Citizen recordmaster Rmos 52801-Y
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The first model RMOS 52081 Y was released around mid 1967. The Citizen museum has an early prototype of this model and it seems it was originally designed as the Citizen Sportsmaster. Whilst white in appearance the dial is silver with a fine sunburst finish. Citizen recordmaster is printed near the top and Chronograph 21j is printed near the bottom. There is no tachymeter scale upon the dial however the printed numbers are written as seconds to assist in reading off the elapsed time. It is without lume. There is a date window is at 3. The hands and applied hour markers are in polished stainless steel. The crystal is acrylic, The crown is marked "C" |
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The case is made from polished stainless steel. It is the most common recordmaster case design it measures 36mm exc crown and 43mm lug to lug. Lug width is 18mm. Thickness is approx 11mm. The case back should look like the image shown here. The first 3 numbers of the serial relate do the manufacture date. This one is from August 1967. The etching is quite shallow on the early models. The bracelet is a polished stainless steel 5 grain beads of rice and there seems to be 2 common styles. One where the outermost row of beads are flatter and one where all 5 rows of beads are the same. The clasp is unsigned in both cases and looks like the image below. |
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The movement is the first iteration of Citizen's only hand winding chronograph movement, Citizen calibre 5700. It has 21 jewels and beats at a slow 18,000bph. Elapsed time can be measured for one minute. The user can start/stop and reset the chronograph as well as flyback (reset while running). The crown is pulled one stage to adjust the time. The date is not quick-set but is changed by advancing the hour hand past 12. The design is somewhat less sporty than most of its successors. The two pushers are the only real clue that this is no ordinary dress watch. Despite being the first attempt at a recordmaster this variant in my opinion is aesthetically one of the finest Citizen made. |
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Buying tips...
There is always a particular interest in the first models and this one is no exception as Citizens first chronograph manufactured the RMOS 52081_Y does tend to attract a slightly higher buying price than some of the later variants. However there are a couple of things to look out for. The first cal 5700 had a weak point in the design around the centre wheel pivot and later iterations seem to have addressed this issue. As a result if you are considering one that is not running it is worth noting that it may be due to a broken pivot and a replacement part will be almost impossible to find. They also seem to be more susceptible to letting in moisture than the later models and whilst the silver dial may be able to withstand moisture better than a lumed dial it is worth making sure you study a picture of the movement to be satisfied that no major moisture damage has occurred.
There is always a particular interest in the first models and this one is no exception as Citizens first chronograph manufactured the RMOS 52081_Y does tend to attract a slightly higher buying price than some of the later variants. However there are a couple of things to look out for. The first cal 5700 had a weak point in the design around the centre wheel pivot and later iterations seem to have addressed this issue. As a result if you are considering one that is not running it is worth noting that it may be due to a broken pivot and a replacement part will be almost impossible to find. They also seem to be more susceptible to letting in moisture than the later models and whilst the silver dial may be able to withstand moisture better than a lumed dial it is worth making sure you study a picture of the movement to be satisfied that no major moisture damage has occurred.
Disclaimer...
The articles on this website contain some information which is factual and some which is an opinion or conclusion drawn by the author as a result of personal observation. Whilst all efforts will made to convey which comments are based upon factual information and which are based upon opinion it is important to understand the author accepts no liability in the event that any of the information provided on this website proves to be inaccurate at any stage...
The articles on this website contain some information which is factual and some which is an opinion or conclusion drawn by the author as a result of personal observation. Whilst all efforts will made to convey which comments are based upon factual information and which are based upon opinion it is important to understand the author accepts no liability in the event that any of the information provided on this website proves to be inaccurate at any stage...
