Citizen Alarm-Chronograph P080-312775 – 1980s digital Citizen – serviced

Citizen never put the same effort into digital watches as Casio did, but they maintained a solid, understated series for years. Today, their models are significantly harder to find than the equivalent Seiko and Casio counterparts — simply because they were produced in smaller quantities and preserved less often.

The case back bears the engraving CITIZEN WATCH CO., the specifications WATER RESIST and BASE METAL CP, the reference P080-312775 KA, as well as the identification code GN-4-S and JAPAN. The dial is marked with CITIZEN and ALARM-CHRONOGRAPH and features the designation WATER RESIST JAPAN as well as the movement number 6-312217 YN.

Citizen and the digital display

In the eighties, Citizen’s strength lay elsewhere: in solar technology, titanium, and early altimeters. Their digital watches were a sideline — a volume business for the domestic market, without the ambition to write technological history.

That is exactly what makes these references interesting for collectors today. They are not iconic, have not been reissued, and have not been highly sought after — and have therefore largely disappeared. Anyone looking to build a collection of Japanese digital watches beyond the well-known names cannot ignore Citizen, while simultaneously realizing how little material is available.

Design

A tonneau case with a polished bezel and a deep black front panel. The Citizen logo is in light blue at the top left, with the graphic alarm symbol to the right. Below the display field runs the text ALARM-CHRONOGRAPH, underneath which the assignment of the four pushers is labeled: DATE, START/STOP, MODE, ALARM, and LAP/RESET. Above the display field is the day-of-the-week bar.

The display field is framed by a fine gold-colored border line — the only decorative accent in an otherwise purely functional graphic.

Dating

The reference, the case finish as chromed base metal, and the features suggest production in the 1980s. A nearly identical comparison piece with the same reference P080-312775 is listed by a vendor as being from 1989. Without our own factory records, we cannot definitively confirm this, but we consider 1989 to be the most plausible classification.

Condition and provenance

The watch comes from Japan, where it was opened, inspected, and cleaned by a watchmaker, and fitted with a new battery. It is running.

This is a worn original with clear signs of use. The LCD is complete and clearly legible; the dial printing is intact. The bezel has fine, surface-level scratches on the top and shows a dull area. On the sides of the case and the edge of the back, the chrome plating has worn away in several places; the surface there is rough and darkly discolored, which represents typical aging for a chromed base metal construction. The back shows circular scuff marks while the engraving remains legible. The installed steel bracelet is a replacement, not the original, and bears its own scratch marks on the links and the clasp.

The actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.

Technical specifications

• Brand: Citizen
• Reference: P080-312775 KA
• Case identification: GN-4-S
• Dial movement number: 6-312217 YN
• Movement: Quartz, digital (LCD), battery-operated
• Functions: Time, seconds, day of the week, date, alarm, chronograph with lap and reset
• Case: Base metal, chrome-plated (BASE METAL CP)
• Diameter without crown: 32 mm
• Height: 7 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 37.4 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight incl. bracelet: 55 g
• Dial: Black with light blue lettering and gold-colored border line
• Bracelet: Steel bracelet, not original
• Dating: Likely 1989
• Origin: Japan

For whom?

For collectors who want to add a Citizen to their digital watch collection beyond the well-known Seiko and Casio references. For those who prefer a functional, used piece to a refurbished one. And for buyers to whom a replacement bracelet offers the opportunity to configure the watch to their own taste.

Warranty (used goods)

This is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects under the statutory warranty is 12 months from delivery.

Note on water resistance

Water resistance is not guaranteed. The engraving on the back refers to the original condition upon delivery. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.