![]() ![]() However, the solid gold variants were not marked as Chrono Masters, but were more simply marked ‘CHRONOMETER’, ‘OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED’ and have a (very) plain case back.Ġ920 Chrono Master – note there is no jewel count on the dial, lug width 18mm?:Ġ920 Movement – marked with jewel count and movement serial number (note: this is not the same as the serial number on the case back):Ġ920 Chrono Master Chronometer, lug width 18mm?:Ġ920 Case Back (this example is engraved, probably an award to a long serving employee). the movement is stopped when the crown is pulled out to the time-setting position, to allow accurate synchronisation, as do the automatic versions. Both types were also produced in 18K gold. I believe that the movement has ‘second setting’ or ‘hacking’, i.e. ![]() The Chrono Master case back is notable for its gold stylized eagle medallion.īoth versions run at 18,000 beats per hour, and the movements are both 25.60mm wide, with a depth of 4.00mm. Two variants of each model were made, one with ‘CHRONOMETER’ on the dial, suggesting a higher degree of adjustment, and reflected in its price at the time (see below). However, the case number is ‘4-020171’ indicates that it sits squarely in the 02 family – see the 02 ‘Family Tree’: ![]() The non-date version of the Homer used the 02xx movement, so the ‘0920’ Chrono Master does not follow that convention – only one other movement was designated ’09’, the 0911 used in the ‘Crystate’ and ‘Crystate’ Deluxe’ also first produced in 1967. ![]() This is immediately clear from the date version of the Homer which uses movements designated 18xx, with the Chrono Master using the 1870 variant. Their specifications are very similar, and they were part of the ’02’ family of movements indicating that they were developed and highly tuned versions of the humble ‘Homer’ range (first produced in 1962). The obvious outward differences are that the 1870 has a date wheel and higher jewelling – 25 rather than the 22 found in the 0920. Two hand wound models were produced in the first year, using movements 09 respectively. The 1967 Models: Citizen launched the Chrono Master in automatic and hand-winding forms in 1967. I have observed this on one or two 1967 examples of the 1870 hand-winding model – for more information, see this post: Although it would normally be expected that all crowns should be signed with the ‘C’ mark (rather than ‘CTZ’), it may be true that on some early examples the crown is unsigned. Those with leather bands only appear to be 18mm.Ī quick note about crowns – I can’t be absolutely definitive about crowns for all the Chrono Masters, since many of my reference pictures are straight ahead and only show the profile of the crown. I know that my own Chrono Master is 20mm, and it appears to me from catalog images that those models sold with a steel bracelet used this width. I indicate which model / case uses which width as far as I can, but add ‘?’ where I am not absolutely sure. Lug sizes – it appears to me that two lug widths are used, 18mm and 20mm. Reference and comparative information on their movements and chronology can be found here: Ĭitizen also made a Chrono Master version of its electro-mechanical watches, and I have included it in Part 2 of this article, alongside the automatic models.Īll Chrono Master case backs are marked ‘Parawater’, other than than the solid gold hand wound model, which has a plain back. This article summarises the history and development of the Chrono Master, with examples and other material shown for reference. The Chrono Master is distinguished by the name itself on the upper part of the dial, an applied stylized eagle emblem at the 6 o’clock position and the same motif in a gold medallion applied to the centre of the case back. Although there are other high end lines by Citizen, including the Chronometer and models in the Leopard line-up, the Chrono Master is probably the best known. Although it was not the first of Citizen’s watches to include chronometer grade movements, since it was preceded by the hand wound ‘Chronometer’ (1962), it featured a range of models in both hand-wind and automatic forms, and has probably become Citizen’s most recognised high grade vintage watch, especially since modern versions have also been produced. The Chrono Master is a ‘high-end’ watch that first appeared in Citizen’s line-up in 1967. ![]()
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