Citizen Free Way 6085 Gold-Plated Tank — Moonphase (1990s)

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Citizen Free Way Gold-Plated: the Rectangular Watch with Moonphase and Arabic Numeral Dial

This watch, signed Free Way Traditional Club and powered by a Japanese Citizen movement, is a charming piece with a neo-classical design. Unisex, it can be worn equally well by a man or a woman. Its gold-plated rectangular case, with lugs adorned with scrollwork, frames a richly detailed dial. It measures 26mm (28mm with the crown) with a Lug-to-lug of 36mm and a thickness of 7.4mm. A dressy and original piece, halfway between a watch and a jewel.

The white dial is the heart of the piece. Generous black Arabic numerals run around it, bordered by a railway track engraved in a guilloché style. At 12 o’clock, a golden moonphase moves across a starry midnight-blue sky, paired with a graduated scale that tracks the age of the moon over its 29-and-a-half-day cycle. A date window sits at 6 o’clock, beneath the Free Way shield signature. The golden sword hands complete this abundant and poetic dial.

Inside beats a Japanese quartz movement with a moonphase complication. In practice, maintenance is limited to battery replacement by any watchmaker. The movement of this example has been checked by our watchmaker and the battery replaced before dispatch. It is a watch that prioritises the pleasure of the display and the poetry of the lunar cycle.

On the wrist, the piece displays an assertive vintage charm. The golden rectangular case with scrollwork and the moonphase dial create a warm and original ensemble, highlighted here by a black crocodile-style leather. This strap is not original. The 15mm Lug width directs the choice of replacement straps toward narrow widths.

Three points to note

• The watch combines a golden moonphase on a starry sky with a lunar age scale: a rare poetic complication on a piece at this price point.
• The gold-plated tank case with lugs adorned with scrollwork gives the piece a very dressy neo-classical allure.
• The dial shows a few moisture spots around its edge, visible on close inspection. We mention this in full transparency.

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Technical characteristics

• Brand: Citizen (dial signed Free Way Traditional Club)
• Model: Free Way, moonphase
• Reference: 085-A43710 KW
• Estimated year: 1990s
• Origin: Japan
• Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
• Movement: Japanese quartz, calibre Citizen (base 6085)
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date at 6 o’clock, moonphase and lunar age
• Case: Gold-plated (steel back), rectangular shape, scrollwork lugs
• Dimensions: 26mm (28mm with the crown)
• Lug to lug: 36mm
• Thickness: 7.4mm
• Lug width: 15mm
• Crown: Gold-plated, original
• Dial: White, black Arabic numerals, engraved railway track, golden moonphase at 12 o'clock, lunar age scale, date at 6 o'clock, Free Way signature, original
• Hands: Golden sword hands, lunar age hand, original
• Crystal : Mineral, very good condition (9/10)
• Strap: Black crocodile-style leather, not original
• Buckle : Steel, not original

Condition and warranty

• General condition: Well preserved. Case gold-plated and crisp, moonphase and date in working order, Crystal in very good condition (9/10). The dial does, however, show a few moisture spots around its edge, visible upon close inspection, which we disclose in complete transparency.
• Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
• Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
• Movement: Quartz movement checked, new battery, guaranteed for 1 year
• Included: Atelier Victor invoice, protective case
• Not included: Original box and papers

Frequently asked questions

How does the moonphase work?
The moonphase reproduces, at 12 o'clock, the appearance of the moon in the sky: a golden disc moves behind an arched aperture, successively revealing the new moon, first quarter, full moon, and last quarter. A graduated scale tracks its age over the 29-and-a-half-day cycle. It is a complication that is both poetic and educational, here driven by a quartz movement.

What is “Free Way Traditional Club”?
It is the name of the line signed on the dial of this watch, powered by a Japanese Citizen movement. These fashion pieces, with a traditional and dressy design, were offered as style watches at an accessible price point. Their charm lies in the richness of their dial and their decorative complications such as the moonphase.

Is the case made of solid gold?
No: it is a gold-plated case with a steel back. The plating brings the warmth and brilliance of gold for a fraction of its price. It is a typical construction for dressy fashion watches. The case of this piece is in good condition, with fine signs of wear consistent with its age.

Is this watch water-resistant?
No. Water resistance is never guaranteed on a vintage watch: the original gaskets have aged and the pressure of the caseback is no longer what it was on day one. Avoid the shower, the pool, and the sea. Simple contact with rainwater, however, does not pose any difficulty.

What wrist is this watch suitable for?
With a 26mm rectangular case and a Lug-to-lug of 36mm, this is ideally a compact, dressy-format piece. That said, a watch is also a matter of style: depending on personal taste and the look sought, it can be worn equally well by a man or by a woman who appreciates original and poetic pieces. The measurement is only a guide, never a rule.

A piece selected by Atelier Victor

Authenticated, checked, and photographed by us. As all sales are final, our team remains available 7 days a week on WhatsApp to answer your questions, share additional photos or a video of the piece in hand — so that your choice can be made with complete peace of mind.

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