What We Know
Citizen recently announced two new limited-edition models as part of its celebration of the 50th Anniversary of its light-powered Eco-Drive movements. For those not in the know, Eco-Drive relies on any light source—not just solar—to power the movement and build a pretty impressive power reserve (in most cases). That adage holds true for the watches that they released most recently. Let’s start with the one that will probably resonate the most with our audience: the new limited-edition version of “The Citizen.”
Limited to only 400 pieces, the watch features a relatively classic case design, measuring 40mm by 12.2mm, with the brand’s proprietary Super Titanium case treated with Duratect Platinum. This is capped by what the brand calls its deep indigo-blue Tosa washi paper dial, with gold-colored (not true gold) accents on the applied indices and date surround. Washi paper, a special type of Japanese mulberry paper, was hand-dyed using natural lye fermentation to create a deep indigo color while preserving the paper’s texture. More specifically, the color, called Kachi-iro, is a deep shade of indigo that is traditionally considered lucky because it is pronounced in the same way as the word for “victory color.”
Inside the case is the Cal. A060 Eco-Drive movement. When fully powered up, it has 18 months of power when in power-save mode. In addition to hours, minutes, and seconds (and hands and indices with lume), the movement has a clever perpetual calendar setting built in, with the seconds hand working as a reference for the month when setting the date. The watch is 100m water-resistant and has an accuracy of ±5 seconds per year.
One of the brand’s most intense-looking watches, the Attesa is a faceted beast with an octagonal bezel. The watch uses a Super Titanium case and bracelet (at least most of the bracelet) with a black Duratect DLC coating (the brand’s proprietary coating that provides greater surface hardness). The bezel and center links, however, feature recrystallized titanium, which has a particularly interesting look (almost like carbon fiber in some respects) and carries over to the dial design. The case is 44mm by 13.7mm and has 100m of water resistance.
Inside is the caliber F950 movement that has an accuracy of ±5 seconds per month (without time signal reception, an added feature of this movement), and can get even more accurate thanks to satellite wave GPS, as well as a world time functionality, 1/20 second chronograph (with 24-hour counting), a light level indicator, and a power reserve indicator. And like The Citizen, it has a perpetual calendar. The watch will run for 5 years on a full charge in power-save mode.
The new version of The Citizen is limited to 400 pieces and retails for $3,095. The Attesa is still a limited edition, but much less limited at 1,800 pieces. It retails for $2,495.
What We Think
The technical nature of Citizen’s Eco-Drive watches often flies under the radar, especially with watches like The Citizen. It’s a watch that looks like a simple time-and-date proposition, but it can do a lot more. The dark dial is a nice addition to the lineup and is fairly limited in number, so you won’t see it that often out in the world. The Attesa feels like it was maybe made in a few too many units, since I think the average person might have a hard time wearing it in a variety of situations. But when you compare it against competitors like the MR-G line from G-Shock, it stacks up quite well.
The Basics
Brand: Citizen
Model: The Citizen; Attesa
Reference Number: AQ4094-58L; CC4107-80H
Diameter: 40mm (The Citizen); 44mm (Attesa)
Thickness: 12.2mm (The Citizen); 13.7mm (Attesa)
Case Material: Super Titanium with Duratect Platinum (The Citizen); Super Titanium with Duratect DLC and recrystallized titanium (Attesa)
Dial Color: Hand-dyed indigo Tosa washi paper (The Citizen); Gunmetal Grey with recrystallized titanium pattern (Attesa)
Indexes: Applied gold-toned (The Citizen); Applied (Attesa)
Lume: Yes, unspecified
Water Resistance: 100m (The Citizen); 100m (Attesa)
Strap/Bracelet: Super Titanium with Duratect Platinum (The Citizen); Super Titanium and recrystalized titanium (Attesa)
The Movement
Caliber: Cal. A060 (The Citizen); Cal. 950 (Attesa)
Functions: Perpetual Calendar, Independently adjustable hour hand (The Citizen); Satellite Wave GPS, World Time functionality, 1/20 Second Chronograph Measures up to 24 Hours, Light Level Indicator, Power Reserve Indicator, Perpetual Calendar (Attesa)
Power Reserve: 18 months on full charge (in power save mode) (The Citizen); Eco-Drive running for 5 years on full charge (in power save mode) (Attesa)
Winding: Light-powered
Chronometer Certified: Accuracy of ±5 seconds per YEAR (The Citizen); Accuracy of ±5 seconds per month (without time signal reception) (Attesa)
Pricing & Availability
Price: $3,095 (The Citizen); $2,495 (Attesa)
Limited Edition: 400 pieces (The Citizen); 1,800 pieces (Attesa)
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