A few days ago MiniDriver asked me to open a thread on the 'iconic' Chrono Master. So I got to putting together an article. This is Part 1, concerning the hand winding models. Part 2 is yet to be finished - so will post in due course. I guess the mods will move this to the reference section in a while, but thought I'd put it here for now....
The Chrono Master is a 'high-end' watch that first appeared in Citizen's line-up in 1967. Although it was not the first of Citizen's watches to include chronometer grade movements, since it was preceded by the Chronometer in 1962, it featured a range of models in both hand-wind and automatic forms, and has probably become Citizen's most recognised high grade vintage watch. Although there are other high end lines by Citizen, including the Chronometer of course (which will be the subject of separate articles), the Chrono Master is probably the best known. This two part article summarises the history and development of the Chrono Master, with examples and other material shown for reference. Reference and comparative information on their movements and chronology can be found here: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/stephen.netherwood/Vintage%20Citizen%20Movement%20Table%20v2.0%20Secure.pdf
Part 1 The Hand-Winding Chrono Master:1967 Models: Citizen launched the Chrono Master with two models in its first year, using movements 0920 and 1870 respectively. The obvious outward differences are that the 1870 has a date wheel and higher jeweling – 25 rather than the 22 found in the 0920. Although their specifications are very similar, their respective heritage may be different – the movement numbering suggests the closest model to the 1870 was the 'Super Deluxe Date' (movement number 1860) first produced in 1965, both being related to the 18xx movements used in the humble 'Homer' range (first produced in 1962). Two variants of each model were made, one with 'chronometer' on the dial, suggesting a higher degree of adjustment, and reflected in its price at the time (see below).The lineage of the 0920 is less clear – in the same year (1967) the 'Crystate' and 'Crystate Deluxe' models used the 0911 movement, but no earlier movements are numbered '09xx' as far as I can determine. Both versions run at 18,000 beats per hour, and the movements are both 25.60mm wide. Both types were also produced in 18K gold. However, the solid gold variants were not marked as Chrono Masters, but were marked 'Chronometer' / 'Officially Certified':
The 0920 Chrono Master: 
0920 Movement: 
0920 Back: 
The 0920 Chronometer:
The 1870 Chrono Master:
1870 Movement:
1870 Back:
The 1870 Chronometer:
The 0920 18k gold model:
The 1870 18k gold model:
18K (1870) movement:
18k case back:
1968 Model: A year on and the 0930 movement was launched, its markings confirming it was adjusted to provide chronometer grade time-keeping. Two dial variations are found, one simply marked 'Special', achieving chronometer grade, and the other marked 'Superior Chronometer' as well as 'Special'. The latter suggests even finer adjustment and accuracy , presumably to exceed the usual chronometer standards. Notably, the 0930 movement now featured a micro-adjuster, not found on the earlier two movements.
0930 Special:
0930 Special Movement:
0930 Superior:
0930 Superior Movement:
0930 Superior Back:
I am not clear at the moment as to the production run for these models - a table (in Japanese) that I have suggests they were produced until 1972 based on my own deductions from model listings and their jewel counts.
Logo Styles:
As can be seen from the above examples, the applied Citizen logo came in three slightly different styles:
Performance: I have not found any performance certificates for any of the Citizen Chrono Masters, but here is one for their Chronometer model (I would imagine that the same standards would be applied to the Chrono Master chronometers). I believe these correspond to the COSC standards at that time:
Original Prices:These are the prices when the models were first launched - all in Japanese Yen of course:
0920: 22j, SS Chrono Master..................................18,000
22j, SS Chrono Master Chronometer............19,000
22j, 18K Gold Chronometer..........................80,000
0930: 22j, SS Special ..............................................25,000
22j, SS Superior ...........................................26,000
1870: 25j, SS Chrono Master .................................21,000
25j, SS Chrono Master Chronometer.............22,000
25j, 18K Gold ................................................83,500
Here are examples from the 1971 Catalog:
0930 Superior:
1870 Chronometer:
0920 Chronometer with Tags:
0930 Superior with Tags:
Packaging:Finally, the Chrono Master was delivered in a simple black case:
Footnote: I would welcome any information that builds on the limited Chrono Master knowledge base I have - remember though that I shall post Part 2, on the automatic models in the near future, so best to keep posts here to the hand-winders.
Stephen
