Citizen 51-2273 Argentine Navy Diver — WatchProSite Forum Digest

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Subexplorer shares the fascinating story of acquiring a Citizen reference 51-2273, a modest diving watch with significant military provenance from the Argentine Navy's Tactical Divers. This post offers a compelling narrative that underscores how a watch's historical context and personal connection can elevate its value beyond its monetary cost or technical sophistication.

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NB: Updated today from 2013.

Hello friends!

I wish to share a recent addition to my collection of diving watches.

It is a modest timepiece which clearly proves that a watch needs not to be an expensive or sophisticated one, to be considered one of the most valuable or the favorite of our collections.

Citizen 51-2273

This watch came to my hands rather unexpectedly, two weeks ago, during a little gathering of local watch aficionados. One of the timepiece collectors present in the gathering, was Juan, a good friend of mine, with whom I share the passion for watches.

A couple of months ago, my friend had told me that he had found three diving watches which originally belonged to a group of timepieces bought in the early 1980´s by the Argentine Navy to be issued to members of their groups of Tactical Divers, as they call their special forces teams deployed by Air and Sea and speciallized in underwater missions.

These watches were of the Citizen brand, and each of them was marked on the back case with an additional five figures number, for internal control by the Navy Stores. These watches, bought in an unknown quantity, were issued to the special troops, while the high rank members received an also unknown number of Rolex and Tudor Submariners.

A few days after buying these three Citizens for a very low sum, my friend made another great find: one of the same period Tudor Submariners with the Navy markings on the back, could be purchased by him in a very lucky deal.

As said before, two weeks ago I met my friend for our little GTG with other local fellow collectors. I was very excited when my friend handled me the Tudor, (a beautifully patinated and great condition snow flake Sub), and the three Citizens he had there for me to view. It surely was an impresive great find!

After viewing that Tudor with great excitement I also examined the three Citizens.

I thought that though they were very simple and modest in comparison with the Tudor, they were a most interesting piece of history, with a proved provenance from the Special Group of Navy Divers.

The three watches were slightly different, some with paddle hour hands, other with Mercedes hour hand, one without crown guards, and two with crown guards but different crown size.

As I know very little about Japanese watches, all three seemed very similar to me, so that my friend pointed me those differences.

On the occassion, I didn´t paid much attention to the reference numbers. As a matter of fact, I didn´t knew at that moment, the meaning of those numbers showing on the backs of these timepieces.

The important thing to note, is that all three watches got the five digits Navy Store numbers on their case backs.

I congratulatd my friend and told him how nice and lucky finding he had done, and how much I liked every one of them.

Then I was greatly and nicely surprised to hear my friend offering me: "you may chose the one you like best of the three Citizens, and get it for the same price I paid for it."

I couldn´t believe what I was hearing, and after a few seconds of confusion due to my surprise, my friend repeated his offer. As you may understand, I couldn´t resist to accept his kind proposal. I chose one of them, the one I liked best.

This is the watch I have now on my wrist, while I write this post. It is a Citizen reference 51-2273, made in august 1980. It has an automatic movement caliber 8200 inside, known to be a tough and dependable one.

The watch is big (42 mm case) and looks so strong. It came with no straps, so as soon as I arrived home, I tried a couple of Natos, and finally settled with a black nylon set.

Together with the usual factory inscriptions, its case back sports the Navy Stores five digit control number 61xxx.

It is a piece of our military diving story, and it instantly became a favorite in my collection, which will allways remind me the generous gesture of friendship from my good friend Juan. One of my most valuable pieces in my collection!

I wish you´ll like it as much as I do. Very cordially, Abel.

Citizen reference 51-2273

Key Points from the Discussion

The Citizen 51-2273, along with other Citizen and Tudor Submariner watches, was originally purchased by the Argentine Navy in the 1980s for its special Underwater Operation Forces, known as Buzos Tacticos.
Each military-issued watch was marked with a five-digit number on the case back for internal control by the Navy Stores, indicating official issuance.
The author initially suspected the 'C.i.' engraving might refer to the Army's 'Compañía de Ingenieros,' but later concluded it was unlikely due to the Navy's primary role in diver training and the incorrect capitalization for an Army unit abbreviation.
Another collector has built a database of 32 presumably Argentine-issued Tudor Snowflake examples, including references 7928, 7016, and 9411, some with 'I.A.' engravings, suggesting further variations in military markings.
The watch features a deep, 3D-looking dial and hands with a special design, and its movement offers a dual-language day display (English and an oriental language, likely Kanji).
The main appeal of this watch lies in its historical provenance and the generous gesture of friendship from which it was acquired, rather than its monetary value.
Citizen dive watches are known for their robust, 'bomb-proof' movements, making them a logical choice for military use.

The Discussion

amanico

May 19, 2013

A few questions, Abel.

If I got you well, this watch was bought in the Navy Stores by the Argentinian Navy? Is the date in Japanese? ( The day, not the date, sorry ). Do you have the meanings of these 5 figures? Aaah, and as per the Argentinian Tudors, what references does your friend have? Don't tell me 7924!!!! Please, no!!! ;) Congratulations, my friend, on an interesting find! Un abrazo. Nicolas

MattS

May 20, 2013

7924 snowflake!?...

keep calm Nico, Abel says it is a snowflake!... Matt

amanico

May 20, 2013

Well, the new Tudor Big Crown is a Snowflake, then... ;)

And there were some 7924 which were issued for the Argentinian Army, the famous CI. So I am wondering if, by chance, we could see one of them! Best, Nicolas

MattS

May 20, 2013

Ha ha you are right on the Black Bay one!...

But as Abel refers to a snowflake I guess it is the same than the ones issued to M.N, South Afracan... Issued 7924s...I've never seen one with military markings, do you? would be interested to see that!... Matt

amanico

May 20, 2013

Yes, I sawa few, and I am working on a topic about them.

The Argentinian Army had the 7924, the 7928, and the 7016, if we are speaking about Tudor Submariners. All marked " CI ". Best, Nicolas

Subexplorer

May 20, 2013

Hello Nicolas! I´m glad you like this watch and story, and ...

... I suspected you could be interested in the story behing our military diving watches, as they have certain connection with Rolex and Tudors. We know very little about these watches, as it is very usual with historical facts in my Country, they are very difficult to come by to the true details, specially if related with the military. Now, I can answer your questions: These watches were originally purchased by the Argentine Navy (Armada Argentina) in the 1980´s, to be issued to their special Un

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