Yantai wins title as famous horologe city

Watches, worn by China’s astronauts, including Zhai Zhigang, and Nie Haisheng during space missions, are on display in the Polaris Horologe Culture Museum in Yantai, East China’s Shandong province. [Photo/WeChat account: yantaifabu]

Yantai received an honorary title as a famous horologe city from China National Light Industry Council and China Horologe Association on Nov 3.The award will serve as a new name card for the coastal city in East China’s Shandong province.

The title is a result of the city’s effort in promoting the development of the watch and clock industries. In July this year, the city unveiled a guideline on the construction of custom watches and clock brands.

To enhance its capacity for independent innovation and improve product quality, Yantai will strive to nurture one or two world-famous watch or clock brands, and one or two domestically famous brands. It will also build industrial bases of mechanical clocks, according to the guideline.

Yantai will expand its global presence in the watch and clock industries, and build a system combining research and development (R&D), sales and after-sales services in accordance with international standards, the guideline said.

The history of Yantai’s watch and clock industries can be traced back to the early 20th century. In 1915, Li Dongshan, an industrialist born in Weihai, Shandong province, invested in the acquisition of German equipment and opened the Baoshi Clock Factory, the first modern clock factory in China in the Chaoyang street of Yantai.

After more than 100 years of development, Yantai has become one of the largest R&D centers and production bases of watches and clocks. It is home to several famous watch and clock brands such as Polaris and Chijiu (which means long-lasting).