Citizen Leopard Super Beat Automatic - Ref. 4-720601Y (May 1970) High-Beat 28,800 A/h

This Citizen Leopard Super Beat from May 1970 is one of the most technically ambitious automatic watches Citizen produced during the transition from the 1960s to the 1970s. The Leopard series marks the moment Citizen aimed to compete with Seiko in the segment of high-quality mechanical watches, not just in price, but also technically.

The reference 4-720601Y offered here exemplifies this ambition: high-beat technology, robust construction, and a subtly elegant design that impresses both in everyday use and from a collector's perspective.

Historical Background – Citizen Leopard Super Beat

With the Leopard Super Beat, Citizen positioned its mechanical upper class below the chronometer models, but clearly above the standard automatics. While Seiko simultaneously used 28,800 A/h with Lord Matic, King Seiko, and Grand Seiko, Citizen developed its own high-beat calibers with a focus on accuracy, everyday usability, and longevity.

The name "Super Beat" is to be understood technically: the higher beat rate of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour ensures finer time resolution, more stable behavior during changes in position, and overall smoother hand movement. Citizen consciously combined this with a solid, service-friendly construction – one reason why many Leopard models still run reliably today.

The Leopard series is thus Citizen's direct answer to Seiko's high-end business watches of the time and plays a key role in the brand's history.

Dial & Design

The original dial features a silver-champagne base tone with even, authentic aging. The applied hour markers are clearly faceted and create a pleasant depth effect depending on the light.

Typical for the Leopard series are:

• the applied CITIZEN logo
• the Leopard emblem as a mark of quality
• the "SUPER BEAT" and "28 JEWELS" lettering
• the day-date display at 3 o'clock (bilingual)

The design is functional, precise, and consciously understated – a classic representative of Japanese high-grade watches around 1970.

Movement & Technology – Citizen High-Beat Automatic

Inside, a Citizen high-beat automatic movement of its own manufacture is at work. This caliber family was specifically developed for continuous everyday use and foregoes excessive ornamentation in favor of stability and precision.

Technical Data (Movement):

• Automatic movement (Citizen In-House)
• High-Beat Frequency: 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
• 28 Jewels
• Central seconds
• Day and Date display
• Shock protection
• Bi-directional winding rotor

The movement runs reliably and meets the technical demands of the Leopard series.

Case & Proportions

The stainless steel case has a clean, slightly tonneau-shaped design, typical of Japanese watches of this era. The proportions are balanced and very wearable even by today's standards.

Measurements & Weight:

• Case diameter: 37 mm
• Height: 11 mm
• Lug-to-Lug: 40.5 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight including leather strap: 48 g

The screwed stainless steel back bears the original reference 4-720601Y as well as the Citizen engravings. Age-related signs of wear are present and emphasize the authentic vintage character. The watch comes with a beautiful leather strap with an 18 mm lug width. 

 

Condition

The watch is in a good and honest, original vintage condition:

• Movement runs reliably
• Original dial with even patina
• Case with minor age-related signs of wear
• Crystal clear with no visible scratches

No cosmetic over-restoration, no falsifying interventions.

Classification for Collectors

The Citizen Leopard Super Beat is significantly rarer today than comparable Seiko models. It appeals to collectors who:

• appreciate high-beat technology of the 1960s/70s
• understand Citizen as a technically equal competitor to Seiko
• prefer original, unmolested watches
• are looking for a wearable vintage watch with technical substance

The reference 4-720601Y in particular is considered a particularly balanced model within the Leopard family.

Technical Overview

• Brand: Citizen
• Model: Leopard Super Beat
• Reference: 4-720601Y
• Year of manufacture: May 1970
• Movement: Automatic, High-Beat
• Frequency: 28,800 A/h
• Jewels: 28
• Functions: Hour, Minute, Second, Day, Date
• Case: Stainless steel

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, no water resistance can be guaranteed. To protect the movement, the watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.