When we start to talk about the best watches, there is no doubt all of them are from Swiss brands. Due to the lots of illegal replica watches and less quality, people are usually not comfortable of Chinese watch brands.
However China is one of the center of watch manufacturing in the world. 80% watches under 500 dollars are produced in China, including the renowned brands like Tissot, Casio, Swatch. As well as some components for top watch brands from Switzerland.
As a nonprofit post, we chose the top 5 watch brands from the tens and thousands of brands in China.
And we will also list some small Chinese watch brands who provide high quality but affordable watches, as you know more of them are homage watch brands.
Sea-gull Watch
Tianjin Sea-gull Watch is an enterprise group composed of 16 professional watch manufacturers and four joint ventures based on Tianjin Watch Factory.
The total assets of the group are 967.7 million yuan, and the total number of employees in the group is 9,955.
The company’s current products consist of a diversified series of mechanical watches, electronic watches, quartz watches, architectural clocks, and watch movements.
China’s first watch was born in Tianjin in 1955, the company announced its establishment. China’s first electronic watch, the first mechanical watch and the first women’s watch that met international standards were born here.
Sea-gull timepieces vary from high-end, mid-range to low-end. They also have different kinds of products like tourbillons, quarter repeater, and minute repeater.
Seagull Watch is still the only state-owned enterprise brand in China and has a good reputation in the global markets.
Beijing Watch
Beijing Watch Factory was established in 1958 and is located in Changping District, Beijing.
As a professional brand with independent watch manufacturing capabilities, Beijing Watch focuses on craftsmanship and artistic aesthetics, concentrates on the modern expression of oriental aesthetics, and perfectly integrates high-end watchmaking skills with cultural connotations.
Beijing watch adheres to the oriental essence and has the consciousness of “independent innovation” and pioneering spirit; they are confident, independent, embrace the times, know how to interpret “tradition” from a new angle, and interpret tradition in a more fashionable and modern way.
Beijing Watch is willing to spend more time to make a real watch when everyone or company are chasing quantity and speed in China.
Shanghai Watch
Shanghai Watch is one of the famous brands before the 1980s in China, and it has been a status symbol for 30 years after the establishment of the People’s Republic of China.
This factory was established in 1955. It is the largest watch manufacturing factory in China with a history of 65 years. Within the latest 30 years, about 120 million pieces watches were produced.
In the beginning, Shanghai watch was mainly mechanical style. But now quartz watches are becoming one of their main sector.
Tianwang Watch
Tianwang watch was established in 1988 in Shenzhen.
Tian Wang Watch is committed to innovation in the field of watches. In recent years, the brand has actively carried out industry-university-research cooperation with many well-known Chinese universities, and established Tianwang Electronics R&D Center in 2010 to continuously explore the fields of smart watches and diving watches.
They successively developed 2000 meters, 4000 meters and 10500 meters water resistant diving watch.
Since its establishment, Tianwang Watch has won many important honors such as China Famous Brand, China Well-known Trademark, and China’s Top 500 Most Valuable Brands.
FIYTA
FIYTA was established in 1987, headquartered in Shenzhen, China. It is the only listed company in the domestic watch industry that integrates watch R&D, design, manufacturing and sales.
Since its establishment, the company has always adhered to the brand strategy, attached importance to technology research and development and new product research and development, and has a number of international and domestic high-tech.
The aerospace watch developed by FIYTA has been used as aerospace timing equipment for the third time in space. The “FIYTA Cup Watch Design Competition” jointly organized by the company and Tsinghua University is influential in the design world.
Fiyta’s commitment to innovation, design, and craftsmanship has earned it a prestigious place in the global watch market. Its unique blend of innovation and aesthetics continues to captivate watch enthusiasts, cementing Fiyta’s position as a revered name synonymous with elegance, innovation, and exceptional watchmaking.
In recent years, the value of the FIYTA brand has been rising. FIYTA watches have been sold in many countries.
Ebohr
Ebohr, a prominent Chinese watch brand, embodies a harmonious blend of timeless elegance and modern sophistication. Established in 1991, Ebohr has swiftly risen to prominence for its commitment to crafting exquisite timepieces that marry traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.
