Citizen - Deluxe - No reserve price - 0512521 - Men - 1960-1969

Presented for auction by Second Vintage This exceptional Citizen Deluxe embodies the height of mid-century Japanese watchmaking elegance. Produced during an era when Citizen was rapidly innovating to compete on the global stage, the Deluxe line represented a premium offering characterized by refined aesthetics and robust, jeweled movements. With its sophisticated sunburst dial and elegant gold-tone profile, this timepiece offers collectors a beautifully preserved example of classic dress watch design, combining historic charm with enduring mechanical craftsmanship. Brand: Citizen Model: Deluxe Serial Number: 0512521 Movement: Manual Wind, Caliber 125 Dial: Silver sunburst with applied gold-tone faceted indices, impeccably clean and well-preserved Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown) Case Material: Gold-Plated Stainless Steel Production Year: 1960s Condition: Excellent vintage condition showcasing remarkable dial preservation and honest case wear Dial and Hands The silver dial features a highly pronounced, fine radial sunburst texture that catches the light beautifully, visible under macro inspection. The typography utilizes a crisp serif font for the Citizen branding, an elegant script for the Deluxe signature, and a clean sans-serif for the 21 JEWELS designation. The lower hemisphere is marked PARA SHOCK and PHYNOX in sharp, flawless black print. Dial furniture includes applied gold-tone faceted indices, highlighted by a double baton at the twelve o'clock position and single batons throughout the remainder of the dial. The dial is exceptionally clean, showing an even, attractive preservation without any visible spots, stains, moisture marks, or surface damage. The gold-tone dauphine hands are sharp and well-proportioned, exhibiting only a very faint, age-consistent patina under high magnification that perfectly complements the vintage character of the timepiece. Case and Crystal The 35mm case features a classic dress profile, constructed of stainless steel with a 20-micron gold-plated finish. The sweeping lugs are elegantly thinned, maintaining their factory shape and sharp transitions between the top and flank surfaces. The polished finish exhibits honest signs of vintage wear, including fine handling marks and slight brassing along the extreme edges of the lug tips, which is entirely consistent with its age and careful use. The snap-on stainless steel caseback displays faded but legible factory engravings on the exterior noting the 20-micron plating, while the interior is beautifully finished with perlage and clearly stamped with the serial number 0512521. The watch is fitted with a domed acrylic crystal that remains clear and free of any significant scratches or visual distortions, providing an unobstructed view of the stunning dial. Movement Inside beats the beautifully preserved Citizen Caliber 125, a manual-wind mechanical movement featuring 21 jewels and adjusted to three positions. The movement is visibly clean, showcasing crisp horizontal brushing across the bridges and vibrant ruby jewels set into the plates. The caliber markings and adjustments are deeply engraved and filled with black enamel for high legibility, confirming its sophisticated construction. Running in vintage operational condition. Maintains the authentic mechanical character of the era. Timegrapher results show -40 to -42 seconds per day. Strap The watch is paired with a period-correct black leather strap featuring a heavily textured reptilian pattern. The strap is detailed with striking gold-tone contrast stitching that perfectly echoes the warmth of the gold-plated case and dial furniture. It is secured by a classic gold-tone pin buckle, completing the sophisticated dress aesthetic. Condition Excellent vintage condition. The dial stands out as a remarkably preserved component, remaining bright, clean, and entirely free of any detrimental spotting or print loss. The case retains strong geometry with moderate, honest wear and age-appropriate softening to the gold plating on the highest contact points. The movement is visually pristine and mechanically operational, making this a highly attractive and collector-ready example of mid-century Japanese horology. Dimensions Case Size: 35 mm (excluding the crown). The lug-to-lug and lug width proportions remain entirely standard for the era, offering a refined, low-profile, and comfortable presence on the wrist. Remarks The Citizen Deluxe line is highly regarded among enthusiasts of vintage Japanese watchmaking for its elegant proportions and reliable engineering. This specific example, with its pristine sunburst dial and sophisticated dauphine hands, captures the quintessential mid-century dress watch aesthetic. It represents a fantastic opportunity to acquire a mechanically sound and visually striking vintage Citizen that wears beautifully in modern contexts. History Introduced in the late 1950s and flourishing through the 1960s, the Citizen Deluxe was a flagship model for the brand during a period of intense domestic competition and rapid technological advancement. Designed to showcase Citizen's capability to produce highly accurate, multi-jeweled movements housed in elegant cases, the Deluxe became a massive commercial success in Japan. The inclusion of Para Shock, Citizen's proprietary shock resistance system, and Phynox, an unbreakable mainspring alloy, highlighted the brand's commitment to durability without sacrificing the refined dress watch profile that defined the era. / Second Vintage SKU: CIT-DJX-0002