Description of model from Techne website:
Designed to provide a simple 30 minutes chronograph function, the Sparrow Hawk is the first watch featuring the Techné Altitude dial, a design based on the principles of ergonomics and avionics to allow reading under all cirumstances. Hours indexes and hands are coated with NewLite, a non-radioactive and non-toxic strontium aluminate-based photoluminescent material manufactured by industry leader Tritec.
The 316L stainless steel case houses the Seagull ST-1901, a hand-wound mechanical chronograph using the column-wheel, a command gear design sought by vintage watch collectors.
Designed to provide a simple 30 minutes chronograph function, the Sparrow Hawk is the first watch featuring the Techné Altitude dial, a design based on the principles of ergonomics and avionics to allow reading under all cirumstances. Hours indexes and hands are coated with NewLite, a non-radioactive and non-toxic strontium aluminate-based photoluminescent material manufactured by industry leader Tritec.
The 316L stainless steel case houses the Seagull ST-1901, a hand-wound mechanical chronograph using the column-wheel, a command gear design sought by vintage watch collectors.
Watch Specifications from Techne website:
In the spirit of the aviator style of the Sparrowhawk, the dial is very legible and has a contrasting black/white finishing. The main body of the dial is a matte black finish, with white painted logo, model name and indices. The two totalizer registers at the 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock positions are well proportioned and are also painted in the same white finish.
The case is constructed of 316L stainless steel and is with a matte black PVD finish. The case and bezel have a nice, even brushed finish. The case is well proportioned, with a diameter of 41.5mm, thickness of 11.7mm and a 47.0mm lug-to-lug length. The case was designed with curved lugs and sits very comfortably on the wrist.
The screwdown crown measures 7mm x 3mm and is a straight cylinder with a machined diamond pattern along the side. The tactile pattern has a great feel, and the action of the crown is very smooth in both unscrewing and setting the time. The chronograph pushers have a confidence inspiring stiffness to them, which is brought by the mechanical chronograph function.
The case is constructed of 316L stainless steel and is with a matte black PVD finish. The case and bezel have a nice, even brushed finish. The case is well proportioned, with a diameter of 41.5mm, thickness of 11.7mm and a 47.0mm lug-to-lug length. The case was designed with curved lugs and sits very comfortably on the wrist.
The screwdown crown measures 7mm x 3mm and is a straight cylinder with a machined diamond pattern along the side. The tactile pattern has a great feel, and the action of the crown is very smooth in both unscrewing and setting the time. The chronograph pushers have a confidence inspiring stiffness to them, which is brought by the mechanical chronograph function.
On the wrist:
The watch wears very comfortably on the wrist. Due to its size, it will fit nicely on a variety of wrist sizes.
When I received the watch, there was a small nick on the side of case. The only reason that I note this point is that it is visible in a few photos. Keeping in mind that this is an advanced model of the watch, this is totally acceptable. I am very confident that the production models will be perfectly finished.
The watch wears very comfortably on the wrist. Due to its size, it will fit nicely on a variety of wrist sizes.
When I received the watch, there was a small nick on the side of case. The only reason that I note this point is that it is visible in a few photos. Keeping in mind that this is an advanced model of the watch, this is totally acceptable. I am very confident that the production models will be perfectly finished.
Movement specifications per Sea-Gull:
*Diameter: 31.3 mm
*Height: 6.25mm
*19 Jewels
**Power Reserve: approximately 38 hours
*Manual Winding
*Shock resistance (Incabloc style)
*Beats Per Hour: 21,600
*Constant seconds at 9
*Non Hacking
*30 minute chronograph with 2 pushpieces
*Chronograph seconds by central hand
*Minutes counter at 3
*Column wheel control
*Blued screws
*Machine applied ‘Sea-Gull’ Stripes
The ST-1901 is built by the Tianjin Sea-Gull Corporation in Tianjin, China. However, both the design as well as the tooling originates from Switzerland, where it was known as the Venus 175. The Venus 175 was designed by André Frey and produced between 1940 and 1964 at the Fabrique d'Ébauches Vénus S.A. in Moutier, Switzerland. While developing the Venus 175, the Chinese engineers decided to raise the frequency from 18,000 alternances per hour (2.5 Hz) to 21,600 A/h (3Hz) to improve stability and accuracy.
