Citizen 52-0110 project

1223 Views 28 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Vette Enthusiast, 15 d ago

ChangingTimes

Discussion Starter · 2 mo ago

I just picked up this Citizen diver as a project watch.

I'm having trouble finding a replacement bezel (or bezel insert)
Can't even find any after market.

So apart from finding a donor watch, does anyone know where i can find one?

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Watch Analog watch Clock Watch accessory Material property

Watch Analog watch Product Watch accessory Silver

Btw, what a great vintage diver. The way the lume doesn't age is amazing. And they must be tanks, the movement is still silky smooth.

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Vette Enthusiast

· #2 · 2 mo ago

If I recall, this is the watch they refer to as the Barnacle diver. Case, dial, hands, and lume look to be in excellent condition. Too bad someone decided to strip that bezel insert. Another option you might consider is to see if any body out there might be able to print an overlay on some sort of clear adhesive material. I believe there are some aftermarket inserts available on ebay last I checked. They usually have a smaller lume pip which is a dead giveaway. If you want OE, you are going to have to search and be patient. Maybe an avid collector out there has one they are willing to let go of but be prepare to pay for it. Yahoo Japan is another option to search as there are a ton of nice vintage Seiko and Citizen on that site. Cool watch and good luck with the search.

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ChangingTimes

Discussion Starter · #3 · 2 mo ago

Vette Enthusiast said:
If I recall, this is the watch they refer to as the Barnacle diver. Case, dial, hands, and lume look to be in excellent condition. Too bad someone decided to strip that bezel insert. Another option you might consider is to see if any body out there might be able to print an overlay on some sort of clear adhesive material. I believe there are some aftermarket inserts available on ebay last I checked. They usually have a smaller lume pip which is a dead giveaway. If you want OE, you are going to have to search and be patient. Maybe an avid collector out there has one they are willing to let go of but be prepare to pay for it. Yahoo Japan is another option to search as there are a ton of nice vintage Seiko and Citizen on that site. Cool watch and good luck with the search.

Thank you

I did just stumble upon Yobokies thanks to a thread i found here that mentioned them.
They have am inserts for these. I think i will try one until i can source an original.

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I believe the one on the right is correct for the 52-0110?

Thanks again for helping..

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TheTigerUK

· #4 · 2 mo ago

Looks to have a great dial/hands under that poor crystal, nice.

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Vette Enthusiast

· #5 · 2 mo ago

ChangingTimes said:
Thank you
I did just stumble upon Yobokies thanks to a thread i found here that mentioned them.
They have am inserts for these. I think i will try one until i can source an original.

View attachment 513381

I believe the one on the right is correct for the 52-0110?

Thanks again for helping..

Harold at Yabokies makes some amazing stuff. Yes, I believe the 52-0110 had the fully graduated bezel insert shown on the right.

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bloody watches

· #6 · 2 mo ago (Edited)

Hi I love these Citizens
Harold has the only insert to fit the 52 0110 and his stuff is very very good ( I hope he has some left )

Have a read of the sweephand's site or VCW
they are both packed with fantastic information on these divers, I've been searching for an original bezel for years,.

Original crystal's can be found on ebay or yahoo japan ( jauce or buyee )
Good luck
Kerry.

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ChangingTimes

Discussion Starter · #7 · 2 mo ago

bloody watches said:
Hi I love these Citizens
Harold has the only insert to fit the 52 0110 and his stuff is very very good ( I hope he has some left )

Have a read of the sweephand's site or VCW
they are both packed with fantastic information on these divers, I've been searching for an original bezel for years,.

Original crystal's can be found on ebay or yahoo japan ( jauce or buyee )
Good luck
Kerry.

I did send an email asking about postage to Aus, and Harold replied straight away, seems like a good guy.

Thanks for the suggestions on some good sites regarding these, I will check them out.

I tried polishing the crystal with diamond paste and a little buff wheel thing, it helped, but it's too far gone and looks to have a few small welding burn holes, so definately need to grab a new crystal.

Can't wait to get this back to how it should look.

Vette Enthusiast

· #8 · 2 mo ago

If the watch has not seen a service, I would budget to get that done. Adrian at VTA (Vintage Time Australia) would be my first choice for the serving work.

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ChangingTimes

Discussion Starter · #9 · 2 mo ago

Vette Enthusiast said:
If the watch has not seen a service, I would budget to get that done. Adrian at VTA (Vintage Time Australia) would be my first choice for the serving work.

Cheers. Yes I plan on getting the movement serviced. I have an old guy here that does all my watches.
But he is nearing retirement sadly, and I'll soon have to start paying modern day prices which will suck.

Vette Enthusiast

· #10 · 2 mo ago

Post some pics back here when you get it all sorted. Looking forward to seeing it.

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bloody watches

· #11 · 2 mo ago

Be careful Citizen Dive watches can be addictive

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ChangingTimes

Discussion Starter · #12 · 2 mo ago

bloody watches said:
Be careful Citizen Dive watches can be addictive
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I can feel the tingle of an addiction already

Wow! That"s an amazing collection you have..

bloody watches

· #13 · 2 mo ago

ChangingTimes said:
I can feel the tingle of an addiction already

Wow! That"s an amazing collection you have..

It's taken a few years, where in Oz are you?

ChangingTimes

Discussion Starter · #14 · 2 mo ago

bloody watches said:
It's taken a few years, where in Oz are you?

I'm just outside of Wagga, nsw.

I have been collecting mostly vintage Seiko for years, but recently Citizen has started calling me.

JohnnyM27

· #15 · 2 mo ago

I have a a few vintage Citizen watches but unlike Seiko, spare parts are few and far between. Citizen is a much more difficult mountain to climb.

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bloody watches

· #16 · 2 mo ago

JohnnyM27 said:
I have a a few vintage Citizen watches but unlike Seiko, spare parts are few and far between. Citizen is a much more difficult mountain to climb.

I've been picking up donors on jap yahoo- often Citizen use the same movements over a number of models ( like Seiko)
I isn't a fixed rule but can help, particularly with seven star's or Citizen chronographs.

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ssseiko

· #17 · 2 mo ago

I would get it serviced, change the crystal, and leave the rest as is. I think that bezel looks awesome!!

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JohnnyM27

· #18 · 2 mo ago

bloody watches said:
I've been picking up donors on jap yahoo- often Citizen use the same movements over a number of models ( like Seiko)
I isn't a fixed rule but can help, particularly with seven star's or Citizen chronographs.

Buying non-working watches in probably the best (only) way to get parts. I recently had a Citizen Speedy restored and have a pile of leftover parts, a couple movements, cases, etc. I should take pictures and list them for sale. They might help someone in their restoration.

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bloody watches

· #19 · 2 mo ago

JohnnyM27 said:
Buying non-working watches in probably the best (only) way to get parts. I recently had a Citizen Speedy restored and have a pile of leftover parts, a couple movements, cases, etc. I should take pictures and list them for sale. They might help someone in their restoration.

I try to use a watchmaker that specializes in restorations, like you i normally present them with the watch I want restored, and an operating Donor moment, because it can speed up the process dramatically.
Good Speedy parts are hard to find. They shouldn't last long.

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ChangingTimes

Discussion Starter · #20 · 2 mo ago

Thanks everyone for the replies..

I will take it to my watchmaker on Tuesday, he has often surprised me with the parts he has.

These must have been some of the best sealed watches of the time.

Movement pic.

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