SHANGHAI WATCH Commander

The Shanghai Watch Commander Dive 39mm is built as a compact, functional dive watch designed for everyday reliability. It combines a robust case with a clean, legible layout, keeping the focus on usability. Inspiration & Cultural Design The Commander series traces its origins to the 1960s, when the Shanghai Watch Factory developed the 114 Series - China’s first self-designed military automatic diving watch. Built for the People’s Liberation Army, it was engineered for durability, with shock resistance, anti-magnetism, and water resistance up to 200 meters. Issued to division-level commanders, it became associated with leadership and reliability in demanding conditions. The modern Commander Diver draws from this foundation, retaining the utilitarian design language while updating performance to meet contemporary standards, including increased water resistance. The result is a watch that balances historical reference with practical functionality. Dial & Case Details The black dial provides maximum contrast, ensuring strong legibility across different lighting environments. Markers and hands are designed for clear visibility, supporting the watch’s tool-oriented purpose. The 39mm case keeps the watch compact while maintaining the presence expected of a dive watch. A unidirectional bezel supports timing functionality, while a sapphire crystal protects the dial. Movement & Mechanics Powered by an automatic mechanical movement, the watch delivers dependable performance for daily and active use. The focus remains on reliability and consistency under regular wear. Strap & Wearability The watch comes with three strap options - a metal bracelet, leather strap, and NATO strap - allowing it to adapt across different uses and settings. This flexibility lets the watch shift easily between a more robust, tool-oriented feel and a lighter, more casual configuration. Despite its functional design, the 39mm case remains comfortable on the wrist, making it suitable for extended wear across both daily and active use. Final Impression This is a straightforward, functional dive watch. It focuses on usability and durability, offering a more compact alternative within the category. Explore Other Variants Shanghai Watch Commander Dive 39mm - Green Dial Shanghai Watch Commander Dive 39mm - Gray Dial Technical Specifications Case size: 39mm  Case material: 316L stainless steel Case back: 316L stainless steel Movement type: Automatic Movement no.: ST2130 Power reserve: Approx 42hrs Dial:  Sandblasted dial with a matte, fine-grain texture is meticulously engraved with the “Two Bars, Three Stars” insignia - a proud military symbol, reviving the heritage of rank and honor Glass: Sapphire crystal Water resistance: 30ATM Strap type: 1 bracelet, 2 straps Strap material: Stainless steel metal bracelet, leather strap and NATO strap Buckle: Stainless steel Warranty: 2 years  

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The Shanghai Watch Commander Dive 39mm is built as a compact, functional dive watch designed for everyday reliability. It combines a robust case with a clean, legible layout, keeping the focus on usability. Inspiration & Cultural Design The Commander series traces its origins to the 1960s, when the Shanghai Watch Factory developed the 114 Series - China’s first self-designed military automatic diving watch. Built for the People’s Liberation Army, it was engineered for durability, with shock resistance, anti-magnetism, and water resistance up to 200 meters. Issued to division-level commanders, it became associated with leadership and reliability in demanding conditions. The modern Commander Diver draws from this foundation, retaining the utilitarian design language while updating performance to meet contemporary standards, including increased water resistance. The result is a watch that balances historical reference with practical functionality. Dial & Case Details The green dial introduces a subtle shift in character while maintaining the same high level of legibility. Colour is used carefully to add depth without compromising readability, keeping the watch aligned with its functional purpose. Markers and hands are designed for clear visibility, supporting the watch’s tool-oriented purpose. The 39mm case keeps the watch compact while maintaining the presence expected of a dive watch. A unidirectional bezel supports timing functionality, while a sapphire crystal protects the dial. Movement & Mechanics Powered by an automatic mechanical movement, the watch delivers dependable performance for daily and active use. The focus remains on reliability and consistency under regular wear. Strap & Wearability The watch comes with three strap options - a metal bracelet, leather strap, and NATO strap - allowing it to adapt across different uses and settings. This flexibility lets the watch shift easily between a more robust, tool-oriented feel and a lighter, more casual configuration. Despite its functional design, the 39mm case remains comfortable on the wrist, making it suitable for extended wear across both daily and active use. Final Impression The addition of colour gives this version a slightly more distinctive presence, while retaining the same usability and structure. Explore Other Variants Shanghai Watch Commander Dive 39mm - Black Dial Shanghai Watch Commander Dive 39mm - Gray Dial Technical Specifications Case size: 39mm  Case material: 316L stainless steel Case back: 316L stainless steel Movement type: Automatic Movement no.: ST2130 Power reserve: Approx 42hrs Dial:  Sandblasted dial with a matte, fine-grain texture is meticulously engraved with the “Two Bars, Three Stars” insignia - a proud military symbol, reviving the heritage of rank and honor Glass: Sapphire crystal Water resistance: 30ATM Strap type: 1 bracelet, 2 straps Strap material: Stainless steel metal bracelet, leather strap and NATO strap Buckle: Stainless steel Warranty: 2 years  

