Presented for auction by Second Vintage
Step back into the mid-century era of Japanese horology with this striking Citizen AutoDater. Featuring a distinctive peripheral rotor movement and a beautifully balanced day-date layout, this timepiece exemplifies Citizen's innovative engineering and refined design language from the 1960s. The combination of a sharp fluted bezel and a pristine sunburst dial makes it a compelling addition for collectors of significant vintage Japanese watches.
Brand: Citizen
Model: AutoDater
Reference Number: ADSS51307-DA
Serial Number: 50404060
Movement: Automatic, 19 Jewels
Dial: Silver sunburst dial with applied faceted indices, showing minor age-consistent spotting but remaining exceptionally clean and vibrant
Case Size: 38 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Production Date: October 1965
Condition: Excellent vintage condition with a beautifully preserved dial and sharp case lines
Dial and Hands
The silver sunburst dial is a masterclass in vintage Japanese design, radiating outward from the center and catching the light beautifully. It features a curved day window positioned prominently at 12 o'clock and a framed date aperture at 3 o'clock. The applied block indices are faceted with black central inserts, complementing the sharp sword-style hands that also feature matching black stripes for enhanced legibility. A distinctive blue crown logo sits above the 6 o'clock position, accompanied by the printed "para 40M water" text. The dial remains in excellent condition, displaying a crisp sunburst texture with only very faint, localized signs of age-consistent spotting visible under close inspection on the indices and dial surface, preserving its highly attractive vintage character without detracting from its overall brilliance.
Case and Crystal
The 38mm stainless steel case boasts a strong presence on the wrist, characterized by its sharp, straight lugs and a highly attractive fluted coin-edge bezel. The transition between the polished case flanks and the textured bezel remains well-defined, indicating careful preservation over the decades with only honest signs of light vintage wear. The solid caseback features crisp, legible engravings, including the Citizen AutoDater nomenclature and the classic Star logo. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal that perfectly complements the vintage aesthetic, remaining clear and allowing for an unobstructed view of the stunning dial beneath.
Movement
Powering this timepiece is Citizen's renowned automatic movement, featuring the brand's innovative peripheral rotor system. The movement is clearly stamped with the Citizen signature and "19 Jewels" along the outer winding ring, showcasing a clean and mechanically fascinating architecture. Exhibiting remarkable accuracy and consistency, performing brilliantly for a vintage timepiece, the timegrapher results show a deviation of +5 to +10 seconds per day. This outstanding health underscores the robust engineering of Citizen's mid-century calibers.
Strap
The watch is paired with a rich brown leather strap featuring an elegant crocodile grain pattern and tonal stitching. The strap is supple, showing light wear, and perfectly complements the dressy yet versatile nature of the timepiece, secured by a polished stainless steel pin buckle.
Condition
This Citizen AutoDater is presented in excellent vintage condition. The case retains its sharp architectural lines and a crisp fluted bezel, showing only honest, light handling marks consistent with careful wear. The dial is exceptionally well-preserved, retaining its vibrant sunburst finish and clean typography, with only minor age-related nuances. The mechanical components are visually clean and running with impressive precision.
Dimensions
The stainless steel case measures a contemporary 38 mm in diameter, excluding the crown.
Remarks
This AutoDater represents a fantastic era of Citizen's history, combining a unique peripheral rotor movement with a sophisticated, highly legible day-date display. Its generous 38mm case size provides a modern wearing experience while retaining all the elegant charm of a mid-century classic.
History
During the 1960s, Citizen engaged in fierce competition with domestic rivals to produce innovative and reliable automatic watches. The AutoDater line, particularly those equipped with the peripheral rotor, stood out for its slim profile and unique winding mechanism. These models are highly regarded by collectors today for their mechanical ingenuity, robust build quality, and timeless design aesthetics that perfectly capture the ambitious spirit of mid-century Japanese horology.
/ Second Vintage
SKU: CIT1DQXB6B000













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Citizen - AutoDater - No reserve price - ADSS51307-DA - Men - 1965
Citizen • 1965
Sold for
€190
Sold on Jun 9, 2026
31 bids76 watching
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