{"product_id":"citizen-snoopy-peanuts-fruhe-70er-jahre-ref-4-120418-mechanischer-handaufzug-bone-hands-vintage-japan","title":"Citizen Snoopy \/ Peanuts – early 70s Ref. 4-120418 – Mechanical Hand-Wound – Bone Hands – Vintage Japan","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA mechanical Snoopy watch from Japan – not a modern licensed watch with a quartz movement, but a genuine Citizen manual-wind watch from the Showa era.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis exceptionally charming \u003cstrong\u003eSnoopy Character Watch\u003c\/strong\u003e combines two collecting areas that rarely come together so convincingly: classic Japanese mechanics and early Peanuts pop culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vibrant yellow dial features Snoopy as the central figure. Particularly original are the two white hour and minute hands: they are designed as \u003cstrong\u003ebones\u003c\/strong\u003e, directly referencing the dog motif.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBelow Snoopy is the typical signature of his creator, \u003cstrong\u003eSchulz\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt the bottom edge is the license information:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e© 1969 UNITED FEATURE SYNDICATE, INC.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eas well as the Japanese country of origin marking.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case back bears:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBASE METAL BEZEL\u003cbr\u003eSTAINLESS STEEL BACK\u003cbr\u003e120418\u003cbr\u003eMADE IN JAPAN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComparable examples are documented as \u003cstrong\u003eCitizen Ref. 4-120418\u003c\/strong\u003e and explicitly feature a mechanical manual winding movement. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCitizen 4-120418 – a Japanese Character Watch Platform\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reference \u003cstrong\u003e4-120418\u003c\/strong\u003e is particularly interesting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCitizen apparently used this case and movement platform for a whole range of Character Watches. In addition to various Snoopy versions, Japanese \u003cstrong\u003ePatty \u0026amp; Jimmy\u003c\/strong\u003e models with the same reference are also documented, for example. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis shows that it is not some later assembled souvenir watch, but a \u003cstrong\u003emass-produced Citizen platform for licensed Japanese Character Watches\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor collectors, this connection is particularly interesting: Citizen used its normal mechanical watch technology here and combined it with motifs of the youth and pop culture of the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSnoopy and Japan\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSnoopy and the Peanuts have held an exceptionally high status in Japan for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile character watches today are mostly inexpensive quartz or digital watches, early examples come from a time when even such licensed products were still built with \u003cstrong\u003emechanical manual-wind movements\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis makes the watch much more interesting today than its playful character might initially suggest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is simultaneously:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ea mechanical Japanese vintage watch,\u003cbr\u003ea Citizen collector's item,\u003cbr\u003ean early Snoopy licensed watch\u003cbr\u003eand a piece of Japanese pop culture from the Showa era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe Dial\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe vibrant yellow forms the background for a large Snoopy depiction.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe black Arabic numerals are deliberately large and follow the playful character watch style of the era.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSnoopy sits in the center of the dial, while the two \u003cstrong\u003ebone-shaped hands\u003c\/strong\u003e indicate the hour and minute.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA slender central seconds hand complements the display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Bone Hands are a particularly nice detail: they are not just decoratively printed, but are part of the actual time display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003e© 1969 – what does the year mean?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe inscription \u003cstrong\u003e© 1969 United Feature Syndicate, Inc.\u003c\/strong\u003e should not automatically be understood as the year the watch was produced.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnited Feature Syndicate was the rights holder or licensor of the Peanuts characters at that time. The year therefore refers to the Snoopy motif used or its copyright.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eComparable Citizen Ref. 4-120418 are offered in Japan as \u003cstrong\u003e1970s models\u003c\/strong\u003e. An identical reference system with a Snoopy dial is explicitly documented there as a mechanical Citizen manual-wind watch. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eMechanical Manual Wind\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnlike modern Snoopy watches, this model operates mechanically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe movement is wound daily or regularly by hand via the crown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJapanese offerings explicitly identify Ref. \u003cstrong\u003e4-120418 as a Citizen manual-wind watch\u003c\/strong\u003e. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe appeal lies precisely in this contrast: a playful comic dial over a classic mechanical Japanese movement.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCase\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case has the typical simple round basic shape with robust lugs for these models.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case back documents the material combination:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBASE METAL BEZEL\u003c\/strong\u003e – upper case made of coated base metal\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eand\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSTAINLESS STEEL BACK\u003c\/strong\u003e – stainless steel back.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case shows visible age-related marks and partial abrasion of the coating, as is often observed with such character watches.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eStrap\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe multicolored textile strap in green, red, and beige perfectly matches the pop art effect of the yellow dial.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, it cannot be definitively proven whether this is the original strap that was delivered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe watch is in authentic vintage condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case shows age-appropriate scratches, abrasion, and visible signs of wear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe yellow Snoopy dial has a very strong visual impact and is attractively preserved for its age.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe characteristic bone-shaped hands and the Snoopy depiction are also well preserved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe actual condition is depicted unretouched in the product photos and is agreed upon as such.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA recent overhaul is \u003cstrong\u003enot documented\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eCollector's Appeal\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe true value of this watch lies not in a complicated mechanism, but in its unusual combination.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ea genuine Citizen manual-wind watch,\u003cbr\u003eMade in Japan,\u003cbr\u003ea licensed historical Peanuts\/Snoopy watch,\u003cbr\u003ean early Character Watch from the Showa era\u003cbr\u003eand, with its bone hands, a particularly charming design object.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reference \u003cstrong\u003e4-120418\u003c\/strong\u003e is documented today with various Citizen Character Watches. This also makes the piece interesting for collectors of early Japanese pop culture watches. \u003cspan class=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Data\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eManufacturer:\u003c\/strong\u003e Citizen\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eModel:\u003c\/strong\u003e Snoopy \/ Peanuts Character Watch\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eReference:\u003c\/strong\u003e 4-120418 or case back marking 120418\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEra:\u003c\/strong\u003e probably 1970s\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMovement:\u003c\/strong\u003e mechanical manual wind\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFunctions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hour, minute, central seconds\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Yellow\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMotif:\u003c\/strong\u003e Snoopy \/ Peanuts\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHands:\u003c\/strong\u003e White Bone Hands\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNumerals:\u003c\/strong\u003e Black Arabic numerals\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLicense information:\u003c\/strong\u003e © 1969 United Feature Syndicate, Inc.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSignature:\u003c\/strong\u003e Schulz\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase:\u003c\/strong\u003e Base metal\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase back:\u003c\/strong\u003e Stainless steel\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCase back marking:\u003c\/strong\u003e Base Metal Bezel · Stainless Steel Back · 120418 · Made in Japan\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStrap:\u003c\/strong\u003e Multicolored textile strap\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWarranty (used)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a used item. The statute of limitations for defect claims under the legal warranty is \u003cstrong\u003e12 months from delivery\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eNote on Water Resistance\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is no reliable current water resistance indication on the case.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDue to its age and construction, \u003cstrong\u003eno water resistance is guaranteed\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTo protect the movement and dial, 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":54200739660114,"sku":"A424","price":279.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0911\/3908\/0530\/files\/40D21177-A496-49E5-9836-EB7FBA71909A.jpg?v=1786071952","url":"https:\/\/japanese-microbrands.com\/en\/products\/citizen-snoopy-peanuts-fruhe-70er-jahre-ref-4-120418-mechanischer-handaufzug-bone-hands-vintage-japan","provider":"Japanese Microbrands - Mario Lenke","version":"1.0","type":"link"}