Today’s watch was a very significant one for Citizen – launched in mid-1973 it was their first quartz model. Using the 8810, 8811 and 8821 movements, they were electro-mechanical calibres, like the Cosmotrons before them. In other words they were battery powered, with a quartz crystal regulating a magnetically driven balance wheel via mechanical gears. The result is a remarkable 115,200 beats per hour oscillation, and accuracy for the 8811 & 8821 variants of +/- 10 seconds per month, and just +/- 5 seconds per month for the ‘EFA’ 8810. These hybrid movements were soon replaced by full electronic movements – I have read that they may have been produced for little more than 6 months. They are rare, especially the EFA models, and are high quality pieces – they were very expensive to buy new. They all have a ‘jewel’ at the 12 o’clock position, with two more at 6 and 9 o’clock on the EFA version. Mine is from October 1973 and is one of the 8811 models:
And the movement:
Yes, these are rarely seen. I have the upper middle model, and the lower left (which was used as a donor for the other). My watchmaker could not believe the movement when he saw it. I’ve never seen the EFA model offered for sale, though a well-known collector has posted pics on Instagram.