A Journey Through Time: Visiting the Seagull Watch Museum & Factory in Tianjin

Situated in the Industrial Park of Tianjin, we had the opportunity to step inside the Seagull Museum – and what an experience it was. Spanning 1,000 square metres, the museum offered us an in-depth look at the evolution of Chinese timekeeping, and traces the development of Chinese horology with a special focus on Seagull's legacy.

In 2013, the museum was officially designated a Tianjin Patriotic Education Base by the municipal party committee and government. It is also recognised as a Tianjin industrial tourism demonstration enterprise and serves as an educational hub for adolescents in the Binhai New Area. From the moment we entered, it was clear that this wasn't just about watches, it was about ingenuity, innovation, and the perseverance of a nation.

As we wandered through the different exhibition sections, the museum unfolded like a timeline, guiding us through the history of horology in China. Each section told a different part of the story, Timekeeping in China, The First Watch in China, Treasures of Timekeeping, Path of Innovation, Steps to the World, The World of Watchmaking, Seagull Brand, and Moments of China, to name a few.

One of the most interesting parts of the tour was the Timekeeping Treasures Hall, which featured four small devices that helped create the Wuxing (Five Star) watch. Nearby were other nostalgic pieces like a Golden Rooster alarm clock and a traditional wedding clock set, alongside vintage production machines from the 1970s that once belonged to the original Tianjin Watch Factory.

We were especially taken away by a model of the legendary water-powered Astronomical Clock Tower, designed in the Song dynasty. Known as the first timepiece in the world to use an escapement mechanism, it’s often referred to as the “ancestor of clocks” and is celebrated as one of China’s five greatest ancient inventions. Despite China's early dominance in timekeeping technology, at the time, Chinese craftsmen could only repair imported watches, and intellectuals lamented China's inability to produce watches. In many ways, this museum tells the story of how Seagull has worked to reclaim that lost legacy and restore China’s place in the world of watchmaking.

Our journey continued into Seagull’s pioneering years. Seeing China’s very first watch created in 1955, and hearing the story behind the iconic Dong Feng and aviation timepieces gave us a real sense of the brand’s heritage. These watches weren’t just instruments for telling time; they were milestones of national pride and technical achievement, and marked the beginning of Seagull’s legacy in precision and innovation.

The Road of Innovation exhibit gave us a deeper appreciation of Seagull’s continued evolution. This exhibit showcased the journey of their national-level technology centre and highlighted the brand’s commitment to research and development. We were impressed to learn that Seagull holds nearly 100 independent patents and has mastered all three pinnacle watchmaking technologies — tourbillon, perpetual calendar, and minute repeater — entirely through their own innovation. Their achievements even extend to three international intellectual property victories, cementing their reputation as a serious player in the global watch industry.

Before wrapping up, we took our time browsing the flagship Seagull Museum watch store, where a range of timepieces, from classic styles to modern designs, were on display. There was something for everyone, with a variety of collections at different price points.

To finish the experience, we had the privilege of stepping into the heart of it all: the assembly workshop. It was inspiring to watch the skilled technicians at work, their quiet concentration, precise movements, and steady hands a testament to years of training and dedication. Each component was assembled with such care, it reminded us that every Seagull timepiece is not just a product, but the result of true craftsmanship. There’s a deep sense of pride here, not just in the watches themselves, but in the mastery of the craft.

Visiting the Seagull Museum wasn’t just educational, it felt like stepping into the soul of Chinese watchmaking. We left deeply inspired by its rich history and even more excited for what lies ahead for this proud, innovative brand. We can’t wait to see the future timepieces that emerge from this remarkable city in China. Watch the video of our tour throug the museum and factory below.