In 1962 Citizen introduced the beautifully named Diamond Flake based on the 0700 movement. Why this name? well a diamond flake would be thin, and at the time the 0700 movement was the thinnest Japanese design, measuring just 2.75mm deep – beating the Seiko Gold Feather by 0.2mm. I say ‘beating’ because there was something of a race to produce the thinnest movements, following the fashion for ever slimmer dress watches.
Here’s an ad from the time:
The movement was made with either 25 or 31 jewels, and later a date version was made (2700 movement, 25 jewels). My example has the 25 jewels calibre:
The logo at the 12 0’clock position is unique to the Diamond Flake, and the narrow hands on this model emphasise the slender overall design:
The thin movement allows a slim case:
This is a hand winder of course, an automatic would have been necessarily thicker to accommodate the rotor and auto winding system. The gold finish of the movement indicates that this was a good quality model:
The case back, with production in September 1963:
Some models were depth rated to 40 meters, but these were essentially dress watches, wearing light and comfortable under the cuff.
Sweephand's Vintage Citizen Watch Blog 
Reblogged this on Vintage Watches Middle East.
Stumbled across this through Google, nice watch! What’s the case diameter on yours?
Hi Scott,
thanks for visiting my blog 🙂 The watch measures 37mm excluding the crown.
Stephen
Sounds like a good size. Any interest in selling it or know where I can locate an identical one?
Hi Scott, not for sale I’m afraid. These aren’t easy to find 😦 They occasionally crop up on eBay, although sometimes in poor condition – that’s how I got my parts watch.
Stephen
If you ever change your mind… 🙂
ok 🙂
Hi , I have just bought a watch like this. The mine like your have on the back the write STAR , do you know why ? Tks
Hi Daniele, thanks for visiting my blog. Citizen made their watch cases at the ‘STAR’ factory – I believe STAR was a company in its own right before Citizen acquired it, and the name continued to be used into the early 1960s. Stephen
Tks! now is more clear..
Now I have to wait my watch form Japan and than send it for a service to my watchsmith.
I think that is hard to find part for this movement ..is a solid movement or fragile in your opinion?
Although it’s a very thin movement, it is well made and solid, so providing it is in decent condition it should run well for a long time once it’s been serviced. It won’t be water resistant of course, but with reasonable care it should be fine. Stephen
Tks Stephen , I cross my finger and I hope
my watchsmith have the skill for service this thin movement ..
You’re welcome, and I hope all goes well with the watch. Stephen
Hi, i have another question perhaps you can help me. My dial have some stain in the edge that i can’t accept 😦 and I’m looking for another better dial . Maybe do you have a spare parts Dial in nice condition ? or your friends citizen community ? any suggestions are appreciate , tsk !
Hi Daniele, I’m afraid replacement dials are very hard to find for any vintage Citizen watches and I don’t know of anything available. The best place to look for parts is Yahoo Japan, where there are more spare parts advertised, but it could be a long and difficult search. Stephen
Ok thank you, I’m already looking for a better dial..
Hi Stephen im here again.. than i have found a better dial on buyee/Yahoo and also i have change the entire movement, but now i’m looking for a new plexi chrystal and seem a mission impossible 😦
on buyee/yahoo i can’t understand where looking for a compatible plexi!
my watch is the same on your pic above, please can you suggest me a replacement plexi chrystal or the correct dimension ? tks
Hi Daniele – unfortunately I don’t have the crystal part number for this particular watch in my parts catalog. I don’t know why since just about everything else seems to be there! So I don’t know whether there are alternatives available – probably unlikely anyway since this is an early 1960s model. I would think the best thing to do is to take your watch to a competent watchmaker and ask him to measure it and take a look at the shape to see if something suitable can be found. Stephen
Ok I ask to my watchsmith . Tks
Hope it can be sorted – Stephen
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Thank you Stephen. I have been remiss in not acknowledging your daily ‘Covid-posts’, but I enjoy every one of them. Kudos to you for doing your series. BTW, I love this watch and appreciate what it is for its time. This may coincide with the broad rise of quality & precision Japanese manufacturing.
No problem Marvin – good to read that you have enjoyed them though 🙂
Hi Stephen, what is the overall thickness of the wath over the crystal?
Hi John, I make it about 7.5mm. Stephen
Just realised I describe the watch as 2.7mm, when that is the movement itself of course – was in too much of a hurry! So I’ve edited the post accordingly. Stephen