Introducing: The Citizen Limited-Edition 30th Anniversary Models
This year, Citizen celebrates the 30th anniversary of its The Citizen line. That may sound surprising, but it’s because the brand’s top-tier watches haven’t always been available globally. Little by little, though, we’re seeing more of these creations that often feature uncommon dial materials and highly accurate movements. Today, we’ll look at two limited global releases.
The Citizen has always struck me as an intriguing name for a collection of watches. Admittedly, it’s a bit confusing, but the signature eagle logo makes these models easily identifiable. From a product-offering perspective, the catalog isn’t huge, but The Citizen range offers mechanical and quartz watches. The automatic NC1000-51E is one of my favorite modern watches. For fans of precision watches, two different Eco-Drive movements are also available in the line, bringing incredible accuracy. Today’s pieces are Eco-Drive, but as we’ll see, they take their inspiration from ’60s mechanical models.
The Citizen Limited-Edition 30th Anniversary Models
The latest additions to The Citizen lineup are a pair of 38.3mm by 45.5mm watches made of Super Titanium with the brand’s proprietary Duratect surface-hardening technology. Essentially, the processed material offers scratch and dent resistance, but there’s another neat trick. Citizen has developed the ability to add color during surface hardening. Today’s 30th Anniversary models take advantage of this with Sakura Pink and Platinum-hued cases. The former’s case has a pink-gold appearance, while the latter has a bright platinum-like sheen.
Washi dials
The Citizen watches have made a name for themselves by using washi (和紙, “Japanese paper”) as a dial material. Washi is a traditional medium made by hand from the bark fibers of paper mulberry, among a few other plants. Research shows this tough, resilient paper is registered on UNESCO’s list of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. On the Sakura Pink model, the dial contains white and pink striations. The Platinum version uses indigo as the colorant for the hand-dyed washi. Both pieces contain applied indexes with brushed surfaces and a matching date frame. The dagger hour and minute hands continue the brushed theme. Each model also has a gold seconds hand, celebrating the 30th anniversary. Note the applied eagle logo on the bottom half of the dial. This is a signature detail of The Citizen watches. Each model also sports a curved sapphire crystal with an antireflective coating.
A faceted case
The Citizen case design may look traditional and simple from overhead, but a slight wrist roll reveals more detail. The lugs are faceted towards the end and contain a wide, polished chamfer. A large glossy bezel provides ample contrast against the brushed top surface of the case. The signed crown is slightly inset into the case and contains the brand’s eagle logo. Before we move on to the movement, let’s take a brief detour and mention the historic Citizen watch that inspired these models.
Citizen Chrono Master AUDS29010 — Image: Paleh
The Citizen Chrono Master Auto Date AUDS2910
If you’re a collector of vintage Citizen watches, the eagle symbol will seem familiar. Citizen used a similar figure on Chrono Master watches in the 1960s. These pieces were meant to challenge the best from within Japan and elsewhere. I’m fortunate to own a lovely example, but another model lent its design to today’s 30th Anniversary models. The Chrono Master Auto Date AUDS2910 from 1967 features a similar case design, sharing the faceted lugs, wide chamfers, and polished bezel. The indexes are similar, although the vintage model has black lacquer striping. The hands on the original are much thinner than the new piece and have a different design. It’s a lovely older watch but somewhat dated. This is a rare case of me liking the new versions better.
An Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar
The Citizen 30th Anniversary models both use the 22-jewel Eco-Drive A060 caliber. The movement is powered by light and can run for 18 months on a full charge. Like many battery-powered movements, it hacks once the crown is pulled from the case. Then again, owners may rarely do this for a couple of reasons. They won’t need to correct the time due to the movement’s ±5-second yearly accuracy. Plus, the movement is a perpetual calendar, so changing the date shouldn’t be necessary. If traveling to a different time zone is in the forecast, the movement contains an independent jumping mechanism for the hour hand. Keen observers will question the purpose of the small inset pusher at 2 o’clock. Depressing this moves the hands and reveals the remaining power reserve.
Other details
The A060 is nicely finished with striping, but it lives under a solid screw-in case back with a non-coated titanium eagle medallion in the center. Information, including the 10-bar water resistance rating, is inscribed. Regarding the straps, the Sakura Pink model comes on brown crocodile, and the Platinum is fitted with dark blue crocodile. A titanium push-button folding clasp completes the package.
With moderate case dimensions and a 12.2mm total thickness, the Citizen pieces should fit most wrists. Plus, with lightweight Super Titanium being five times harder than stainless steel, the watches should serve as great daily pieces. Perhaps the only need will be to swap out the 19mm straps with a more swimming-friendly option.
Final thoughts and availability
Just 400 pieces of each of these new The Citizen Limited-Edition 30th Anniversary models will be available globally. The Sakura Pink model, reference AQ4106-00A, sells for US$3,000, and the Platinum edition, reference AQ4100-22L, retails for US$2,900. For dyed-in-the-wool fans of mechanical watches, perhaps these Eco-Drive-powered models aren’t of interest. They’re certainly not inexpensive, but the accuracy, ease of use, dials, and case materials make The Citizen watches a unique proposition. I cannot wait to see them in the metal. What are your thoughts on these watches, and are you a fan of high-end Eco-Drive?
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