What a project this one turned out to be. I have had this watch rattling around my bench for a good 18 months. Finally in June 2022 I decided I had better see if I could get it working again and document the repair on video for YouTube. I have not worked on many Citizen and I think this has been my first mechanical one. Its Japanese, how hard can this be….
As you can see its quite a good looking watch dating from the late 60s. 25 jewel movement, hand winding and automatic. It has a very thick domed glass crystal which is badly scratched but at least it gives me a glimpse of what lies beneath.
With the back off it looks very clean indeed and a nice black rotor. The rotor was the first issue to remove actually as its not held on by a screw but rather a kind of nut. I do not have the correct tool for it so I used my thick tweezers half way up the shaft to make an impromptu spanner. This method worked well and soon the rotor was off.
With the movement out of the case and the hands, day & date wheels removed I get my first look at the calendar works. Complicated is what comes to mind!!
It soon comes apparent through removing more parts that this watch is actually very complicated and the dial side is full of very tricky springs including two springs that are wrapped around the same post.
As you can see here the double springs. How to remove these safely. The easiest way would be to put the movement in a plastic bag or at least some plastic on the top as this will limit the momentum should a spring decide to try to escape. I didn’t listen to my own experience and dived straight in with my trusty pegwood. I got one free but the other flew away!
Had it not been for my hairy arms this one would have been lost for sure. I didn’t know until now that my hair is like antenna as I felt something touch my arm, just slightly. I had to use magnification to find it and a macro lens on my phone to capture this photo.
The rest of the movement was not too difficult to disassemble once the 7 springs were safely removed. That’s right 7! The most I have ever seen in a movement yet. Well done Citizen.
Off to the cleaning machine the parts went.
Not allot to say about the rebuild other than it was nerve wracking. This movement did push me hard and tested my skills and patience. Fortunately I filmed it all for your enjoyment so you can all watch my trials and tribulations on my channel.
With the rebuild done, hands re-lumed and a new piece of glass to show off the dial the watch was complete. I think it has come up great. Matched it up to a nice perforated black leather strap to finish the look. I have worn this one allot ever since and another watch saved from the parts bin for me to enjoy and remises when I am wearing it. The harder ones to work on are more special when completed thats for sure.
