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Citizen XC, Chronograph, Quartz, Sunburst Blue Dial, circa 1989 — view 1 of 6
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Wristwatches · Wristwatch

Citizen XC, Chronograph, Quartz, Sunburst Blue Dial, circa 1989

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Citizen (maker)
Date
c. 1989
Country of origin
Japan
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
VWS2944
Credit line
Dealer listing, Vintage Watch Specialist (VWS2944)
Catalogue title (original)
Citizen XC - Chronograph - Quartz - Sunburst Blue Dial - c.1989 (English)

View the source record (dealer listing) ↗ (opens another website in a new tab)Suggest a correction

Record summary

Catalogued by Vintage Watch Specialist (dealer), United Kingdom (stock number VWS2944), this is a wristwatch by Citizen, made in Japan, dated c. 1989. The Atlas places it in the Quartz Revolution period (1969 – 1990) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Vintage Watch Specialist

Blue Sunburst Dial Citizen XC Chronograph Quartz with Unique Bracelet Citizen is a renowned Japanese watch brand with a rich history in the watchmaking industry. The precursor to Citizen, the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, was established in 1918 in Tokyo, Japan. The company changed its name to Citizen Watch Company in 1930. Citizen achieved a significant milestone by introducing the first water-resistant Japanese watch in 1959. This innovation demonstrated Citizen's commitment to advancing watch technology. Citizen, along with other Japanese watchmakers, played a key role in the Quartz Revolution by introducing the Crystron Solar Cell, the world's first analogue quartz watch with a solar cell, in 1973. Citizen revolutionized the industry again with the introduction of Eco-Drive technology in 1976. Eco-Drive watches are powered by light, whether natural or artificial, eliminating the need for traditional batteries. What's on Offer This Citizen quartz chronograph is an excellent contender if you are looking for a reliable and casual vintage piece without breaking the bank. We have gathered that it dates to 1989. The centrepiece of this watch is the sunburst blue dial which features 3 chronograph dials and a date window. What also makes the dial pop is the chrome hour markers which shine nicely in light and make for a well-put-together design. The domed plexiglass face is in excellent condition barring a few minor surface scratches. Another great aspect of this watch is the one-of-a-kind steel vintage bracelet configuration which separates it from traditional bracelet designs. It also ties in nicely with the circular case which is also stainless steel. These areas have also been subject to light wear such as blemishes and scratching but it is only minor and the watch presents itself as being in good condition.

Historical context

Quartz Revolution (1969 – 1990)

Seiko's Astron begins mass quartz timekeeping; traditional industries contract sharply.

Quartz and digital watches transformed the market after 1969. Swiss employment collapsed, Japanese and Hong Kong production soared, and the Swatch (1983) helped the Swiss industry recover; mechanical watches survived as luxury goods.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Modern Mechanical Horology

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

  • Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
  • Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
  • Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
  • Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

  • Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
  • Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
  • Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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