Vintage Citizen Electronic 4-350405.S Steel — Cushion Green (1970s)

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Citizen Electronic steel: the Japanese vintage watch with a sunburst green dial and electronic movement

This Citizen watch is a dress watch, suitable for both men and women, from that pivotal period in the early 1970s when electronics were challenging mechanical watchmaking. Its cushion-shaped steel case, with softly rounded angles and polished flanks, embodies a sober and timeless design. The whole measures 32mm (34mm with the crown) for a Lug-to-lug of 37mm and a thickness of 9.2mm, Crystal included. A dense, honest piece, anchored in its era.

The sunburst green dial is the watch’s great asset. In the light, the radial shimmer of the emerald green shifts from dark to luminous depending on the angle, a living effect that modern dials struggle to recapture. Applied baton indexes punctuate the perimeter, while steel hands and a slim seconds hand sweep across the whole. The CITIZEN signature occupies the top of the dial, the ELECTRONIC mention the bottom, a witness to its period movement.

Inside beats a Citizen electronic balance movement, a technology positioned between mechanical watches and quartz: the balance is kept running electrically by a battery, without a mainspring barrel to wind. It is a horological curiosity from the 1970s, less accurate than a modern quartz but fascinating in principle. The movement of this example has been checked by our watchmaker and the battery replaced before shipment. Its accuracy is not guaranteed at the level of a current quartz.

On the wrist, the piece wears as a watch with character. The polished steel and green dial create a sober, graphic ensemble, here enhanced by a black genuine crocodile leather strap. This strap is not original; it is mounted on a steel Buckle. The Lug width of 18mm leaves the choice of replacement straps open.

Three points to note

• The movement is electronic with a balance wheel, not quartz: a transitional 1970s technology, with precision below that of a modern quartz. It is a horological piece of interest, not a high-precision timepiece.
• The sunburst green dial is the watch’s strong point: its colour remains rare and sought after on period pieces.
• The acrylic Crystal bears visible signs of wear; acrylic can be polished easily by a watchmaker if you wish.

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Technical characteristics

• Brand: Citizen
• Model: Cushion dress watch
• Reference: 4-350405.S
• Estimated year: 1975
• Origin: Japan
• Gender: Men's and women's watch (Unisex)
• Movement: Electronic balance, Citizen caliber (precision lower than a modern quartz, accuracy not guaranteed)
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
• Case: Steel (steel case back), cushion shape
• Dimensions: 32mm (34mm with the crown)
• Lug to lug: 37mm
• Thickness: 9.2mm (Crystal included)
• Lug width: 18mm
• Crown: Steel, not original
• Dial: Sunburst green, applied baton indexes, Citizen and Electronic signatures, original
• Hands: Steel batons (hours, minutes), thin seconds hand, original
• Crystal: Acrylic, good condition (7/10), signs of wear
• Bracelet: Genuine black crocodile leather, not original
• Buckle: Steel, not original

Condition and warranty

• Overall condition: Beautiful condition. Clear and vivid sunburst green dial. The acrylic Crystal shows visible signs of wear, and the steel has fine micro-scratches, consistent with the age of the piece.
• Water resistance: Not guaranteed (vintage watch)
• Authenticity: Lifetime guarantee
• Movement: Checked electronic movement, new battery, one-year warranty on operation (accuracy not guaranteed)
• Included: Atelier Victor invoice, protective case
• Not included: Original box and papers

Frequently asked questions

What is a Citizen "Electronic" movement?
It is an electronic balance movement, a transitional technology from the 1960s-1970s between the mechanical watch and quartz. The balance wheel is no longer driven by a spring but by an electrical impulse powered by a battery. Neither automatic nor quartz, this type of movement is a horological curiosity of its era, prized by collectors for its principle.

Is this Electronic Citizen accurate?
It works, but its accuracy is that of an electronic movement from the 1970s, lower than that of a modern quartz. We therefore do not guarantee it to the level of a current quartz. It is a piece to choose for its horological interest and its dial, rather than as a high-precision timepiece. The movement has been checked by our watchmaker and is guaranteed for 1 year.

Is this Citizen 4-350405.S 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 showers, the pool and the sea. A simple contact with rainwater, however, does not pose any problem.

Can the scratched acrylic Crystal be polished?
Yes. Unlike a mineral Crystal, an acrylic Crystal (plexiglass) can be polished easily: a watchmaker, or even a suitable at-home product, removes most superficial scratches and restores the Crystal's transparency. This is one of the advantages of this type of Crystal, common on watches from the 1970s.

Does a 32mm cushion case suit which wrist?
On a shaped watch, overall size matters as much as diameter: with 32mm of width, a Lug-to-lug of 37mm and a generous dial, this Citizen fits wrists from 15 to 18.5cm in circumference. Its cushion format gives it a balanced presence, neither too discreet nor imposing.

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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