeve on it:



The box with the sleeve removed, notice the silver lettering:



The box, with the top removed, exposing the pretty blue manual (all in Chinese) wrapped in a ribbon, and of course the breath-taking watch:



Now on to the time-piece itself. First off, it is absolutely stunning. I just can't get over it. The pictures on the USSEAGULL website do not give it justice at all. Nor do mine. You really have to see this thing to believe it.

I was worried about the size, but it is just perfect. It fits EASILY on my 6.05 inch wrist, and fits my father's 6.5 inch wrist with ease. It is a universal watch IMO. Anyone can wear it. The only downside is the clasp is not centered on the back side of the wrist if your wrist is smaller than 6.3 inches. Still wearable, however.

The bracelet is very well done, and extremely easy to adjust. The only downside was figuring out how to adjust the bracelet with a manual fully in Chinese. The leather is very warm and comfy, and I can't find a single flaw with it.
Here is a picture of the butterfly clasp:


And of course, I just can't get enough of the EXTREMELY formal and professional text seagull uses as their logo. SEA-GULL It just never gets old! Love it! To me, it is these small touches that really get me to love a watch.

The Dial is so beautiful, better pictures should be on the USSEAGULL website. I mean, I just can't explain it. The 4 dial layout is perfect. The Date is extremely useful, but also very elegant at the same time. And of course, the moonphase dial is extremely formal and really goes back to what watches were: Pieces of art. The stars and moon on the rotating disc are very pretty, and very classy. Everything is topped off classic bent-tipped hands and roman numerals on the dial. Very well done, and very professional.
A close up of the dial, from the european website:


On to my biggest pet-peeve of watches: When the hands don't line up. Hahaha, I just have to chuckle about this watch. The hands line up so perfectly, it is not even funny. The Chronograph resets to a microscopic zero, every time. The minute hands are in sinc with the hour hand. And even the second hand is in sync with the minute hand! For once, I have absolutely nothing to complain about this watch in the "lining up" area. It is just perfect. The quality control must be great from the factory.

Moving on to the crystal. I was worried that it wouldn't be domed. I love domed crystals, and was hopping that it was on the watch. And guess what? It absolutely was, and what a gorgeous one it is. Not to over extravagant like a Doxa, but not to non-existent like a rolex. It is just pretty, and adds a very professional touch. Is is very slippery and hard to grasp, which is a sure sign of a sapphire crystal.

Moving on to the very familiar display back. The back crystal is also sapphire as well and is extremely clear. The movement, as all of you are familiar with, is absolutely stunning. The stripes and curves engraved in the surfaces are accented beautifully with the polished arms, blue tinted screws, and of course, the jewels. Watching the gears move and arms swing as you engage and disengage the chronograph are extremely mesmerizing.
The movement itself is extremely solid, and nothing rattles around inside. It is 22 jewels, hand winding, and has a smooth sweep. I didn't think I was winding the watch until it started to move, it is that smooth. The pushers are very easy to activate, and the start/stop pusher has a very nice click to it. The reset pusher is very well done, and seems to be spring loaded.
A close up of the display-back, again taken from the European website:

WATCH RATINGS:
Case: 10/10
Sapphire Glass: 10/10
Leather Strap: 10/10
Butterfly Clasp: 9/10 Comments: Hard to figure out how to adjust.
Dial: 9.5/10 Comments: Tiny spec of dust on dial, can only be viewed under 4x magnification.)
Movement: 9/10
Accuracy: */* Comments: The movement is still settling in, this I will test it for accuracy in about 3 months.
OVERALL WATCH RATING, AS NEW: 9.5/10

In conclusion, the watch is simply flawless, and I can't find anything wrong with it to start out! I will following up with review in three months, and will include current ratings as compared to the ones I gave in this review, and anything that goes wrong. Thank you for reading my review, and I hope that it helps everyone know more about the watch from a owners experience.
You might be drooling already, but I will include a final picture of the SEA-GULL M199s from the European website:


WORKS CITED:
http://www.seagullwatch.eu/chrono/M199S.php
(European website.)
http://www.usseagull.com/m199s.htm
(Us Seagull website.)