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Citizen “Super Jet” Auto Dater

Citizen “Super Jet” Auto Dater

£450.00 GBP
£450.00 GBP
Sale Sold out
Shipping calculated at checkout.

Model: Citizen “Super Jet” Auto Dater

Year: 1960s

Features:

The Calibre. The Jet was Citizen’s second automatic watch, the first being the perhaps slightly unimaginatively named and short-lived Citizen Auto. But unlike the Auto, and just about every other automatic watch before or since, the Jet series doesn’t have a freely oscillating rotor sitting above its calibre. Instead, it has a peripheral rotor. 

The Experiment. This style of rotor has been toyed with over the years, as putting the rotor around the movement rather than above it allows the watch to be thinner than a traditional automatic. It also has the added bonus of not obstructing the movement - which is perfect, if you’ve included an exhibition caseback like Carl F. Bucherer did with the release of their peripherally powered A1000 calibre in 2009.

The Reason. Having said all of that, neither element particularly applies to the Super Jet. It’s simply a 39-jewel curiosity - one that Citizen chose to discontinue with the Super Jet line in 1967 - but that doesn’t stop it from feeling noticeably different in your hand.

The Feeling. The slight imbalance you feel when moving a normal automatic around in your hand is gone. The highly geared, and therefore slow moving, peripheral rotor replaces that chaos with a sense of calm. It’s an abstract difference, but one that makes the Super Jet feel mechanically unusual without even opening the caseback.

The Case. There were various peripherally powered Jets, but the 39-jewel Super Jet sat firmly at the top of the range - something reflected in its unusually lavish case. For context, the 80-micron gold case of Grand Seiko’s 1960 J14070 was already exceptionally generous, especially compared with the 5-10 microns typical of modern gold plating. The Super Jet took things even further with a full 100 microns of gold. Its luxury finishing and design make the oddity inside the case even odder - which probably explains why these have become so collectible in recent years.

Specifications:

Condition: In very good condition overall. Just serviced. The gold plating has been worn away on some parts of the lugs, and the base metal is visible. There are general signs of honest wear and aging across the watch. Aftermarket bracelet.

Scope: No box or papers

Movement: Citizen 39-Jewel Auto Dater

Dimensions:

  • Case Width: 37.0mm
  • Lug to Lug: 44.4mm
  • Case Thickness: 10.6mm
  • Lug Width: 18mm
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FAQs

Are your watches authentic?

Everything we sell is 100% authentic.

All of our watches are inspected and verified for authenticity - both inside and out. We have over 15 years of sourcing and collecting rare watches in Japan, which is often considered to be one of the best markets for authentic and fully original vintage watches.

Do you ship globally?

We are based in Japan and regularly ship all over the world. We typically use FedEx and it takes:

  • 3-7 business days to reach North America
  • 3-7 business days to reach Europe
  • 3-7 business days to reach Asia and Oceania.

All of our packages are securely shipped, fully insured, and trackable door-to-door.

Are all of your watches serviced?

Most but not all of our watches are serviced. The "Condition" section of each watch will confirm if the watch has been serviced.

All of our watches are tested by an independent watchmaker - if a service is needed, the watch will be serviced. If a service hasn't been conducted, it's because the watch itself is too new to need a service, or there is evidence of a recent service.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept payment by all major Credit Cards and Wise.com

What condition are your watches?

Due to the vintage and neo-vintage nature of the watches we typically sell, the condition varies from watch to watch. However, our photos are high resolution and our descriptions are accurate. You can buy with confidence knowing there won't be any nasty surprises.

If the condition of a watch is ever misrepresented, we would offer a full refund.

Do I have to pay customs or taxes?

It depends on so many factors, including but not limited to the cost of the watch, the type of watch you've bought (vintage or new), and the import laws of your country. If you're unsure we recommend checking the import laws that relate to your country before ordering.

Are your watches water resistant?

Our serviced watches are typically tested to their original water resistant specifications, but we would never recommend pushing vintage or neo-vintage watches to their depth limits.

What is your returns policy?

Due to the vintage and neo-vintage nature of most of our watches, we do not offer returns under normal circumstances. All sales should be considered final.

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