Y files VCW SERVICE


Any true vintage watch collector needs a real trusted watchmaker! Our watches, most of the time, should be taken care of and restored. Sometimes real diamonds in the dust benefit from a little bit of polishing to get them as good as they can get, so, you can have your loved Vintage Citizen Watch serviced, polished, re-lumed and restored (as close as possible) the way it was meant to be in the first place. All our knowledge from the years of collecting and restoring vintage Citizen timepieces will be put to work to get the information needed for the delicate work carried out by VCW trusted watchmaker.

If you have a watch that needs work done, reply to this and I will contact you.

Of course a (free of charge) quote is possible only after inspecting the watch but here are some general fees, depending on complexity: (sorry, no longer available)

  • Simple movement cleaning, oiling, servicing
  • Complicated (chronograph) servicing
  • Polishing to to original specification
  • Hands re-lume (where possible)
  • New rubber seals and water tested

Any additional part needed or part restoration is not included. Unfortunately there is a limited supply of original spare parts and there is no way of telling is a certain part will and when will be available. Also please pay attention that usually with old watches like these and limited parts at out reach we can do all we can do but we can not perform miracles. We will try our best to all we can do.

Any work done comes with VCW 6 months warranty.

service restoration vintage citizen watch

All work is done by VCW certified watchmaker of “British Horological Institute”, inside European Union.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Starting from 2018 August we can no longer accept watches for restoration and repairs due to some complicated paperwork we have to deal with. So sorry for this! Thank you for all the support!

Also: Looking for Recommendations: Do you have a trusted watchmaker that can work on our beloved VCW? Let me know and I will contact him/her. Looking for a few worldwide options, in order to make a list. This, I think, will be a good thing to know for us. So… who do you recommend? Give me a few names and locations!  Thank you!

NOS Vintage Citizen Watches service – Shine & Citizen Alarm

 

 

Citizen bullhead 67-9356 restoration & service

 

 

Opening the CM500M

 

 

vintage citizen 150m diver crystal and bezel insert

Citizen 150m crystal and bezel insert replacement

 

 

citizen-67-9151

Citizen 8100 Chronograph 67-9151 Restoration

 

 

citizen parts crystal bezel crown for repair and restoration

Citizen parts for repair or restoration 

 

 

Vintage Citizen case finishing

 

 

Vintage Watch collecting guide

 

 

141 thoughts on “Y files VCW SERVICE”

      • Hi Bogdan,
        I have a citizen 62-6198 with a water resistance issue, everytime when i wear it into the train station or air condition area, my watch crystal will fog up inside, even though the condition the lume shows no sin of water corrosion however this issue has left me to leave my watch in the watch as no one in singapore is willing to work the watch up to specs so i can wear if it rains or in air condition without having to worry, i am looking to procure your services for a whole work on the movement and replacement of parts if any and a water resistance test, it comes with the wrong second hand but i can live with that i just cant deal with the fact i cant wear the watch without worrying the glass will fog up, i am contactable via facebook i will send you a message soon about this problems

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  4. Hi Bogdan, I have a Citizen Recodmaster 63-0110 that I would dearly love to sort out as its been lying around for many years. The biggest problem is that the one pusher plate at the top has brocken, do you possibly have spares or can it be repaired. I am in Cape Town, South Africa. Great site with fab Citizens. By the way have you seen the one on offer on Ebay not in the same league as the one you show on your site.

    Kind regards
    Ash

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    • Hello Ash!
      The Recordmaster is a very nice watch and it would be a shame not to be used as it should. The good news is that I think there is a good chance to have it repaired. I don’t have the spare part but I think (not sure though) that one can be made. If you decide to send the watch we can take a look at it.
      I saw the one on E-bay too. 🙂
      B.

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  6. Hi Bogdan, I have a first gen Record Master (RMOS 2901-T, GN-3-U) and I’m looking for a replacement crystal for it. I came across this list (https://i.imgur.com/odXLSeC.jpg) and it seems like the part number for the crystal is 54-5016. Do you know the exact diameter of 54-5016, and if it’s interchangeable with any other crystal on that list? If not, do you know of other aftermarket crystal that might fit what I’m looking for?

