The Century-Old Rivalry: Hengdali vs. Hengdeli
The Evolution and Rivalry of "Hengdali" and "Hengdeli": A Chapter in Chinese Horological History.
From the dawn of the 20th century to modern heritage status, this is the story of prestige, innovation, and the epic commercial rivalry that shaped China's watch retail landscape.
In the history of old Shanghai, two names stand as pillars of commercial luxury: Hengdali and Hengdeli. Known for their near-identical names in the Shanghai dialect, these giants dominated Nanjing Road, leaving an indelible mark on the nation’s horological culture.
GENESIS IN THE 19TH CENTURY
Hengdali’s origins trace back to 1864. By 1891, it became the primary importer of Swiss timepieces in China, famously commissioning bespoke designs that eventually graced the collections of the Qing Imperial Court and the Palace Museum.
The Era of "Advertising Wars"
As Hengdeli emerged as a formidable challenger in 1915, an iconic "Advertising War" broke out. Through newspapers and cinema, both brands battled for prestige. Hengdali emphasized its deep-rooted legacy, while Hengdeli championed "Credit First." This rivalry served as the ultimate catalyst for their national growth.
The "Liang Heng" Legacy Today
In 1993, these institutions were officially recognized by the Ministry of Internal Trade as "Time-Honored Brands" (Zhonghua Laozihao). Today, integrated into the Xinyu Hengdeli Group, they continue to blend historical prestige with modernized luxury management.
Preserving the Art of Precision
Just as these historic names stood the test of time, our modern skeleton collections honor that same tradition of mechanical mastery.
EXPLORE OUR COLLECTIONSSWISS WATCH CULTURE • HOROLOGICAL HERITAGE • MODERN LUXURY