The ABCs of Time – The History of Chinese Watchmaking, From Reverse Engineering to a Growing Indie Scene

China, despite a late start in watchmaking, now leads the world in watch production volume, producing over 30% of the global market. While initially focused on reverse-engineered Swiss movements for affordability and reliability, China has evolved to offer higher-end watches, including tourbillons and chronographs, and boasts a rapidly expanding independent watchmaking scene.

• China produces over 30% of the global watch market by volume.
• Chinese watch exports totaled around 600 million units in 2025, compared to Switzerland's less than 15 million.
• Chinese watch exports were valued at an estimated USD 18 billion in 2025, versus USD 31 billion for Swiss exports.
• The first Chinese wristwatch, the WuXing, debuted in 1955 and was based on a Swiss pin-lever movement.
• The Shanghai A581, based on Swiss AS 1187/AS 1194 calibres, was an early mass-produced domestic movement.
• The Tongji (Unified Mechanism) calibre was reverse-engineered from the Swiss Enicar AR1010.
• The Tongji calibre featured 17 jewels, 3Hz frequency, accuracy within +/-30 seconds per day, and a 40-hour power reserve.
• Project 304, China's first chronograph for the People's Liberation Army Air Force, utilized tooling from the Swiss Venus Watch Company for calibre 175.