Can you post a pic? I've never heard of that type of watch before. Quirky note the new Bugatti Tourbillon is named after a watch part from reading recently.If you don't know or don't care what a column wheel chronograph is then this post is not for you. Suffice it to say a column wheel chronograph is a type of chronograph mechanism that is superior to the much more common cam-lever chronograph mechanism. A column wheel chronograph is however a very difficult complication to manufacture due to the extreme precision that is required. While there are column wheel chronographs still being made, they tend to start just under $3,000 with the sky the limit. There has been an alternative that should not be outright dismissed. Chinese manufacturer Sea-Gull (Seagull) acquired the machinery and knowledge to fabricate the late 1940s Swiss Venus 175 movement in the 1960s. Sea-Gull has over the decades improved the movements a little bit and is still producing it, including a desirable version with a swan neck regulator with a micro-adjustment regulator screw. The basic ST19xx movement goes for around $100 which makes it a tremendous value proposition. This movement comes in many versions with different complications and hand configurations. Many microbrands use this movement. You can go on AliExpress and buy one.
Yesterday, Mark from Long Island Watch broke the news on YouTube that Sea-Gull is going to limit who can buy their ST movements. The minimum order quantity is 10,000 units. That will put a huge strain on many microbrands. It will also cause issues with spare parts. This is similar to what ETA did in the early 2000s when they stopped selling even parts to watch manufacturers and service centers not part of the ETA Group. This scheme backfired on ETA and they lost a lot of business because other manufacturers, such as Sellita, filled in the void with their movements. The problem with Sea-Gull doing this is that there is no alternative for a truly affordable column wheel chronograph movement.
The good news is that the patents on this movement have long expired and any capable manufacturer should be able to make a clone - something the Chinese are good at doing anyway. And Se-Gull movements are not all made by Sea-Gull themselves in Sea-Gull factories but outsourced to other Chinese movement manufacturers. Sea-Gull themselves make watches and not just movements, and being the largest mechanical movement maker in the world, they may simply want to charge more and produce less while trying to go upscale. So we don't know yet how this will shake out.
All I'm trying to say is, if there's a chronograph with an ST19 that you would like to own, with the future of the ST19 uncertain, now would be a good time to get one before the prices potentially go through the roof. The lowest price I find right now for a decent-looking watch with an ST 19 is a little under $100. And as I said, the only alternative is Swiss and will start at just under $3,000. And remember, the ST19 is the slightly updated version of a classic Swiss Venus movement.
Wristwatch news - get your affordable column wheel chronograph now
- Thread starter vavavroom
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It's a movement that is in many watches that are made by different manufacturers all over the world. I did post a picture of the movement in this thread. Just google ST19 images for more images.
A tourbillon* is a complication that was once used to make a ship's chronometer that is subject to gravitational forces and inertia to run more precisely. The tourbillon has found its way into wristwatches as a sign of a manufacturer's prowess in technical skill and ability. In terms of practical functionality, it doesn't add anything to wristwatch but it makes servicing such a movement an expensive and complicated proposition.
*a tourbillon is eliminates time-keeping inaccuracies that are caused by inertia and gravity. This is achieved by rotating the balance wheel, the balance spring, and the the escapement. These parts are suspended in a cage. Rotating these components averages out positional errors. The tourbillon mechanics was first available commercially in 1805. Mechanical watches are the pinnacle of micro-machines. Go on YT and look for video titled "What is a "tourbillon" and what is its purpose?"
No. That's exactly what Sea-Gull will try to prevent. You can use the movements only in the watches that you and Sea-Gull agreed on. Swatch Group did ETA did the same thing, for example with ETA movements.. As a result many people ended up having to have their watches with ETA movements serviced and repaired by ETA contract repair shops only. Independent watchmakers could not longer even buy spare parts. It got so crazy that authorized repair shops could no longer return used part from your watch to you but would confiscate them.
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