After presenting the first watch manufactured by Citizen, the beautiful pocket one (read about it HERE), it is time for another milestone in watchmaking. This time, the first Japanese waterproof watch, THE Parawater! This makes it the grand, grand father of all the Citizen divers we all love so much! Please note that this was not intended for diving, but it was up to the task for swimming!
In 1959 the company produced the first Japanese water-resistant wrist watch. This was the “Citizen Parawater”. It was powered by the Citizen Cal. 920(2B). It was produced with 19, 21 and 23 jewels. Soon after, the Parawater completed two trans-Pacific tests and one in the Sea of Japan. The result, needless to say, was positive. As time passed Citizen was growing as a company and exported more and more watches, so (unfortunately IMHO) the term “Para Water” was changed to the universally recognized (an boring) “Water resistant” somewhere around 1970-1973.
Back to this particular one! The line chosen to be modified so that it will become water protected was a success already, the Deluxe. Citizen changed the design of the case, added rubber seals and greatly modified the tube and crown assembly. By doing that and after a lot of research they were able to stand by their product in public demonstrations.
After intensive search I managed to find this particular watch, in an non working state, the bracelet and the clasp was destroyed beyond restoration and the crystal was badly scratched, but what an awesome find! I had to take the plunge! (pun intended 🙂 ) This is how I got the pictures from the seller in Greece:
Now, after a long time deciding how invasive the restoration should be I went with a bracelet swap with a similar design from the same time frame by Citizen, a light crystal polish and I got the movement running again. This is the end result:
Interesting facts: The black dial has lume dots and the hands are also with luminous material, making it very rare (the only one I saw) and very beautiful. Another detail is the fact that the entire dial in printed and there is no applied logo.
The caseback has the inscription: “All stainless steel”, “Antimagnetic”, “Parawater”, “STAR”, “Citizen Deluxe” and the serial no. By the way the watch is made in 1959, making it one of the very first pieces.
Beautiful lug holes for easy bracelet replacement.
Don’t forget to magnify the last picture for more details!
Conclusion: I am so happy to introduce to you this wonderful piece of history and I hope you like it as much as I do! The watch found a new home with Daniel in Germany and for sure it is a great home! Enjoy it Daniel!
Later edit (2015):
I here present to you my keeper Para Water, that I found this year in Hong Kong (thanks Anthony! 🙂 ) Excellent condition, fully working 100% original, made in 1961.
Here are the three dial variants, Two white ones (one with a star, the other without) and the black one.
Update 2016 APR
Here it is a commercial advertising sign from the period:
Read more about vintage Citizen divers HERE
Vintage Citizen Watches 
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Hello, I live in Mexico and I found two magnific pieces in very good conditions, I have not being able to find information on them, one has on the back case the following marking number 4-156463 in the front it has Citizen, 17 jewels, water resist and at the bottom of the 6 position it reads something like 250UF-03, the other done has in the back the only number marking 4-156421, I can not read the markings at the 6 position of this last one. I would really appreciate your help and advice on the manufacturing dates os these watches and if they are quite rare, I can be rwached at gdl.lm08@gmail.com if pictures are needed. Regards. Luis
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Hello Luis! For pictures, please upload them on http://www.tinypic.com (or similar hosting sites) and post the links to the images here. If I see them I can give you more info on them.
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I forgot to mention that both are manual wind movements, both keeping good time and no day nor date complications. Cheers!! Luis
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Good to know! That is nice! Don’t forget to post some pictures.
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I think I have created an album on Flicker where you can see them along with all my citizen’s watch collection:https://www.flickr.com/gp/133566673@N04/YuPbux
Let me know if this works. Cheers!!
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I can see the pics. 🙂 It is a nice collection though not quite in the best of state or originality. Some parts are not quite ok but in the end they can be restored if proper care will be carried out and parts found. As for dating a Citizen, read this: https://vintagecitizenwatches.com/2014/02/23/dating-a-vintage-citizen-watch/
The main focus of my collection is from 1924 to 1978 when vintage era ended… Your diver is made after this year.
There moon dater here: https://vintagecitizenwatches.com/2014/03/14/citizen-seven-star-monthly-model-acss-52704-y/
The chorono here: https://vintagecitizenwatches.com/2013/12/24/citizen-bullhead-chronograph-67-9356/
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Hey! I have the opportunity to buy this piece, but have no info on this watch! What drew me in is the dial, but my question is, has this dial been repainted or is this original?
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Fake.
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Here is the link for the images!
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Not ok.
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Good afternoon. I just came across an old Citizen (C.P.G.) Parawater (with alarm and date) watch in my late grandfather’s things. It’s a brass case, 21 jewels, from your directions, I’m guessing it dates from 1967 (serial number 70101134). The band looks like it was a cheap, leather replacement, otherwise it is in great working order.
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Congrats! It is a beautiful one and being a gift from your grandfather makes it really special.
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Hi Citizen Bogdan, I am going to purchase a Crystal Seven Para Water 23j which i feel is in rather good condition despite its age. Its the one with the window of the day below 12 oclock and has the day in english and kanji at the bottom. However, I would want to ask you about the crystal. The original watch was it mineral glass or acrylic? Since it states “crystal” on the watch can I assume its suppose to be mineral crystal? Do advise. Thanks Sue.
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Hello Sue! It should be a mineral crystal. But, just to be sure, can you post a few pictures?
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I have recently purchased two divers watches and would like to clarify the date of manufacture.
one has the following serial number 00110779 and the other is 70301024
both are GN-4-5 52-0110 WATER RESISTANT model and are in very good condition
any help would be appreciated
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Here you are: https://vintagecitizenwatches.com/2014/02/23/dating-a-vintage-citizen-watch/
So… January 1980 and March 1977.
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Hi. I recently acquired the same Citizen Deluxe Parawater 21J. Black dial. I am a little confused about the serial number in order to date the watch. I understand that it should have eight numbers, but my watch has 7 numbers. The first three numbers are 933. So two questions. Did some watches have seven numbers? Am I then dating my watch correctly to March 1959?
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For this model Parawater the dating is not exact by serial. Citizen didn’t do that for this one.
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Thank you. So my dating is off, or is it somewhere around that time?
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Around that time.
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Thanx. Appreciate it.
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Enjoy it! Nice watch!
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Hi Citizen guy.
I just got my hands on a very nice 52-0110. It have a oyster looking bracelet on now but I am trying to find a original H-link bracelet. Do you have any good places I can look for that? And was there other models then the 52-0110that had that type of bracelet?
I also got a Citizen Diver, with alarm. 35mm with cal 9812 and thing the ref nr is 4-980018Y, du you have any info on that. I can’t find anyone online
best regards
Mats LIen Hansen
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Hello! There is no special place to find parts. Yes, other watches came with that type of bracelet. Post some pics with your alarm watch. 😉
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Is it even possible to post pictures here?🤔
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Of course, as on most blogs by uploading the pictures to a hosting site and copy/paste the link. tinypic.com used to work in the past, not sure what else can you use right now. Something similar.
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Ahh then I will try to send pictures true a site called imma.gr
Inside watch:
https://imma.gr/102884xf7742
Backside:
https://imma.gr/102885xd1a36
Front:
https://imma.gr/102886x1ddcf
https://imma.gr/102887xce7f8
hope you will see the pictures and that you have some info about it 🙂
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Nice watch. It is a ladies alarm diver. Read this: https://vintagecitizenwatches.com/2015/01/19/his-and-hers-citizen-alarm-diver-style/
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