Seagull 1963 / D304
Posted: Tue Aug 27, 2019 9:38 am
This watch has had a storied existence in many forms. I will try to post here, information gleaned primarily from WUS on this topic when I get the time. Pictures etc will be posted along as I go.
To recap here's my original post viewtopic.php?p=32035#p32035
There are many homages/replicas/reproductions/fakes with the same movement. Probably HKED's homage comes close to the original Seagull D304 with its Star Trek logo. Try Googling for Seagull D304 instead of Seagull 1963. Youtubers seem to be unaware/ignorant strangely on this detail of the original vs the rest.
The first reissue in 2010 was 10,000 pieces while latest reissue from Seagull seems to be in 2018 with about 5500 pieces.All watches are individually numbered. The 2018 watch release even has a QR Code on the caseback to verify its authenticity as there are far too many versions by too many people. The rumor is that Seagull keeps for itself the best quality movements while it sells lesser ones to others.
Generally microbrand owners seem to report that they buy ST19 in larger quantity to cover warranties or get them QC'd/inspected/regulated for a week or two before putting them in cases. This sounds to me like a perfect watch where you "buy the seller and not the watch" to ensure you do get it replaced/fixed if and when an issue crops up. I've never bought anything from LIW but he seems to have good feedback from what I've read, so while it is a homage and not the "real" thing, I suppose you're buying his post sale support as his prices are much higher then others for these.
There has been some changes to the box/pouch and freebies included compared to previous release. EOL outlet on Ali Express seem to be selling authentic version(about USD 500) but whether they are an AD or not is not clear to me. Here's the link to EOL outlet and some discussion on them on WUS.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32852615014.html . The discussion https://forums.watchuseek.com/f72/sea-g ... 397-3.html
Here's 2 links I suggest anyone interested in the watch, read before buying:
https://forums.watchuseek.com/f67/seagu ... 99250.html
https://forums.watchuseek.com/f72/authe ... 67821.html
To recap here's my original post viewtopic.php?p=32035#p32035
There are many homages/replicas/reproductions/fakes with the same movement. Probably HKED's homage comes close to the original Seagull D304 with its Star Trek logo. Try Googling for Seagull D304 instead of Seagull 1963. Youtubers seem to be unaware/ignorant strangely on this detail of the original vs the rest.
The first reissue in 2010 was 10,000 pieces while latest reissue from Seagull seems to be in 2018 with about 5500 pieces.All watches are individually numbered. The 2018 watch release even has a QR Code on the caseback to verify its authenticity as there are far too many versions by too many people. The rumor is that Seagull keeps for itself the best quality movements while it sells lesser ones to others.
Generally microbrand owners seem to report that they buy ST19 in larger quantity to cover warranties or get them QC'd/inspected/regulated for a week or two before putting them in cases. This sounds to me like a perfect watch where you "buy the seller and not the watch" to ensure you do get it replaced/fixed if and when an issue crops up. I've never bought anything from LIW but he seems to have good feedback from what I've read, so while it is a homage and not the "real" thing, I suppose you're buying his post sale support as his prices are much higher then others for these.
There has been some changes to the box/pouch and freebies included compared to previous release. EOL outlet on Ali Express seem to be selling authentic version(about USD 500) but whether they are an AD or not is not clear to me. Here's the link to EOL outlet and some discussion on them on WUS.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32852615014.html . The discussion https://forums.watchuseek.com/f72/sea-g ... 397-3.html
Here's 2 links I suggest anyone interested in the watch, read before buying:
https://forums.watchuseek.com/f67/seagu ... 99250.html
https://forums.watchuseek.com/f72/authe ... 67821.html