Rare 1974 Citizen Cosmotron Electronic 7804A Hi-Beat JDM Vintage Watch – Teal Sunburst Gradient Dial & Original Bracelet

Citizen mechanical wristwatch

MADE IN JAPAN

The Citizen Legacy: A Pioneer of Precision
Founded in 1918, Citizen is now one of the largest watch and movement groups in the world. The Japanese brand is known for its highly accurate and reliable Eco-Drive solar-powered watches. The Citizen group owns Bulova, Alpina, Frederique Constant, and Arnold & Son, as well as movement manufacturers Miyota and La Joux-Perret.

🕰️ A Revolution in Horological History: The Citizen Cosmotron Series

Before quartz took full control of the watch market, a brilliant, short-lived era of horology birthed the hybrid electromechanical watch. The Citizen Cosmotron represents the pinnacle of this technological transition. Combining the mechanical soul of a traditional escapement with the flawless precision of a battery-powered transistorized circuit, this series delivered a mesmerizing, perfectly smooth second-hand sweep that purrs at a true high-beat frequency. It is a rare, historically significant milestone highly coveted by vintage Japanese Domestic Market (JDM) enthusiasts.

Description

This stunning JDM Citizen Cosmotron features a breathtaking, flawlessly preserved teal-to-silver dual-tone sunburst gradient dial that shifts dynamically under lighting. Housed in a sharp, angular stainless steel case, it retains its highly distinctive original integrated steel link bracelet with a Citizen-stamped clasp.

At its core runs the advanced Caliber 7804A hi-beat movement operating at 36,000 beats per hour. This model features Citizen’s legendary, unique gravity-defying quickset mechanism: when holding the watch upright (12 o’clock high), pushing the crown instantly advances the date; flip the watch upside down (6 o’clock high) and push the crown to rapidly advance the Kanji/English day wheel. It is an incredible piece of mechanical engineering that stands out in any collection.

Technical Details

• Brand: Citizen

• Model: Cosmotron Electronic

• Reference Number: 4-790138 Y

• Movement Caliber: 7804A (Electronically controlled balance motor)

• Jewels: 8 Jewels

• Frequency: 36,000 bph (Hi-Beat)

• Case Size: 38 mm (excluding crown)

• Lug-to-Lug: 41 mm

• Lug Width: 18 mm

• Case Material: Stainless Steel

• Bracelet Material: Original Stainless Steel

• Calendar: Day/Date window at 3 o’clock (Dual Language Kanji/English)

• Quickset Function: Gravity-based push-crown system (12 up for Date, 6 up for Day)

• Country of Manufacture: Japan

Watch went through a complete service by a professional watch tech and keeps good time.

Comes complete with original steel bracelet*.

(*)Note: Stock bracelets are often shortened by previous owners and may not fit you(see bracelet size in the product images). We recommend adding a new Citizen lug width matched leather strap with your order.

Why Collectors Seek the Cosmotron Today

• The Missing Link of Horology: Collectors highly prize the Cosmotron because it represents the short-lived, fascinating transition era between pure mechanical movements and the quartz revolution. It delivers the mechanical soul of a beating balance wheel paired with electronic battery power.

• The Mesmerizing 36,000 BPH Sweep: Unlike modern quartz watches that tick once per second, the caliber 7804A runs at a blazing 10 beats per second ($36,000\text{ vph}$). This creates an incredibly smooth, fluid sweep of the second hand that rivaled the finest luxury mechanical watches of the era.

• The Ingenious “Gravity” Quickset: The movement features one of the most quirky and inventive complications in watchmaking history. Pushing the crown with 12 o’clock facing up changes the date, while flipping the watch upside down with 6 o’clock facing up and pushing the crown changes the day.

• Pure JDM Aesthetic & Scarcity: Featuring a bilingual English/Kanji day wheel, these watches were primarily intended for the Japanese Domestic Market. Finding a clean, unpolished specimen with its original integrated steel bracelet and a vibrant, unfaded gradient dial is a rare and rewarding catch for vintage collectors.

Modes of payment:

• PayPal
• Credit Cards (VISA, MasterCard, American Express, Discover)

We guarantee that the item in this ad looks and works as advertised and offer money back guarantee on this.

The Spirit of Innovation: The Citizen Legacy
Founded in 1918 with the mission of creating timepieces that are “Citizens” of the world, the Citizen Watch Company has spent over a century redefining the boundaries of horology. From its origins as the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, the brand has remained steadfast in its philosophy: “Better Starts Now.” This belief—that it is always possible to make something better—transformed a local Japanese workshop into a global powerhouse of precision and craft. By controlling the entire manufacturing process in-house, from the individual components to the final assembly, Citizen ensures an uncompromising standard of quality that few manufacturers on earth can match.
What truly sets Citizen apart is its relentless pursuit of pioneering technology paired with environmental consciousness. The brand made history by introducing the world’s first light-powered watch, the Eco-Drive, which eliminated the need for battery replacements and forever changed the industry’s approach to sustainability. Beyond its eco-friendly milestones, Citizen’s history is decorated with “world firsts,” including the first professional diving watch with an electronic depth sensor and the most accurate satellite-synchronized timekeeping systems. When you wear a Citizen, you aren’t just wearing a watch; you are wearing a piece of history engineered for the future.
Why Choose Citizen?

• In-House Excellence: Every movement is manufactured vertically within their own Japanese facilities.
• Eco-Drive Technology: Powered by any light source, ensuring your watch never stops and never needs a battery.
• Heritage of Firsts: A century-long track record of technical breakthroughs in durability and precision.