Forums Latest Members

Advice on 1970 Citizen chronograph?

  1. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Jun 6, 2019

    Posts
    7,384
    Likes
    20,738
    Hello dear everyone,
    If stars are aligned I’d like some day to find a colorful tool watch that doesn’t break the bank at size 32 to 36mm.

    This Citizen chrono is avail for about 350 euros.
    Seller says it is 36mm without crown and cal 8110A.
    I asked for case back and movement pics but right now I don’t have them.

    Are those Citizen chronographs decent quality/ value for money?

    I’m specifically looking for something that’s under 500 euros — at most 600, realizing it might be tough to find.

    Thanks in advance for your thoughts,
    S
     
    753A4938-A8C9-44EF-9391-5ED9E26014A9.jpeg E20EEDF6-FCFD-4C8B-8EF4-B981F8D988E2.jpeg 9B2CF6C7-AD0C-4FEA-A6AD-5E1D5EFD23EB.jpeg 326D065F-8E88-4A30-8B9D-94613040BB97.jpeg C4482D16-B087-48A0-BD7F-F5B747EA112F.jpeg FCB8AF57-2614-4D93-ACB6-C5802449AE67.jpeg
    Deafboy and Nathan1967 like this.
  2. Larry S Color Commentator for the Hyperbole. Jun 6, 2019

    Posts
    12,471
    Likes
    49,513
    Well that certainly screams Syrte style. My assumption is they are as good as any of that era. This one looks pretty good. Might need a tune up.
     
    Syrte likes this.
  3. noelekal Home For Wayward Watches Jun 6, 2019

    Posts
    5,473
    Likes
    38,147
    The watch makes a "period" statement for sure. Sculpted case, markers, and hands look the part. That green and black dial looks great with the orange hands. I think you've found colorful and the price is right.

    Some mention of the Citizen 8110A contained within this link.
    https://vintagecitizenwatches.com/tag/citizen-8110a/
     
    Syrte likes this.
  4. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    7,384
    Likes
    20,738
    Thank you very much dear gentlemen! I do like both the color and the style but the seller says he’s a watchmaker and serviced the watch but won’t post the movement. I find it weird, and would also prefer better pictures so might hold off for now.
    (Not to mention a recent purchase).
    Any other opinions welcome.
    All best
     
  5. zoohannover Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    501
    Likes
    2,121
    This is a nice automatic chronograph, even with flyback function.
    Reference Citizen 67-9071, aka Monaco. It came also with a yellow dial.

    The case is made of a black coated alloy with a stainless steel hood and stainless steel caseback. Citizen calls that BLS.

    I own one of these and it is running very good. I think case size is 38 mm x 42 mm. It has 18 mm lug size.
    It has no permanent seconds, so you can only hear if it is running. Usually I let the chronograph run all the time to get visual feedback.

    The pictures are not good enough to really see the condition.
    The edges on the polished top seem to be fine but it is difficult to judge the black coated parts.
    In any case, it requires more photos of the movement and case back.

    Here is a link to a nice documentation of a restoration project:
    https://sweep-hand.org/brians-restorations-the-citizen-67-9071-monaco/

    Here is a nice overview of the 8100A and 8110A chronographs. Scroll down for 67-9071:
    https://sweep-hand.org/citizens-vintage-chronographs/
     
    noelekal and ConElPueblo like this.
  6. Foo2rama Keeps his worms in a ball instead of a can. Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    17,045
    Likes
    25,211
  7. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    7,384
    Likes
    20,738
    Thank you so much, this is such interesting material. I did find it strange when the seller said it’s 36mm without pushers and 38mm including pushers-those 1970s chronographs are usually quite chunky.
    Perhaps he thought as a woman I cannot tell the difference?
    In any event he doesn’t accept returns so the lack of proper pictures is definitely a red flag.

    Thanks @Foo2rama, for some reason I don’t like the shapes of those Seiko chronographs, and I like to have two registers. The squarish shape and green /orange colours were the specific reason why I liked this Citizen example.
    Appreciate the suggestion though... :thumbsup:
     
    zoohannover and Foo2rama like this.
  8. Lotus_Eater8815 Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    284
    Likes
    331
    The Citizen chronographs are great. As no doubt the above articles have stated, these came after Seiko introduced their 7016 series of chronographs, and Citizen had a chance to build on those.

    Aside from being a flyback, the Citizen cal. 8110A automatic in these has a hand-winding feature and is a hi-beat movement at 28,800 bph. Some would argue that they are better than the Seiko 7016 Monacos. Great choice. Hope you find one soon, preferrably from a seller who is more sensitive to your concerns.

    I have the panda version. ;)
     
    002090ED-2B37-499B-9E3B-CBCFF0F30A59.jpeg
    noelekal and Syrte like this.
  9. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    7,384
    Likes
    20,738
    Thank you so much @Lotus_Eater8815 -A couple of French pals who are longtime collectors seem to be poopooing the movement as « extremely basic », even more so than the Swiss workhorse chrono movements of the era- eg the various Valjoux 77xx.
    Does anyone have thoughts about that? Are they just being snobs?
     
  10. bardamu Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    1,276
    Likes
    4,770
    8110A is definitely a great movement.
    I suggest to take a look at this restoration and, in general, at this useful blog about vintage Citizen:

    https://sweep-hand.org/brians-restorations-the-citizen-67-9071-monaco/

    I suggest also to ask for better pics of dial and caseback because there are aftermarket examples of this specific reference and sometimes caseback is wrong.
     
    Lotus_Eater8815, noelekal and Syrte like this.
  11. noelekal Home For Wayward Watches Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    5,473
    Likes
    38,147
    Well ... there are those who poopoo Seiko and ETA movements. Simple observation discounts snobs scorn.
     
  12. bardamu Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    1,276
    Likes
    4,770
    Extremely basic the 8110A? I wouldn't say that at all.
     
    Syrte likes this.
  13. Lotus_Eater8815 Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    284
    Likes
    331
    Well, I guess it depends on what you want to get out of it, really. As a relative newcomer to this hobby who has limited funds, I am limited to swimming in the vintage end of the horological pool. However, I do also prefer “extremely basic” workhorses that can take some relative beating, won’t cost an arm and a leg to service, and have a bit of history to them.

    My recent dreams have been about UG Tricompaxes, though. :D
     
    Syrte and noelekal like this.
  14. Lotus_Eater8815 Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    284
    Likes
    331
    And yes, when it was released, the 8110A was not basic, not by a long shot.
     
  15. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    7,384
    Likes
    20,738
    Th
    Thank you gentlemen, I will take your word for it and I am very keen on being convinced because I like this design! A pity really that seller appears unreliable, but perhaps better for my wallet to wait a bit.
     
  16. Lotus_Eater8815 Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    284
    Likes
    331
    Be careful of replacement dials if you are particular about original parts. A good indicator is the “Citizen” applied text being longer than the “chronograph” text. Otherwise, happy hunting. :)
     
    Syrte likes this.
  17. michael22 Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    1,790
    Likes
    1,897
    Good indication of originality, or replacement?
     
  18. Lotus_Eater8815 Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    284
    Likes
    331
    Replacement.
     
    Syrte and michael22 like this.
  19. Syrte MWR Tech Support Dept Jun 7, 2019

    Posts
    7,384
    Likes
    20,738
    Thanks much for the guidance! Will bear it in my as I look for the right example!