Reply With QuoteI dont think it's very popular so it might be good if you want to have a rare watch.
I came across this watch a few days ago and the more I learn about it the more impressed I am.
From http://citizen.jp/product/the-citize..._no=AQ4020-54Y
There is a long thread about this watch in a french watch forum. I have not finished reading it, but I came across this, google translated from French:
"The Thermocompense of Citizen n ' is not lubricated (there is no force in a quartz movement). The only thing to grease is the seals and the timer.
The non-mechanism of QP of the citizen is a marvel, and for all that it works well, they all rotated on bearings in rubies, 31 in total.
(...) GS makes diamond indexes and polished to the lapidary. Technically, on metal, it is impossible to do better. It's just the top of the finish. Apart from a technique that would come from the future where the defects of less than 0.1 micron would be erased or if the dials were made of silicon crystal cut in a precise atomic plane, with metal it is impossible to do better in large series . The only Swiss equivalent of these indexes are the Rolex Au-Pd indexes for the new day-date dial Roman numerals. Citizen and GS use very hard metal and lapidaries, it's just not possible to do better and both are strictly equivalent.
For movement, they are A060 with double quartz individually paired, aged, readjusted. The ecodrive side is a virtually indestructible graphite battery except when the watch stays in charge for too long. The electronic module is thermally compensated by comparison (but will have to be reconfirmed) AND by calibration. The stepper motor minimizes the energy consumed (that of GS is better still with the anti backlash and the triple pulse) and above all there are several, including one to rotate the date really perpetual.
Every Citizen chronomaster is a stand-alone perpetual calendar, whereas the GS is a simple calendar powered by the tension of a spring on the normal train.
It is an ultra high-end movement that has no quartz equivalent at the moment.
You have the 9F82 or 62 at GS with encapsulation of the gear, all the wheels counterpaved and isolated.
(...) The A060 is built like a mechanical caliber, 31 pebbles for the QP, everything is rotated, decorated, and they put it in a solid bottom. Are crazy at Citizen."
http://forumamontres.forumactif.com/...ter-aq4020-54y
I think I want one of these.
More pics from the French forum:
Last edited by Peteris; 23rd February 2018 at 19:48.
I dont think it's very popular so it might be good if you want to have a rare watch.
If you are seriously considering a watch like this, then I don't think popularity or rarity is a big factor. As far as I am aware this watch is not for sale in the UK. Almost no one in the UK will recognize it for what it is. A watch like this is for you to wear and appreciate, rather than for impressing others.Originally Posted by vadiro
Does look nice but it doesnt seem to have a signed crown which seems to be an omission to me on a top of the line watch.
What a beautiful watch, that paper dial looks amazing. Thanks for dragging it out of obscurity.
I have an older chronomaster (A660) and have been very happy with the accuracy and the amazingly tough (duratec) coating on the titanium case and the exquisite finishing on the case. It really is a do it all piece.
I think you will be really impressed if you decide to take the plunge.
[QUOTE=tyC;4679443].... Thanks for dragging it out of obscurity. .....
QUOTE]
Well in TZ-UK land for sure.
Why isn't hard? - Japanese, quartz, need to by unseen, uncertain UK servicing, unknown residuals, limited domestic opportunity for resale, disconnect with perceived brand recognition, lack of peer approval - because Citizen have chosen not to market these products in UK = fair enough.
That these worthy products enjoy such little exposure on a specialist watch forum is disappointing.
If I remember correctly from when I looked at these to have them serviced you need to send them back to someone in Japan (retailers were happy to do it on your behalf) who will then send them to Citizen.
It depends how you feel about servicing. I have a Grand Seiko quartz and I change the battery myself. No need for it to go anywhere.
With respect to the watch being discussed here, then I suspect it could go 15 to 20 years with no intervention at all.
I would say that is highly conservative for a super-sealed Japanese quartz movement; I have plain-jane Swiss quartz movements that are keeping perfect time (5s/yr) after a quarter century with zero service intervention. No reason to disbelieve the GS claims of 50 year intervals...
By intervention I just meant a battery change. This watch is solar powered, but I believe the rechargeable battery eventually needs to be replaced.
You could obviously work on it yourself except
which might or might not require extra steps to reset it correctly.
There are steps involved, but the owner should easily be able to do this. I can't find an English manual for the A060 movement, but I assume it works in a similar way to the A010.
http://www.citizenwatch-global.com/s...pdf/a010/e.pdf
Last edited by Peteris; 25th February 2018 at 20:02.
There is someone on Watchuseek (in the HAQ forum) who has experience with sending his Chronomaster back to Citizen for regulation. On that forum, there are also several Chronomaster owners.
I believe they are certainly as well made as the GS quartz watches. They are just more rare in Europe.
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