Hendly Watch Shop was founded by Hope, a French man, at Pidgin Sanmaoge Bridge (today’s Jiangxi Central Road Intersection, Yan’an East Road, Shanghai) in the 3rd year of the reign of emperor Tongzhi or 1864. Hendly Watch Shop was named Hope Brother’s &Co in English and 亨达利 (Hengdali) in Chinese which implies prosperity, advancement and benefiting. It was mainly engaged in watches. At the end of 19th century, the owner of this watch shop was changed to a Germany Carlowitz & Co and the shop was relocated to the bowing club on Nanjing Road, a busy avenue at today’s Henan Intersection on Nanjing East Road in British Settlement. In 1914, the shop was transferred again to the comprador Yu Xiangshan and renamed Hendly Watch Incorporation, the prototype of Hendly Watch Shop that you visit now.

In the 6th year of the reign of the Republic of China, Yu transferred Hendly to Sun Meitang, the owner of Meihuali. Upon the acquisition of Hendly, Sun incorporated the watch business into Meihuali and continued to use Hendly as the brand name. He cancelled the business of wine and groceries, and was exclusively engaged in high-end watches. Hendly enjoyed the abundant supply of goods and thriving business by means of close relationship with the foreign businessmen. 

After the World War I, Hendly took a chance to purchase more than 100,000 watches at a lower price when Deutsche Mark and French Franc saw depreciation. The watches were sold in Shanghai then, gaining benefiting by multiple times. As a result, Hendly got stronger in capital. Afterwards, Hendly set up 23 branches across China and became a King of Watch second to none.