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The Shanghai Watch Commander Sniper traces its lineage to the Type 114, the brand’s first military diving watch. Developed in the 1960s in response to requirements from the Chinese military, the Type 114 combined automatic winding, a date complication and enhanced resistance to shock, magnetism and water. Some examples were issued to senior military officers, earning the watch the informal reputation of an officer’s watch or general’s watch. The modern Commander revisits that history in a more compact form. The Sniper pairs a 37.5mm gunmetal steel case with a dark sunray dial, titanium diving bezel and 300m water resistance - retaining the utilitarian character of its predecessor while bringing the construction firmly into the present. Inspiration & Design The Commander collection draws directly from Shanghai Watch’s Type 114 military diving watch. Its origins can be traced to the A641 project of 1964, an experimental high-grade slim watch that provided a foundation for subsequent development. Following a requirement for an automatic watch with a date display and enhanced shock, magnetic and water resistance, Shanghai Watch further developed the design and in 1965 produced the 29-jewel Type 114 military diving watch. A later 24-jewel version powered by the SS4C movement followed in 1968. The contemporary Commander retains recognisable elements of the Type 114 while refining them for modern proportions. Shanghai’s calligraphic signature remains at 12 o’clock, the date window sits at 3, and the original wedge-shaped hour markers have been streamlined without losing their distinctive geometry. At 6 o’clock, the two-bar, four-star insignia references military rank and provides the most direct visual link to the Commander identity. Dial & Case The Sniper takes the darker of the two titanium-bezel Commander executions. Its black sunray dial is designed to reveal subtle changes in texture under changing light, while tonal hands, indices and the two-bar, four-star emblem reinforce its deliberately subdued appearance. Pencil-shaped hour and minute hands are joined by a slender seconds hand with a broadened tip. The three-dimensional wedge indices and hands are treated with Super-LumiNova® for visibility in low light. The 37.5mm case is made from 316L stainless steel with a gunmetal finish and measures 13.45mm thick. Satin-brushed surfaces maintain the tool-watch character, while a domed sapphire crystal protects the dial. Around it sits one of the more interesting updates to the historic design: a unidirectional titanium diving bezel, selected for its strength, corrosion resistance and reduced weight. The bezel itself incorporates Super-LumiNova®, extending nighttime legibility beyond the dial. A screw-down crown and solid steel caseback contribute to a substantial 300m / 30ATM water-resistance rating. Movement Inside is Shanghai Watch’s ST2130 automatic movement, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour / 4Hz. The 28-jewel calibre provides central hours, minutes and seconds together with the date display at 3 o’clock, and delivers approximately 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound. Rather than using an exhibition caseback, Shanghai Watch has chosen a solid steel back for this Commander - an appropriate decision for a watch whose identity is rooted more firmly in military utility and diving capability than movement display. Bracelet / Strap The Sniper is supplied on a 20mm black nylon-and-leather strap with a pin buckle. Its quick-release construction makes changing the watch’s character particularly straightforward. Also included is a 20mm gunmetal stainless-steel bracelet, fitted with a turtle-back clasp and its own quick-release system. The darker bracelet creates a more integrated, monochromatic appearance, while the nylon-leather strap emphasises the Commander’s field and military character. Final Thoughts The Commander Sniper succeeds because Shanghai Watch has resisted simply reproducing an old military watch. The historical cues are still there - the calligraphic signature, date position, wedge indices and military insignia - but the 37.5mm proportions, titanium bezel, sapphire crystal and 300m water resistance make this a genuinely modern tool watch. Its Type 114 lineage gives it a story worth knowing. Its compact dimensions and dark gunmetal execution mean you don’t need to be a history enthusiast to appreciate it. Technical Specifications Case size: 37.5mm  Case material: Gunmetal 316L stainless steel Case back: 316L stainless steel Movement type: Automatic Movement no.: ST2130 Power reserve: Approx 42hrs Dial:  Black sunray; applied wedge-shaped indices with Super-Luminova; pencil hour/minute hands and linear seconds hand with Super-Luminova Glass: Sapphire crystal Water resistance: 30ATM Strap type: 1x strap; 1x bracelet Strap material: Nylon and leather strap; gunmetal stainless steel bracelet Buckle: Stainless steel Warranty: 2 years  

