Citizen Pocket Watch – 17 Jewels – 1960s – Para Shock – Phynox – Manual Wind – Vintage Japan

A classic Japanese pocket watch from Citizen's mechanical development phase – featuring two technical terms on the dial that are historically important for the brand: Para Shock and Phynox.

This Citizen Pocket Watch combines the traditional form of a pocket watch with a mechanical hand-wound movement with 17 jewels.

The cream-colored dial bears the inscriptions

Citizen Pocket Watch
17 JEWELS
PARA SHOCK
PHYNOX

and thus directly points to two technical developments with which Citizen emphasized the robustness of its mechanical watches in the 1950s and 1960s.

Para Shock – Citizen's Shock Protection

Citizen introduced Para Shock in 1956. According to the company, it was the first wristwatch developed in Japan with a full-fledged shock protection system.

To publicly demonstrate its performance, Citizen even dropped watches from a helicopter flying at an altitude of about 30 meters – a spectacular advertising campaign for its time.

The designation Para Shock on this pocket watch therefore stands not only for a technical detail, but for an important phase in which Japanese manufacturers specifically highlighted their own technical developments in comparison to the established Swiss competition.

Phynox

The additional designation Phynox refers to a high-quality, corrosion-resistant special alloy used in mechanical watch movements, among other things, for springs.

The combination of 17 Jewels, Para Shock, and Phynox demonstrates the ambition to build a robust and everyday mechanical pocket watch.

Comparable Citizen pocket watches of this type are attributed to the late 1950s to early 1970s period; a documented example with very similar features uses the 0201 hand-wound caliber with 18,000 A/h.

Design

With a diameter of 43.2 mm, the watch has classic pocket watch proportions.

The light dial is structured by applied gold-colored Arabic numerals. The slender gold-colored hands and the fine central seconds hand match the elegant character.

Unlike a railroad watch, this model is not purely instrumentally designed. The numerals, the slender typography, and the warm coloring make the Citizen a classic personal pocket watch.

A silver-colored metal chain is included.

Condition

The watch is in authentic vintage condition.

The case and case back show age-related scratches and signs of wear. The dial has slight signs of aging but presents an overall harmonious appearance.

A recent overhaul is not documented.

The actual condition is shown unretouched in the product photos.

Technical Data

Brand: Citizen
Model: Pocket Watch
Movement: Mechanical hand-wound
Jewels: 17 Jewels
Technical Markings: Para Shock / Phynox
Functions: Hour, Minute, Central Seconds
Case Diameter: 43.2 mm without crown/bow
Height: 9.6 mm
Weight including chain: 44 g
Dial: Cream / Silver
Chain: Silver-colored metal chain
Origin: Japan
Era: approx. 1960s

Warranty (used)

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

No water resistance is guaranteed for this vintage pocket watch. The watch should not come into contact with water or moisture.