Shanghai S8950 vs S8924: Two Automatic Watches Compared

The Shanghai S8950 has a starry sky dial with a day-night window and a Seagull ST2571 automatic movement. The Shanghai S8924 has a guilloché dial, open-heart flying wheel and Seagull ST2504 movement. Pick the S8950 for a dressier 41.5mm look, the S8924 for a bolder 42mm dial.

Why choose a Shanghai automatic?

An automatic watch winds itself from the movement of your wrist, so there is no battery and you can watch the mechanics at work. Both of these use Seagull movements, a super premium Chinese movement name with a long history in mechanical watchmaking, and both sit in the Wrist Logic Enthusiast Collection. The brand name is Shanghai; these are not made by the modern Shanghai Watch company.

What makes the Shanghai S8950 special?

The Shanghai S8950 is the starry sky one. Its dial has a day-night window at 12 o'clock and an exposed balance wheel at 6 o'clock, so you see the movement beating while the dial catches the light. It uses a Seagull ST2571 automatic movement behind a sapphire crystal front and a sapphire case back. The case is 41.5mm across, 13.5mm thick and 48.5mm lug to lug, with a 19mm strap, and it comes with a white or blue dial.

It suits anyone who wants a dressy, decorative automatic that starts conversations. The limitation is water resistance: 50m means splashes and rain, not swimming.

What makes the Shanghai S8924 special?

The Shanghai S8924 has a Clou de Paris guilloché dial, an open-heart flying wheel and date and week sub-dials. Its Seagull ST2504 movement has 33 jewels, beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and has a 42-hour power reserve. The case is 42mm, 15mm thick and 50mm lug to lug, with a 22mm strap.

It is the bigger, busier watch, so it suits larger wrists and anyone who likes visible mechanics. At 15mm thick it will sit proud under a tight cuff, and like the S8950 it is rated to 50m.

Which should you choose?

Choose the S8950 for a slightly smaller, dressier watch with sapphire front and back and a dial that changes with the light. Choose the S8924 for a larger, more detailed dial with sub-dials and an open-heart view of the movement. If neither fits, the Sea-Gull Flywheel M160S is a 39mm skeleton option on a steel bracelet, and the Shanghai 7120 is a 36mm hand-wind with a retro dress-watch look.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Shanghai S8950 a good watch?

It is a well-specified automatic for the money: Seagull ST2571 movement, sapphire crystal and sapphire case back, and a distinctive starry sky dial.

Is the Shanghai S8924 waterproof?

It is rated to 50m, which covers splashes and rain. Do not swim or dive in it.

Is the Seagull ST2504 a good movement?

Seagull is a long-established mechanical movement maker. The ST2504 has 33 jewels, 21,600 bph and a 42-hour reserve. Like any mechanical movement, it will gain or lose a few seconds a day.

Do automatic watches need winding?

They wind as you wear them. If one stops after sitting unworn, a few gentle shakes or turns of the crown will restart it.

Specifications

Shanghai S8950
Movement: Seagull ST2571 automatic
Crystal: Sapphire, with sapphire case back
Water Resistance: 50m
Dimensions: 41.5mm, 13.5mm thick, 48.5mm lug to lug
Band: 19mm strap
Dial: Starry sky, white or blue
Features: Day-night window at 12, exposed balance wheel at 6

Shanghai S8924
Movement: Seagull ST2504 automatic, 33 jewels, 21,600 bph, 42-hour power reserve
Water Resistance: 50m
Dimensions: 42mm, 15mm thick, 50mm lug to lug
Band: 22mm strap
Dial: Clou de Paris guilloché
Features: Open-heart flying wheel, date and week sub-dials

Browse the full range at wristlogic.store.

#Wristlogic