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  7. Hi Bogdan,

    I have a Seven Star dual crown diver, ref 4-520017 that I would like to have serviced. Watch works fine now, but just to be sure there are no problems in the future. 🙂 Also, I have a Seiko 4205-014B that has recently stopped running – does your watchmaker do Seikos?

    Best regards,
    Erik

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  8. The mechanism which adjust the time came out of the watch how difficult would it be to repair , would purchase a new one but my wife loves this watch even more then the new Eco Drive i purchased for her last Christmas . How long would it take to repair ?

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    • Hello Robert!
      Without seeing it is impossible to know what broke there so the best way is to have the watch checked by a watchmaker. Of course, you could send it to us and we will have a look or you can take it to a local watchmaker to investigate the issue.
      Hope all will be sorted out soon!

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  9. Hi, my bullhead’s crown has detached from the stem and as a result the watch has stopped working. Please could you tell me if this is something you could help with and where you would like me to send the watch?

    Many thanks in advance.

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    • Sorry to hear that! If it is only detached and the stem is not broken, it is an easy fix. Any watchmaker can do it. If you decide to send it to us it will cost you nothing (except for shipping). But if the stem is broken inside the crown and other parts are faulty we have to evaluate it. If you would you like me to contact you, let me know and I will write you on your e-mail address provided.

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  13. Hello.
    3 month ago after searching on internet for a nice vintage watch. After another month i bought a citizen skeleton 4-760182TA BLG-K GN, 25 jewels. I have the watch checked by a watchmaker, firs time for cleaning and working up the balance, second for adjustment(in 24h – 60 seconds). Still i have a problem with the bezel, witch after working fine 2,3,4 sometimes 5 rounds, is working without charging the spring. The watchmaker said to me that is not a problem because the spring is charging by the rotor. But i don’t like this, and the problem with losing seconds is still there. I am from Romania, so if you can help me please, because i don’t want to go to another watchmaker.
    Multumesc.

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    • Well, Radu, unfortunately I think your best bet is to have the watch fixed by a watchmaker. I don’t think the problem is a very easy one to fix and I have doubts that I can do it myself. What you are telling me might suggest that some parts could be broken, (or maybe only loose). If you want the watch to be looked at by my watchmaker, I will help you with this, no problem. But, personally I prefer to go the safe way and let a certifier watchmaker to fix it.
      So, let me know your thoughts about this. 😉

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  15. Hy, i am ok with this, i want to send you the watch. So if you can tell me where to send it, and if you know the approximately cost of all this(transport charge and repair).
    Thank you

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  16. Hello, I am new to WordPress and your blog. BTW I love it! I am in the process of buying an Octogon and would like to know how can I send it to you for service, and also if you can sell me an original band in good shape as the one it comes with is not correct. Also on your items for sale, are they the watches in the actual article? or if not where can I see pictures. I like the NOS alarm and the Dandy Seven. Are you in the USA?, Thank you in advance

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    • Thank you for your kind words!
      1 – you can send me the watch, no worries. I am located in European Union, as it it mentioned in the page description but I am also staying in LA part of the year. I will be there in a month.
      2 – Getting an original bracelet is no easy task, unfortunately I don’t have one. By the way, did you read the article on how to recognize a fake dial on bullheads?
      3 – Most of the watches are the one in the articles. Both the Alarm and the yellow ring Dandy Seven are featured in the articles. Of course you could ask for all the pictures and details you need on the For Sale page.
      Thank you and welcome to VCW! 😉

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      • I got the watch. It is in great shape and the dial and hands are orinal and in fantastic shape. I would love for you to service the watch and if look at the case and advice me if it needs to be refinished to original spec. Will this be something you can do while in LA? If so I wanted to ask the eBay seller to ship it your Los Ángeles address directly or if that would you rather have him send it to you in the EU? I am in California, so perhaps the easiest way is to wait for you to arrive or drive up and meet you in LA. Please let me know what is your preference since I the seller is holding shipment for me so I can figure this out. Also if you rather talk about this via email let me know. Best regard Miguel.

