{"product_id":"citizen-homer-second-setting-21-jewels-jnr-railway-watch-showa-44-1969-originale-eisenbahner-dienstuhr-frisch-revidiert","title":"Citizen Homer Second Setting – 21 Jewels – JNR Railway Watch – Shōwa 44 \/ 1969 – original railway employee's service watch - freshly serviced","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA genuine Japanese railway employee service watch – not a modern railway design, but an instrument actually used in the operations of the Japanese National Railways.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eCitizen Homer Second Setting 21 Jewels\u003c\/strong\u003e dates from \u003cstrong\u003eShōwa 44, which is 1969\u003c\/strong\u003e, and was manufactured for employees of the then \u003cstrong\u003eJapanese National Railways – 日本国有鉄道 (JNR)\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case back bears the historical service engraving:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e昭44\u003cbr\u003e948\u003cbr\u003e三鉄\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe first line clearly indicates the year of issue:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e昭44 = Shōwa 44 = 1969.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe number \u003cstrong\u003e948\u003c\/strong\u003e is an individual service or inventory number.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe marking \u003cstrong\u003e三鉄\u003c\/strong\u003e refers to the organizational assignment within the JNR at that time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThus, this watch possesses something that many vintage watches lack: \u003cstrong\u003ea real occupational provenance documented directly on the object.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eThe \"Kokutetsu Homer\"\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAmong collectors, these watches are known in Japan today as \u003cstrong\u003e国鉄ホーマー – Kokutetsu Homer\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is not an independent sales designation from Citizen, but rather refers to those Homer Second Setting watches that were actually issued to employees of the state-owned Japanese railway. Japanese vintage specialists explicitly describe these watches as professional JNR service watches, whose value is significantly determined by the year, service station identification, and original condition. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSecond Setting – for synchronization to the exact second\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe name \u003cstrong\u003eSecond Setting\u003c\/strong\u003e refers to the crucial professional function.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePulling the crown stops the second hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis allowed the watch to be set precisely to an official reference time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor railway personnel, this function was essential: timetables, departures, and train sequencing required a common, precise time base.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat seems self-evident in many mechanical watches today was a deliberately used professional function in the late 1960s.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eA watch for daily railway operations\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Homer was deliberately designed with a sober aesthetic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe light dial features large black Arabic numerals and a full minute track.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall luminous dots are located on the outer edge.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlack hands provide strong contrast to the background.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow 12 o'clock, it elegantly reads:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCitizen Homer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand above 6 o'clock:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSecond Setting\u003cbr\u003e21 JEWELS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThus, the watch combines objective functionality with an astonishingly elegant appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCitizen and the Japan National Railways\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCitizen was one of the most important suppliers of wristwatches for the JNR.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile Seiko became particularly known for its large railway pocket watches, Citizen established itself with the Homer Second Setting as a robust wristwatch for professional use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorical JNR-Homer watches therefore often have engravings on the back with:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYear,\u003cbr\u003eService or inventory number\u003cbr\u003eand responsible railway administration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese engravings are now a significant part of collector valuation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e1969 – early phase of the JNR-Homer\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e1969 is particularly interesting within this model family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Homer Second Setting belongs to the classic JNR wristwatches of an era when the Shinkansen was just five years old and the Japanese railway network played a central role in the country's economic rise.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA watch with \u003cstrong\u003e昭44\u003c\/strong\u003e thus comes directly from this heyday of Japanese post-war railway history.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCondition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch is in authentic vintage condition. It has been freshly serviced by a Japanese watchmaker and extensively tested again before sale.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe dial shows age-appropriate patina, but is very legible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case and case back show signs of wear, as would be expected for a watch actually used as a service instrument.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOf particular importance is the well-preserved engraving on the back:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e昭44 \/ 948 \/ 三鉄\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is not a decorative detail, but rather the historical proof of provenance of this specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe mounted brown leather strap is a later replacement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos and agreed upon as the condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCollector's Appeal\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Citizen Homer Second Setting has now become an established collecting area for Japanese Railway Watches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis particular example combines:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003egenuine JNR service provenance,\u003cbr\u003eexact dating to 1969,\u003cbr\u003eindividual service number,\u003cbr\u003ehistorical administration engraving,\u003cbr\u003e21-jewel hand-wound movement\u003cbr\u003eand the Second Setting function developed for railway operations.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCrucially, this watch is not merely inspired by railway design.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIt was itself a part of Japanese railway operations.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe current valuation by specialized Japanese vintage dealers reflects this historical character. Even later JNR-Homer watches are regularly offered there for around \u003cstrong\u003e¥110,000–118,000\u003c\/strong\u003e; special service station provenances are priced higher. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBrand:\u003c\/strong\u003e Citizen\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Homer Second Setting\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCollector's designation:\u003c\/strong\u003e 国鉄ホーマー \/ Kokutetsu Homer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eType:\u003c\/strong\u003e JNR Railway Watch \/ Railway employee service watch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eYear:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shōwa 44 \/ 1969\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eService engraving:\u003c\/strong\u003e 昭44 · 948 · 三鉄\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eService\/inventory number:\u003c\/strong\u003e 948\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e mechanical hand-wound\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eJewels:\u003c\/strong\u003e 21 Jewels\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hour, Minute, Central Second, Hacking Second\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDiameter:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 36–37 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLug width:\u003c\/strong\u003e approx. 18 mm\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Acrylic\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Cream with black Arabic numerals\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrap:\u003c\/strong\u003e brown leather strap\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWarranty (used)\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a used item. The limitation period for claims for defects under the statutory warranty is \u003cstrong\u003e12 months from delivery\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eNote on water resistance\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo current water resistance is guaranteed for this historical railway service watch.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo protect the historical movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vintage \u0026 JDM (Japan Domestic Market)","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54200764596562,"sku":"A419","price":899.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0911\/3908\/0530\/files\/37B7B217-5D78-4BD2-BA3D-EA197C5A6E48.jpg?v=1786071669","url":"https:\/\/japanese-microbrands.com\/en\/products\/citizen-homer-second-setting-21-jewels-jnr-railway-watch-showa-44-1969-originale-eisenbahner-dienstuhr-frisch-revidiert","provider":"Japanese Microbrands - Mario Lenke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}