Citizen 150m diver Crystal Date, AUDS 52802-Y (May of 1968)

I have always love the early Japanese diver watches such as the Seiko 6217-8000/1 "62MAS", Seiko 6125-7000, 6159-7000, 6105-8000/9 (C shape case), 6105-8110 Captain Willard, 61597070 Grandfather Tuna). Of the early Seiko diver watches, I have managed to keep the 3 key representatives namely the 62 MAS, 6105-8110 and 6159-7000.

Following the New Year break, I have realized that I have not a single Citizen diver watch and I have decided to search for them.  Given the wide range of diver watches, I have decided to only limit my collection to the 150M diver series for Citizen. During my search, the Crystal Date Diver reference AUDS 52802-Y from 1968 caught attention. At 40mm, these watches are beautifully built and they are in fact quite hard to find. They incorporate a thick mineral crystal and lume that seems to age a lot better than the Seiko during the period.  

I think the first generation is the Citizen Super auto Dater SADS 52801-Y in 39 jewels, which is super rare and expensive. This is an early, perhaps second generations, 150m Citizen diver watch Crystal Date, AUDS 52802-Y (there is other models with OR-O). It was made in 1968. The hands are different then the rest of Citizen divers watches because there is no “Mercedes” style hour hand. The Citizen Crystal Date reference AUDS 52802-Y is a vintage diver watch from Citizen’s early professional lineup.

The first model 150m diver has a simple looking crown  and a unibody. Starting with this second 150M model, the top part of the case has now a circular brushed finish and the unibody case was dropped and replaced with a screw back case. In addition, the Jet movement was replaced with a centrally mounted swinging weight movement (i.e. the Citizen automatic caliber 5410) and it has a very nice case back design.

Key Specifications

It uses a 40mm stainless steel case with 18mm lugs, featuring a multi-faceted design and special signed caseback.  Powered by the 33-jewel Caliber 5410 automatic movement at 18,000 bph with hand-winding and quickset date, it includes toughened borosilicate crystal and 150m Parawater resistance.  The pencil style non - Mercedes hands for a distinctive look.

Collectibility and Value

These command $800–$1,500 USD on markets like Gem or auctions due to rarity and pioneering status among Japanese divers.  Servicing focuses on the integrated movement and crystal seals. 

Please see below photos:

40mm case size, with straight pencils hands instead of the usual Mercedes hands.

It has a very nice case back design with close attentions to details.

Similar Recommendations

• Citizen Super Jet Auto Dater SADS 51202-Y: 39-jewel sibling with unibody X-case

• Citizen Challenge Diver 6200: Successor with screw-down crown, ideal upgrade for deeper heritage dives.

For a good read on all Citizen diver watches , please read :  https://vintagecitizenwatches.com/tag/auds-52802-y/

I have found the following (in blue): 

1. Citizen Super Auto Dater, SADS 52801-Y  /  Citizen Super Jet Auto Date , SADS 51202 -Y

2. Citizen Crystal Date AUDS 52802 - Y OR-O 33 Jewels  

3. Citizen Super Jet Auto Dater Parawater 150m AUDS 51202 Y
4, Citizen Diver OR-O B52806 or 62-5370