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  17. I got the watch. It is in great shape and the dial and hands are orinal and in fantastic shape. I would love for you to service the watch and if look at the case and advice me if it needs to be refinished to original spec. Will this be something you can do while in LA? If so I wanted to ask the eBay seller to ship it your Los Ángeles address directly or if that would you rather have him send it to you in the EU? I am in California, so perhaps the easiest way is to wait for you to arrive or drive up and meet you in LA. Please let me know what is your preference since I the seller is holding shipment for me so I can figure this out. Also if you rather talk about this via email let me know. Best regard Miguel.

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  18. Hey Bogdan, three questions; 1) One of the options is a polish back to original specification. I was wondering, I have a Citizen Bullhead with the octagon case, does the watchmaker also restore the satin finish on the top of the case and if so, do you have any example pictures perhaps? 2) The case of my bullhead octagon is a bit over polished on one sides and the edges are a bit faded now. Do you have pictures of any examples you have restored like that as well?3) I’m interested in a polish and chrono service, how long would that take usually? (Excluding shipping times of course)

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  19. Thank you Nirya Octa and Bogdan for the response! I decided to have the watch send to so I can use it for a couple of days while you get to LA so I can send it to you. I am looking forward for the Octogonal restoration article! Thank you!

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  20. Hi, I have a 68-5372 that I got from my father as my first watch, probably around 1973-74. It’s well worn and has a great patina, but it hasn’t been running for at least 20 years, so it needs service and maybe if possible a new crystal and bezel insert. Is this something you could help me with? If so please let me know how to proceed. I’m in the EU. Thanks J

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  22. Hi I need a new crystal for my watch. It is a Citizen alarm Date ALDS 51301a-Y Then it says
    STAR 80500559 I Purchased this new in 1970. It has a raised date screen at the 3 o’clock
    position. Can you help please, or refer me perhaps to someone who can.All the best, Lionel
    Cyster

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  23. Dear Bogdan. I recently bought the Citizen 8110a Octagonal through eBay, white dial & black chrono’s. It looks absolutely amazing from the outside; but it sometimes stops working. I brought it to my local watchmaker but he thinks it is too complicated to service. Would you have time to look at it and try to repair it? It keeps good time but when wearing it it sometimes stops.

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  24. I just received my Citizen 150m diver, ref 68-5372, back from service through Bogdan. I’m super happy with the result – it both looks and runs great! It had a full movement service as well as the new crystal and bezel insert that I sourced installed. Thank you very, very much Bogdan!

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  26. Hello Bogdan,

    I have a couple on Citizens I’d like to get serviced. I would really appreciate if You would contact me so we could talk further. Thank you!

    BR, Juha

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  28. My bracelet came loose and my beloved bullhead fell on the floor face on.
    Chrono hand came off, according to local watch repair guy the hand pin snapped, and need spareparts for counterpart mechanism wheel as well
    Please help, please repair my beloved watch

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  29. Hello Bogdan, just received a Citizen compact diver from 1969, runs but needs a service (last one recorded was 2009) and if possible a relume since the old lume is flaking and polluting the dial. E-mail me with details, thanks

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  30. Hi Bogdan, I have been wearing my father’s 1969 Parawater diver (model# 4-520858) for a few months and I would like to have it serviced.

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  31. Greetings Bogdan,
    I have an old Citizen watch. It was a gift from my grandfather to my father. He loved that watch and he was diving very often with it till it stops runnig after a seal damage in salty sea water. I like to use and have it as a memory, cause my father past away.
    It is hard for me to track the model number, but is a diver watch with no typical bezel.
    I have a picture of the back with all the numbers.
    It needs a full restoration and maybe adding a diver’s bezel if it is possible.
    Best regards!
    Strahil

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  32. Hi again Bogdan,
    Not sure if that is the right section to write you about my watch, but here is some more info about:
    4-822005 Y
    81100285
    GN-4W-5
    51-2052
    Water resistant
    That are the markings on the back.
    I did not found any of the numbers helpful in the net, so no info till now.
    So the glass is replaced with some plastic one in the past, there is something missing on the face( inner bezel or something ) there are five little holes and marks of something missing.
    Regatds!
    Strahil

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  34. Hi. I’ve got an octagon bullhead which could do with some attention. I’ve been looking around for a watchmaker who will work on 1970’s Citizen chronos. Please get in touch via e-mail so I can give you more details.

