The Story Of Seagull 1963

Founded in 1955, the Seagull legacy was born out of a dream and amodest budget in Tianjin, the oldest industrial city in China. A simpledream of building their own watch, after spending years of just repairingmovements for others. The Tianjin Watch Factory built the first Chinesewatch, and it would become the first Chinese watch for export.

First named “Wuxing,” or Five Stars, this timepiece took roughly 100 days to manufacture. Soon afterward, it was renamed Dong Feng, meaning East Wind, amid the rise of Mao Zedong.

The new moniker was chosen to reflect the brand’s resolute spirit—symbolizing the east wind, known for being powerful and enduring.

In 1961, Tianjin Watch Factory received an official military commission: to create a dedicated pilot’s watch for the Chinese Air Force.

To maintain strict confidentiality and clear classification, the Chinese military assigned secret project codes to these watches. The classified designation for this Air Force timepiece initiative was Project 304.

By 1963, over 30 prototype models had been completed, finalizing the official iteration of Project 304. Today, collectors and audiences worldwide know this iconic watch simply as the 1963.

As the factory expanded over the decades, it went through several name changes along the way.

In 1974, the brand officially began exporting its timepieces globally, and adopted the English name Seagull .

The seagull was chosen as a fitting symbol: representing long journeys across far-reaching skies, embodying the brand’s bold global export vision.

This is the timeless story behind the Seagull 1963. In the world of horology, a watch’s legacy holds as much value as its mechanical craftsmanship — and the 1963 excels brilliantly in both aspects.

Known also as Project 304, the Seagull 1963 occupies an iconic place in the history of Chinese military horology, making it an essential collectible for watch enthusiasts around the world.