Description
The Shanghai Watches 1955 Moonphase 39mm Special Edition Silver is a refined mechanical timepiece that draws directly from one of the brand’s most important milestones - the A581, Shanghai Watch’s first mechanical wristwatch.
This special edition blends the fearless spirit of early innovation with the quiet poetry of celestial timekeeping. Rooted firmly in the Pioneer lineage, it preserves the A581’s most recognisable design signatures while introducing a moonphase complication that adds depth, rhythm, and emotional resonance to the dial.
The result is a watch that feels historically grounded yet thoughtfully contemporary - a piece that honours progress as much as it measures time.
Why We Chose This Watch
- A direct design lineage to the historic A581
- Moonphase complication that adds narrative and depth
- Balanced 39mm proportions suited for everyday wear
- Strong heritage cues presented with modern restraint
Inspiration & Heritage
The Pioneer Moonphase Silver Special Edition revisits the A581 - a defining chapter in Shanghai Watch’s history. This legacy is expressed through carefully preserved 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 historical details are not reproduced for nostalgia alone. Instead, they are elevated through thoughtful integration with a moonphase display, capturing the eternal rhythm of lunar cycles and the passage of time in harmonious balance.
Dial & Case Details
The dial is rich with historical and visual meaning. At its upper portion sits a building-shaped logo, inspired by the Chinese characters for Shanghai (上海) - a symbol of the city’s architectural strength and pioneering role in Chinese watchmaking.
Anchoring the lower half of the dial is the phrase “中国上海”, rendered in a 1950s artistic typeface that preserves the brand’s original visual language. At 6 o’clock, the moonphase display is seamlessly paired with the date, allowing lunar cycles to unfold alongside daily timekeeping.
Finished in refined silver tones, the dial balances clarity with elegance, retaining 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 moonphase and date complications. Reliable and expressive, the movement reflects Shanghai Watch’s enduring commitment to mechanical precision and heritage craftsmanship.
Turning the watch over reveals a finely finished stainless-steel caseback, adorned with a retro double-ring floral motif and engraved with “Shanghai” in calligraphy - a quiet homage to the city’s cultural depth and sophistication.
Crown & Signature Details
The crown features a refined anti-slip texture for 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.
On the Wrist
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.
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: |
Silver 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 |
