We’re again with extra classic Citizen. At present, we check out a trio of incredible watches which can be only a bit completely different than something from the period. Put together your self for the Citizen Tremendous Crystal Date and Tremendous Jet Auto Dater.
I used to be taking a look at a number of the classic Japanese watches in my assortment the opposite day. The sheer number of types all the time will get me. Greater than that, although, I nonetheless stroll away with a little bit of a necessity to speak about them. You see, I’m of the idea that the Japanese watch corporations had been making some epic stuff through the ’60s. I all the time convey up the truth that we see a lot Seiko, however, comparatively talking, so little Citizen or Orient. Let’s shed some mild on a pair completely different, but associated watches from Citizen at present: the Tremendous Crystal Date and Tremendous Jet Auto Dater.
A little bit of discovery
In the case of classic Japanese watches, I’ve said that I’ve an actual penchant for a number of traits when looking. Firstly, I desire watches with lume and which means dial and arms. Second, I intention for specimens with some kind of sporting intent regardless of how delicate. Apart from these areas, I’m fairly open and don’t thoughts watches with a bit of wear and tear or a date window. On the latter level, it’s very exhausting to search out Japanese watches missing a date. I suppose they had been eager on including worth and displaying off fast set actions. It was on certainly one of these hunts on a Japanese website that I first stumbled upon the Tremendous Crystal Date. I used to be instantly taken by its seems, however I’d quickly discover out that there was extra to find. Quickly after, I got here throughout the Tremendous Jet Auto Dater.
Whether or not you’re viewing the Citizen Tremendous Crystal Date or the Tremendous Jet Auto Dater, the watches have some key traits in widespread. The entire watches you see right here date from numerous months throughout 1966 and 1967. The Tremendous Crystal Date seems a bit extra dated, however it appears they had been made concurrently. One other shared specification is their 150 meters of water resistance. In the event you’re a eager Citizen fan — and even if you happen to’re not — the sort of water resistance stage was usually reserved for dive watches. Unsurprisingly, Citizen supplied some very related dive watches with the identical water resistance and an exterior bezel. Lastly — and that is my favourite half — every of those watches use monobloc instances. That type of oddity simply intrigues me!
The Citizen Tremendous Crystal Date
The Citizen Tremendous Crystal Date is also referred to as reference 52801-Y. It has a 37.5mm chrome steel case and is supplied with a thick, flat mineral crystal that makes photographing a correct chore. It’s solely 12mm in thickness and has a lug to lug of 45mm. The chunky lugs home an 18mm strap.
Along with the aforementioned water resistance, Citizen geared up this mannequin with a excessive finish 33 jewel caliber 5410 automated which may be hand-wound. You’ll be able to learn an exhaustive report in regards to the restoration of such a motion on this incredible article. Of observe, this motion hacks and has a quickset date operate when pulling the non-screw-down crown out to its first cease.
A novel Rolex Explorer competitor
Sufficient about specs, although, as a result of the seems are what drove me to win this piece. At a time when most corporations, Swiss or in any other case, had been making pure divers or gown watches, this watch stands out from the gang. I hate to invoke using the dreaded “subject watch” moniker, however right here we’re. The Citizen Tremendous Crystal Date may dive, however it seems like a solution to a watch just like the Rolex Explorer. Primarily, it’s a stripped-down high-performance mannequin and I discover that extremely cool for the hiker, occasional swimmer, and many others. And one can not assist however discover the swaths of lume in opposition to the majestic black dial. Sure, the arms and dial have aged in a different way, which is a standard prevalence on these, however it seems nice. On high of that, there’s some finery such because the utilized emblem and three stars above 6:00. Mine was not working very nicely and James Marien sorted it out and despatched some beautiful macros as all the time.
On the wrist, that is such a candy watch to put on. Its slim profile and nice sizing make it extremely snug. Plus, the Citizen Tremendous Crystal Date will pair nicely with nearly any sort of strap or classic bracelet. The watch feels extremely strong and in some methods fairly fashionable. Despite the fact that the motion isn’t essentially the most satisfying to wind, it appears to be strong and it does preserve glorious time after its spell with James. Lastly, don’t neglect to flip it over as a result of the case again is just unbelievable. This one even nonetheless has a few of its blue protecting coating on the again.
