Citizen Deluxe Parashock 19 Jewels – Rare dial variant from the early 1960s

The Citizen Deluxe is one of the most important models in Japanese watchmaking history. It was created in the early 1960s, a time when Citizen aspired to compete internationally with European manufacturers. As the successor to the Citizen Ace , the Deluxe was the company's flagship mechanical hand-wound watch – technically sophisticated, elegantly proportioned, and entirely "Made in Japan."

This example dates from the early production phase (circa 1962–1964) and features a rare dial variant with a finely satin-finished sunburst pattern , applied gold indices, and the italic inscription “Citizen Deluxe.” This rare typography was only used during a short production period and is now seldom found in such good condition.

The silver dial stands in elegant contrast to the gold-plated case and the gold-colored dauphine hands , which perfectly embody the classic Japanese dress watch design of the early Shōwa era.

Inside beats the tried-and-tested Citizen caliber 9200 , a precise, hand-wound movement with 19 jewels and the in-house Parashock shock protection system , which Citizen established in the mid-1950s as the Japanese answer to the Swiss Incabloc. This robust, finely regulated movement laid the foundation for Citizen's international reputation for reliability and precision.

Technical data

• Brand: Citizen
• Model: Citizen Deluxe
• Caliber: Citizen 9200 (manual winding, 19 jewels, Parashock)
• Production period: approx. 1962–1964
• Case: Gold-plated (Gold Cap), stainless steel back
• Diameter: 35 mm (excluding crown)
• Height: 9 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 43.3 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight: 32 g
• Dial: Silver-colored with fine sunburst finish, rare font variant
• Hands: Dauphine shape, gold-plated
• Glass: Acrylic glass
• Bracelet: New brown leather bracelet with alligator embossing
• Shock protection: Parashock
• Origin: Japan

Special features

• Rare dial variant with cursive lettering "Citizen Deluxe"
• Typical Japanese dress watch aesthetic of the early 1960s
• Fully mechanical hand-wound movement with Parashock shock protection
• New leather strap in classic dark brown
• Very well-preserved case with even gold plating

Condition: very good – few signs of age, dial with even, barely visible patina, movement technically checked and fully functional
Included: Watch with new leather strap as pictured

Historical background

The Citizen Deluxe was produced at a time when Japanese manufacturers began to compete with leading Swiss brands. It symbolizes the rise of Japanese watchmaking to the international elite .

While Seiko set standards with the "Crown" and "Marvel," Citizen positioned the Deluxe as a finely regulated precision watch for everyday wear – elegant, robust, and technically at the highest level of its time. The Caliber 9200 was one of the first hand-wound platforms developed entirely in Japan, featuring its own shock protection system, and marked Citizen's definitive independence from Western technologies.

This watch thus embodies a piece of Japanese industrial history – it represents the beginning of a new era in which Japanese watches were no longer imitations, but independent masterpieces.

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

Notice
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.