Seagull 1963

fourmations

hi all

very much taken by this piece (38mm version)

anyone owned one? any opinions?
I like that guy Just One More Watch on YT
and he feels the acrylic crystal version looks better,
the display back is a "slobber-fest" for a newbie like me
is it good looking in the flesh?

any advice on the piece welcome? I know its a popular piece
but I did a quick search here and didn't find much
thanks

4

fourmations

anyone?
i thought this was generally regarded and a great watch for the money?

rgds

bernard0368

Is the the 1963 Airforce? I have one its a lovely watch. Well worth it.

fourmations

thanks Bernard

yes its the Airforce (blue hands, gold indices)

which size did you get?
did you get the sapphire or acrylic?

cheers

bernard0368

I got the 38mm with the sapphire back. Its one of my favs.

fourmations

bernard0368 wrote: »

I got the 38mm with the sapphire back. Its one of my favs.

thanks

i meant the face rather than the display back...
there is an acrylic face version and a sapphire face version
the crown is a slightly different shape on each as well

the acrylic face is apparently more authentic
but is much easier to scratch obviously
but on the flip side its easy to polish up and remove scratches

cheers

Thirdfox

Toothpaste/polywatch apparently clears up scratches easily on acrylic - I haven't tried it myself as the scratches on my 1963 aren't serious.

I have the acrylic version of the 1963 watch myself.

It's a nice look - quite vintage. I don't wear it too often but that's because I'm spoiled for choice in my chronographs - Speedmaster wins out on the wrist time unsurprisingly.

The ST19 movement can be a little temperamental - on my one sometimes the minute hand decides to advance from the beginning - a reset sorts this out. It's based on the Venus 175 so has plenty of pedigree.

It's a column-wheel chronograph movement watch for less than €200 new - it can't be compared to the venerable 7750.

As a collector's item I don't think I'll ever sell this - it's cheap enough that I'll keep it in my collection. Timekeeping and chrono functions are good - as a watch it's fine (if you like the vintage look). Highly legible (you'd expect that as a military piece) though there is a lack of lume of course.

GooseB

I have the 38mm with the plastic crystal. I don't wear it a lot but it's a nice "occasional" watch. It came with a black and an olive drab coloured NATO strap but I fitted a nice leather Colareb strap instead. I like the 38mm size on my 6.5"wrist.

I haven't scratched the crystal yet but that's mainly down to the light use it gets. Normally acrylic wouldn't be my thing but for this watch I just thought I'd give it a go. The on paper dimensions make the watch seem quite thick and a lot of this is down to the added height the domed crystal brings. Actually on the wrist it wears slimmer as you don't really notice the crystal dome.

As already mentioned, legibility is quite good, the blue hands contrast nicely over the champagne coloured dial. The dial colour along with the gold nemerals, the plastic domed crystal, the 38mm size and the hand winding give a nice vintage feel.

And if you can bore someone into letting you show them the case back they usually agree the movement looks pretty cool, even if they couldn't care less about watches.

fourmations

thanks for the feedback guys
and the great photos

its deffo going on my santa list!!

its pretty unique and seems very versatile
it was a toss up with it and the bambino
but i think its way more interesting than any of the bambinos

I have no real need for a dress watch in my life
i very rarely wear suits and dressy clothes
but I think this will wear well as a dress or casual watch

One thing Ive jsut noticed...its on an 18mm strap
I’ve a 70’s Seiko on an 18mm strap and i think it looks a bit thin
(see below) is the colour or stitching making it look thin?
Does the 18mm on the Seagull look okay?
thanks

GooseB

Does the 18mm on the Seagull look okay?

IMHO 18mm is the correct width in keeping with the proportions of the watch overall.

njburke

Nice Seiko, what model is that? It looks a little like a Hamilton Pan Europe

Trigger Happy

The Seagull 1963 is a cracking looking watch that is near the top of my list. Am just trying to find a seller inside the EU to avoid vat/import/handling charges etc.
Anyone know of an EU seller?

Thirdfox

Watchunique is based in Holland I believe:
https://www.watchunique.com/

I bought mine there (a number of years ago).

Trigger Happy

Thirdfox wrote: »

Watchunique is based in Holland I believe:
https://www.watchunique.com/

I bought mine there (a number of years ago).

Thanks, have just bought one from them. Hope it gets here in time!

Lorddrakul

Trigger Happy wrote: »

The Seagull 1963 is a cracking looking watch that is near the top of my list. Am just trying to find a seller inside the EU to avoid vat/import/handling charges etc.
Anyone know of an EU seller?

Poljot24.de
Here we go: https://www.poljot24.de/marken/seagull/7000.html
Julian Kampmann is the guy behind it. Top bloke. Get me Russians serviced with him.

RMDrive

Lorddrakul wrote: »

Poljot24.de
Here we go: https://www.poljot24.de/marken/seagull/7000.html
Julian Kampmann is the guy behind it. Top bloke. Get me Russians serviced with him.

2nd this. Bought the larger 1963 from Julian last year. Good guy to deal with.

Always Tired

think i just found my next watch, really like the vintage look of these and they aren't ridiculously expensive. this one looks great tho it says its 42 mm i thought they were meant to be smaller

https://www.chrono24.com/all/seagull-seagull-1963--id4599623.htm#gref

Trigger Happy

I went with the watch unique version in the end. I prefer the 38mm for my wrist size but am not mad about the red writing on the display back to be honest. And would prefer the signed crown.

The thomas/wus version looks good, ticks most boxes, and if time (longer delivery time) and money (higher cost and customs) were less of an issue I would have gone with that version.

The black dial version is really tempting...but I have 2 black dial chronos already.

Thirdfox

Trigger Happy wrote: »

I went with the watch unique version in the end. I prefer the 38mm for my wrist size but am not mad about the red writing on the display back to be honest. And would prefer the signed crown.

The thomas/wus version looks good, ticks most boxes, and if time (longer delivery time) and money (higher cost and customs) were less of an issue I would have gone with that version.

The black dial version is really tempting...but I have 2 black dial chronos already.

Apparently a sugar cube will be abrasive enough to rub off the red writing without scratching the glass.

I've left the writing on mine though so direct experience.

fourmations

njburke wrote: »

Nice Seiko, what model is that? It looks a little like a Hamilton Pan Europe

thanks.... I dont know a lot about it....

its was a nice cheap first dabble into vintage watches
its a 1977 Seiko 5 automatic, "sports" model apparently
its 6319-6000 on the caseback with 21 jewel 6119c movement
despite searching i cant find anything about it or even a photo
the face is fairly faded with a lot of the details gone
but I still enjoy it, first automatic too so all very interesting for a newb

cheers

fourmations

OP here

many thanks for all the feedback,
ill definitely look into one after christmas,

ive seen 19 or 21 jewel versions,
any idea which shops do which
i assume the 21 is the better option

thanks for the info on the caseback as well
I didnt realise that red is actually printed on the display back
i though it was just a protective sticker or something!

rgds

Trigger Happy

https://forums.watchuseek.com/f101/seagull-1963-a-255360.html#post2123988

This might help.