Restoring the Citizen Bullhead – Full Breakdown of the 8110A Chronograph Movement
Vintage Watch Tinkerer
8,392 views
The Citizen Bullhead is a legendary chronograph from the 1970s, known for its bold “Bullhead” design with the crown and pushers positioned at the top. It gained renewed attention when Brad Pitt wore one in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Citizen official page (Japanese) https://citizen.jp/locus/product/061....
Watch ID spotting https://www.watch-id.com/sightings/ci...
I’m a big fan of this model and have restored several as a hobby. If you’re thinking of repairing your own Bullhead, this video walks you through the process step by step—from disassembly to reassembly—with practical tips for DIY watchmakers.
About the Movement – Citizen 8110A
The 8110A is a compact, integrated chronograph movement with flyback functionality. It’s clever, but not without its flaws. Many Bullheads suffer from issues caused by age, wear, and lack of proper servicing. Here are some common problems:
** Chronograph stops the watch **
This is a well-known issue. When the chronograph is stopped, the watch itself may stop running. To prevent this, lubrication is essential—especially for:
The driving wheel for the hour recorder (integrated with the mainspring barrel)
The intermediate wheel for the minute recorder
The center chronograph wheel
** Flyback malfunction **
The flyback system is complex and involves many parts. If the hands don’t reset to zero, possible causes include:
A pusher that’s too short (wrong part or bent stem)
A hammer that’s stuck due to dried grease
A broken or missing additional flyback spring
A misaligned buffer lever that blocks the reset action
** Other age-related issues **
Dials and hands are often low quality and prone to damage.
Screws are fragile—avoid overtightening.
The pillar wheel post is weak—handle with care.
If only one hand fails to reset, the hand tube may be loose.
If the minute recorder keeps moving while stopped, the lock lever may be bent, or the friction spring washer may be missing or damaged.
Thanks for watching. I hope this video helps anyone looking to restore a Citizen Bullhead.
Please note: this is a non-professional restoration. Follow at your own risk, and enjoy the process.
20 Comments
Restoring the Citizen Bullhead – Full Breakdown of the 8110A Chronograph Movement
Vintage Watch Tinkerer
8,392 views
The Citizen Bullhead is a legendary chronograph from the 1970s, known for its bold “Bullhead” design with the crown and pushers positioned at the top. It gained renewed attention when Brad Pitt wore one in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Citizen official page (Japanese) https://citizen.jp/locus/product/061....
Watch ID spotting https://www.watch-id.com/sightings/ci...
I’m a big fan of this model and have restored several as a hobby. If you’re thinking of repairing your own Bullhead, this video walks you through the process step by step—from disassembly to reassembly—with practical tips for DIY watchmakers.
About the Movement – Citizen 8110A
The 8110A is a compact, integrated chronograph movement with flyback functionality. It’s clever, but not without its flaws. Many Bullheads suffer from issues caused by age, wear, and lack of proper servicing. Here are some common problems:
** Chronograph stops the watch **
This is a well-known issue. When the chronograph is stopped, the watch itself may stop running. To prevent this, lubrication is essential—especially for:
The driving wheel for the hour recorder (integrated with the mainspring barrel)
The intermediate wheel for the minute recorder
The center chronograph wheel
** Flyback malfunction **
The flyback system is complex and involves many parts. If the hands don’t reset to zero, possible causes include:
A pusher that’s too short (wrong part or bent stem)
A hammer that’s stuck due to dried grease
A broken or missing additional flyback spring
A misaligned buffer lever that blocks the reset action
** Other age-related issues **
Dials and hands are often low quality and prone to damage.
Screws are fragile—avoid overtightening.
The pillar wheel post is weak—handle with care.
If only one hand fails to reset, the hand tube may be loose.
If the minute recorder keeps moving while stopped, the lock lever may be bent, or the friction spring washer may be missing or damaged.
Thanks for watching. I hope this video helps anyone looking to restore a Citizen Bullhead.
Please note: this is a non-professional restoration. Follow at your own risk, and enjoy the process.