Grail Watch Reference

A Reference Library for Watches from Grail Watch

Search Results for: st19

Tianjin TY2900/ST19 Family

Last Update:

BRANDS: Sea-Gull, Tianjin

Production: 1963 – Current
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

The Sea-Gull ST19 family is based on the design of the Venus 175 family, which was sold in the early 1960s to the Tianjin Watch Factory after it went out of production. Tianjin upgraded the 17-jewel Cal. 175 to 19 jewels, with the first prototype completed in 1963, a date that has become associated with the movement today. The first test batch was produced for “Project 304”, with an initial run of 1,400 watches delivered in 1966 to the Chinese Air Force.

When Tianjin Seagull Corporation was created in 1992, production of the movement was re-started, with commemorative “Sea-Gull” chronograph watches using the ST19 movement appearing in 2005. Since then, the ST19 family has been expanded and has found favor among budget-minded watch collectors worldwide.

Among the additions in the ST19 is a curious hour hand subdial at 6:00. Unlike most chronograph movements, which show the cumulative measured time on their hour register, this is simply a second timekeeping hour hand. It shows a 12 hour scale on Cal. ST1902 and more useful 24 hour scale on Cal. ST1903.

The ST19 family is also sold by Tianjin as the TY2900 family.

CalibreComplicationsJewelsDiameter
(mm)		Height
(mm)
ST1901
TY2901		Chrono 30 at 3:00
Small seconds at 9:00		19, 21, or 2231.306.25
TY2901SK
ST1901K		Chrono 30 at 3:00
Small seconds at 9:00		2231.305.85
ST1902
TY2902		Chrono 30 at 3:00
12 hour hand at 6:00
Small seconds at 9:00		2231.306.25
ST1903
TY2903		Chrono 30 at 3:00
24 hour hand at 6:00
Small seconds at 9:00		20 or 2231.306.25
ST1905
TY2905		Central Power Reserve
Chrono 30 at 3:00
Small seconds at 9:00		3131.307.25
ST1906
TY2906		Chrono 30 at 3:00
Power reserve at 6:00
Small seconds at 9:00		3131.307.25
ST1907
TY2907		Chrono 30 at 3:00
Power Reserve at 4:30
Chrono 30 at 3:00
Small seconds at 9:00		3131.307.25
ST1908
TY2908		Chrono 30 at 3:00
Moon phase at 6:00
Small seconds at 9:00
Date pointer at 12:00		2231.307.25
ST1931
TY2931		Chrono 30 at 4:00
Small seconds at 8:00
Big date at 12:00		2231.307.45
ST1940
TY2940		Automatic
Chrono 30 at 3:00
Small seconds at 9:00		3331.307.70

Calibre Start Year End Year Jewels Diameter (mm) Height (mm) Complications
ST1901 19, 21, 22 31.30 6.25 2-Button, Chronograph

ST1901

Last Update:

Brand:Sea-Gull, Tianjin
Family:
Height:6.25 mm
Jewels:19, 21, 22
Reserve: hours
Frequency:
Winding:Hand winding
Diameter:31.30 mm
  Complications:2-Button, Chronograph
Hands:30 Minute Chronograph Hand at 3:00, Central 60 Second Chronograph Hand, Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand, Hour Hand at 6:00, Small Seconds Hand at 9:00
Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Hand-Winding
Clockwise Balance Cock
Balance
Balance at 1:30
Balance at 7:30
Column Wheel
Column Wheel at 6:00
Production:  – 
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

The Sea-Gull ST19 family is based on the design of the Venus 175 family, which was sold in the early 1960s to the Tianjin Watch Factory after it went out of production. Tianjin upgraded the 17-jewel Cal. 175 to 19 jewels, with the first prototype completed in 1963, a date that has become associated with the movement today. The first test batch was produced for “Project 304”, with an initial run of 1,400 watches delivered in 1966 to the Chinese Air Force.

When Tianjin Seagull Corporation was created in 1992, production of the movement was re-started, with commemorative “Sea-Gull” chronograph watches using the ST19 movement appearing in 2005. Since then, the ST19 family has been expanded and has found favor among budget-minded watch collectors worldwide.

Among the additions in the ST19 is a curious hour hand subdial at 6:00. Unlike most chronograph movements, which show the cumulative measured time on their hour register, this is simply a second timekeeping hour hand. It shows a 12 hour scale on Cal. ST1902 and more useful 24 hour scale on Cal. ST1903.

The ST19 family is also sold by Tianjin as the TY2900 family.

As of 2022, Cal. ST1901 retailed for US$139.

Images are taken from official publications and are used here for commentary and educational purposes. Copyright is held by the original owner as noted.
Manufacturer Link

Venus 175 Family

Last Update:

BRANDS: Vénus

Production: 1942 – 1960
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

The Cal. 175 family consists of standard and split-seconds (“rattrapante”) column wheel chronograph movements with hand winding. All are 14 ligne (31.0 mm) diameter and between 5.7 and 8.55 mm in height. They operate at 18,000 A/h and have a 7-column wheel to control the chronograph.