The Seagull 1901 is a 23 jewel, column wheel controlled, chronograph, lever movement operating at 21,600 bph. It has a running second dial at the 9 o'clock position, a 30 minute counter sub-dial at 3 o'clock, and a sweep second counter mounted centrally along with the timekeeping minute and hour hands. The chronograph functions are controlled through two buttons, one (at 2 o'clock) for starting and stopping the chronograph, one (at 4 o'clock) for resetting the second and minute totalizers. The column wheel prevents the action of the reset while the chronograph is running.
To set the time, the crown pulls out with a satisfying and positive click and I have found that synchronising the minutes with the seconds is fairly easy without too much, if any forward or backjump of the minutes hand when pushing the crown back in. Of course, this movement does not hack (i.e. the seconds hand does not stop when pulling out the crown) so ‘to the second’ setting is not possible.
When operating the chronograph a firm push is needed on the upper pusher to start timing. When pushed, an audible ‘click’ is heard as the movement engages and begins timing. With another push of the upper pusher, the chronograph stops immediately. With a push of the bottom pusher, the chronograph snaps back to the 12 o’clock position and the totalizers reset to zero. While testing the watch, I cycled through this process several times without any issues to report.
As you can see from the photos below, as viewed through the Sparrowhawk caseback the ST-1901 is nicely decorated and an attractive movement.
*Diameter: 31.3 mm
*Height: 6.25mm
*19 Jewels
**Power Reserve: approximately 38 hours
*Manual Winding
*Shock resistance (Incabloc style)
*Beats Per Hour: 21,600
*Constant seconds at 9
*Non Hacking
*30 minute chronograph with 2 pushpieces
*Chronograph seconds by central hand
*Minutes counter at 3
*Column wheel control
*Blued screws
*Machine applied ‘Sea-Gull’ Stripes
The ST-1901 is built by the Tianjin Sea-Gull Corporation in Tianjin, China. However, both the design as well as the tooling originates from Switzerland, where it was known as the Venus 175. The Venus 175 was designed by André Frey and produced between 1940 and 1964 at the Fabrique d'Ébauches Vénus S.A. in Moutier, Switzerland. While developing the Venus 175, the Chinese engineers decided to raise the frequency from 18,000 alternances per hour (2.5 Hz) to 21,600 A/h (3Hz) to improve stability and accuracy.
The Seagull 1901 is a 23 jewel, column wheel controlled, chronograph, lever movement operating at 21,600 bph. It has a running second dial at the 9 o'clock position, a 30 minute counter sub-dial at 3 o'clock, and a sweep second counter mounted centrally along with the timekeeping minute and hour hands. The chronograph functions are controlled through two buttons, one (at 2 o'clock) for starting and stopping the chronograph, one (at 4 o'clock) for resetting the second and minute totalizers. The column wheel prevents the action of the reset while the chronograph is running.
To set the time, the crown pulls out with a satisfying and positive click and I have found that synchronising the minutes with the seconds is fairly easy without too much, if any forward or backjump of the minutes hand when pushing the crown back in. Of course, this movement does not hack (i.e. the seconds hand does not stop when pulling out the crown) so ‘to the second’ setting is not possible.
When operating the chronograph a firm push is needed on the upper pusher to start timing. When pushed, an audible ‘click’ is heard as the movement engages and begins timing. With another push of the upper pusher, the chronograph stops immediately. With a push of the bottom pusher, the chronograph snaps back to the 12 o’clock position and the totalizers reset to zero. While testing the watch, I cycled through this process several times without any issues to report.
As you can see from the photos below, as viewed through the Sparrowhawk caseback the ST-1901 is nicely decorated and an attractive movement.
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