Anyone interested in Citizen`s "The CITIZEN" range?
My inner geek has developed a massive liking for this brand which is basically the Grand Seiko of Citizen. I have no idea why they went for an uninspiring name like "The CITIZEN", even something like "Royal Citizen" would have been more appropriate no?
This is mainly a JDM (Japanese domestic market) brand, primarily focussed on high-precision quartz movements. They have older battery powered movements and newer Eco-Drive (solar) movements as well. There`s also a mechanical model, though the current line-up is only 3 watches here.
Two accuracy levels with their quartz movements, ±5 seconds and ±1 second per year! Yes, that`s + or - 5 seconds for a whole year with no external time correction mechanisms. Citizen says this is achieved via some crazy high-tech stuff like:
- ** For models with annual accuracy of ±5 seconds, tuning fork-shaped crystal oscillators goes though for a six-month observation period to check the stability of their frequency
- ** For models with annual accuracy of ±1 second, apparently the AT cut crystal oscillator goes through an aging and testing process to ensure stability before they are used in a watch
- ** Temperature correction function. This function automatically monitors and adjusts for the watch’s internal temperature once per minute for a total of 1,440 measurements per day
- ** Instant date change mechanism and perpetual calendar- perpetual calendar function that automatically considers the different number of days in different months, as well as leap years when they come around every four years
- ** Independently adjustable hour hand – similar to a GMT function when travelling.
- ** Automatic needle correction function to make sure that the seconds hand is aligned perfectly with each index. There`s also a back-clash prevention mechanism
When it comes to the casing, most of these are made with what they call Super titanium. Though it`s titanium, they`ve somehow managed to apply Zaratsu Polishing on certain parts as well. Apparently there`s also pure platinum coating on the titanium material to improve scratch resistance.
Then there are the dials, like Grand Seiko`s unique dials such as the Snowflake, Citizen has developed their own niche using hand died Japanese washi paper. They say the paper was specifically chosen to allow light to pass though the dial to reach the Solar cell underneath.
Aren’t these just beautiful?
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Look at the floating effect on the "CITIZEN" logo here. That`s because there`s a transparent layer on top of the paper dial :
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Here`s a fantastic red from a now discontinued limited edition Chronomaster (Quartz only) range:
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I had such a watch (bought for my wedding), then gave it away when I got out of the watch game. Marriage still going, no wedding watch but. 
