In the late 1960s / early 1970s, Citizen produced several 150 meter rated divers using different movements up to and including the 8200. All the models, and their earlier and much rarer ones, will be covered in a special article soon, so for now here’s one example – i.e. the one I have! – the 62-6198. Note the red date wheel which is original to this model:
The back shows production in 1975, so this is probably one of the last to be made as the 8200 came into production:
The screw down crown is large and easy to use – the movement is hand wind-able as well:
The 6000 movements are automatics, running at 21,600 beats per hour – the 6001 is the date only version (the day/date version is the 6501). The 21 jewel version is used in this diver:
The movement number is under the balance:
The first image shows the original bezel – these have now been reproduced to the original specification, so here’s what it looks like with one fitted. Note also that the letters of the Citizen logo are separately applied:
Here’s an example of a typical applied logo, this is on a 6501 dress watch:
Sweephand's Vintage Citizen Watch Blog 
Hi, Im a long time lurker and my first post,
So I was visiting my parents and was going though a old toolbox and found my Great Uncles watch, he stopped using it in 82 (as Digital was all the rage) and didn’t wear it at all, He passed in 1992 and its been apparently sitting in a tool box ever since, I’m pretty shocked that I found it as I can vividly remember him wearing it, Now He bought it the month I was born (Jan 75) and from the SN I gather it was manufactured in Nov 74 and was the 77th one made that month. Its kinda strange wearing this as it brings back so many fond memories and I want to wear this as my ‘go to’ from now on. (I have dozens of cheap crap chinese watches that look cosmetically good, but wearing this timepiece feels ‘right’) Ok thats the history of it. now for my question!
I’ve been wearing it for the last few days and have found it keeps PERFECT time, I’m sort of amazed. Now of course after I retrieved the piece last weekend Ive done endless searches for a new glass and bezel and band, But have come up blank. I SO much want to restore this (Ok Id get the bits and pay a proper watchmaker to fit them, of course keeping the originals) But no Repo bezels since 2013, so It looks like I’m out of luck, Its a pity as the face itself is perfect and the mechanism is also perfect, I’ve searched google and ebay and have come up blank.
Now i’m not wanting to restore this to keep in a stuffy glass case as a ‘collectors piece’, I want to restore it so I can enjoy it on a daily basis and sort of re-connect, which My Uncle who I admired a lot!
Back
http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/Ade_42/media/P9030352_zpssjmtu7be.jpg.html
Front
http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/Ade_42/media/P9030348_zps2lcnzwm7.jpg.html
Front with light highlighting scratches
http://s1027.photobucket.com/user/Ade_42/media/P9030345_zpsnqdsq5jy.jpg.html
Hi Ade – thanks for your post 🙂 It’s great to hear that you have found your Great Uncle’s watch, not so much because it’s a good watch, but because it gives that nice reconnection with a man you admired. Although it’s not been used for over 20 years, it doesn’t surprise me that it started up and is running well. Citizen’s movements from the late 1960s and early 1970s were second to none. However, I would strongly recommend a full service by a skilled watchmaker who knows these movements, so it can be thoroughly cleaned and fresh oils properly applied. Your are absolutely right that it was made in November 1974.
I can help with a crystal and bezel insert if you wish – I can contact you directly via email, just let me know if that’s ok and I’ll get in touch (no need to post your email address, I see them when people post comments)
Stephen
Awesome article. I bought one new, in 1978 in Saudi Arabia. My Uncle was a watchman, and he loved this watch. I paid ~$150 US equivalent at the time. Mine is S/N 60800150, 4-800851 Y just above that. I love this watch. I used to dive with it regularly, late 1970s to early 1980s. Now, wear it, alternating days with my Tissot. However, after having this watch reworked three times, twice by my local highly competent watchman, first time by Gendron’s, it is in critical shape. My watchmaker has given it complete life support for the last time. I missed one on eBay a year or so ago, and it was only about 1,200 serial number off of mine. Love the write up, and thanks. Any idea by the S/N what year mine is? Thanks!
Hi Greg, thanks for visiting my blog, and for your kind comments. Great to hear you have owned one of these from new, and used it for its intended purpose 🙂 It was made in August 1976 (from first three digits in the serial number). What do you mean by ‘in critical shape’? Is the movement worn out? Or is it the case and bezel? Or both!? All is not necessarily lost….
Stephen
Troy is my local watchmaker, and an awesome one at that. I sent it to Gendron’s in RI years ago. They charged an rather high fee compared to local in the Midwest. But, they were tainted as one of the best, and Citizen themselves prior had said they were unable to fix it. A week after return to me, the second hand fell off. I sent it back, and it came back with the second hand on, but kept inaccurate time compared to prior.
Troy was able to rebuild it, making some parts, like most good true watchmakers often can and have to do. His repair lasted about 6 years or so. When I took it back, he said that repair was probably about it. That was about 3years ago. The case is good, stem is pretty worn, mechanism itself keeps great time still. The self winding mechanism no longer works. I can manually wind it, but the stem also has issues.
I’d love to resurrect it. Any suggestions are greatly appreciated. Bought this in ’78 with money from my first job. A diving buddy of mine, a commercial diver, turned me onto this watch. After going through a couple Rolex’s that did not hold up, he had discovered the quality and practicality of a Citizen. My watch has really taken a beating over the years. I use stuff as intended, and don’t trailer things around for show.
