Collectors watch as the value of China's timepieces rises

Li Wei wears a Shanghai-brand watch that was made in 1966. It looks new.

"Since the birth of Chinese watches in 1955, their movements have more or less mimicked Swiss products until this piece, which is among the first independently designed by Chinese people," says the 48-year-old who is a member of the Beijing Collectors' Association, and head of the Chinese watch division of Watchlead.com, an online forum with more than 40,000 members.

"Each watch has its own legend in my eyes," says Li. "They don't have to be equipped with tourbillon or other fancy gadgets."