This rare Citizen Alarm from June 1963 is one of the most technically exciting and, today, significantly underestimated vintage watches from Japan. It combines classic dress watch elegance with a mechanical complication that is rarely found in good condition even among collectors: a fully integrated alarm function.

With its gold-plated case, finely structured dial, and characteristic two crowns, it embodies precisely that phase of the 1960s when mechanical watchmaking reached its peak – just before the quartz revolution fundamentally changed the market.

The watch is in very appealing, honest vintage condition and works perfectly, including the alarm.

Historical Context

Mechanical wristwatches with an alarm function are among the more demanding constructions in classical watchmaking, as they integrate a separate striking mechanism alongside the regular movement. In the 1950s and 1960s, this complication was an expression of peak technical performance.

Citizen was one of the few manufacturers worldwide that successfully implemented this technology in series production. The Citizen Alarm should therefore be understood as a Japanese counterpart to the Vulcain Cricket and as an early conceptual precursor to the later Seiko Bell-Matic. While Vulcain was positioned in the high-price segment, Citizen offered an independent, technically comparable solution – though today it is much harder to find on the market.

Particularly noteworthy is the construction with two separate mainspring barrels: one for the movement, one for the alarm. When triggered, a hammer vibrates the case back, producing the characteristic, clearly audible "whirring" sound. This design is technically demanding and rare to find in working condition today.

Early models from the 1960s are especially sporadically available, particularly in such a coherent overall condition as this example.

Movement

• Mechanical Citizen Alarm movement
• 17 Jewels
• Parashock shock protection

Special features:

• mechanical alarm function
• separate mainspring barrel for the alarm
• two crowns for separate control
• classic vibrating striking mechanism

Production Date

Serial number: 30601542

Production: June 1963 – Japan

Technical Data

Case: gold-plated
Case back: stainless steel

Diameter: approx. 35 mm
Lug-to-Lug: 42.7 mm
Height: 12.9 mm

Lug width: 17 mm

Strap: period-correct stretch band (gold-plated)

Weight: 55 g (incl. strap)

Condition

Very nice vintage condition.

The dial shows an even, aesthetic aging without disturbing damage. The case shows age-related signs of wear and an authentic patina on the gold plating. The crystal is lightly used, but without serious impairments.

The movement runs reliably, the alarm function works perfectly – a crucial point for this complication.

Classification for Collectors

The Citizen Alarm is not a mass-produced model but part of a comparatively small and specialized segment of mechanical watches. In contrast to later models such as the Bell-Matic, early Citizen Alarm watches are significantly rarer.

Especially functional examples in good condition are becoming increasingly difficult to find, as many pieces have lost their alarm function or have been heavily reworked over the years.

This example impresses with its authenticity, functionality, and very harmonious overall appearance – a combination not frequently found on the market.

Warranty (used)
This is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects (statutory warranty) is 12 months from delivery.

Note
As this is a used watch, water resistance cannot be guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.