Now available at auction from Second Vintage
The Citizen Seven Star represents a fascinating era of Japanese watchmaking, capturing the adventurous spirit of the mid-century scuba diving boom. With its substantial cushion case and dual-crown compressor-style layout, this timepiece offers a commanding presence on the wrist. The inner rotating bezel and robust "Para Water" designation highlight Citizen's commitment to creating capable, stylish tool watches. This particular example wears its history proudly, showcasing an authentic, heavily patinated aesthetic that vintage tool watch collectors deeply appreciate.
Brand: Citizen
Model: Seven Star
Reference Number: APSS 2812-Y
Serial Number: 80901311
Movement: Automatic, Caliber 5270, 21 Jewels
Dial: Black with inner rotating bezel, displaying heavy stardust patina, surface spotting, and aged luminous elements
Case Size: 43 mm (excluding the crown)
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Production Year: 1960s
Condition: Good vintage condition with honest case wear and pronounced dial patina
Dial and Hands
The matte black dial has aged to exhibit a pronounced stardust patina, characterized by distinct, even spotting and freckling across the entire surface. This natural aging process provides a highly textured, atmospheric backdrop to the dial hardware. The dial features an applied silver-tone Citizen logo at twelve o'clock, paired with crisp white printed typography for the Seven Star, Para 100M Water, and jewel count designations. The applied faceted rectangular hour markers house original luminous material that has matured to a creamy, muted tone. A framed day-date aperture sits cleanly at the three o'clock position. Surrounding the main dial is a black inner rotating bezel, operated via the secondary crown, featuring white Arabic numerals and indices. The handset consists of a Mercedes-style hour hand, a broad sword minute hand, and a lollipop sweep seconds hand, all retaining their original luminous fills which match the warm aging of the dial indices.
Case and Crystal
The oversized 43mm stainless steel cushion case features a classic tonneau profile with a flat, radially brushed upper surface that transitions into polished case flanks. The dual crowns, positioned at two and four o'clock, are appropriately sized and feature ribbed edges for easy operation of the time-setting and inner bezel functions. The case displays honest signs of wear, including surface scratches, minor nicks, and handling marks consistent with decades of use as a tool watch, yet it retains its fundamental geometry without appearing over-polished. The screw-down caseback is clearly engraved with the Para Water and Seven Star branding, alongside the reference and serial numbers. A highly domed acrylic crystal protects the dial, showing minor surface wear but remaining largely clear and offering excellent vintage distortion at the edges.
Movement
Powering this timepiece is the Citizen Caliber 5270, a 21-jewel automatic movement. The visual inspection of the movement reveals a clean architecture with a distinctive black-finished rotor proudly bearing the Citizen and jewel count text in silver lettering. The base plate is clearly stamped with the 5270 caliber designation beneath the balance wheel. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. The timegrapher results show a variance of -45 to -51 seconds per day.
Strap
The watch is fitted with a black leather strap featuring a subtle reptilian grain texture and heavy contrasting tan stitching along the edges. The strap is secured with a standard stainless steel pin buckle and complements the rugged, aged aesthetic of the timepiece perfectly.
Condition
This watch is presented in good vintage condition. The case shows moderate, honest wear with visible scratches and small dings that align with its age and utilitarian purpose. The dial is the standout condition feature, displaying significant but even stardust spotting and moisture-related patina that completely transforms its look, which will appeal to collectors seeking unique aging. The hands and indices show matching, stable lume degradation.
Dimensions
The stainless steel case measures 43 mm in diameter, excluding the dual crowns.
Remarks
Dual-crown diver-style watches from the 1960s hold a special place in the vintage community. This Citizen Seven Star combines an imposing 43mm case size with a highly characterful, patinated dial, resulting in a piece that feels both historically significant and entirely unique. It is a fantastic representation of Japanese sports watch design from a golden era of aquatic exploration.
History
Citizen introduced the "Para Water" designation in 1959, marking a major milestone as Japan's first fully water-resistant watch. Throughout the 1960s, the brand expanded its waterproof lineup with the Seven Star series, which catered to the growing global fascination with recreational scuba diving and water sports. By utilizing compressor-style cases with internal rotating bezels, Citizen was able to offer robust, functional tool watches that rivaled their Swiss counterparts in both durability and design. Today, vintage Para Water models are highly respected for their historical importance and rugged charm.
/ Second Vintage
SKU: CIT1MPVJS9000
















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Citizen - Seven Star - No reserve price - APSS 2812-Y - Men - 1960-1969
Citizen
Sold for
€266
Sold on May 17, 2026
22 bids96 watching
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