Citizen launched the rather unique vertical-clutch column wheel 8110 Challenge Timer chronograph in 1972 - like the full serviced, all original gold-cased 67-9020 example here - and it was produced into the very early 1980s, with Brad Pitt's character in Quentin Tarantino's "Once Upon A Time in Hollywood," Cliff Booth, wearing one just like this throughout the movie, on a leather cuff strap.
Significantly, the 8110 movement was Citizen’s answer to Seiko’s famed 6139 movement, with one key difference - Citizen’s well designed 8110, unlike the 6139, featured hand winding and ‘flyback,’ which allows the wearer to zero the chronograph whilst it’s running, rather than having to stop it first, then restart. This permits an instant stop and re-start of the chronograph function.
The compact design of the movement in the 1970's 'flyback' Citizen 8110 "Challenge Timer" automatic bullhead chronograph allowed smaller casing, so the 8110 tends to be lighter than, for example, the Seiko 6139 (which did not have a flyback feature) chronographs of the period. The 8110 is a far more compact version of the Seiko’s own bullhead design, the 6138-0049.
The start and stop of the chronograph is by pressing the button positioned at the 11 o’clock position and is reset by pressing the button at 1 o’clock. Pressing the reset button without first stopping the chronograph enables instant restart from zero. All models have the column wheel/vertical clutch design. These movements have quick setting mechanisms for date and day. Both are set when the crown is pulled out one click – the date by rotating the crown, the day by pressing the reset button.
Compared to modern chronographs, the only chronos in today’s market with similar features and construction sell at a far higher price point – such as Blancpain, Vacheron Constantine, Patek, and Audemars. The 8110’s are the least expensive, yet most sophisticated chronograph ever made.
This Citizen 8110 bullhead comes with a leather cuff strap, nylon strap, spring bar tool, and Pelican travel case.
Gold 1981 Citizen 67-9020 "Cliff Booth" 8110 Bullhead Chronograph
DIAL: Citizen-signed gold dial with matching minute, hour, and chronograph hands.
CASE: Gold-plated nickel Citizen 38mm x 44mm (with crown) case, with stainless steel caseback - gold-plated on case remains uniform throughout, uncommon for these; case features hooded lugs.
CRYSTAL: Scratch and blemish-free.
STRAP: Light brown leather cuff strap, with gold hardware. This bullhead also comes with an 18mm nylon strap, with gold-plated hardware. Both straps are great complements to the 8110's gold plating and classic vintage styling - and the leather cuff strap is akin to the design of Booth's in the film.
MOVEMENT: Citizen 23-jewel automatic movement, beating at a rapid 28,800 bph. The 8110 flyback tachymeter movement can be wound either manually or automatically. Separately, the date and day - with Spanish/English calendar variants – rotate and set as designed. Serial number on caseback dates this watch to a February 1981 manufacture. This 8110 has received a full service.
CROWN: Citizen-signed crown.
CHRONOGRAPH PUSHERS: Chronograph pushers depress with satisfying click, no stick. Chronograph hands reset to zero.