Author Archives: sweephand

Cosmotron 7803A Movement – the Special Version

Posted on November 28, 2013 by sweephand

The X8 / Cosmotron electro-mechanical movements  first produced in 1966 were, for a short time, Citizen’s most accurate watches – capable of reaching chronometer grade standards.  They had a very limited life though, since quartz technology was developed soon after … Continue reading →

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This Week’s Featured Watch #54 – the Challenge Timer aka Citizen Bullhead, 4-901096

Posted on November 18, 2013 by sweephand

The Citizen Challenge Timer, usually known these days as a ‘bullhead’, was first marketed in 1972. It’s now probably Citizen’s best known vintage watch and there are often examples up for sale, however many have after market dials and refurbished … Continue reading →

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Coming Soon to a Blog Near You!

Posted on November 10, 2013 by sweephand

You may have come across the work of a certain watch maker known as 31 Jewels. There are several threads on the WUS Forum showing his restoration work on Citizen’s vintage mechanical chronographs (both the 8110 and 8100 models) and … Continue reading →

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UNI Automatic Problem

Posted on October 31, 2013 by sweephand

One of my favourite watches, a 19 jewel ‘UNI’ Auto Dater from 1965  with a ‘linen’ dial, stopped running a little while ago. Although I’m not a watch repairer I was able to diagnose the problem – it turned out … Continue reading →

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Right Tool for the Job

Posted on October 28, 2013 by sweephand

Removing and replacing rotors on many of Citizen’s vintage automatics has been something of a pain. Other than the SM and UNI models, and the Jets of course, they aren’t just a simple screw fitting i.e.: By chance I came … Continue reading →

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Jack’s Golf Updated

Posted on October 25, 2013 by sweephand

Jack reminded me that he had sent me more pictures! 🙂 So I’ve now added more to the post. Stephen

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Jack’s Golf

Posted on October 25, 2013 by sweephand

No, not a motor car, but a rather special example of Citizen’s unique Challenge Golf watch. Jack has kindly allowed me to use his photos here – please do not reproduce them anywhere else (thanks). Jack found a mint example … Continue reading →

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Diamond Flake – Power Reserve

Posted on October 16, 2013 by sweephand

This mini series on the Diamond Flake ends with a real positive 🙂  I fully wound the watch on Monday (14th October) at 14.10 hours. It stopped today (16th October) at 12.10. That’s an impressive 46 hours, not at all … Continue reading →

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Diamond Flake problem….solved – Part 2

Posted on October 14, 2013 by sweephand

‘Ninja01’, a redoubtable member of the Seikoholics forum kindly contacted me about the Diamond Flake movement and the difference between the donor movement I’ve used to resolve the problem with my Diamond Flake. Ninja01 is a Seiko expert and told … Continue reading →

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Diamond Flake Movement – The Thinnest of its Day

Posted on October 13, 2013 by sweephand

Sorting the problems with my Diamond Flake gave an opportunity to get a side shot of the 0700 movement. According to Citizen, when this was first produced in August 1962, it was the thinnest watch movement in the world – … Continue reading →

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