Venus 175 with auto-winding add on

[gran]

Is this replica evolution unfolding before our eyes The Zigmeister?

In the early 1960's the Venus watch company sold the design and tools of the aging calibre Venus 175 to the Chinese (SEA-GULL). With a few modifications, a limited run was produced for the Chinese air force. In the early 21st century, Sea-Gull revived the design, upgraded it, and released it as the ST19 (we know this one well and is often horribly misslabeled as Lemania). The ST1940 version adds auto-winding.

Now autowinding is a great addition and to me a very surprising addition to the well known ST19 from Sea-Gull..and possibly enables it to truly rival the different Asian 7750 versions

However because of technical issues some are speculating if the 1940 is actually new variation on the Auto Chronograph theme, despite it being in the ST19 family...but to the eye it seem to use the same parts as the 1901 and Automatic wind is likely an direct add on.

What do you think? is it an improvement? and do any of you already have this movement in your replicas?

The automatic ST19 (aka TY2940) (aka ST1940)

http://www.chinesewr...9/18/234551.jpg

http://www.chinesewr...9/18/234528.jpg

http://www.seagullhk...iXin.asp?ID=691

So a true 1950s Swiss chronograph design and workings, no structural changes to the base movement layout, with auto-winding module added, and still of acceptable size to many applications

it is interesting to note that I have heard that of makers in different countries using the ST19. Sea-Gull (China), Plazeon (Thailand), Riedenschild (Germany), Soyuz (Russia), Invicta (USA) and possibly also Haurex (Italy)...

Distinct Automatic Chronograph Movements know to me:

• Seiko 6138/9
• Heuer/Breitling/Hamilton-Buren/Dubois-Depraz Cal 11
• Zenith El Primero (3019PHC, 400, 410,etc...)
• Lemania 1340/1
• Lemania 1350 / Ebel 137
• Lemania 5100
• ETA/Valjoux 7750
• Piguet 1185
• Piguet 1285 (Omega 33XX)
• Rolex 4030
• Rolex 4130
• Citizen 8100/10
• Seiko 7015/6/7/8
• Seiko 6S27/28
• Seiko 8R28
• Sea Gull ST1940
• Breitling B01
• ETA A08
• ETA C01
• Jaegar LeCoultre 751
• Glashutte Original 95
• IWC 89360
• Patek 28-520
• Piaget 880P
• Chopard LUC 10F
• ETA Valgranges A07.21 (Concord C1)

Guess some are missing like the ones from fromer eastblock countries?

Edited February 10, 2010 by Gran

[RWG Technical]

Very interesting.

No, I haven't seen this one, and it's the first I have heard of it.

The autowinder looks like a copy of the El Primero type, given that this movement is very reliable and well built, this is good news. Too bad the sub dial spacing is such that it's not usable in many of our watches.

THanks for this Gran.

[FxrAndy]

Looks very interesting, i have been looking for the standard hand wind version with a power reserve tha ti have seen in a watch but cant find them for sale any where

[Pugwash]

Distinct Automatic Chronograph Movements know to me:

Did you miss the ETA 7753 and the ETA 2894 off your list?

[gran]

Did you miss the ETA 7753 and the ETA 2894 off your list?

impossible do you think I am lame.... its really enough to mention the basic/underlying ETAs IMO...obviously I sa that one coming

so seen this automatic ST19 movements in reps yet? bet its only a question of time