Citizen’s feature-packed analog-digital 8950 is probably the model that has the most varieties (much like Seiko’s H357 or Casio’s AQ-230 ranges – designed at a time when a analog-digital hybrid watch was the way of the future).
And there is plenty to like about this too – you get the time in 12/24 format, day/date/month, two daily alarms, an hourly chime, chronograph, countdown timer and a backlight!
Setting the digital section is mostly carried out by turning the crown in setting mode, which can be a bit fraught with these watches if contacts start getting dirty or misaligned.
When it’s working well, though, it’s great – the watch has a reasonably small form factor and is comfortable to wear (some versions, like the sports models, are a bit bigger).
The best part about a watch with many different case and bracelet options is that you will be able to find one that resonates particularly with your own taste and even if it isn’t running (or is pretty much unrepairable) you will be able to swap out the parts from a less-desirable looking version to make your preferred watch run again.
I have several of these but this is one of my favourite designs. It can work as a dress or casual watch and has a great looking dial and hands.
Possible the only downside with this watch, when it comes to repair, is how the alarm works. It has an unusual custom spring design that touches several contacts along with the piezo and can easily ping off when the caseback is opened never to be seen again. You can bodge a replacement but it can be fiddly and a better designed (or non-removable) spring would have been better. It’s a small criticism, though, of a great watch!
Hi, I recently aquired one of these fine looking watches, the exact same model. Purchased from Japan to be sent to the UK for the majestic sum of £6 and it’s in fantastic condition too! What a bargain I thought (hoping that the internals hadn’t been wrecked by battery leak)
When I got the back off – the battery had leaked massively, and there was rust on the case and rust on the battery, the cause of which I guess must be from a past water ingress.
Not hoping for much, I gave a very quick clean, popped in a 395 battery and amazingly the digital portion came to life. The analog was not working – but it only needed winding round the 24 cycle a few times and then it kicked into life!. Must be a warrior of a watch to fully work after so much battery damage.
Overall it’s a really lovely watch, good quality with a lovely strap – apparantley when new these were 30,000 yen which was a lot of money 40 years ago! Also very interesting how the mode is changed by pushing the crown ‘in’ – I havent seen that before.
Unfortunately I spoke too soon – I left it over night and the analogue hands are around 10 minutes slower behind the digital. Guessing it must need a service/clean/oil ?
Hi. I bought a quartz watch testing machine on AliExpress. Didn’t cost too much. These devices allow you to check the crystal is ‘pulsing’ and also to force the hands around. This process helps to free up sticky movements. I also lubricate the pivot points with Moebius 9010. I did this on an old dormant watch that hadn’t worked for years (a Citizen C480) and now it works perfectly!
That’s a good tip and not something I was aware of so i’ll take a look at that, thanks. In the meantime my 8950 seems to have ‘unstuck’ itself in the last few days and is now keeping great time. The Moebius 9010 stuff looks good though so I think i’ll get some of that and help to free up the movements.