All models feature small seconds at 9:00 on the dial. Basic models feature a 3-9 subdial arrangement with a 30-minute chronograph counter at 3:00, while many add a 12-hour chronograph register at 6:00. Complicated calendar models add a date by pointer subdial at 12:00 with moon phase and full calendar optional.

This 1943 Breitling Duograph ad shows one of the earliest rattrapante wristwatches, powered by Cal. 179

This family of watch movements is highly regarded today as one of the best movements produced in the classic period. It incorporates four key technical accomplishments:

  1. A compact size suitable for wristwatches
  2. An hour counter, which was still fairly uncommon in chronograph movements
  3. A widely-produced rattrapante function, which was extremely rare throughout its production run
  4. A full calendar, which was competitive with the best Valjoux and Universal movements

The Cal. 175 family was based on the 13 ligne Cal. 150 family, introduced in 1938 rather than the 12.5 ligne Cal. 170 introduced around the same time. The line was introduced in 1942, with production perhaps delayed a few years due to the war. It was refreshed in 1949, and retired around 1960 as Venus was integrated into Valjoux as part of Ebauches SA.

After production ended, the design and machinery used to produce the Cal. 175 family were sold to the Tianjin Watch Company in China. This became the basis for the Tianjin Sea-Gull TY2900/ST19 Family, introduced in 1963 and re-introduced for current production today.

Venus 175 Family

ComplicationsStandardSplit Seconds
BaseVenus 175
Venus 176		Venus 179
Hour CounterVenus 178Venus 185
Date, Hour CounterVenus 183Venus 189
Date, Moon Phase, Hour CounterVenus 184Venus 190
CalendarVenus 194
Calendar, Moon PhaseVenus 198Venus 205
Calendar, Hour CounterVenus 192Venus 193

More detail on the history of Vénus is available in the Grail Watch article, “The Rise of Vénus, Legendary Chronograph Maker“

Calibre Start Year End Year Jewels Diameter (mm) Height (mm) Complications
ML 106 20 31.0 5.7 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph
ML 36 23 31.0 5.7 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph
Venus 175 1942 1960 17 31.0 5.7 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph
Venus 178 1947 1960 17 31.00 7.10 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph
Venus 179 1944 1960 26 31.6 7.1 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Split Seconds Chronograph
Venus 183 1949 1960 17 31.0 5.7 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Date by Pointer
Venus 184 1949 1960 17 31.0 5.7 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Date by Pointer, Moon Phase
Venus 185 1949 1960 20 31.6 7.1 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Split Seconds Chronograph
Venus 189 1949 1960 31.0 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Split Seconds Chronograph
Venus 190 1949 1960 31.0 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Date by Pointer, Moon Phase, Split Seconds Chronograph
Venus 192 1950 1960 31.0 7.1 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Day, Month
Venus 193 1950 1960 31.0 8.55 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Day, Month, Split Seconds Chronograph
Venus 194 1950 1960 31.0 7.1 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Day, Month
Venus 198 1950 1960 31.0 7.1 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Day, Month, Moon Phase
Venus 205 1950 1960 31.0 8.55 2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph, Date, Day, Month, Moon Phase, Split Seconds Chronograph

Venus 175

Last Update:

Brand:Vénus
Family:
Height:5.7 mm
Jewels:17
Reserve:45 hours
Frequency:18,000 A/h
Winding:Hand winding
Diameter:31.0 mm (14 ligne)
  Complications:2-Button, 7-Column Chronograph, Chronograph, Column Wheel Chronograph
Hands:30 Minute Chronograph Hand at 3:00, 45 Minute Chronograph Hand at 3:00, Central 60 Second Chronograph Hand, Central Hour Hand, Central Minute Hand, Small Seconds Hand at 9:00
Distinguishing Technical Characteristics
Hand-Winding
Clockwise Balance Cock
7-Column Chronograph
Balance
Balance at 1:30
Column Wheel
Column Wheel at 4:30
Production: 1942 – 1960
1910s 1920s 1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s 2020s

The Venus 175 is the basic model of a family of column wheel chronograph movements from Venus. Produced in the 1940s and 1950s, the Venus 175 and Venus 176 are similar apart from the bevel on the edge of the 175 version. Both feature a 30 or 45 minute chronograph counter at 3:00.

Cal. 175 was launched about 1942, substantially modified in 1949, and retired about 1960. After production ended, Venus sold the machinery and rights to Cal. 175 to the Tianjin Watch Factory in China. This became the basis for the Sea-Gull ST19.

Maurice Lacroix based their 23-jewel Cal. ML 36 on the Venus 175.

Venus 175 Family

ComplicationsStandardSplit Seconds
BaseVenus 175
Venus 176		Venus 179
Hour CounterVenus 178Venus 185
Date, Hour CounterVenus 183Venus 189
Date, Moon Phase, Hour CounterVenus 184Venus 190
CalendarVenus 194
Calendar, Moon PhaseVenus 198Venus 205
Calendar, Hour CounterVenus 192Venus 193

More detail on the history of Vénus is available in the Grail Watch article, “The Rise of Vénus, Legendary Chronograph Maker“

Images are taken from official publications and are used here for commentary and educational purposes. Copyright is held by the original owner as noted.

Ranfft Pink Pages
External Link
External Link
External Link