The humble ‘Homer’ was Citizen’s workhorse hand wind movement for many years. First produced in 1960 I believe it was produced right through to 1980 or so, not only in Homer badged models but in others as well – notably the ‘Newmaster’. It was also used in some Rhythm Time models. The Rhythm Time company was affiliated to Citizen in the 1950s and produced entry level mechanical watches, often in smaller sizes for youngsters.
This post is about the first and simplest Homer model, which used the 0200/0201 movement. Other Homers were made with date and day windows, but they are for another day…..
When first launched the Homer was most commonly produced in gold plated cases, which were more popular in that era. And despite their humble place in the quality hierarchy early models often featured textured and patterned dials, whilst some had hexagonal and square cases. Hopefully I’ll show more of them when I do a page / article on the range.
In the early 1960s there were also a few Homer variants – the ‘Guppy’, the ‘Special’ and, featuring red, yellow or green dials – the ‘Pansy’.
The 0200/01 movement was initially made with 17, 19 or 21 jewels, later it was also seen with 7 jewels as costs were kept down for the younger market. Here’s a shot of the 17 jewel variant:
Here’s my early Homer – this one carries the Minolta company logo on the dial, which has some spotting which is all the more apparent when photographed!:
The dial carries the ‘Parashock’ and ‘Phynox’ text typical of earlier models, has a nicely finished chapter ring around a brushed centre and engraved hour markers:
Made in April 1963, this special edition for the Minolta company has nice low production number of 13:
And now let’s fast forward 10 years…..this 21 jeweled example is from May 1973, and the Homer logo has been dropped:
The stylised crown marker at 12 o’clock is also seen on the ‘Newmaster’ models, whilst the case back is now screwed on rather than a snap on type.
Finally, here’s an example of the Rhythm Time versions – same movement but in a smaller case, suitable for a teenager:
The case is chrome plated (‘CCP’), reflecting that this was an inexpensive watch:
The movement in this is clearly lower quality to keep costs down, with just 7 jewels and crudely stamped marks. Despite that this one has been serviced by the look of it:
Why the name ‘Homer’? I don’t really know the answer to that, but the Greek meaning of it I believe is to do with ‘security’ or a ‘pledge’ – makes sense that this was chosen since this movement has proved to be very sound and reliable.
Hi Sweephand.
Thank you for such interesting info. I’m from Mexico, and looking for a vintage and simple hand winder I bought a second hand Citizen with this “Homer” caliber. Much to my surprise it has the 17 jewels movement, with the citizen branding, but with a Rhythm Time type case. It is slightly small, but I get away with using it thanks to my slim wrists 🙂
I’ll keep reading your posts 🙂
Hi Jorge,
good to hear that the blog is useful. It’s interesting to read that your watch has the 17 jewel movement. Is the dial marked ‘Rhythm Time’ and does it have the jewel count on it?
There are a few Rhythm time models in the 1971 Citizen catalog but the jewel count isn’t shown 😦
Did you know that Citizen had a factory in Mexico, so yours may have been made there 🙂
Stephen
Hi Stephen.
I didn’t know you replyed to my comment, almost a year ago!! Sorry for not beeing aware.
I concluded that my watch is a Rhythm Time case because it is too small and is not stainless steels.
Let me try and include an image of my small boy’s size citizen with the Homer movement and dial.
[IMG]http://imageshack.us/a/img407/3022/1960citizensmall2.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://imageshack.us/a/img28/5647/1960citizensmall1.jpg[/IMG]
[IMG]http://imageshack.us/a/img706/9774/1d91.jpg[/IMG]
In India HMT watches still use this caliber. Check out this thread. Watches to look out for HMT Sona, HMT Surya, HMT Sudeep
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/my-hmt-watches-380228-76.html
Hi Swaminathan, thanks for this information. I knew Citizen made an arrangement with the Indian government in the 1960s and that watches had been made there with the HMT logo, but I didn’t know they were still making watches with the 02 movements. Thanks also for the link, some nice looking pieces there 🙂
Stephen
Trying to answer to your very kind reply, but no luck 😦
I just want to share some pics of my citizen that we commented a year ago.
Hi Jorge, good to hear from you again. Unfortunately only I can post pics directly here. But I can use your links so I’ll get the pics and upload them shortly 🙂
It does look like a ‘Rhythm’ watch, in the 1971 catalog these are listed in the Ladies watch section.
Stephen
Here are Jorge’s pics:
aagh! for some reason WordPress isn’t maintiaining the URL links to the pics – will investigate later
Although not marked ‘Rhythm Time’ this model looks to be one of those, using the Homer 17 jewel movement. The Rhythm Time company was acquired by Citizen in 1953. Since this one is marked waterPROOF and shockPROOF it was probably made for export, in the early 1970s I would guess. Does it have a serial number Jorge?
Stephen
Trying again, using Jorge’s links:
This seems to be working 🙂 Thanks for the pics Jorge.
