Help needed on Citizen 9010A Identification

[elceedee]

Hey guys,
I came across the Citizen below. I am familiar with the Citizen 60-1071 9011A similar case model, but this model rises some questions

Its model number is 60-1039, case ID is 9010-095022TA
Slightly different from the 60-1071:

- Different dial with gold plated/gold chromed lettering instead of the golden paint
- Different strap (original I think)
- The angled surfaces at the lugs are NOT brushed, they're polished as the rest of the watch
- Different case back layout with a Larger CQ logo and Citizen Quartz instead of 'Citizen watch co.'
- 9010 movement instead of 9011

I can find 0 information online about this model and case number which makes me think I found a very early, if not -one of- the very first Citizen LCD models with this design

Your thoughts and knowledge is welcome, thanks in advance

[dutchsiberia]

Interesting! I've got one from may 1975, it appears it's the same type, with the "flat grey" display. (mine works fine, not a battery in it at the moment)

(I drew a line over the serial too, but it starts with two zeros :) )


Different bracelet though. (I'll have to put it in the ultrasound...)

[elceedee]

Yep, that one is identical. Nice one too!
The crystal in mine hasn't been pressed in correctly (one side a bit higher as the other) which might suggest this is a very early crystal replacement (owner broke it first year after purchase?)
You crystal doesn't have the chromed lining, does it?
It does look like the inner dial on your watch is printed on the crystal though like on mine (or has it the plated one?), instead of the later separate aluminum dial plate in the similar 1976 60-1011 9011A models..

[dutchsiberia]

Yes the crystal is printed on the inside I believe. It sits perfectly with my watch, just a tiny bit above the bezel. What do you mean with chromed lining?

[elceedee]

The lining (lettering and ring around the display on your watch and the later 1976 9011 model) are matted gold. The lining on my crystal is of a mirror shining gold 'chromed' kind.

[dutchsiberia]

I see. Doesn't it depend on the light, the gold color looks very reflective and shiny when I hold it in the light. I'll make some better pics tomorrow :)

[dutchsiberia]

looks shiny to me

[elceedee]

Yep, that's shiny ;)

Thanks for getting back. Good to know the watch is 100% original.
I will give restoration of the crystal the benefit of the doubt

[dutchsiberia]

Kinda tricky to sand the crystal I think? Any heat might damage the printing inside. I'm hoping you'll be successful of course

[quietman]

I've had a couple of these before. They were made in the first half of 1975 before the newer 9011 movements came along - at which time various case details were changed, like, for example, the printing of the glass legend. Inside the case is also quite different on these early 9010 Crystrons - a thin soft silicone ring spacer under the glass, then a circular plastic filter... two big case rings around the movement. I have one that I kept which is in reasonably original condition and yes, all of the surfaces on the case should be polished and not brushed. Your strap is also correct.

You could have a go at polishing the crystal but be careful with water inside the case - some crystals are more tolerant but on this one even a little water can very quickly get underneath the black paint at the edges and bubble it up (speaking from experience...) The gold lettering itself is very firmly deposited onto the glass, you are unlikely to damage it unless you do so intentionally - I scraped off all of the black paint on one of mine, just leaving the gold lettering on the glass, and then repainted with black glass paint, with no problems.

I think I have a spare case and glass in good condition somewhere. My spreadsheet says I have but I'm buggered if I know where it is.

[elceedee]

Thanks for a good advice. The crystal already shows some 'bubbles' under its paint in the edges.
I decided not to restore it. The crystal wont be perfect as it has chips in its edge and already bubbles under its paint. Too much work on case and crystal for a not so perfect end result.

Most of these movement work fine. Its often the LCD panel that has discoloring on its silver glued on back panel or its polarizing filters.
I will exchange this 9010 movement with the one in my Citizen 60-1012 ( see viewtopic.php?f=67&t=6643 ) as this display is perfect and the one in my 60-1012 has some minimal flaws

However, if you can find the case you mentioned, feel free to contact me, I would like to buy it from you so I can make this 60-1039 complete with the movement that's currently in my 60-1012
It would be very nice to have both 9010A models together. I am a huge enthusiast of the vintage Citizen LCD and ana digi and analog quartz watches

[quietman]

I'm pretty sure the spare case is at my place in London, but I won't be back there now until the end of March. I'll drop you a line in a few weeks with a few photos, you can see how it looks.

[elceedee]

Thanks a lot. Take all the time in the world, im not in a hurry. Please PM me when you have more info