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  35. Hi,
    I have a 67-9313 with a 4-901037 dial instead of the original one. The dial will need some restoration since the sub registers have some black stains on them.
    The chrono is working well but it is losing 1 minute a day.
    Is it possible to have a quote for the following jobs:
    – Restore the dial + replace the tachymeter on the dial with something custom (the 67-9313 already has a tachy, so I’d like to have markers every 10 minutes in a similar fashion to the 67-9577 dial instead)
    – Service the chronograph and regulate it to within +/- 10 sec / day (I read that this is achievable)
    Thanks

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    • Hello! Unfortunately we don’t do dial reprinting and/or custom work. We only restore to as close to original specs when possible. Also, regulating it to 10s/day is not always possible. It is possible when the movement is ok but most of the time it has a lot of parts with problems due to age and poor maintenance or bad prior service work. So… there is no way of telling if it is possible or not on yours.

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      • Hi Bogdan,
        Thanks for your reply.
        There is also another solution: I have a spare 67-9577 dial (single register, but no tachy) so it could replace the 4-901037 dial.
        Could I please have a quote for
        – 8110A movement service
        – 4-901037 dial replacement for 67-9577 dial
        I can send you pics and more details by email if you contact me directly.

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      • Hello! The rates are on the page. Replacing the dial will be done free of charge, if it is in good state and there is no problem with it, during service. Let me know if interested and if you want to send it and then I will contact you directly for shipping info.

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  36. Hello Bogdan,

    I recently purchased a Cosmotron (7804A) that is running, but is running incredibly fast (+15 minutes per day). Are you familiar/willing/able to to do a service on this model? You seem to be the guy to go to for vintage Citizens.

    Thank you!

    Ed

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    • We can try, but as always with old watches we can only do what we can do. There is no way of knowing 100% that we can do it perfectly (still 15 minutes is way tooooo much and for sure it will be as close to specification as possible) 🙂

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  39. Hi Bogdan, I have an old 67-9071. I think its in pretty rough shape and I’d love to have you take a look at it if you could. Please let me know how we could go about doing this. Thanks a bunch!

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  40. Hi Bogdan,
    As indicated on the FB page, my Super Jet SADS 51202-Y needs a service. It is located in Paris, France. It seems that your watchmaker could do something for this pretty watch:) Thanks again for your help !

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  42. Hello! I have a Bullhead that I couldn’t see anything wrong with. So, I bought it! However, I do notice that the hour counter of the chronograph does not run… which I did not notice when I purchased the watch as I would have had to have it sit there for a long time. I was under the impression that it clicks every half hour so I missed it. Everything else is crisp and nice, quick set of day and date function as intended and the chronograph runs (minus the hour counter).

    Do you know if this is a complicated chrono repair or something more common and simple? I am tempted to just leave it be since everything else runs great and was serviced and I don’t know if it is worth tearing it apart if I am not going to use the chrono all that much. Thanks, any help appreciated.

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  43. Dear Citizen Guy
    Years ago I inherited a diving watch from my uncle from Australia. He was one of the first divers in Sydney. The watch looks pretty used now and doesn’t run anymore.
    In Switzerland, where I live, Citizen is not very popular – no watchmaker dares to repair the watch. Since the watch is the only souvenir of my uncle for me, I would like to wear it again.
    Could you please help me to find a watchmaker who is able to make this watch shine and run again?
    Please contact me per email.
    Thank you very much
    Gino

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  44. Hello Bogdan, found a 62-6198 diver in terrific condition externally, but there was at some point in time water ingress and the movement has rusted away. Is there something we can do? thanks

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  45. Hello Bogdan

    I have an old Citizen Automatic 21 Jewels Day-Date.
    Numbers at the back:
    T.G.P
    4-721144TA
    10800356
    67-5466
    some writing in a circkle :
    Citizen-Automatic-GN-3-S-Parawater

    This is a watch after my grandfather that died in a work accident in 79/80 and had been his working watch, or i guess his only watch for many years. And because of lot of use it have a lot of scratches in the glas. Is it posible to get a new glas or treat the original glas?

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  46. Hey Bogdan! Awesome Blog! Can i ask you for your opinion and thoughts of this Watch? The seller told me that the watch wasn’t produced for european market, only asian. Do you know case or anything about this watch?

    Thanks so much for your opinion!

    Best regards,
    Simon

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