Stephen
Hi i just purchased this citizen homer from ebay. Can you take a look and educate me on this model? thanks so much! I love the dial details and 2 tone!
https://www.ebay.com/itm/Vintage-Citizen-Homer-19-J-Parashock-Phynox-hand-winding-watch/223178194633?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649
Hi Mike – thanks for visiting my blog.Have you found my blog page on the Deluxe? If not, have a read and let me know if you have any questions. Here’s a quick link: https://sweep-hand.org/the-deluxe/ Stephen
Hi how come some Homer watches say CGP vs CCP on the back of the case? what do they stand for?
This is because they have different case plating – see my blog page on Citizen’s case material codes: https://sweep-hand.org/citizen-case-material-codes-used-on-vintage-models-to-c-1980/ Stephen
Hi there
Wondered if you could help
I have a citizen homer watch 21 jewels black Cross hairs dial
Think approximately date is 1967
Have the watch on eBay.co.uk under jakejim
Would like to find out more about the information of this watch
I know the strap is not original and I may replace the strap for a leather citizens strap later
And even give the watch a clean up to get rid of any scratches
It’s the famous calendar date watch which I have not found many of these on the internet
Any help will do
Kind regards jakejim
Hi Jim, thanks for visiting my blog. Can you please tell me what is stamped on the case back, that will help a lot in providing information about it. Thanks, Stephen
Good afternoon Stephen,
Sorry for my late reply.
On the rear of the watch it says the following.
Citizen All stainless steel Waterproof 12701
Then another number 7102656
Hope this helps
Kind regards stay safe
Hi Stephen. I’m in need of your help in identifying a Citizen that my father gave me. Based on my research and inquiries it has led me to believe that it is a Homer Date with calibre 1802 made in 1971. What’s weird though is that the dial doesn’t indicate any model name whatsoever and it has a cyclops crystal. What I was told by my father is that my grand-uncle (the one who gave him the watch back in the early 70’s) bought this when on a business trip in Japan. You can find the pics of the watch here both front and caseback (https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/need-assistance-in-identifying-parawater.5258874/#post-52700960).
Appreciate your help!
Hi Clarence, thanks for visiting my blog. You’re right that your watch is from 1971 – June of that year in fact . It is unusual, but not unknown, that there is no model name on the dial, especially if the watch was originally made for the Japanese Domestic market. Cyclops crystals were fairly common, so that is not surprising, or it may have been replaced later of course. You will have seen the letters ‘YD’ on the case back, which indicates this a Homer ‘Young Date’ model. The Young Date was first made in 1964, and used two variants of the Homer Date calibre – either the 1830/31 or a slightly redesigned version designated the 5000. I reckon yours is most likely the 1830/31 version since I believe the 5000 was not in production for long. As its name suggests, the Young Date was targeted at younger people, and was an inexpensive version of the Homer Date models – there was also a 7 jewel version rather quirkily known as the ‘Leader Student’. Costs were reduced for example by less finishing being done to the movement plates. Nowadays these models are quite rare, probably because they weren’t seen as pieces to be treasured over the long term. I suspect that the Young Date was not a very successful model so by 1971 the name had been dropped from the dial, and it was sold as a simple hand winder for everyday use.
Hope this helps, Stephen
I forgot to say in my first reply, that ‘CSP’ is not silver plate, but stainless steel plate – Citizen coded this as Citizen Special Plate. This also kept costs down i.e. using a plated base metal case rather than solid stainless steel. Stephen
Hi Stephen
Left the details for the watch any ideas all any information you have would be greatly appreciated
Kind regards Jim
Hi Jim, thanks for the additional info. The watch is from October 1967 (see ‘710’ in the serial number) – it can’t be 1977 since ‘waterproof’ was phased out by 1973. Since it’s marked ‘proof’ (rather than ‘parawater’), has the model number 12701 and no model name on the dial, this is an export model. It will have a Homer Date movement inside, designated ’18xx’. The exact movement designation, e.g. 1802, can be found when the back is off, since it should be stamped close to the balance assembly. It’s a manual wind of course, running at 18,000 beats per hour, and in good condition is a reliable movement, capable of decent accuracy. Stephen
Hi Stephen thanks for your quick reply,since it is a calendar watch with a black dial and beautiful silver cross hairs on the dial.you say it’s an export model any idea where from do you have any idea of value The movement is beautiful inside kind regards
Please see photos on eBay.co.uk
Sorry forgot to mention it does have a name on the dial marked citizen 21 Jewels waterproof kind regards merry Christmas
Hi Jim – I’m not sure if your watch was made in Japan, could have been Mexico where Citizen had an assembly plant, or Germany where they also assembled watches. I’m not sure when those factories first started production. Sorry I don’t try to discuss value -it’s not going to have great value, but you should be able to get an idea from the internet. Season’s Greetings 🙂 Stephen
Ok thank you for your time and consideration in this matter
I may have another look on the internet for those factory’s
Hopefully I can find something best wishes
Kind regards Jim Merry Christmas stay safe