View source for Common markings on Chinese watches

Modern Chinese watches are usually marked in English for the international market, however older watches may be signed in English, Simplified Chinese, Pinyin (Chinese written in Roman characters) or any combination of these. Early watches were mostly signed in Chinese with use of Pinyin gradually increasing through the 1960s. English was introduced with the first exports in the 1970s. It is not unusual to see 'Made in China' written in both English and Chinese on the same watch.

== Some common inscriptions ==

 {| class="wikitable sortable"
 |-
 ! Pinyin !! Chinese !! English translation
 |-
 | BanGang || 半钢 || Half steel i.e. plated brass case with steel back
 |-
 | QuanGang || 全钢 || All steel
 |-
 | Fangci || 防磁 || Antimagnetic
 |-
 | FangShui || 防水 || Waterproof
 |-
 | FangZhen || 防震 ||Shockproof
 |-
 | San Fang || 三防 || 3 proof i.e. shock, water and magnetic proof
 |-
 | ZiDong || 自动 || Automatic
 |-
 | Zhan (old), Zuan (new)|| 占 (old), 钻 (new, see [http://www.micmicmor.blogspot.com/2009/04/mystery-of-word-zuan-using-on-shanghai.html here] for details of change) || jewels, e.g. "17 Zuan" means 17 jewels
 |-
 | Zuan Biao || 钻表 || Jewelled watch
 |-
 | Dian Zi Biao || 电子表 || Electronic watch
 |-
 | Shiying || 石英 || Quartz
 |-
 | ShouBiao Chang || 手表厂 || Watch factory
 |-
 | Zhongguo || 中国 || China
 |-
 | Zhongguo Zhizao || 中国制造 || Made in China
 |}

== Identification marks on the Standard movement ==


The Chinese Standard movement is customarily identified by a three character code, beginning with Z followed by two characters defining the factory of origin.

'''ZBE''' [[Beijing No. 2 Watch Factory]]

'''ZBJ''' [[Beijing Watch Factory]]

'''ZCQ''' [[Chongqing Clock & Watch Company]]

'''ZFL''' [[Feng Lei Instruments Factory]]

'''ZGZ''' [[Guangzhou Watch Factory]]

'''ZHE''' [[Harbin Watch Factory]]

'''ZHF''' [[Hefei Watch Factory]]

'''ZHQ''' [[Hongqi Watch Factory]]

'''ZHZ''' [[Hangzhou Watch Factory]]

'''ZJS''' [[Shijiazhuang City Watch Factory]]

'''ZLC''' [[Liaocheng Watch Factory]]

'''ZLN''' [[Liaoning Watch Factory]]

'''ZLY''' [[Luoyang Watch Factory]]

'''ZNC''' [[Nanchang Watch Factory]]

'''ZNN''' [[Nanning Watch Factory]]

'''ZQD''' [[Qingdao Watch Factory]]

'''ZSE''' [[Shanghai No. 2 Watch Factory]]

'''ZSH''' [[Shanghai Watch Factory]]

'''ZSY''' [[Shenyang Watch Factory]]

'''ZSZ''' [[Suzhou Watch Factory]]

'''ZTJ''' [[Tianjin Clock & Watch Factory]]

'''ZWH''' [[Wuhan Watch Factory]]

'''ZXZ''' [[Xuzhou Watch Factory]]

'''ZYT''' [[Yantai Clock & Watch Factory]]

Some early examples of the Standard movement use different identifiers. Some examples:

'''SS7''' [[Shanghai Watch Factory]]

'''SZ-1''' Original production run, [[Shanghai No. 2 Watch Factory]]

'''ZB-1''' [[Beijing Watch Factory]]

'''SZB-1C''' Beijing Watch Factory, automatic

== Other movement identification marks ==

A standardized format of movement designations was introduced in 1965. It is however a fairly flexible standard. Here are a few examples with explanations:

'''HJ1A''' pocket watch [[Jilin Watch Factory]] series 1 shockproof

'''SB-5''' wristwatch [[Beijing Watch Factory]] series 5

'''SD2''' wristwatch electronic series 2

'''SJL8''' wristwatch [[Jilin Watch Factory]] series 8

'''SM1A-K''' wristwatch [[Shanghai ZuanShi Watch Factory|Shanghai Stopwatch Factory/ Shanghai No. 4 Watch Factory]] series 1 shockproof fast beat

'''SN-2''' wristwatch [[Nanjing Watch Factory]] series 2

'''SS4H''' wristwatch [[Shanghai Watch Factory]] series 4 high grade

'''ST6D''' wristwatch [[Tianjin Seagull|Tianjin Watch Factory]] series 6 shockproof auto date