A Very Unusual Citizen Campanola
Those familiar with the traditionally ornate look of Citizen’s Campanola line would be surprised to see the watch pictured above. After all, this simple, time only pilot style watch is the antithesis of what collectors expect from a Campanola branded watch. Just as surprising as the name on the dial is the caliber of the movement within. This Campanola is run by Citizen’s super high accuracy A660 quartz perpetual module.
I first became aware of this watch through a picture in an old Campanola brochure from the year 2000. The watch fascinated me both because of its anti-Campanola design, and its use of the A660 movement; a module that I had always assumed was used exclusively in “The Citizen” dress watch line. To see an A660 in a pilot styled watch was quite a shock. I was instantly intrigued, and the hunt began.
For years, I looked for this model. My guess was that it was long discontinued. It never showed up on any of the Campanola websites and wasn’t listed in any later Campanola literature that I’d seen. Knowing it could be a tough search, I threw it in my daily que of search strings on eBay, Yahoo! Japan and various watch forums.
A week ago, as I occasionally do, I Googled the model number (CTS57-0701) to see if anything popped up. Imagine my surprise when a new Citizen Japan link was returned right at the top! I clicked on it and was astonished to see the watch notated first in a list of models slated for upcoming price increases. I instantly emailed Katsu Higuchi who confirmed that yes, he could order the watch for me. Wow! Yesterday it arrived.
Enough rambling, lets get to the pictures and discuss the watch.
Like all Campanolas the case has a distinctly organic feel to it. The characteristically hi-dome sapphire crystal and softly rounded case angles contribute to this effect. I like the strong presence of the lugs and proportions of the crown are perfect. It’s also nice to see some brushed surfaces on this case. Often Citizen completely polishes their Campanolas to a bright homogenous shine. The stainless steel case measures 38mm across without crown, is about 13mm thick (with crystal), and the lug size is 20mm.
The dial is pure inky black with a glossy mirror finish. I was quite curious before receiving this watch to see the dial. Knowing what Citizen does with the Campanolas, I was half expecting to see a fancy patterned surface.
The hands are polished bright and shiny and the lume is set inside polished markers. Like all Campanolas, there are many reflections coming off of all areas of this watch. Of course the screw in crown is signed with the Campania bell.
There’s nothing to see on the standard caseback. Water resistance is rated as 10bar. The strap is dark brown handmade crocodile with a polished and signed deployant.
Overall, this watch was exactly what I hoped for. While its overall quality doesn’t match that of the Grand Seikos I’ve owned, you have to remember, it’s a lower cost watch. My primary attraction to this model was the A660 movement which, with its 5 second per year accuracy, perpetual calendar and independent hour setting abilities does some things that the GS quartz modules don’t.
If you are interested in purchasing one of these, I would strongly suggest that you contact Katsu Higuchi soon for availability and pricing information. My watch has a production date of 2000, so this is certainly old stock with a probably limited supply. I had to wait a long time to find mine, perhaps you will not!
May 23rd, 2008 at 7:36 pm
Hey Petew:
Thanks for this report. I watch the stock market a lot and for the
last 5 months,the market has been down a lot,
your reports are like sunshine to me. The photos
are spectacular and your writing is great too. I have
not seen another site, with this caliber of writing and photos.
I had a question for you. Do you know of other Citizen watches
that use the same quartz movement as this watch and the Campanola
line? Thanks again.
May 24th, 2008 at 3:30 am
Hi diverwatch,
It’s nice to know that Bryan and I aren’t the only ones who are depressed with the current state of the market!
Besides the models in “The Citizen” lineup, I know of no other watches, let alone Campanolas, that use the A660 module. If anyone does, please let us know. One of the reasons we write the articles is in the hope that others will supplement or add to our information.
Thanks for the kind words,
petew
May 25th, 2008 at 7:39 am
Petew, thanks for yet another interesting and informative post.
While the “usual” Campanola line of watches from Citizen are certainly very accomplished in their technology and complications, I do not particularly like their extremely busy dials and overly large size. This Campanola however is distinctly different and attractive with its simple and classic lines and easy to read dial.
