Our Story
Once Upon a Century
Tracing the Roots
According to historical documents, watch manufacturing facilities already existed in Andong (present‑day Dandong) during the Guangxu reign of the Qing Dynasty. In 1906, the 32nd year of the Guangxu reign, Andong was opened as a treaty port. Following this opening, Switzerland, Germany, Japan and other countries began selling their industrial products in the region, with clocks and watches standing out as the most prominent commodities. This marked the beginning of Andong’s profound connection with the global horological industry. Owing to this historical origin, Andong was destined to undertake the development of China’s domestic watchmaking sector and fulfill the historical mission of achieving breakthroughs in the global watch industry.
In 1912, after the founding of the Republic of China, Andong, which had a population of just over 100,000 at that time, boasted as many as 50 watch stores. Local establishments including Andong Nanyang Watch Spectacles Co., Eternal Fortune Watch Store and North Sea Watch Store even independently produced clocks and watches, and set up branch stores in Shanghai and other major cities. This early industrial development enabled Dandong’s watch industry to take shape at an early stage, laying a solid foundation for its subsequent prosperity and growth.
Seven Craftsmen's Dream
Peacock Watches, Established in 1957
In the 1950s, seven skilled technicians at Andong Metal Products Factory spent their spare time studying sophisticated watch‑making mechanics. Using only a magnifying glass, modified screwdrivers and tweezers, they dived deep into watch details. Bound by shared enthusiasm, the seven men pooled their strengths and honed their techniques.
As their expertise grew, the seven craftsmen set out to build watches of their own. Back then, watches were luxury goods, and sophisticated watch‑making know‑how was largely confined to several European developed nations. China lagged in watch‑making technology and suffered from severe equipment shortages, making their goal immensely difficult. Driven by shared resolve and firm conviction, they took on this daunting task. They built equipment from scratch and relied on meticulous handwork when proper tools were unavailable.
Following repeated failures and hardships, their craftsmanship prevailed over harsh conditions. In 1957, they completed their very first watch — a milestone achievement built from nothing. They named it “Qianjin”, meaning “Move Forward”, to symbolize constant advancement. Andong Watch Factory was founded the next year, launching mass‑production of the Qianjin watch brand.
The Red Flag Is Flying
The Rise of Peacock Watches
In 1961, Andong Watch Factory merged with Shenyang Watch Factory to establish Liaoning Watch Factory. The factory’s A61‑type “LIAONING (遼寧牌)” watch obtained ministry‑level approval and officially went into production in February 1962.
As the enterprise kept growing, the watch‑making heritage and craftsmanship spirit inherited from the seven original technicians were further carried forward, fostering a workforce comprising hundreds of watchmakers. In 1970, the factory independently developed and manufactured the “WANNIANQING (萬年青，EVERGREEN)” 17‑jewel watch, alongside the nationally leading “HONGQI (紅旗，RED FLAG)” calendar watch, achieving an annual output of 150,000 pieces.
In 1973, mass‑production commenced for the HONGQI‑branded unified‑movement watch. This model was later rebranded as “KONGQUE (孔雀，PEACOCK)”. This marked Peacock brand’s first genuine brand transition, ushering in its illustrious era that remains widely remembered and talked about to this day.
The Peacock Spreads Its Wings
The Orient's Geneva
In 1976, the factory became China’s first domestic enterprise capable of producing complete watch units and original components, including cases, dials, jewels, shock‑absorbers, hairsprings and mainsprings. In 1979, its annual output surpassed one million pieces. In 1980, “Peacock” watches turned into a highly sought‑after commodity amid tight domestic market supply. The Peacock earned the well‑known moniker “the peacock that flies and never lands (孔雀飛來不落脚)”. Dandong was also honoured with the title of “the Orient’s Geneva”.In 1981, Peacock watches made their debut in the Hong Kong market.
In 1982, Party and state leaders including Xi Zhongxun, Peng Zhen and Chen Muhua paid an inspection visit to the factory. By the mid‑1980s, the factory employed a total of 12,000 staff, churning out over 3.8 million watches each year, and ranked first nationwide in terms of product variety.
Excelling at the Tourbillon Dance
Pinnacle Achievements in Tourbillon
The tourbillon stands as watchmaking’s pinnacle, yet Peacock’s artisans keep pursuing technical excellence. Traditionally, China’s leading dual‑tourbillon layout placed the two devices at 6 and 9 o’clock, while prestigious Swiss brand Roger Dubuis adopted a distinctive “owl‑eye” arrangement at 5 and 7 o’clock for supreme elegance — a configuration long limited by axial‑structure complexity. Through persistent R&D, Peacock created China’s first independently‑developed dual‑tourbillon calibrated to the 5‑and‑7‑o’clock owl‑eye layout. Since then, Peacock’s craftsmanship has gained global recognition, with two tourbillons beating in harmony to measure time. Worldwide, only Peacock and Roger Dubuis manufacture this style of dual‑tourbillon watch.
Tourbillon enthusiasts often jest that delicate Swiss tourbillons may need to be sent back for repair at the slightest jolt. Drawing on strong in‑house technology and manufacturing capability, Peacock integrated tourbillon mechanics with sport‑fashion watch design.
After three years of development, its team rolled out Peacock’s proprietary half‑skeleton tourbillon movement. Weighing merely 0.4 grams, it comprises 146 components and 19 jewels, with enhanced shock resistance. Every plate bears hand‑finished unique decorative patterns, assembled by master watchmakers, paired with a custom oil‑painting‑style dial. The watch case uses lightweight, durable, heat‑resistant and corrosion‑proof carbon‑fiber material.
Launched as the commemorative timepiece for Peacock’s 60th anniversary in 2017, this CLASSIC‑series sport‑fashion tourbillon carries exclusive encoded DNA recording its production procedures, watchmaker, craftsmanship and manufacturing timestamp, making every piece highly collectible.
Black Hole Central Tourbillon
Muse Design Awards 2023 Gold Winner & German iF Design Awards 2024 Winner
In the cosmos, time and space are redefined, and BLACK HOLES remain one of its greatest mysteries. Inspired by BLACK HOLES’ singular form and enigmatic force, and to commemorate humanity’s landmark 2019 BLACK HOLE imaging — confirming Einstein’s general‑relativity prediction — Peacock engineered its original central‑tourbillon watch. It brings cosmic grandeur to the wrist, interpreting the fusion and evolution of time and space via fine mechanical precision.
Modelled on a BLACK HOLE’s spherically‑symmetric external gravitational field, the bidirectional minute hand is tipped with Swiss Super‑LumiNova for legibility in dark conditions. The dial’s inner ring adopts rigorously‑tested luminous forged carbon, forged from compressed resin and luminescent compounds. Blending carbon‑fiber refinement with light‑scattering luminescent particles, its one‑of‑a‑kind texture evokes cosmic nebulae with understated depth.
The fully skeletonized movement offers full transparency, displaying recessed, hand‑polished vortex patterns. Staggered jewel bearings sit overhead, mimicking planets being pulled into a BLACK HOLE for compelling visual artistry.