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
| 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 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
ZCQ Chongqing Clock & Watch Company
ZFL Feng Lei Instruments Factory
ZJS Shijiazhuang City Watch Factory
ZSE Shanghai No. 2 Watch Factory
ZTJ Tianjin Clock & Watch Factory
ZYT Yantai Clock & Watch Factory
Some early examples of the Standard movement use different identifiers. Some examples:
SZ-1 Original production run, Shanghai No. 2 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 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 Watch Factory series 6 shockproof auto date