Discovering a Citizen Tremendous Crystal Date may be troublesome
In the event you’re all in favour of certainly one of these, you’ll want to think about purchasing in Japan. I don’t consider that Citizen marketed or offered the Citizen Tremendous Crystal Date within the West. That’s a disgrace as a result of I feel they might have confirmed standard with US army troopers through the Vietnam Struggle. Regardless, anticipate to pay wherever from $600 — 1,00zero for an honest mannequin. The actions may be serviced, however elements are actually troublesome. Crystals, crowns, and different decorative elements are practically unattainable to search out. Relating to variants, I’ve come throughout one other model with out the “Tremendous” and blue crosshairs working by the dial. It appears to be the identical watch in any other case.
The Citizen Tremendous Jet Auto Dater continues the development
It does appear a bit bizarre that Citizen made each the Tremendous Jet Auto Dater and the Tremendous Crystal Date on the similar time. These fashions carry a special reference — 51202-Y. The watches are extremely related apart from a couple of notable variations. The Tremendous Jet sports activities dimensions virtually precisely on level with the Crystal Date besides that the lugs are 20mm extensive as an alternative of 18mm. You’ll be able to see this instantly as a result of the lugs are fairly slender on the Tremendous Jet. Moreover, Citizen used its 39(!!) jewel Tremendous Jet caliber 1150 motion on this sequence of watches. You could recall an article I wrote a couple of dressy Jet Auto Dater with its spectacular 27 jewel variant. The rotors on these actions alone are definitely worth the value of admission and these 150-meter watches have them as nicely.
A candy Tremendous Jet 39 jewel automated
The Tremendous Jet Auto Dater, because the title implies, incorporates a fast set date operate and may be hand-wound. Nonetheless, they don’t hack. So as to change the date, Citizen employed a way just like Omega on the time. The person pulls the crown out one cease to set the time and a second time to vary the date. The date modifications instantly when the crown is pulled and is spring-loaded to return again to the primary cease. I all the time discover this model to really feel a tad fragile, however each of those work simply fantastic.
So there I used to be scrolling by public sale advertisements and I got here throughout the black dialed Tremendous Jet and although the dial seems loads just like the Tremendous Crystal Date, I needed to have it due to the motion variation. After securing the win, I used to be content material that I had discovered every part that I needed. Flawed! If you recognize something about Japanese watches, there’s all the time one other variant across the nook. Along with realizing black dialed model exists with dagger arms (I don’t want that one), there was an elusive silver-dialed model, and discovering one grew to become a precedence.
The elusive silver Tremendous Jet Auto Dater
I had virtually nearly walked proper previous the primary silver Tremendous Jet Auto Dater. In spite of everything, in contrast to both the black Tremendous Crystal Date and Tremendous Jet, this model accommodates no lume in any respect. It’s kind of the final word stealth beast with the identical strong water resistance, supplies, and motion. I discover it attention-grabbing that Citizen went on this dressier course as a result of they actually had been producing different silver-dialed watches with luminous arms and dials on the time. Regardless of their rationale, it’s nonetheless an ideal trying watch. I occurred to overlook the primary one I noticed as I used to be merely outbid, however I scored a few weeks in a while this beautiful instance you see right here. I’ve zero proof of this, however the silver fashions come round much less often at public sale.
Equally nice on the wrist
Very like the Tremendous Crystal Date, these Tremendous Jets look incredible on the wrist. The 20mm lug width offers a barely completely different look together with the flatter polished bezel. Right here once more, the watches really feel extremely strong because of their monobloc instances and thick mineral glass crystals. Sadly, the case again isn’t as attractive on Tremendous Jets as they preserve the knowledge all the way down to the naked necessities. Do observe the little circled “x”. This supposedly denotes the entrance loading case model. Pricing on the Tremendous Jets appear to be in the identical vary because the Tremendous Crystal Date, however I’ve seen the silver variants fetch $200 extra or so at occasions. Actually, I nonetheless haven’t discovered the Japanese market on the subject of classic Citizen or Seiko. Sale costs appear to differ wildly.
A enjoyable class of watches to gather
I’m curious if that is the primary time you’ve seen both the Citizen Tremendous Crystal Date or its relative the Tremendous Jet Auto Dater. These had been unknown to me up till a yr or so in the past and I’m actually glad that I found them. These are some significantly high-quality watches with some moderately unusual specs for the late 1960s. As I discussed, they really feel like Rolex Explorer rivals.. As of late, there are many subject watches with all types of capabilities. Within the case of Citizen, I suppose the present Promaster Powerful sequence in metal or the titanium “Ray Mears” comes closest. Tell us what you consider these comparatively unique items and if you happen to personal one (together with one of many chrome cased variations), be happy to chime in with extra info.
