#004 Citizen V2 - cal.7700
Movement : Citizen 7700
Year : 1971
Condition : Dial 5/10
: Case 6/10
: Movement 9/10
Bracelet : Non-original
Crown :Original Aluminum crown.
Crystal : Original
Serial no. : Case - 10309509
Today's watch is a Citizen V2 from March 1971 (based on the serial number). In the 70s Citizen released a lot of black-cased watches with the cases made of aluminum which was coloured (anodized?) black. Great idea as the watch is very comfortable and light but as aluminum is also very soft these watches usually have very worn cases. In this example, the black coating has worn away from the back and the case edges. While it is still wearable, it does tend to look old. Apart from the wear issues, another disadvantage of aluminum cases is that it reacts with the steel caseback and sets up a galvanic reaction which results in corrosion. This is because that aluminum and steel are quite far apart in the scale of 'noble metals'. This problem does not arise with steel casebacks in steel watches but you do see it in gold-plated cases. Here the gold plating does form a good protective layer but as it is very thin the the threaded portion of the case where the caseback screws in it will still be affected eventually.
Inside the watch is a 7700 (or some variant of it) which is a good workhorse capable of great timekeeping. Its not my favourite Japanese movement, that honour goes to the Seiko 6119, but its an easy movement to live with and as long as the hairspring is in good shape a clean and oiling is all it takes to get it running well. The main reason I don't really like it is because of the indirect seconds as this can cause some stuttering in the seconds hand. In addition you need to set the tension on the seconds pinion spring properly for it to run right.
The dial is not perfect and some of the dial lacquer has peeled away at the three o'clock area. Additionally there are some darker spots but as it has a starburst finish it looks fine while on the wrist. The bezel was originally gold plated but that has worn as well!
In the picture below you ca see the wear to the case and crown. It is still windable though.
Worn caseback.
Picture of the movement from the Ranfft page.