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The Shanghai Watch Commander Scout traces its lineage to the Type 114, Shanghai Watch’s first military diving watch. Developed in the 1960s in response to military requirements, the Type 114 combined automatic winding and a date complication with enhanced resistance to shock, magnetism and water. Some examples were issued to senior military officers, contributing to its reputation as an officer’s watch or general’s watch.  The modern Commander revisits that history through a compact 37.5mm case, 300m water resistance and a unidirectional titanium bezel. For the Scout, Shanghai Watch combines those functional foundations with a silver-grey sunray dial and beige nylon-leather strap for a softer, more understated interpretation. Inspiration & Design The Commander collection draws directly from Shanghai Watch’s Type 114 military diving watch. Its origins can be traced to the A641 project of 1964, an experimental high-grade slim watch that contributed to subsequent development. Following a requirement for an automatic watch with date display and enhanced shock, magnetic and water resistance, Shanghai Watch developed the 29-jewel Type 114 military diving watch in 1965. A 24-jewel version using the SS4C movement followed in 1968. The contemporary Commander retains recognisable elements from the Type 114 while refining them for modern wear. Shanghai’s calligraphic signature remains at 12 o’clock, the date window occupies the traditional 3 o’clock position, and the characteristic wedge-shaped hour markers have been streamlined. At 6 o’clock sits the distinctive two-bar, four-star insignia, providing the most immediate visual reference to the Commander identity. Dial & Case The Scout is distinguished by its silver-grey sunray dial, whose brushed surface shifts subtly with changing light. Grey-toned hands and indices maintain the restrained palette, while the steel-coloured two-bar, four-star insignia sits above the “Made in China” signature at 6 o’clock. Pencil-shaped hour and minute hands are paired with a slender seconds hand with a broadened tip. The three-dimensional wedge indices and hands are treated with Super-LumiNova® for low-light visibility. The satin-brushed 316L stainless-steel case measures 37.5mm across and 13.45mm thick, topped by a domed sapphire crystal. Shanghai Watch pairs it with a silver-grey unidirectional titanium bezel, which also incorporates Super-LumiNova®. The material brings strength and corrosion resistance while reducing weight around the perimeter of the watch. A screw-down steel crown and solid steel caseback help deliver a substantial 300m / 30ATM water-resistance rating. Movement Inside is Shanghai Watch’s ST2130 automatic movement, operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour / 4Hz. The 28-jewel calibre provides central hours, minutes and seconds together with the date display at 3 o’clock, with approximately 42 hours of power reserve when fully wound. A solid steel caseback keeps the emphasis on durability and the Commander’s tool-watch character rather than displaying the movement. Bracelet / Strap The Scout is supplied on a 20mm beige nylon-and-leather strap, chosen to complement the cooler silver-grey dial and case. It uses a conventional pin buckle and quick-release construction. Also included is a 20mm stainless-steel bracelet, fitted with a turtle-back clasp and quick-release system. This effectively gives the Scout two distinct personalities: more relaxed and field-inspired on the beige strap, or more conventionally dive-watch oriented on steel. Final Thoughts The Commander Scout demonstrates how effectively Shanghai Watch can use its archives without becoming constrained by them. The Type 114 provides genuine historical substance, but the modern watch stands on its own: compact dimensions, sapphire crystal, a titanium diving bezel and 300m water resistance make it a capable contemporary tool watch. Of the two Commander executions, the Scout is the quieter choice. Its silver-grey palette and beige strap soften the military influence without erasing it - making the watch particularly easy to wear beyond its historical context. Technical Specifications Case size: 37.5mm  Case material: 316L stainless steel Case back: 316L stainless steel Movement type: Automatic Movement no.: ST2130 Power reserve: Approx 42hrs Dial:  Silver grey sunray; applied wedge-shaped indices with Super-Luminova; pencil hour/minute hands and linear seconds hand with Super-Luminova Glass: Sapphire crystal Water resistance: 30ATM Strap type: 1x strap; 1x bracelet Strap material: Nylon and leather strap; stainless steel bracelet Buckle: Stainless steel Warranty: 2 years  

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