A distinctive vintage Citizen automatic from the late 1970s/1980s era, this timepiece features a beautifully textured gold-tone champagne dial complemented by faceted geometric hour markers and a classic day-date display at 3 o’clock. Its integrated-style tonneau cushion case, recessed crown at 4 o’clock, and stainless-steel bracelet give the watch a particularly characteristic vintage Japanese design.
Powered by Citizen’s reliable automatic mechanical movement, this example combines everyday functionality with the distinctive styling that makes vintage Citizen watches increasingly appealing to collectors.
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Collector’s Note
Citizen’s automatic watches from this period are appreciated for their robust in-house mechanical movements and distinctive Japanese design language. This example is particularly notable for its tonneau/cushion-shaped case, integrated bracelet construction, offset crown placement, and textured champagne dial.
The case back is marked 4-038908 SMK, with the serial number 81000509. Citizen serial-number conventions can indicate the production year and month, with the first digit generally representing the year and the following two digits representing the month. However, because the decade is not independently established from the serial alone, the production date is best treated as an October production from a year ending in 8, rather than assigning a definitive 1978 or 1988 date without additional corroboration.
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Specifications
* Brand: Citizen
* Manufacturer: Citizen Watch Co.
* Model / Case Number: 4-038908 SMK
* Case Family: GN-4-S
* Serial Number: 81000509
* Production Date: October, year ending in 8 — approximately 1978/1988
* Country of Origin: Japan
* Movement: Citizen Automatic
* Calibre: Citizen 8200 / 8201A series
* Movement Type: Automatic mechanical, self-winding with manual winding capability
* Jewels: 21 Jewels
* Beat Rate: 21,600 bph / 3 Hz
* Power Reserve: Approx. 40–45 hours
* Dial: Textured gold-tone / champagne
* Hour Markers: Faceted geometric raised markers
* Hands: Central hour, minute and sweep seconds hands
* Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Day-Date
* Day-Date Display: 3 o’clock
* Case Shape: Tonneau / integrated-style cushion case
* Case Material: Stainless Steel
* Case Size: Approx. 36–38 mm
* Crown: Recessed/offset crown at 4 o’clock
* Bracelet: Stainless-steel folded-link integrated-style bracelet
* End-Link Marking: 1805B
* Water Resistance: Water Resist — original marking; current water resistance not guaranteed
* Origin Marking: Japan
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Case Back Details
The case back is engraved with:
* CITIZEN WATCH CO.
* WATER RESIST
* STAINLESS
* 4-038908 SMK
* 81000509
* GN-4-S
* JAPAN
The serial number 81000509 is consistent with Citizen’s period serial-number format, indicating an October production in a year ending in 8. The exact decade cannot be conclusively established from the serial number alone.
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Movement Highlights
Powering the watch is a Citizen automatic mechanical movement from the 8200/8201A family, one of Citizen’s well-known automatic movement series.
The movement features 21 jewels, operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and offers an approximate 40–45-hour power reserve. It is a self-winding movement with the added convenience of manual winding capability.
The automatic movement makes this vintage Citizen particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate traditional mechanical Japanese watchmaking.
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Why You’ll Love It
* Authentic vintage Citizen automatic
* Distinctive Japanese vintage design
* Beautiful textured champagne/gold-tone dial
* Faceted geometric raised hour markers
* Functional day-date display
* Reliable Citizen automatic mechanical movement
* 21-jewel movement
* Unusual tonneau/cushion-shaped case
* Offset crown positioned at 4 o’clock
* Integrated-style stainless-steel bracelet
* Compact approx. 36–38 mm vintage case size
* Excellent addition to a vintage Japanese watch collection
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Important Note
This is a vintage pre-owned timepiece. All specifications, including movement details, production date, dimensions, water resistance, and other manufacturer specifications are based on the watch, visible markings, and available reference information and are provided for reference only.
The serial number suggests an October production in a year ending in 8, but the exact production year cannot be conclusively determined from the serial number alone. It may correspond to 1978 or 1988, and the date should therefore be considered approximate.
Due to age, previous use, replacement of components, and service history, actual performance may vary. The original WATER RESIST marking should not be considered a guarantee of current water resistance. We recommend avoiding exposure to moisture unless the watch has been professionally pressure-tested.
Please review all photographs carefully, as they form an important part of the description and accurately represent the watch’s current cosmetic condition.
