Description
A heritage-inspired moonphase timepiece that reimagines the pioneering A581 with celestial elegance and timeless mechanical craft.
Inspiration & Design
The Pioneer Moonphase Silver Special Edition revisits one of Shanghai Watch’s most defining milestones - the A581, the brand’s first mechanical watch. This special edition blends the fearless spirit of early innovation with the quiet poetry of celestial timekeeping.
Rooted in the Pioneer lineage, the watch preserves the A581’s most recognisable elements: the iconic red-tipped seconds hand, a confident mix of Arabic numerals and arrow-shaped indices, and the brand’s distinctive architectural emblem. These heritage cues are elevated by the inclusion of a moonphase complication, capturing the eternal glow of moonlight and the passage of time in harmonious balance.
Dial & Case Details
The dial is rich in historical and visual detail. At the upper portion sits a building-shaped logo inspired by the Chinese characters for “Shanghai (上海)”, symbolising the city’s architectural strength and pioneering role in Chinese watchmaking. Anchoring the dial below is the phrase “中国上海”, rendered in a 1950s artistic typeface that preserves the brand’s original aesthetic language.
At 6 o’clock, the moonphase display is paired seamlessly with the date, where lunar cycles unfold alongside daily timekeeping. This poetic complication echoes the rhythm of day and night - a timeless duet that adds depth and meaning to the dial.
Finished in refined silver tones, the dial balances clarity with elegance, maintaining a strong vintage character while remaining effortlessly wearable.
Movement & Mechanics
Powering the Pioneer Moonphase is a self-winding mechanical movement, supporting traditional three-hand timekeeping alongside the moonphase and date complications. Reliable and expressive, the movement reflects Shanghai Watches’ enduring commitment to mechanical precision and heritage craftsmanship.
Turning the watch over reveals a finely crafted stainless-steel caseback, adorned with a retro double-ring floral motif and elegantly engraved with “Shanghai” in calligraphy - a quiet homage to the city’s cultural depth and sophistication.
Crown & Heritage Details
The crown is designed with a refined anti-slip texture, ensuring comfortable handling and precise adjustment. Together with the signature red-tipped seconds hand, it reinforces the watch’s tool-meets-heritage character - functional, thoughtful, and unmistakably rooted in the A581 legacy.
Strap & Wearability
Sized at 39mm, the Pioneer Moonphase offers balanced proportions that suit a wide range of wrists. Paired with a leather strap, the watch transitions seamlessly between formal occasions and refined everyday wear.
Its vintage-inspired design, combined with modern finishing, ensures a confident yet understated wrist presence.
Final Impression
The Shanghai Watches Pioneer Moonphase 39mm Special Edition Silver is a poetic continuation of a pioneering legacy. By uniting historic design elements with a celestial complication, it honours the courage of the past while offering a timeless mechanical companion for the present.
A watch that measures time - and reflects its rhythm.
Technical Specifications
| Case size: |
39mm |
| Case material: |
316L stainless steel |
| Case back: |
Stainless steel
|
| Movement type: |
Automatic |
| Movement no.: |
Seagull 1818
|
| Power reserve: |
Approx 40hrs |
| Dial: |
Salmon with silver hands, indices and numerals; moonphase display |
| Glass: |
Sapphire crystal |
| Water resistance: |
5ATM |
| Strap type: |
Strap |
| Strap material: |
Black calf leather
|
| Buckle: |
Stainless steel
|
| Warranty: |
2 years |
