Citizen Quartz 5500-S023211 – November 1994 – square case, day/date, 10 bar – original steel bracelet

A square stainless steel case with softly rounded corners, a finely textured silver dial, and a calendar that does nothing more than be correct: this compact Citizen is a watch for those who don't want to think in the morning.

Design and Character

The dial is finely grained across its entire surface, making it appear silvery-bright or almost white depending on the light. It features slender, applied baton indices; the shared day-date window at 3 o'clock has a white background, making it immediately readable even in low light. Below the center is the water-resistance rating WATER 10 bar RESIST.

The case is a flattened square with faceted corners – the typical design language of Japanese quartz dress watches, clear and free of ornamentation. Measuring 28.7 × 28.7 mm with a height of 8 mm and a 36.9 mm lug-to-lug, the watch has a compact cut and also fits slimmer wrists.

It is supplied on the original Citizen steel bracelet with finely crafted, multi-link segments, which ensures a pleasantly premium fit with a total weight of 72 grams. For watches in this price range, a surviving original bracelet is by no means a matter of course.

Origin of Manufacture

The case back states CITIZEN WATCH CO. · W.R. 10 BAR · ST. STEEL · 5500-S023211 · GN-4-S as well as the number 4N0076, which dates the watch to November 1994. Additionally, it bears the note JAPAN MOV'T · CASED IN CHINA: The movement is of Japanese manufacture, and the case assembly took place in China.

Condition

The watch is in good preserved condition and shows only minor signs of wear.

Note on the crown

This watch has a small quirk when setting the time: in position 2, the crown does not click in as firmly as one might be used to with newer watches and can easily slide back to position 1, which is intended for the quick-set adjustment of the day and date, when pulling it out. A slightly more careful touch when setting is enough to avoid this. Our watchmaker has checked the movement and the crown catch and found them to be technically flawless – this is a characteristic of this crown mechanism, not a defect.

Technical Specifications

• Brand: Citizen
• Reference: 5500-S023211
• Case code: GN-4-S
• Number: 4N0076
• Movement: Quartz
• Functions: Hour, minute, second, day, date
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Water resistance ex works: 10 bar
• Case dimensions without crown: 28.7 × 28.7 mm
• Lug-to-lug: 36.9 mm
• Height: 8 mm
• Lug width: 18 mm
• Weight incl. bracelet: 72 g
• Dating: November 1994
• Manufacture: Movement Japan, case assembly China
• Bracelet: Original Citizen steel bracelet

For whom?

For anyone looking for an uncomplicated, reliable, yet elegant dress watch with a full calendar who has no desire for a case beyond 40 millimeters. For slimmer wrists, although the watch appears very present. And as an affordable entry into Japanese watches with a surviving original bracelet.

Warranty (used)

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

Note

The 10 bar specification is the manufacturer's rating for the watch in new condition. 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.