Shanghai Watch Factory
The Shanghai factory, founded in 1958 from the city’s 1955 trial group, whose A581 and later standard-movement watches were sold across the planned economy; a joint-stock company since 2000.
Founded 23 April 1958 (trial watches from 1955), Owned by Shanghai Watch Co. Ltd. since 2000
In the history China builds a watch industry
The trial group
The factory grew from the Shanghai trial group of 58 that completed its watches in September 1955.1, 2, 3
Its first products were trial watches; Chinese Wikipedia says a batch of 1956 was named Dongfanghong and Heping, while The Paper gives the name Dongfanghong to the first watch of 26 September 1955.2, 3
The Yangpu account says trial production in batches began in July 1957 and that more than 3,000 trial watches were made.1
The factory and the A581
The factory was formally established on 23 April 1958.1, 2
The A581, which the Yangpu account says went into production in March 1958, had 17 jewels, a steel back, about a day and a half’s running and an error of no more than a minute a day.1
It went on sale on 1 July 1958 at the No. 3 Department Store and sold out the same day, at 60 yuan by the Yangpu account and Chinese Wikipedia or 120 yuan by The Paper’s.1, 2, 3
Chinese Wikipedia tells the story of the logo: first a stylised tower drawn by Chen Jiachang after the Shanghai Mansions, later characters taken from Mao Zedong’s handwriting.3
The A623 calendar watch followed in 1962, the Yangpu account says; Chinese Wikipedia says Premier Zhou Enlai wore one until his death.1, 3
Watches for the nation
Chinese Watch Wiki says the A581 was made until 1968, when the revised SS1 replaced it, and that its designs were handed to the new Shanghai No. 2 and No. 3 watch factories.4
From the 1970s the factory made the national standard movement; Chinese Watch Wiki says it had made 67 million standard-movement watches by 1990.4, 7
Chinese Wikipedia says it made 2.28 million watches in 1970, its hundred-millionth on 29 October 1990 and 120 million in all by 1995.3
Today
Its tourbillon is dated 2005 by the Yangpu account and 2006 by Chinese Wikipedia.1, 3
In 2008 a Shanghai-made watch went into space with Zhai Zhigang on Shenzhou VII; The Paper says it was made with Fiyta.2, 3
In 2019, Chinese Wikipedia says, Fosun’s Yuyuan took part in acquiring the Shanghai and Sea-Gull brands.4, 8
Key dates
- 1955
The trial group completes its watches in September.1, 2, 3
- 1958
The factory is established on 23 April; the A581 goes on sale on 1 July.1, 2, 3
- 2000
The factory becomes Shanghai Watch Co. Ltd.1, 2
- 2008
A Shanghai-made watch goes into space on Shenzhou VII.2, 3
- 2019
Fosun’s Yuyuan takes part in acquiring the brand.4, 8
Where Shanghai Watch Factory leads
- Based in, PlaceShanghai
The factory has stood on Yulin Road in Yangpu district, Shanghai.1, 2
- Part of, HistoryChina builds a watch industry
The Shanghai factory of 1958 and its Shanghai watches.1, 2
- See also, CompanySea-Gull (Tianjin)
The two historic state makers, both brought into Fosun’s watch business in 2019, by Chinese Wikipedia’s account.4, 8
Facts and sources
- Founded
- 23 April 1958 (trial watches from 1955)1, 2
- Based
- Yulin Road, Yangpu district, Shanghai1, 2
- Owner
- Shanghai Watch Co. Ltd. since 20001, 2
Sources
- 1
"考古"上海手表厂，走进属于杨浦的"记忆" (An "archaeology" of the Shanghai Watch Factory) (opens in a new tab)
- 2
65年后，上海牌手表上新了 (Sixty-five years on, the Shanghai watch has new models) (opens in a new tab)
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8
Sources read November 12, 2026.