It is my understanding that in The Citizen Chronomaster, this movement runs for 10 years on one battery [correct me if I am mistaken please], would you comment on the battery life in this Campanola please?
Thanks.
May 25th, 2008 at 11:43 am
Hi Fouad6,
The A660 movement battery life is specified as 5 years in both the Chronomasters and this Campanola. The Citizen Chronomaster does have a 10 year warranty though, while the Campanola’s warranty is 1 year.
Thanks for reading,
petew
May 26th, 2008 at 9:26 am
Hey Pete.
Believe it or not, I took the plunge on one this morning!
I just want to say thanks for all the information and pics you provided the WUS community in regard to your new Citizen Campy.
Just like you, it was love at first sight for me when you first posted it about a week ago on the WUS forum.
The other day when I read your review and noticed it came from Higuchi and found out the model is still available, it was right then I knew one’s gonna be mine someday!
Can you tell me about the strap in terms of how it will fit my puny 6.5 inch wrist? I’m hoping it’s made on the short side instead of long or the clasp never positions correctly on the bottom of my wrist. Anyway, how big is your wrist size and does the clasp line up correctly for you?
If the strap is too big (which it probably will be), I’ll custom order a croc strap from Sirtoli like I did for my Grand Seiko and Chronomaster. Hopefully I can use the factory deployant as well.
I’m going to get the IPod out and turn on Tom Petty now…Now the waaaaiting is the hardest part….
Again, thanks a million Bud! :~)
May 26th, 2008 at 11:32 am
Hi Rex,
Well I sure hope you like the watch when it arrives. It’s hard to say exactly how this one will fit you. My wrist is just under 7 inches and the clasp is centered nicely. You’ll probably wear yours one notch up on the strap. I think it might be okay, but really it depends on personal preference and the shape of your wrist.
Thanks for reading,
petew
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:14 pm
[…] Citizen watches don’t get a lot of ink … er … pixals, on GMT+9. Petew’s recent review of a long-sought-after Campanola is a noteable exception, and without objection, I’d like to focus on another unusual Citizen watch today. The Citizen iVert is a digital watch that syncs with Sharp 3G cell phones — a combination remote control, pager, and message storage device. Oh, and it also tells time. […]
June 5th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Very pretty Pete. Thanks so much for your posting and for maintaining (with others?) this terrific site. Two questions about the Campanola, if I may) - in your pictures, the lume on the hands and hour markers is cream-coloured, not white. Is this accurate or is it just an artifact of the lighting?
Thanks again.
David
June 5th, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Hi David,
Nice to see you hear on GMT+9 and thanks for the kind words. The lume definitely has a bit of an off white cream color to it. However, in most of my pics, it is accentuated by the lighting. The last pic is a pretty decent representation of what it looks like. One note, in the dark, the lume on the hands is blue while the markers are green.
petew
June 19th, 2008 at 2:48 pm
Hi Pete, beautiful watch! What color is the dial and indices etc.? Is case SS/silver? brown strap? Pictures are great but glare and my old eyes need more info! I just today recvd. in the mail my first Japan market watch thru Seiya Japan- a Seiko SBQK081 that was reviewed on gmt9, the Japan market has some beautiful timepieces, I like the classic swiss inspired looks the Japan market seems to like. This watch is great, solid, aesthetically pleasing, bulletproof, I have a 11 year old Seiko diver, pepsi bezel, like 007 model with crown at 3′clock. 1 service in all that time a couple of batteries, two straps. I read some other reviews on this model/s & mention was made of Seiko’s oyster bands, they’re pretty good! I have two mid-1970’s Rolex Explorer II’s and the bracelet feels less solid and rattles more! I say it’s charming! I was looking at some used Rolex Explorer 1’s but at present couldn’t justify the expense. There seem to be quite a few Japan market watches that have this feel- your reviewed Citizen, I also saw a Orient Star w/ SS bracelet. If I didn’t like this strap so much (by the way I had my watch guy remove one link, I have small wrists but like to wear my metal srtap watches a little loose) I’d have a black leather/miltary look strap put on..it’d look like the IWC Mark XVI!
regards, Dr. Robert
June 20th, 2008 at 5:52 am
Hi Robert,
The dial is a glossy black and the indices are just a slightly off white color. The case is stainless steel and the strap is brown. I hope you enjoy your new Perpetual Calendar.
