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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch

Shanghai A581 Wristwatch

Partially verified

This Shanghai A581 manual-wind wristwatch dates to circa 1964, inferred by the seller from a 6404A movement marking. It features a Caliber 581 movement with 17 jewels and no shock protection. The semi-steel case measures 34 mm in diameter with an 18 mm lug width and a stainless steel back. Its light-colored dial features applied gold-tone indices, dot markers, Shanghai branding, and lower text indicating '中国上海 17 钻' over a fine pattern. It is fitted with an acrylic crystal and a replacement Maruman leather strap.

Front view of the Shanghai A581 wristwatch on a leather strap
Front view of the Shanghai A581 wristwatch on a leather strap — Yahoo!オークション. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
auctions.yahoo.co.jp
Category
Wristwatch · Manual-wind wristwatch
Maker / attribution
Shanghai Watch Factory
Reference
A581
Catalogue / lot identifier
b1046819704
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 Presentation

Visual observation shows a light silvered dial with applied gold-tone hour markers and matching hands, as well as a central seconds hand featuring an arrow or colored accent tip. In the auction text, the seller describes the face as a '珍しい格子模様盤' (unusual lattice-patterned dial) and notes that while there is some soiling, it is in relatively good condition for its age ('文字盤状態： 珍しい格子模様、少し汚れ有りますが年代的には綺麗な方だと思います。').

The round metallic case features a winding crown at the 3 o'clock position, which the seller states bears a Shanghai logo ('リューズ： "上海ロゴ"有り。'). For the crystal, the seller identifies an acrylic fitting with a small crack near the 11 o'clock index ('風防： アクリル風防、11時付近に小さい亀裂が有ります。').

Evidence for this section
  • “Silvered/light dial with applied gold-tone hour markers and matching hands”
  • “Seconds hand features an arrow or colored accent tip”
  • “Round metallic case with crown positioned at 3 o'clock”
  • “珍しい格子模様盤”
  • “文字盤状態： 珍しい格子模様、少し汚れ有りますが年代的には綺麗な方だと思います。”
  • “リューズ： "上海ロゴ"有り。”
  • “風防： アクリル風防、11時付近に小さい亀裂が有ります。”

Reported Movement and Case Construction

The listing documents the movement as a manual-wind Caliber 581 with 17 jewels and no shock protection ('機械： 581、手巻き、17石、耐震なし'). The seller infers a production date of 1964 from an internal movement stamp reported as 6404A ('年代： 1964年（機械に6404Aの刻印から推測）').

According to the listing measurements, the case width is 34 mm with an 18 mm lug width ('ケース幅： 34mm', 'ラグ幅： 18mm'). Case construction is listed as semi-steel with a stainless steel back ('ケース材質： 半鋼 (ステンレスバック）'). It is fitted with a pre-owned Maruman leather strap ('バンド： 中古品、Maruman製。').

Evidence for this section
  • “機械： 581、手巻き、17石、耐震なし”
  • “年代： 1964年（機械に6404Aの刻印から推測）”
  • “ケース幅： 34mm”
  • “ラグ幅： 18mm”
  • “ケース材質： 半鋼 (ステンレスバック）”
  • “バンド： 中古品、Maruman製。”

Condition and Documentation Limitations

In the primary photograph provided, only the front face of the watch is visible; the movement, internal '6404A' engraving, and caseback exterior are not pictured and cannot be directly corroborated. Statements regarding internal markings and timekeeping rely entirely on the seller's description.

The seller categorizes the overall item condition as having scratches and dirt ('商品の状態 傷や汚れあり') and notes that the movement is running but tends to run slightly fast ('動品（少し進みがち）'). Factory production records are not provided in the source to confirm the inferred 1964 date.

Evidence for this section
  • “商品の状態 傷や汚れあり”
  • “動品（少し進みがち）”
  • “年代： 1964年（機械に6404Aの刻印から推測）”

Open research questions

  • Does the '6404A' bridge engraving correspond to standard Shanghai Watch Factory dating conventions indicating April 1964?
  • What specific text and factory markings are stamped on the reverse of the stainless steel caseback?
  • Does the crack in the acrylic crystal near 11 o'clock extend through the crystal body or affect moisture resistance?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Shanghai A581 Wristwatch
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Model NameShanghai A581“名称： 上海 / Shanghai A581”
MovementCaliber 581, manual-wind, 17 jewels, non-shock resistant“機械： 581、手巻き、17石、耐震なし”
Case Width34 mm“ケース幅： 34mm”
Lug Width18 mm“ラグ幅： 18mm”
Case MaterialSemi-steel with stainless steel back“ケース材質： 半鋼 (ステンレスバック）”
Production Date Note1964 estimated from 6404A movement engraving“年代： 1964年（機械に6404Aの刻印から推測）”
StrapPre-owned, manufactured by Maruman“バンド： 中古品、Maruman製。”
Crown MarkingReported Shanghai logo present“リューズ： "上海ロゴ"有り。”
Dial TextureDescribed by seller as lattice pattern“珍しい格子模様盤”
Seller Reported Running StatusWorking, reported tending to run slightly fast“動品（少し進みがち）”

Visible details

  • Silvered/light dial with applied gold-tone hour markers and matching hands
  • Seconds hand features an arrow or colored accent tip
  • Mounted on a textured dark leather strap
  • Round metallic case with crown positioned at 3 o'clock

Research qualifications

  • Date is estimated by the seller from a movement marking rather than official factory records
  • Movement and caseback are not visible in this primary photograph
  • Seller notes a small crack in the acrylic crystal near 11 o'clock

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 39ccead366

Terms in this record

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

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