2025 10 27 The Arrival of a kind gift from Mr. Zhang Zhenghao
This was later the same day I'd visited with Xu Yaonan.
It was now evening in Shijiazhuang, and I'd taken the train that evening to visit a few days with my brother Ma Rong. I received a Wechat text a couple of days earlier from Mr. Zhang, one of my most knowledgeable Shanghai collector friends.
He advised that wanted to send me a small gift, and it would be rude to refuse. As I wouldn't be able to visit Shanghai this year, Mr. Zhang sent the watch to me in Shijiazhuang, by courier, because it and I would arrive in Shijiazhuang the same day.
I say this often, but the generosity and kindness I'm shown in China is a constant and humbling source of amazement and education for me. Thank you, Mr. Zhang!! Huge hugs!
Mr. Zhang is the Chairman of the Shanghai Collection Association, Clocks and Watches Branch and the third generation of experts in his family of watch and clock sellers, repairers and collectors.
My most recent visit with him (August of 2023) is detailed here, and the 2 photos below come from that happy post. Mr. Zhang is a good friend and a visit with him is always a pleasure.
It was now evening in Shijiazhuang, and I'd taken the train that evening to visit a few days with my brother Ma Rong. I received a Wechat text a couple of days earlier from Mr. Zhang, one of my most knowledgeable Shanghai collector friends.
He advised that wanted to send me a small gift, and it would be rude to refuse. As I wouldn't be able to visit Shanghai this year, Mr. Zhang sent the watch to me in Shijiazhuang, by courier, because it and I would arrive in Shijiazhuang the same day.
I say this often, but the generosity and kindness I'm shown in China is a constant and humbling source of amazement and education for me. Thank you, Mr. Zhang!! Huge hugs!
Mr. Zhang is the Chairman of the Shanghai Collection Association, Clocks and Watches Branch and the third generation of experts in his family of watch and clock sellers, repairers and collectors.
My most recent visit with him (August of 2023) is detailed here, and the 2 photos below come from that happy post. Mr. Zhang is a good friend and a visit with him is always a pleasure.
If you are ever in Shanghia, Mr. Zhang's astonishing shop is at 265 FangBang Zhong Road, the #6 shop at the basement level.
And here are photos of the lovely 1980s SS8 watch he sent, and he noted its rare case shape in his description to me. It came with an original strap and a hang tag.
The SS8 was Shanghai's quite successful take on a thin watch movement, and is alternatively known as the Shanghai B, the 8120 or the SB1H -- same movement, differing nomenclature.
Simple, subdued, tasteful and efficient.
As i mentioned, I was now in Shijiazhuabg with my brother Ma Rong and his family. Ma Rong was the first seller I ever contacted in China, but our friendship has progressed far beyond that. At this point, we're family.
Anyone who knows my history in China well knows that an important part of my visits here is time with my brother I see Ma Rong and his wife Qi Ran, and now his daughter QiQi, every time I've come to China--and I won't have it any other way.
These photos were taken the day after I'd arrived in Shijiazhunag and received the watch. As usual, just social context for the post. The photos are, in order, the beautiful apartment complex grounds for Ma Rong's new family home, the neighbourhood around the complex including a very nearby convenience store, and then some photos taken the night of the 28th in Shijiazhuang's old town recreation/tourism area..
Dinner with Ma Rong, his family and his friends. the night of October 28th/2025.
