Vintage Citizen Leopard 28800 ‘Hi-Beat’ Automatic with Deep Marine Blue Dial, from August 1972

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.

🕰️ Citizen Leopard Line – Overview

Introduced to compete directly with Seiko’s high-end offerings of the era—such as the King Seiko and Lord Matic lines—the Leopard series was created to showcase Citizen’s capabilities in high-frequency, precision engineering.

• The High-Beat Signature: The defining characteristic of the Leopard line is its use of high-frequency movements. While standard watches of the era ticked at lower speeds, Leopard models operated at 28,800 BPH (Beats Per Hour) or an even higher 36,000 BPH. This rapid frequency provided excellent timekeeping stability and a signature, mesmerizingly smooth sweep of the second hand.

• Premium Positioning: Positioned just below Citizen’s top-tier “Chronomaster” and “Super King” lines, the Leopard series featured high jewel counts (typically 24 to 28 jewels), sophisticated hacking mechanisms, and instant-setting day/date complications.

• Era-Defining Design: Beyond the engineering, the line is highly regarded for its diverse and bold 1970s aesthetics. Citizen utilized everything from classic round dress cases to experimental, retro-futuristic cushion and faceted cases, often paired with vibrant, colorful dials, applied indices, and faceted crystals.

Today, the Leopard series is highly sought after by vintage collectors as a representation of the peak of Japanese mechanical watchmaking before the Quartz Crisis transformed the industry.

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DESCRIPTION

Step into the golden era of Japanese horology with this stunning 1972 Citizen Leopard 28800. Produced during a time when Citizen was fiercely competing with Seiko’s King Seiko and Grand Seiko lines, the “Leopard” family was created to showcase high-precision engineering.

What makes this specific piece a true collector’s treasure is its breathtaking deep marine blue dial, beautifully contrasted by sharp, faceted silver indices and a matching day-date window at the 3 o’clock position. Housed in an ergonomic, retro-futuristic cushion case with a uniquely recessed crown at 4 o’clock, it delivers immense wrist presence while remaining exceptionally comfortable.

Under the hood beats the iconic, in-house Citizen Caliber 7720 movement, operating at a high-frequency 28,800 vibrations per hour. This high-beat rate gives the second hand a mesmerizingly smooth sweep, far more fluid than standard vintage watches. Boasting a robust 28-jewel layout, this is an authentic slice of mechanical art built to last. Pair it with your favorite leather strap to elevate your daily style or solidify your vintage watch collection.

Technical Details

• Brand: Citizen

• Line: Leopard

• Year of Production: August 1972

• Country of Manufacture: Japan

• Movement Type: High-Beat Automatic (Self-Winding)

• Caliber: Citizen 7720

• Jewel Count: 28 Jewels

• Frequency: 28,800 BPH (Beats Per Hour)

• Case Material: Stainless Steel

• Case Back: Screw-down (Stamped: GN-4-S, Water Resistant)

• Dial Color: Blue with sunburst properties

• Complications: Day and Date display at 3 o’clock

• Crown Position: Recessed at 4 o’clock

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

Comes complete with original stainless 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.

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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.