Worth finding
Shanghai Watch (上海手表)
China's heritage watch brand (est. 1955) — mechanical watches with retro designs at a fraction of Swiss prices.
Should you buy it?
Good for
- Watch enthusiasts — a genuine piece of Chinese horological history
- Gift buyers for men — a classic, safe luxury-adjacent gift
- Collectors of retro/heritage design
Not for
- Smartwatch devotees — these are traditional mechanical/quartz watches
- Bargain hunters — real ones are not cheap; suspiciously cheap = fake
Why it is worth considering
Shanghai Watch (上海表) has been made in the city since 1955 and is China's best-known domestic watch brand. The appeal for visitors: honest mechanical movements, retro Chinese-design dials (some with the classic 上海 logo), and prices far below Swiss equivalents. It's a real, wearable souvenir rather than a trinket.
Buy from the brand's counters in department stores or the flagship — not from street stalls, where fakes are common. Ask about the movement type (mechanical vs. quartz) and the warranty terms.
Price
Price varies — check in store
We have not verified a current price for this item.
Before you buy, check
- Buy only from brand counters or the flagship — street-stall 'Shanghai watches' are fakes
- Confirm the movement: mechanical costs more and needs servicing; quartz is grab-and-go
- Ask about the warranty and whether it is honored outside China
- Keep the box, papers, and receipt — they protect resale and customs value
Good to know
- Keep the receipt for customs; high-value watches may need declaring
Where to buy
Sources
- What to Buy in Shanghai — Royal Caribbean (checked 2026-10-10)
Recommendation checked 2026-10-10.