Thanks again, Greg
Hi Greg – email on the way…
Stephen
Hi greg,
First of all, great post and pictures.
I was looking around the web, for some parts to this watch project i have in hands, The Citizen 62-6198 150m Diver, and i came across your website.
I was wondering if you could contact me via e-mail ?
Kind Regards
Mike
Hi Mike – thanks for your kind comments. Email sent…
Stephen
Hi Brian, I bought a 62-6198 online and only realized that the second hand isn’t original. Was wondering if you have a spare one lying around. Thank you so much.
Hi Gene and thanks for visiting my blog. Brian’s work is featured on the blog – he is a master watch maker and doesn’t supply parts. Finding an original second hand is going to be difficult to say the least – casing parts, dials and hands are very hard to come by I’m afraid. You could try posting on the SCWF (Seiko and Citizen Watch Forum), there may be someone there who could help.
Stephen
Hi I have recently acquired a citizen divers watch 62-6198 the watch is working fine ,however I would like to fit a new glass and bezel insert .Do you have any spares or would you be able to suggest a supplier .
Regards
Paul
Hi Paul, thanks for visiting my blog. Original crystals and bezel inserts are just about impossible to find for this model these days. Some good copies have been made but I don’t think they are available at the moment. ‘Crystaltimes’ (see first link in my Blogroll) sourced these; he is currently selling sapphire domed crystals that will fit – but they are expensive! I don’t know whether any of the inserts are available or might be in the future, but you could contact Alex at Crystaltimes about that.
Stephen
Hi,
I found my storage old Citizen 62-6198 which I had got about 40 years ago. Never make any service to the movement. It starting to run fine and has kept time very accurate but this hasn’t bezel ring any more. Do you have or contact or some supplies to find the original bezel?
With Regards,
Markku (from Finland, not so perfect english)
Hi Markku, thanks for visiting my blog. Your English is fine, and way better than my Finnish!! Great to hear that you have still got your 62-6198 and that it is running well. Unfortunately as far as I know, it is impossible to find an original bezel and/or the insert, unless you buy another watch. And these are expensive, especially in good condition. Is the whole bezel ring missing, or just the bezel insert?
Stephen
Hi Stephen,
Thank you for your fast reply and thank you to keeping this very informative blog. Whole bezel ring is missing. That’s true, I have tried to find it from web, there is some inserts but not whole bezel. Just thinking, is it possible to use somebody else watch bezel for this like temporary until I’ll find the original one. It’s not so good looking without bezel ring.
With Regards,
Markku
Hi Markku, you’re welcome 🙂 I know that a bezel from the slightly later 52-0110 model should fit. This model is more common than the 62-6198 so it is at least slightly more possible to find a ‘donor’ watch.
Stephen
Thank you for your tips Stephen.
Markku
Hi there, I am from Indonesia & I have the 520110 version, it’s a gift from my dad who bought it in 1978 but the watch itself was produced in May 1977 according to the serial number on the caseback.. The bezel insert, crystal and hands are already worn out and I want to replace it with the new parts, do you know any seller on internet where I can purchase these parts? Many thanks in advance for any information.. Cheers..
Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey, thanks for visiting my blog. Unfortunately, casing parts and crystals for the 52-0110 are very hard to come by. ‘Crystaltimes’ (see link in the blog roll on my home page) did do some good quality crystals and bezel inserts but I think there was not enough demand to keep producing them. You could try contacting him anyway to check. I don’t know any other sources I’m afraid, other than searching eBay for the crystal, which is part number 54-51810. Stephen
Thanks for your reply Stephen…
Yes recently I had visit crystaltimes but hadn’t contacted them yet, I think I’m gonna try asking them whether they have the parts which I need…
Many thanks again for your reply Stephen..
Cheers
Jeffrey
You’re welcome – good luck with your search
I haven’t seen many comments out there on what other Citizen models might possibly use the same crystal as these vintage divers. With Seiko, the sought after 6105 crystal was used on a number of models and finding donor watches is one path toward obtaining an original replacement. It would be great to know if something similar exists for Citizens. In any case, excellent information and blog. Much appreciated.
Hi Jay – unfortunately the divers’ crystals were only used on the diver models as far as I’ve been able to determine. There were some good after market replicas made but they are not available any longer due to low demand I think. Stephen
Thanks for your reply. There’s much less info out there on Citizen compared to Seiko so i didn’t know if that was the reason for related models not being discussed. Good to know they’re just aren’t many viable alternatives that exist. Do you think the same is true for the 20mm h-link bracelets? Do any other models share this or similar bracelets? I’m reluctant to buy the generic solid link model that’s out there. Prefer the feel and balance of the hollow link originals but have yet to see one of these bracelets offered for sale. Thanks again for a sharing all this great Citizen info and lore. Cheers, Jay
Hi Jay – you’re welcome. The diver bracelets are also hard to find I’m afraid. Although the same, or similar style was used on other watches, they have 18mm lug widths. Stephen
Hi, i need a Bezel for Citizen 62-6198, can you help me?
Hi Michele, I’m afraid replacement bezels or bezel inserts for this and other vintage divers are just about impossible to find. I don’t know of any source for them – originally they were never separate parts, but were part of the case so there was probably never any stock of such things for watch repairers. The other option is a ‘donor’ watch but to find one with a decent bezel would mean a high price since they are sought after. Sorry I can’t be more positive. Stephen