This watch is powered by the Citizen Electronic movement and represents one of the ultimate achievements of electronically regulated super high-beat wristwatches in the pre-quartz era. This is not a quartz watch. * From the 1960s to the 1970s – The Technological Lineage of Citizen Electronic During the 1960s, the Japanese watch industry stood at a major crossroads: To push traditional mechanical watchmaking to its absolute limits Or to enter a new realm of precision through electronic control While Seiko pursued higher frequencies through purely mechanical high-beat movements, Citizen chose a fundamentally different path. From the mid-1960s onward, Citizen explored a concept in which the motion of the balance wheel itself was directly regulated by electronic control. This bold alternative approach gave birth to the Citizen Electronic lineage. The Citizen Electronic series was introduced in the mid-1960s and continuously refined through extensive experimentation and development. Rather than being a short-lived experiment, it evolved steadily and reached a mature technical form by the mid-1970s. This particular watch belongs to that mature generation of the 1970s, representing not an early prototype, but a highly refined result of years of accumulated engineering knowledge and development. * A Super High-Beat Achievement Beyond Conventional Limits The defining feature of this watch is its extraordinary operating frequency of 43,200 vibrations per hour (12 beats per second) — one of the highest vibration rates ever achieved in wristwatch history at the time. This is not merely a high-beat movement. It clearly belongs to the category of Super High Beat. Unlike conventional mechanical high-beat watches, this movement employs a fundamentally different structure. Two electromagnetic coils are positioned on both sides of the balance wheel, and electromagnetic force is used to directly assist and regulate the oscillation of the balance. Through this system, Citizen succeeded in achieving a vibration rate that was unattainable by purely mechanical means. This watch embodies a clear philosophy: to break through the limitations of mechanical watchmaking by integrating electronic control while preserving a mechanical oscillating system. * Not Quartz – And That Is Exactly Why It Matters This watch is not a quartz watch. Just before quartz technology became dominant, Citizen pursued ultimate precision while remaining committed to a mechanically oscillating balance system. The Citizen Electronic stands as a highly ambitious and unconventional technical endpoint of that pursuit. As a result: The structure was complex Production costs were high Mass production was impractical For these reasons, the Citizen Electronic lineage did not continue for long. Today, however, this series holds a special place among collectors who appreciate not only appearance, but also technical philosophy, historical context, and mechanical-electronic hybridity. * Dial, Design, and Condition The watch features a refined navy blue dial, combined with minimalist baton indices. Its clean and restrained design reflects the rational elegance characteristic of Japanese watchmaking from the late 1960s to 1970s. The watch is currently fitted with a new aftermarket leather strap. In addition, the original Citizen-signed stainless steel bracelet is included. The original bracelet fits wrists up to approximately 19 cm. A new battery has been installed prior to listing. The crown is signed with the original CTZ mark, confirming correct period components. The watch is running at the time of listing. However, as a vintage electronically regulated super high-beat watch, long-term accuracy, operational stability, and water resistance are not guaranteed. The watch will be carefully packed and shipped with tracking to ensure safe delivery. * Specifications Brand: Citizen Series: Citizen Electronic Reference Number: 4-350022Y Movement: Citizen Electronic (electro-mechanical, non-quartz) Beat Rate: 43,200 vibrations per hour (Super High Beat) Case Material: Stainless steel Dial Color: Navy blue Crown: Original CTZ-signed crown Bracelet: New aftermarket leather strap (installed) Original Citizen stainless steel bracelet (included, fits up to approx. 19 cm) Power Source: Battery (new battery installed) Condition: Vintage, running at time of listing Era: 1970s (mature generation of the Citizen Electronic series) Gender: Men