Art Deco fish

The 7120 is a classic watch from the Shanghai watch factory. It’s simple, versatile and elegant. This particular piece is likely from the 1970s or early 80s, and at some point was fitted with a newer dial, a gloss black dial with Arabic numerals and the art deco Shanghai logo

This design was inspired by the international element of art deco, as early 20th century artists from Europe and Asia in places like Paris, Shanghai and New York blended fashion, architecture, product design and art in interesting ways, drawing influences from multiple cultures. This fish, a common motif in eastern art, was inspired by a lacquered furniture design (lacquering also popular in Asian decor) on a privacy screen in France. One of the most interesting features of modern Shanghai is being able to see the examples of this cultural fusion that has roots in the mid 20th century but continues to this day.