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I managed to acquire a NOS Citizen Challenge Golf model from Japan that is in great shape as you would expect.
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The watch came with the hang tag, manual and original strap.
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Unfortunately the original strap has not aged well and is unwearable, so the watch is on a rally style tropic for the moment.
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The original strap is a fabric construction with what would have been a faux leather type finish but this has disintegrated with age. The interesting part of the strap is the plastic buckle that has a inner section that moves to friction lock the band in place.
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This example from 1973 has a different case back from the earlier versions.
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The original releases had a depression on the back to allow a personalized medallion to be fitted for commemorative purposes. This can be seen on the back of this other example I have had for a while.
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This case back was from the 7760-770897K model that has a more TV styled dial design.
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I also have a 4-771117-K Challenge Golf model with similar styling as the new example but it has a lighter green dial and gold not silver hands and bezel. This one also has the flat back design as it is from the same month as my new example.
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I believe that these models were only produced for a few years in the early 1970’s as Japan’s fascination with golf grew.
For those not familiar with the model it has a unique function that allows the wearer to keep track of their golf score. The wearer can track their score from -2, shown in red, to +12 displayed in blue. This is shown in the window at 12 o’clock position.
The score is increased by facing the watch away from the wearer and pressing the crown, the score is moved in the opposite direction by facing it towards the wearer and pressing the crown.
The operational details can be seen in this scan of the operational manual.
Citizen Challenge Golf Manual.pdf (2MB)
I quite like the Challenge Golf models as they are unusual and have an interesting talking point to them.
![]()
I will continue to keep a lookout for a nice condition blue dialled version to add to the collection.
The watch came with the hang tag, manual and original strap.
Unfortunately the original strap has not aged well and is unwearable, so the watch is on a rally style tropic for the moment.
The original strap is a fabric construction with what would have been a faux leather type finish but this has disintegrated with age. The interesting part of the strap is the plastic buckle that has a inner section that moves to friction lock the band in place.
This example from 1973 has a different case back from the earlier versions.
The original releases had a depression on the back to allow a personalized medallion to be fitted for commemorative purposes. This can be seen on the back of this other example I have had for a while.
This case back was from the 7760-770897K model that has a more TV styled dial design.
I also have a 4-771117-K Challenge Golf model with similar styling as the new example but it has a lighter green dial and gold not silver hands and bezel. This one also has the flat back design as it is from the same month as my new example.
I believe that these models were only produced for a few years in the early 1970’s as Japan’s fascination with golf grew.
For those not familiar with the model it has a unique function that allows the wearer to keep track of their golf score. The wearer can track their score from -2, shown in red, to +12 displayed in blue. This is shown in the window at 12 o’clock position.
The score is increased by facing the watch away from the wearer and pressing the crown, the score is moved in the opposite direction by facing it towards the wearer and pressing the crown.
The operational details can be seen in this scan of the operational manual.
Citizen Challenge Golf Manual.pdf (2MB)
I quite like the Challenge Golf models as they are unusual and have an interesting talking point to them.
I will continue to keep a lookout for a nice condition blue dialled version to add to the collection.
