Budget Chinese Watch Review #6: Shenhua 9584 Linear Auto

This is my 6th review of a budget-minded Chinese watch, the Shenhua 9584 Automatic. This watch is in my current EDC rotation of between 2-3 timepieces. The Shenhua 9584 is available in only one version: SS/Silver case and Bezel/No Dial/Black strap. Shenhua does have another, very similar watch, the 9541 automatic, with the same linear movement. It is a different color combination and somewhat different in design, so I will review that one later. This watch was supplied by TomTop .

^ TomTop Pics ^

Here is TomTop’s website, the TomTop Shenhua 9584 product page, and the expired Chinese Patent on the movement:

http://www.tomtop.com/?aid=699 (TomTop’s Website)
http://bit.ly/1VgqRWl (TomTop’s watch listing)
http://ipsearch.ipd.gov.hk/design/pdf/291460.pdf?LANG=en (PDF of Movement Originally Registered by PTS Resources App. No. 0900977.0, but they no longer hold this registration)

Lets take a look at the TomTop product listing information before I start:

Comparing to other mechanical wristwatch, this one is more simple with its see-through watch dial and case-back. Silver watchcase and internal parts, surely this wristwatch would made you think back to the old industrial age the first sight you see it. If you want something to wear on your naked wrist that looks good and tells you the time, this might be a good choice.

Features:
It is precise in calibration and durable for daily wear.
Neat looking watch, really a beautiful and delicate simply style one.
This watch is really an attractive one, you would like it for you can watch the functions inside.
Instead of battery operated, this watch is a self-winding mechanical one, which is more environmental friendly.
Do not worry about water, this wristwatch is daily life water resistant (but not for showering, swimming and diving).

Specifications:
Brand: SHENHUA
Item Type: Wristwatch
Style: Fashion & Casual
Gender: Unisex
Close Type: Pin buckle
Color: Black
Dial Display: Analog
Dial Shape: Round
Dial Material: Alloy
Band Material: Genuine leather
Surface Material: Glass
Watchcase Material: Alloy
Movement Type: Self-winding
Water-resistant Level: Daily life water-resistant
Dial Size: Approx. 4cm / 1.57in
Dial Thickness: Approx. 1.2cm / 0.47in
Unfolded Length: Approx. 25.6cm / 10.08in
Watchband Width: Approx. 2cm / 0.79in
Item Weight: Approx. 75g / 2.65oz
Package Weight: Approx. 76g / 2.68oz

Package List:
1 * Watch

KronoReview:

When I first laid eyes on this watch online, I was very intrigued. The Shenhua 9584, with it’s bridge, or linear movement, is undoubtedly a real eye-catcher. You can’t help but be drawn to the internal workings of the watch, which span across the inside at a 30 degree angle, from 3 O’clock to 8 O’clock. The rectangular movement almost seems to float inside. So, does the watch live up to the looks? We’ll find out.

Here is how the watch was packaged. The 9584 came in a padded/bubble-wrap envelope sans box, wrapped fairly securely and decently protected, and also with another watch (Megir).

2 watches shipped together (Megir already reviewed on left, Shengua 9584 on right).

The Shenhua inside was cellophane-wrapped around the case/crystal and included only a Shenhua tag.

The watch looks pretty decent in person. The black, fake leather strap is pretty bad looking and stiff, but at least somewhat comfortable. It has contrasting white stitches, one loose strap keeper, and one fixed. The strap was plenty long and fit my 7-5/8” wrist just fine. The pin/buckle is polished stainless steel, with no logo present.

This is a very simple watch, with simple functions. The movement, however, looks so original and complicated, that the watch is almost a dichotomy…simple in function, yet seemingly complicated in it’s internal structure. The angle of the linear movement, between the 3 O’clock and 8 O’clock positions, puts the crown on the upper right of the case. This does increase the comfort of the watch when the wrist is bent, as in a typing position.

The simple is just hour and minute functionality. That’ it…no seconds, sub-dials, pushers, day, date window, month…no bells and whistles…none of those things. Oh yeah…and no dial….and no brand/manufacturer’s markings on the front, whatsoever. The only markings on the front are the angled, inner bezel (hard to see, minute numbers in increments of 5), and the Roman hour-markers that are engraved and blackened on the bezel. The bezel is a bit different. It is not polished like the rest of the SS case. Rather, it is brushed in concentric circles, which gives it a more industrial look. I think that watch would look better with a polished bezel instead.

As stated before, the case is Stainless Steel. The lugs arch toward the strap, and attach via screws, not spring-bars. There should be more curvature to the lugs to make the case wrap more comfortably around the top portion of the wrist. The see-through case-back screws off. The window appears to be acrylic, and has “SHENHUA 9584”, “STAINLESS STEEL BACK WATER RESISTANT” and also a shapely SH logo printed on it. The printing and logo placement is not ideal, and is distracting when viewing the movement. It would have been much better to engrave the brand/model info on the bezel of the case-back instead.

Lets talk about looks. I have many watches (mostly inexpensive), and the 9584, by far, has received the most attention of any of them. The movement is really the star of the show. It is just really cool to watch, and the glint of the brass gear, and possibly the bling on the rotor, definitely gets attention. However, upon closer examination, the movement is literally very rough around the edges. In addition, the bling on the rotor is a bit much. Nevertheless, my wife seemed to like it. She likes the Michael Kors, blingy type watches, so this watch might actually appeal to women moreso than men. The rotor also tends to ‘hang-up’ when the watch is auto-winding. The spring-tension must be holding it in place as you are trying to rotate the watch and see the mechanism. A minor annoyance, really. The rotor is rather noisy when spinning rapidly.

^ Catalog pictures of LZ0801Z/LZ0802Z linear movement. ^

Looks pretty nice on the wrist. Definitely original!

PROS:
Attention getter…fun to watch!
Very unique, linear (bridge) type automatic movement
Screw-down, ball-shaped crown w/grippy knurling.
Simple functionality.
Lume on hands.
Sufficient strap length.
No dial or logos on front to block view.
SS case-back.
See-through front and back.
Screw-down case-back.

CONS:
Fake leather band.
Bling on rotor.
Brushed bezel.
Acrylic crystals front and rear.
Lack of functions.
Insufficient lume on hands.
Inner bezel w/minute marks is angled too sharply and difficult to see.
Case-back crystal has lettering blocking rear-view. It would have been better to identify watch with engraving around case-back bezel.
Noisy rotor.
Silver hands with white center do not contrast well with movement.
Upon close inspection, machining on movement is quite rough.
No hand-winding.
Spring tension keeps rotor from freely rotating.
No box.

DIMENSIONS:
Width: 47mm (Crown to case, remember crown is at 3 O’clock).
Case Diameter: 43.75mm
Lug to lug: 49.6mm
Strap width: 22mm
Crystal: 35mm
Height (top of crystal to caseback): 13mm
OAL: 26cm
Weight: 60gms

RATING:
Cost: 4
Looks: 4
Durability: 3
Functionality: 2.5
Comfort: 3.5
Average: 3.4/5

In conclusion, the Shenhua 9584 is a very interesting watch with a eye-catcher of a movement. The watch received an incredible amount of attention and praise. It is simple in function, but I think that is part of the appeal of the watch. The main draw is the unique and interesting movement…and more functionality would simply ‘block the view’. The durability of the movement is in question, especially in view of it’s rough edges. However, if you are looking for a conversation piece, or inexpensive watch that gets attention, you should consider the Shenhua 9584.

Thanks,
krono