Citizen Alarm Date Ref. ALDG 51301A-Y – A Wrist-Worn Reminder from 1965
Setting an alarm today is a routine task taking just a few seconds. Back in 1965, however, Citizen managed to pack this feature into a purely mechanical watch.
Produced in September 1965, this Citizen Alarm Date is not merely a vintage timepiece that tells the time; it is a remarkable mechanical complication built upon the 21-jewel Calibre 3102. It features an alarm system independent of the timekeeping mechanism, capable of producing an audible sound at a preset time.
**IMPORTANT NOTE: As this item ships from within the European Union, you will not be liable for customs duties within the EU.**
The fourth hand on the dial, featuring an arrow tip, indicates the time at which the alarm will sound. Two separate crowns on the right side of the case make the watch's dual-function nature visually apparent: the upper crown winds the mechanical alarm system and sets the alarm time, while the lower crown controls the timekeeping mechanism.
All of this operates without electronic circuits or batteries. Utilizing a manually wound power source for the alarm, the mechanism generates mechanical vibration and sound when the set time arrives. Thus, the alarm complication is not just an extra hand on the dial; it functions as a truly independent mechanical feature within the watch.
The silver-colored sunburst dial embodies classic 1960s character with applied gold-tone baton indices, gold hands, and a fluted bezel. The magnifier over the date window at the 3 o'clock position stands out as one of the dial's most distinctive details.
The inscriptions "PARA 40M WATER" on the dial and "PARAWATER" on the case back directly reflect Citizen's terminology specific to that era. The ALDG 51301A-Y reference and serial number 50907971 on the case back allow the model to be dated to September 1965.
Upon opening the case back, the 21-jewel Citizen Calibre 3102 manual-wind alarm movement is fully revealed. The clean appearance of the movement, the well-preserved dial, and the case details make the watch's overall condition—having survived to the present day—even more remarkable.
However, the details that truly complete the story of this specific piece are found on the back.
The original green protective film from the era is still present on the case back. Meanwhile, the Citizen Alarm Date tag attached to the bracelet displays the original retail price of ¥12,000, along with the markings for "21石" (21 jewels) and "CGP." Seeing the movement of a watch that is nearly sixty years old is one thing; seeing the price tag it once bore in the shop still attached to it today is quite another.
Final Thoughts
In 1965, you didn't touch a screen to set the alarm on this watch.
While one mechanical system kept time, another awaited the appointed moment. And when the time came, the watch actually rang.
The most impressive aspect of this Citizen Alarm Date isn't just its mechanical alarm complication; it is the fact that physical traces of its past—from its protective film to its original ¥12,000 price tag—remain intact.
Some vintage watches merely tell the time.
Others carry time itself...
The items shown here were manufactured in 1965.
PROFESSIONAL FULL SERVICE. The watch movement has been completely disassembled, and every part has been cleaned, lubricated, and precisely adjusted to ensure flawless operation. (Requires no maintenance for 3 years, provided it is not exposed to adverse conditions.)
Product Condition: Tested; all functions are operational.
