Citizen recordmaster Rmos 53001-TA
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The model RMOS 53001-TA was released around February 1968, in fact all examples I have seen so far had this one month of production. The dial is flat black and the text is crisp white. 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. There is a date window is at 3. The hands are baton style in polished stainless steel with lume up the middle. The hour markers are polished with lume strips in between. The crystal is acrylic, The crown is stepped and marked "C" |
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The case is one of the larger recordmaster designs. No other recordmaster uses this case it measures 38mm exc crown and 43mm lug to lug. Lug width is 18mm same as all the other recordmasters but the lugs are more chunky . Thickness is approx 12mm. 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 February 1968. The etching is deeper than that of the first model recordmasters and much more hardy. The bracelet is made up of slightly angled brushed elements separated by polished double bead elements. I am not aware of any other bracelet style for this model. The clasp is unsigned. |
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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. This is the first and only time we see a black dial recordmaster without a tachymeter scale. The case design is also a one off that is not used in any other recordmaster variant. It is bigger with bolder angles and thicker lugs. One can't help but think more variants should have been put into this awesome larger case. |
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Buying tips...
As with any of the one month production variants they should be considered in almost any "working" condition as there won't be many opportunities to acquire one. That said 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. The stepped crown is also not used in any other recordmaster and may prove difficult to source if needed. The case and dial are unique to this model however the handset seems to be the same as the RMOS 53002-TA.
As with any of the one month production variants they should be considered in almost any "working" condition as there won't be many opportunities to acquire one. That said 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. The stepped crown is also not used in any other recordmaster and may prove difficult to source if needed. The case and dial are unique to this model however the handset seems to be the same as the RMOS 53002-TA.
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...
