Went to the AD today, saw a nice Citizen...

[rcook55]

I was at my AD today picking up a watch that had been repaired, saw a nice looking Citizen, model BT0010-03A. Asked some questions about it and the salesman looked at the price tag, $425, then quickly dropped it to $385 (10%?). I said thanks and left.

I got back to work and was messing around, decided to look up the watch on Citizen's website, can't find it. There are similar models but not the same as what he had, odd I thought. I found out that it is a Calibre 3100 so I googled that and started looking at image results and found the watch the AD had available, looks like the one here: http://shop.watchboutique.com/cgi/di...num=BT0010-03A I googled some more and all I can find is that it's out of stock, even Amazon has nothing on this model. Now I'm curious...

So back to the Citizen website and I find an 800 number, call and connect to support. Now unless the rep at Citizen support was wrong the BT0010-03A was made in 2007 and she told me that the reason that it's not on the web page is that it's an older, but not discontinued, model and that Citizen still has the watch in stock and parts are available. Interesting. I double verified with the rep in that she was clear that it was most likely that the watch is at least 2 years old. I realize, especially being an Eco-Drive, that shelf life isn't super critical but I'd rather not buy a watch that is already 'old'.

So I just called the AD back and asked about the watch, said I was on Citizens website and couldn't find the watch I was looking at, nor could I find it anywhere on the internet in stock (well from someone reputable at least but I didn't mention that). I was told by the AD that the reason it was not on Citizen's site was that the watch was brand new and that because they get 'first pick' on watches that it didn't surprise him that nobody else showed the watch in stock. I thanked him and hung up.

Ok given the connected state of the world today it's too easy to figure this stuff out, there's no way he couldn't know that the watch he bought wasn't this years model let alone so new as to be unlisted on Citizen's website could he? Either I'm being lied to or the AD truly is clueless, either way they 'just got it in' and are selling the watch as new.

Now I'm not currently in the market for a new watch but I liked this particular watch and was disappointed to find out that it doesn't appear to be for sale anywhere that I would choose to do business with online. So now I could go buy the watch from the AD but knowing what I know now there's no way I'd pay $385 for a watch that is likely a clearance item that is being move out to make way for the actual new model watches.

I guess more than anything I'm ranting that I was more-or-less lied to, unknowingly or not. Oh well there are plenty of places to buy watches, this is no longer one of them.

[MINIDriver]

The Citizen Calibre 3100 is still being made. It is possible that particular variant you are looking at has been discontinued from the US market.

I would send a PM to citizenwatchco+ and see if he can help you further.

PS: Even if the watch has been discontinued for sometime, there is the possibility that some local brick and mortar Citizen ADs may still have new ones in stock.

[citizenwatchco]

It does appear that the model you are seeking is no longer being made. This however has no bearing on what someone may or may not price it at. Each Authorized Dealer is independent and prices things not only within guidelines, but for what they feel they must sell a piece for.

Also do keep in mind that although a product was introduced for a particular season, it does not mean that particular piece is as "old" as the original introduction. You would need to check the watch itself for manufacture date (serial number.)

A point of comment is that most everything we purchase is aged a bit. This is due to the manufacturing and distribution cycles.

Unfortunately, we have no way to direct you to any particular dealer for pricing and/or availability.

Sincerely
Customer Service
Citizen Watch Company of America

The Citizen Calibre 3100 is still being made. It is possible that particular variant you are looking at has been discontinued from the US market.

I would send a PM to citizenwatchco+ and see if he can help you further.

PS: Even if the watch has been discontinued for sometime, there is the possibility that some local brick and mortar Citizen ADs may still have new ones in stock.