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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch

Shanghai A581 manual-wind wristwatch

Partially verified

This is a Shanghai A581 manual-wind wristwatch attributed to circa 1964 based on an interior movement marking. The watch features a silver-tone sunburst-finished dial with applied gold-tone indices, an Arabic numeral 12, and the Shanghai logo emblem below 12 o'clock. The three-hand display includes a central seconds hand with a red-painted tip. Housed in a 33 mm semi-steel case with an acrylic crystal, the watch is powered by a 17-jewel Calibre 581 movement.

Frontal view of the Shanghai A581 dial, case, and hands
Frontal view of the Shanghai A581 dial, case, and hands — Yahoo! JAPAN Auction. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.yahoo.co.jp
Category
Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Shanghai
Reference
A581
Catalogue / lot identifier
n1047931282
Source-reported date
circa 1964
Country
China

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial and Exterior Configuration

The watch features a silver-tone dial with a radiating brushed finish, paired with applied gold-tone hour markers and an applied Arabic numeral '12'. The Shanghai logo emblem and Latin text are positioned beneath the 12 o'clock marker, and the central seconds hand terminates in a red-painted tip. The assembly is mounted on a black leather strap, with seller-reported dimensions indicating a case width of 33 mm and a lug width of 17 mm.

The seller describes the case construction as 'semi-steel' (Ban Gang), explaining this term to mean that only the caseback is made of stainless steel. In addition, the listing reports a line-like stain on the dial near the 9 o'clock marker.

Evidence for this section
  • “Silver-tone dial with radiating brushed finish and applied gold-tone hour markers.”
  • “Central seconds hand terminating in a distinct red tip.”
  • “半鋼（Ban Gang、 裏蓋だけステンレスの意味）”
  • “9時付近に線のようなシミありますが、年代的には綺麗な方だと思います。”

Movement and Dating Claims

The movement is not visible in the provided photo, and all technical attributes derive from the seller's description. The seller reports a manual-wind Calibre 581 movement equipped with 17 jewels and lacking shock protection.

A manufacturing date of circa 1964 is inferred by the seller based on a reported '6406A' stamping on the movement. This stamping and the interior movement details are not directly verifiable from the exterior image.

Evidence for this section
  • “年代： 1964年（機械に6406Aの刻印から推測）”
  • “機械： 581、手巻き、17石、耐震なし”

Reported Hardware and Crystal

The seller lists the crystal as an acrylic type without noticeable major scratches, while speculating that it may have been replaced. The winding crown is reported by the seller to bear a 'Shanghai logo'.

Because only a front view is provided, the condition and design of the caseback, the reported crown emblem, and internal mechanical parts remain unverified by visual evidence in this source.

Evidence for this section
  • “風防： アクリル風防、目立った傷はなく綺麗な方です、交換されてるかも。”
  • “リューズ： "上海ロゴ"有り。”

Open research questions

  • What specific text, serial numbers, or factory crests are engraved on the exterior or interior of the caseback?
  • Does direct physical inspection of the movement plate confirm the '6406A' stamping and the lack of shock protection?
  • Is the crown an original factory part with the Shanghai logo or an aftermarket service component?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Shanghai A581 manual-wind wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Calibre581“Cal.581”
Case materialSemi-steel (stainless steel caseback only)“半鋼（Ban Gang、 裏蓋だけステンレスの意味）”
Case width33mm“ケース幅： 33mm”
Lug width17mm“ラグ幅： 17mm”
Crown markingShanghai logo reported“リューズ： "上海ロゴ"有り。”
Reported movement stamping6406A“機械に6406Aの刻印から推測”
Reported shock protectionNone (unshockproof)“耐震なし”

Visible details

  • Silver-tone dial with radiating brushed finish and applied gold-tone hour markers.
  • Central seconds hand terminating in a distinct red tip.
  • Shanghai logo emblem and Latin text positioned below the 12 o'clock marker.
  • Mounted on a black leather strap.

Research qualifications

  • The 1964 date is an estimate inferred by the seller from a movement stamping ('6406A').
  • Seller notes the acrylic crystal may have been replaced.
  • Movement and caseback are not visible in the provided photographs.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

Yahoo!オークション - 中国上海 手巻き時計 [上海/Shanghai] 17石 A581...

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 3626b8c585

Terms in this record

Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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