Thanks for reading,
petew
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:42 pm
Hi Pete. One more question, if you don’t mind (I am still mulling this watch over) - what is the lug-to-lug length? I am a little concerned about the size and I know that lug length can often be as important as diameter in the ultimate impression of size on the wrist. Thanks so much for your help (and this site)!
David
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Hi David,
The lug to lug measurement is 46mm.
petew
November 11th, 2008 at 10:47 pm
Pete,
I know this post is a little older, and you have already answered a ton of questions…
However I have been interested in this watch for a little while and I recently asked Higuchi if
it was still availalbe, and it is. I have a trip to Japan planned for December and I think I will
get one.
I would like to ask you one question, do you know the weight of this watch or can you describe the
weight? I don’t really like heavy watches and gravitate towards quartz for that reason.
Thanks so much.
November 12th, 2008 at 5:08 am
Hi Bongos,
Thanks for reading the blog. I don’t know the exact weight of this watch and I don’t have a way to measure it, but I can tell you that it is not heavy at all. It is a smaller size and wears quite comfortable on the wrist. Good luck with your trip to Japan. I hope you have a great time and see some fantastic watches!
petew
November 30th, 2008 at 9:32 pm
I read your excellent review, and was lucky enough to find one of these within just a few days, from Katsu Higuchi . . . here is a link to my first attempt at a photo –
awesome watch; thanks for all the information. I will hope to post additional impressions and information, after some time with the watch.
Jeff Stein
Atlanta, Georgia
December 3rd, 2008 at 2:12 pm
Hi Jeff,
Enjoy your new watch. It’s quite a departure from a Heuer eh? I hope it meets your expectations. I still like mine just as much as I did the day I received it. FYI, did you know that there is also a chronograph version of this same watch?
One day perhaps, I’ll be able to do a review on that one too.
March 20th, 2009 at 9:15 pm
Hi Petew,
Based on your review I purchased this watch last year and love it!
I would be very interested in the Chronograph version, might you have any information on it, e.g., the model number or description? I’ve looked everywhere on the web without any luck.
Thanks!
Alex
March 23rd, 2009 at 9:10 am
Hi Alex,
I’m glad you are still enjoying your Campanola. I’m still thrilled with mine and feel fortunate to have finally found one. I don’t have the model number of the Chronograph version, but I can tell you it looks very similar to the A660 with the addition of chronograph subdials.
I’ve been looking for one for awhile, but haven’t found one yet. It may take another year or two.
Thanks for reading.
petew
May 17th, 2009 at 10:19 pm
Hi petew…….I made a bid on this very cool Citizen Campanola! I contacted Higuchi, but he said it’s no longer available, same story w/ others. Then I saw one pre-owned, emailed w/ an offer! Hope I get it!!!
May 22nd, 2009 at 11:33 pm
Hi Petew. I got the CTS57-0701. What a sharp watch! Excellent fit & finish. I love the look, most of my collection is the military/industrial/explorer/fleiger style. I am 2nd owner, previous owner wore it sparingly, lucky for me! As soon as I got it unpacked, it came from Hong Kong….off came strap, quick wash and Brasso polish………strap back on shiny & looking as new!!!!
I prefer black straps whether leather, reptile skin, rubber or woven nylon fabric. May get a black croc/alligator strap.
Will post a pic next time!
June 16th, 2009 at 5:19 am
Hi Bobaloo
How much was its price and what is now a days reasonable price ? ( Jun 2009 )
where I can get this beauty ?
November 20th, 2009 at 9:47 am
hi
i bid for one on ebay christmas 2008 but paypal screwed me about when i was away skiing (don’t ever send two debit instructions close together from an internet cafe in the middle of the Balkans!) and i lost out.
i’m still looking for one as their combination of accuracy,quality and simplicity put them in the running for the title of greatest wristwatch!
roger