From the design of late 1960s to
early 1970s, this “Dong Feng” reissue is a great nostalgic dress watch.
Although the diameter is 38mm, it appears as big as 40mm due to its unique
abalone-shaped case design, domed front face with splendid silver light.
- On case back carved
DONGFENG ZHONGGUOTIANJIN / China Tianjin
- Lug size is 20mm,
installed with a soft leather band
- Signed crown with a “DONGFENG” logo
- Dome-curved sapphire
crystal
- Dome-curved metallic
dial emits very shining sliver light
- Eye-catching red second
hand
- Polished silver hour and
minute hands
- Bar-shaped hour marks in
polished silver
- At 6 o’clock fine-prints
“FANG ZHEN/shock proof”, above which prints “Tianjin”
- At 12 o’clock is“??”logo and DONG FENG 19ZUAN/jewel
- Date display at 3
o’clock.
Below is the comparison chart of
this Dong Feng reissue made in 2013 vs. the original made in late 1960s or
early 70s.
|
Original
Dong Feng
|
This
reissue in 2013
|
|
Size
|
35.5 x 9 mm
|
38 x 11mm
|
|
Weight
|
41 grams
|
53 grams
|
|
Dial
|
Acrylic
|
Sapphire
|
|
Date display?
|
No
|
Yes
|
|
Movement
|
ST5, 21600 frequency
|
ST2130, 28800
frequency
|
|
Auto / Manual?
|
Manual hand-winding
|
Automatic
|
Brief introduction to
“Dong Feng”
Tianjin Watch Factory formed a
research team in 1965 and started to study the structure and technical
parameters of over 140 watches made by Switzerland, Japan, Germany, France,
Russia and other countries. The strength and weakness of these watches were listed,
calculated and analyzed. Several new design drafts were drawn, submitted to
experienced watch makers and sister companies for comments and suggestions. In
August 1966 trial-produced ST5 movement, 27mm diameter, 3.8mm thickness, power
reserve 44 hours, time keeping accuracy within 30 seconds per day. Dong Feng
was highly praised by consumers due to its reliability, bigger front face,
nice-looking appearance.
As ST5 was born in the great culture
revolution (1966-1976), it was named “Dong/East Feng/wind”. In 1973 Tianjin
Watch Factory started international business. Because “Dong Feng” had too much
of political connotation, the name was changed to “Sea-Gull”.
“Dong Feng/Eastern Wind/East Wind”
is the predecessor of Sea-Gull. Ever since 1973 “Dong Feng” disappeared after a
short life span less than eight years.