At the heart of Ebohr’s ethos lies a dedication to precision engineering and innovation. Each Ebohr watch reflects meticulous attention to detail, showcasing intricate designs and reliable mechanisms. The brand’s diverse collection caters to varied tastes, offering an extensive range of watches spanning from classic dress watches to sporty chronographs.
Ebohr watches epitomize sophistication, featuring refined aesthetics and superior functionality. Drawing inspiration from both Western horology and Chinese cultural elements, these timepieces often exhibit a unique fusion of styles, making them both globally appealing and culturally significant.
Focusing on quality and craftsmanship, Ebohr consistently delivers watches of exceptional value, appealing to discerning individuals seeking elegance and reliability in their timepieces. With a commitment to excellence and a dedication to innovation, Ebohr continues to make its mark in the realm of horology, representing the intersection of tradition and modernity in the world of watchmaking.
Peacock
Peacock, a distinguished Chinese watchmaker tracing its heritage back to the 1950s, stands as a testament to enduring craftsmanship and precision in horology. With a legacy steeped in the artistry of mechanical watchmaking, Peacock has earned a revered position for its commitment to quality and meticulous attention to detail.
At the core of Peacock’s identity lies a dedication to traditional watchmaking techniques fused with contemporary innovation. Each Peacock timepiece reflects a rich heritage of craftsmanship, boasting intricate movements and intricate designs that exemplify the brand’s pursuit of perfection.
Renowned for its expertise in crafting mechanical watches, Peacock offers a diverse range of exquisite timepieces. From classic dress watches adorned with intricate dials to sophisticated complications, each creation embodies the brand’s commitment to elegance and functionality.
Peacock watches symbolize a harmonious marriage of heritage and modernity, showcasing not only exquisite designs but also the brand’s dedication to precision and reliability. Revered by enthusiasts and collectors alike, Peacock continues to uphold its legacy of excellence, offering discerning individuals timepieces that encapsulate the essence of sophistication and timeless beauty in the world of horology.
Rossini
Rossini is a well known Chinese watchmaker, embodies a perfect synthesis of style, affordability, and quality. Established in 1984, Rossini has carved its niche by offering a wide array of stylish timepieces that cater to diverse tastes while ensuring accessibility for a broad audience.
At the heart of Rossini’s philosophy lies a commitment to crafting watches that seamlessly merge fashion and functionality. The brand’s extensive collection encompasses an assortment of designs, from classic to contemporary, each meticulously crafted to reflect elegance and versatility.
Rossini watches are celebrated for their affordability without compromising on quality or design. With an emphasis on innovation and attention to detail, these timepieces boast precision movements and durable materials, making them reliable companions for daily wear.
Driven by a passion for delivering accessible luxury, Rossini consistently introduces new designs that resonate with evolving fashion trends and consumer preferences. The brand’s commitment to affordability without compromising on style or quality has positioned it as a favorite among those seeking fashionable yet budget-friendly timepieces.
Rossini’s dedication to innovation, coupled with its understanding of diverse consumer needs, continues to reinforce its standing as a leading Chinese watch brand that offers both style and substance to its discerning clientele.
Chinese Homage Watch Brands
Made in China watches are usually regarded as poor quality, but some players are trying to change this image. They are bringing homage watches to the market, their key is high quality but aggressive price.
Ok, what is a homage watch?
Homage watches are watches that take design inspiration or copy the style of another pre-existing watch. A homage watch is usually a more affordable alternative to a luxury watch.
I’m not saying a company should completely copy another watch to design their homage watch. I think it’s fine for watches to take inspiration from another watch but shouldn’t directly copy it.
Some Chinese homage watch brands produce great quality, and the price is always lower than $300.
Chinese Homage Watch Brands List
PAGNI DESIGN
STEELDIVE
HEIMDALLR
PARNIS
BALTANY
SEESTERN
BENYAR
ADDIESDIVE
No doubt that SAN MARTIN is receiving the most positive feedback, and they deserve that due to their attention to the quality and details. However their official website seems not that high quality, you can order on Aliexpress.
There are many other Chinese homage brands, but this is not an affiliate post, so we are not going to list overpriced or cheap watches.