Citizen 7 NH8070-55FB

This is my Citizen 7 NH8070-55FB. How I got this watch is an interesting story. I wanted to learn more about watches other then just collecting them. I wanted to know how they work and how they were made. So I searched the Internet to see what I could find. There are a lot of information on how to take apart Chinese and Japanese movement. So off I went to search for cheap watches I could take apart (and if I messed up I would not feel so bad).

I was surprised that I could not locate really cheap watches to have my fun. So the next best thing was to visit the biggest night market in Taipei, the Shihlin night market. Sadly the watches I found there were really cheap quartz powered watches. I then ventured to the many watch shops along the main road. Finally I found this watch, NOS. The shop was selling this cheap as it has been on the shelves for a long time. Paid for it and ..... yes I did not take it apart.

This watch was issued as part of the Citizen 7 range of watches. The Citizen 7 is the value for money range of watches Citizen produce to compete with the popular Seiko 5. This does not mean that the watch is inferior to other watches Citizen produced, in fact from a horological point of view it is technically competent. The Citizen 7, unlike the Seiko 5, was limited to the Asian market (excluding Japan). As I understand it, these watches were never sold outside Asia.

The other difference is the movement in the watches. In the Seiko 5 range of watches, the 7S26 movement were used. This automatic movement lack the ability to be hand wound. The Citizen 7 however, used the Miyota 8200 automatic movement. This movement had the ability to be hand wound.

On with the watch.

Basic specifications:

Functions: Hour, minutes, seconds, day (Chinese/ English, Sunday in red, rest in black), date

Dimensions: Case diameter: 38 mm, lug to lug: 46 mm, height: 11 mm (cyclops 12 mm), lug width: 20 mm

Weight: 150 gm

Caliber Number: N8200-J03952-KA

Crystal: Mineral glass

Water Resist: 50 m

This watch has an all stainless steel case and strap. It has a classic design, a retro look case and dial. It does look like a watch that would be at home in the 1970s. It was issued ca. 2005. It has skeleton arrow hour and minute hands. The tip of the hour and minute hands are lumed. The sweep second hand is red tipped. The bezel, ala diver watch does not rotate. The crystal is mineral glass single coated. The dial is black and the hours are index marked. The date/ day display window is at the 3 o'clock position. It has the cyclops eye to enhance the display of the day and date. I am not too sure if this watch falls under the Citizen Land Cruiser range of watches (model number NH8070-55).

The bracelet that comes with the watch is the integral type. The links are solid stainless steel. It comes with a double push button safety clasp. The links have a brushed finished and it is polished at the edges and at the lower center portion. The bracelet width is 20 mm and tapers down to 16 mm. The maximum wrist size would be 8". The clasp is signed 'Citizen' and has only 2 slots for extension. The folding portion of the clasp is signed 'Citizen' and 'Stainless Steel'.

The movement, as earlier mentioned is the Miyota 8200. It is a 3 hand, with a central sweep second movement offering day and date display. This is an automatic (single direction winding) movement. It has 21 jewels and beats at 21600 A/h. It has a power reserve of 45 hours. This movement was first issued ca. 1975. The movement has a very nice hand winding feel to it and is very quiet.

The case back has a display back. It is mineral glass. It is marked around the periphery of the glass with 'Citizen Watch Co', 'Water Resist', 'St. Steel' and a set of numbers which I do not know what they are. As with watches in this range, it is not serialised.

The crown is located at the 4 o'clock position. It is a non screw down crown design. Thus the water resistant rating for this watch is 50 m. The crown is large enough to allow for easy winding but not large enough to allow for easy adjustment of the time, day and date. The crown has 3 position, the first for winding, the second for day and date adjustment and the third for the time. It has a little shoulder protector on the lower portion.

The dial is black and has a lovely 'eagle' marking above the 6 o'clock position. Below the 6 o'clock position is the caliber number.

The lume on this watch is very interesting. I call it the 'POOH' lume effect. Why? Look at the photograph below. I say no more.

In conclusion, I would say that there are some things that could be done better, e.g. the lume, but at the price it is being offered, it is a decent watch that wears well and would serve well as a daily beater. Some may find it a tad heavy and may not like the integrated bracelet design. I like this watch and have yet to take it apart.