Why is this watch so cheap?

[Kamal.Sanghera]

Hi All,

I was searching for great looking watches in 1-2k range but totally got hit by surprise when I found this Sea-Gull:



Why is this watch listed for only $249?? Can anyone who has it comment on the build quality vs. accuracy (+/- secs/day?)

[IanC]

It's only $249 because you don't need to pay $1k+ to get a great looking watch? Pretty sure that seagull uses a ST25, and most ST25 owners seem to report 10 seconds or less a day...build quality should be fairly high.

[13143268]

I am from Vancouver and has been collecting Swiss auto watches for a long time. I am now working in Shanghai and has discovered Seagulls and I can tell you the watches are great in design and build. Not to mention very affordable compared to the Swiss. You can't go wrong with a Seagull! The Seagull that you found is an excellent bargain for its movement in my opinion.

[ecthelion]

Cheap relative to what? A lot of people on these forums might consider U$250 very expensive for a watch manufactured in China (despite the fact that many Sea-Gull watches, the one in your picture included, are probably the equivalent of or superior to watches, Swiss and otherwise, that are even 5-10 times its price).

[Seele]

Kamel.Sanghera,

Do be aware that it is not a real tourbillon, but an "open heart" where the balance is exposed, and then with a three-armed version of the Vacheron maltese cross grafted on top of it for the illusion. This same movement was used by a number of assemblers who build similar watches in a variety of styles and often at much less, but then it's said that Sea-Gull cherry-pick the movements they build and save these for their own use. If you like the appearance, why not; you're assured of having a watch that works well and you're happy to see every day on your wrist.

13143268,

I am envious of you being able to be in Shanghai for extended periods, you can certainly look into Shanghai-built watches as well as they are no slouch at all. You should be able to find pretty good shopping there: these days I buy a fair few things from Shanghai but have to rely on eBay, so I end up paying a lot more than what they would cost retail there!

[Defiant4Ever]

Hi All,

I was searching for great looking watches in 1-2k range but totally got hit by surprise when I found this Sea-Gull:

Why is this watch listed for only $249?? Can anyone who has it comment on the build quality vs. accuracy (+/- secs/day?)

Cheaper here ($113 incl. VAT), but without the Sea-gull logo Made by SeaGull Automatic watch Crown (Ø x H) 42 mm x 14.4 mm Date · Weekday buy now - Conrad Electronic SE Wristwatches with analogue display Electronics Online Store

[Y4BBZY]

Hi All,

I was searching for great looking watches in 1-2k range but totally got hit by surprise when I found this Sea-Gull:



Why is this watch listed for only $249?? Can anyone who has it comment on the build quality vs. accuracy (+/- secs/day?)

I own one and love the watch, definitely worth the price I paid for it. Looks much more expensive than it cost. The quality is great for the price I paid and seemed accurate (I don't test for accuracy). The band and deployment was better than the strap and deployment than that of the Tissot Visodate.

Cheaper here ($113 incl. VAT), but without the Sea-gull logo Made by SeaGull Automatic watch Crown (Ø x H) 42 mm x 14.4 mm Date · Weekday buy now - Conrad Electronic SE Wristwatches with analogue display Electronics Online Store

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think that is made by Sea-Gull but rather it just has a Sea-Gull movement inside of the watch. Plus good-stuffs.com has it for $240 shipped but it is coming from China.

[13143268]

Hi Seele,

Yes, I have been enjoying the watch hunting in Shanghai. I managed to get some vintage Shanghai watches and I've been visiting the two Seagull shops here. Seagull Tianjin opened one shop about 6 months ago and they opened a second one just 6 days ago. The Seagull shops have been having really good sales lately especially with the grand opening sales at the second shop. The shops prices are better than online depending on the watch models. And you get to negotiate the prices in person! The only problem is I will be broke very soon!

[Defiant4Ever]

I'm not 100% sure but I don't think that is made by Sea-Gull but rather it just has a Sea-Gull movement inside of the watch. Plus good-stuffs.com has it for $240 shipped but it is coming from China.

Miro did a review on his moon-phase, which he currently selling BTW. Conrad made by Seagull - Moonphase & Big date http://forums.watchuseek.com/f29/fs-...ed-709648.html

Based on his recommendation I have ordered three watches from Conrad.

The VAT is removed but there is a 40euro delivery charge per order. If they turn-out to be as good as Miro thinks, I'll be very happy.

[Seele]

13143268,

Earlier there's a thread where a member wrote about his experience in his visit to the Shanghai factory shop, interesting stuff. As I am a low-end/vintage sort of person (focussing on Russian watches/Shanghai-built fountain pens) I feel I have a little less of a chance in going flat broke though! Another thought: if you get Shanghai vintage examples you should be able to get them repaired by technicians who're intimately familiar with them.