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Collecting the Citizen Bullhead Chronograph – A Vintage Icon with Horns
If you’re a watch collector, vintage enthusiast, or just someone with an inexplicable love for quirky designs, then allow me to introduce you to one of the greatest oddballs in horological history – the Citizen Bullhead Chronograph. This mechanical beast from the 1970s is a certified conversation starter, an underappreciated alternative to its Seiko rival, and, most importantly, a whole lot of fun on the wrist.
Why? Because it looks like a bull.
What’s in a Name? The “Bullhead” Design
Let’s address the obvious first: why is it called a Bullhead? Well, take one look at its case, and you’ll see the magic – the chronograph pushers and crown sit at the top of the watch case, rather than the traditional side placement. This gives it the unmistakable look of a bull’s head with horns. (Or, if you squint hard enough, a tiny robotic owl from a 1970s sci-fi movie.)
It’s a genius layout, not just for aesthetics but for functionality. With the pushers at the top, your fingers naturally land in place, making it oddly satisfying to start, stop, and reset the chronograph. It feels like you’re launching a missile, rather than simply measuring your egg-boiling time.
The Mighty 8110A Movement – Flyback Functionality!
Under the hood, the Citizen Bullhead Chronograph is powered by the Caliber 8110A, a flyback automatic chronograph movement. Now, if you’re wondering what the flyback function is, imagine this: you start timing your pizza delivery, realize it’s taking too long, and instead of stopping and resetting the chronograph manually, you just hit reset while it’s running – and boom, it starts fresh instantly. It’s a feature often reserved for high-end chronographs, making this Citizen a bit of a dark horse (or should we say, a dark bull?).
This movement also beats at a smooth 28,800 beats per hour, which, for a vintage watch, is pretty impressive. It means the seconds hand has a satisfying sweep, a feature that we mechanical-watch nerds get unnaturally excited about.
Case, Dial, and Design – A True 70s Classic
If the 1970s had a Tinder profile, it would mention bold design, funky colors, and unapologetic personality. The Citizen Bullhead embodies all of that. The angled case design makes the dial incredibly legible, whether you're tracking a racecar or just pretending you are while stuck in traffic.
Speaking of dials, this watch comes in some stunning color variations – from deep black to “chocolate brown”, a highly sought-after variant that looks like someone melted a bar of vintage Swiss chocolate over it (delicious). There's also a blue and gold-toned model, because, hey, the 70s were a time of excess.
Another delightful touch is the tachymeter ring surrounding the dial. Sure, most of us will never use it to measure the speed of a car, but it looks undeniably cool. And that’s what matters.
Bracelets and Straps – Steel or Leather?
The Citizen Bullhead originally came on a stainless steel bracelet, which, if you can find one in good condition, is a gem. However, it also looks fantastic on leather straps, especially a racing-style perforated leather band, giving it that vintage motorsport vibe. (Because every Bullhead deserves to feel like it belongs on a racetrack, even if it’s just timing how long your coffee takes to brew.)
How it Compares – Citizen Bullhead vs. Seiko Bullhead
It’s impossible to talk about the Citizen Bullhead without mentioning its famous rival – the Seiko 6138-0040 Bullhead. While both watches share the signature “horned” chronograph layout, they have distinct personalities:
Citizen Bullhead is smaller at 38-39mm, making it a great vintage-size daily wearer.
Seiko Bullhead is chunkier at 43mm, with a more aggressive case design.
Citizen’s 8110A movement features a flyback function, which Seiko’s 6138 lacks.
Seiko’s dial design is busier, while Citizen’s is cleaner (relatively speaking).
Both are fantastic choices, but the Citizen is often more affordable and slightly more under-the-radar for collectors.
The Hunt – Finding a Vintage Citizen Bullhead
Tracking down a good-condition Citizen Bullhead requires patience, as many have been heavily worn or over-polished (or worse, “Frankensteined” with mismatched parts). Here are some tips for potential buyers:
Check the movement – Make sure the 8110A movement is in good shape, as replacement parts can be tricky to find.
Look for original dials – Aged lume and patina are fine, but avoid redialed versions with questionable fonts.
Verify the pushers and crown – Those top-mounted controls should function smoothly.
Expect some wear – This is a 1970s tool watch, so battle scars are normal, but major case damage is a red flag.
Price-wise, expect to pay anywhere from $400-$1200, depending on condition and rarity (with brown dial versions fetching a premium). For a fully serviced, mint-condition model, expect the higher end of that range.
Why You Need a Citizen Bullhead in Your Collection
If you’re a collector, the Citizen Bullhead Chronograph is a must-have for several reasons:
It’s historically significant – A key part of the 1970s automatic chronograph boom.
It’s got a unique design – The Bullhead case is unlike anything modern brands are making today.
The flyback function is rare – Especially at this price point.
It’s a conversation starter – People will ask, “Why is your watch upside down?” and you get to drop some horological knowledge.
It’s still affordable – Compared to Seiko’s Bullhead or Swiss vintage chronographs, it’s a relative bargain.
Final Thoughts – A Bull with Personality
Wearing a Citizen Bullhead Chronograph is an experience. It’s a time machine to an era of bold designs, mechanical ingenuity, and a time when watches were built to be tools, not just accessories. And let's be honest – a watch that looks like a bull’s head is just undeniably cool.
So, if you're looking for something vintage, something unique, and something with a bit of playful charm, the Citizen Bullhead might just be your next great find. Happy collecting – and may your chronograph resets always be satisfying!
Would you rock a Citizen Bullhead, or are you team Seiko? Let me know in the comments!
