Citizen Crystron Diver Just a Damn Good Watch for Next to Nothing

roadwarrior

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43mm case/45mm L2L/12mm height/20mm Lugs

BY MICHAEL STOCKTON
APRIL 23, 2020
4 MIN READ

https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-...rystron-diver/

Today, on #TBT we take a look at a Citizen Crystron Diver, a truly satisfying watch that won’t break the bank. In fact, a visit to the bank might not be necessary.

I never tire of highlighting the tit for tat behavior exhibited by Seiko and Citizen. These days, the heavyweight Japanese duo duke it out but it’s less obvious because they’re also battling it out with others. But back in the ’70s and ’80s, things truly went back and forth like an Ali-Frazier bout.

High-beat movements, quartz, and solar exemplify just some of the technologies where the two followed each other in lockstep. In 1973, Citizen debuted its first quartz watch under the Crystron name. This answered Seiko’s earlier Astron. The Crystron name was used well into the next decade across model genres. One such example was the Citizen Crystron Diver.

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(l to r) The Seiko 7548 and Citizen Crystron Diver – both from 1981

Quartz Diver History

For someone like myself, it’s hard to believe that 1980 is now 40 years old. To me, this decade still feels relatively modern, but it was still a formative time for quartz watches. They were still viewed as semi-exotic and they were expensive. However, they’d already proven themselves to be exceedingly accurate and reliable. Therefore, it’s no surprise that divers were an obvious application for such a robust style of movement.

We covered the original Seiko Golden Tuna ref. 7549 that debuted in 1978 as the first professional quartz diver. It was an incredibly expensive marvel, but Seiko offered a more achievable 150-meter option with the 7548. We’ve mentioned this watch many times because its case design remains in use on the latest Seiko 5 Sports. Referring back to our quid quo pro comment, Citizen had a lesser-known answer for this in the Crystron Diver.

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The Citizen Crystron Diver answered the Seiko 7548

There’s an unfortunate paucity of information about vintage Citizen on the web. In fact, most of what is out there is a compilation of group evidence shared by collectors. Therefore, it’s hard to figure out when today’s model debuted. What I can tell you is this reference (4-732316) dates to 1981 and I’ve seen another from 1980. That puts it right in the same era as the Seiko 7548.

Running Down the Specs

This Citizen Crystron Diver boasts a stainless c-case in 43mm. The length is a comfortable, but not too large 45mm and the thickness comes in at a quartz-appropriate 12mm. Citizen was a bit ahead of Seiko in making the external bezel unidirectional. Even after almost 40 years, the 60-click action is firm without any slop. The knurling is pretty nice as well and exhibits a cool pattern that repeats every three seconds around the circumference. Citizen went with a flat mineral glass as was typical at this time for an affordable dive watch. Mine exhibits some scratches that I can live with. That’s a good thing because replacements are no longer available.

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From a water sealing perspective, the 150-meter Crystron Diver uses a solid screw-in (threaded) case back. I’ve not attempted to remove this, but there are reports on various forums stating that Citizen really sealed these things. Also, a well-sized unsigned screw-down crown is nestled between some awfully cool integrated crown guards. Those crown guards represent one of the few exercises in whimsy on what is primarily a brass tacks dive watch. Inside, the watch is powered by the 5-jewel caliber 7302A quartz movement. This movement debuted in the 70s and is known to be robust.

WATCH SPECIFICATIONS

Brand
Citizen
Model
Crystron Diver
Reference
4-732316
Dial
Black with Applied Indexes
Case Material
Stainless Steel
Case Dimensions
43mm Diameter, 45mm Lug to Lug, 12mm Thickness, 20mm Lug Width
Crystal
Mineral Glass
Case Back
Solid, Screw-In
Movement
Citizen cal. 7302A Quartz Movement
Water Resistance
150 Meters
Strap
Rubber with Pin Buckle
Functions
Time (HH:MM:SS) with Quick Set Day and Date. Unidirectional rotating dive bezel.

https://www.fratellowatches.com/tbt-...rystron-diver/
 
A very sharp, mid size, automatic, day/date, quartz, three hand, from Citizen. Attractive, stylish, and sporty.:dance: Thanks Mike.:hat:
 
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