Citizen’s Luxury Watch Is Way Better Than You Think

So if you're even a casual watch fan, you know the name Citizen. They're one of the largest watch producers globally, primarily known for their relatively attainable mechanical and light-powered EcoDrive watches. However, what is not often discussed is that Citizen has a wide range of pieces that extend to more luxurious positions. And today, we look at a line that I have long wanted to review on this channel. It goes by the name The Citizen. Now, these are watches which are more impressive than many are going to realize if they're even aware of them and are among the most accurate watches in the world with an accuracy of plus or minus five seconds per year and showcase nicely finished cases and visually captivating dials at around a $3,000 price point. So it is important to state that the Citizen series, despite not being widely known yet, has existed for quite some time in the domestic market of Japan. First introduced in 1995, The Citizen had a high-accuracy quartz 0350 movement on the inside that was rated at an astonishing annual rate of plus or minus five seconds. That's five seconds a year, achieved more than 30 years ago and without any external time adjustment from technology such as atomic timekeeping. Citizen, along with their pioneering of light-powered technology, is also among, if not at the top of the throne, of quartz technology. This idea is demonstrated in a variety of different examples, including the watches we're looking at today, as well as the Caliber 0100, the most accurate quartz watch ever produced with a quoted spec of plus or minus one second a year. The Citizen range includes utilization of the 0100 for some of the higher tier pieces, along with mechanical offerings as well. And some of you might be thinking and asking, well, if these Citizen watches, the Citizen watches are so good, why am I just hearing about them now or not hearing about them more? Well, probably two reasons. Unfortunately, the name does not do it any favors in differentiating from other watches under the broader brand umbrella. But more crucial to mention is that Citizen was very slow to roll out these pieces to international markets, as they were predominantly pieces that were available in Japan for years. That has since changed, though, as the collection has begun to be more available to those outside of Japan, including here in the United States, for select pieces. For the purpose of this video, we're gonna be taking a closer look at two of the Citizen models, two variants, the striking silver dial, AQ4100-57C, and the blue dial on strap, the AQ4100-22L. And I will mention that we do finally have these here in the US, so we'll have links down below, as well as a helpful video where I did go through the tiers of Citizen. So if you want a broader view of other unique pieces from the brand that go beyond just the entry-level Pearlmasters, some of the EcoDrive models at that sub $500 tier, I highly recommend checking out that video. In order to understand why these watches are impressive, there's no better place to start than with the remarkable movement tech inside. The AQ4100 quartz models are powered by the EcoDrive caliber A060, boasting a jaw-dropping plus or minus five seconds a year in accuracy without the aid of any external time correction technology. Citizen introduced the world's first analog light-powered watch all the way back in 1976, and they've been refining the technology ever since, with thinner photo cells and more efficient power management, becoming a world leader in sustainably powered watch movements. So how does Citizen achieve this level of accuracy? So the brand is a manufacturer of its own crystals, aging them for six months before they're tested for accuracy and repeatedly testing them after they've been built into the movement. And once these movements have been selected, another important aspect that we have to bring up is thermal compensation. Temperature changes have the largest impact on a quartz movement's accuracy, especially when you're trying to break through at these remarkable levels. So this is crucial in maintaining that strict standard of precision. The internal monitoring of these temperatures is gonna be in 0.1 degree increments, happening 1,440 times a day, making any necessary adjustments to account for these fluctuations in temperature. The movement also features shock detection and automatic hand positioning, compensating for any variations as needed. Due to its remarkable efficiency, the A060 has a power reserve of seven months when fully charged, extended to 18 months when kept in darkness, and keeps time throughout the power save mode function. Given that these watches are powered by light, you can also bypass the more frequent battery changes required by quartz timekeeping. And you can also check the power reserve at any time by pressing the pusher at two. The second hand temporarily will sweep to indicate the charge level. Three o'clock indicates a full charge, while one o'clock indicates a low battery. There's also a time correction function that allows for you to change the time zones without stopping the second hand, really nice for frequent travelers. In addition, the date changes with an effortless motion right as the time gets past 12. So there's not that gradual date creep that can happen with more attainable watches, especially in the quartz variety. This date can also be adjusted bidirectionally. The boot features a factory program perpetual calendar, which can also be set by the user, which will require a longer step-by-step tutorial. For the sake of this video, not going through every single step, I'll just go through a quick explainer. But basically you pull out the crown and then in tandem with that two o'clock pusher, you are able to change the indicated month of that perpetual calendar by seeing the hour markers. Those will be one through 12. And another thing you can do with the pusher is adjust the year in which you are in the leap year cycle. So based off of where that second hand is going to point after that hour mark, it can indicate what year you are in that four year progression. And no adjustment, once set, will be required until the year 2100. And while the caliber A060 is hidden behind a solid case back, it is well finished with several of its 23 jewels visible amid a handsomely striped and engraved backdrop. So now we come to the visually striking dials rendered in a rich ivory color on the 57C and the indigo blue on the 22L, which of the two is probably my personal favorite. Now the dial on a light powered watch has always posed a practical challenge, as it must transmit enough light to the photo electric cells to power the movement. The earliest light powered watches showed obviously visible photo cells, but in its quest to make its watches more visually appealing, Citizen worked at achieving greater power efficiency while using translucent materials for easy light transmission. Within the Citizen model family, the brand took a unique approach based on a traditional Japanese craft with the use of washi paper. This is a thin, finely textured paper that is used in the making of Japanese screens, sliding doors, and lanterns. And it was the perfect medium to allow enough light to go through the dial to power the movement. Washi is noted for its long fibers providing great durability, lasting hundreds and hundreds of years while remaining ultra thin. To maximize the visual impact of washi, a double layered structure was created with a transparent top plate with printing on the plate rather than directly on the paper. This method gives the double layered more structural integrity while allowing for applied indices that appear to float in space above the dial. The champagne ivory dial of the 57C really emphasizes the textural qualities of washi with its long fibers clearly visible. The all natural indigo used in the Japan blue dial of the 22L offers a luxurious appearance with the hand dyed paper recalling the look of fabric showing undulating waves of lighter and darker tones throughout. Of course, given the natural washi used, each dial is gonna be one of a kind. As far as the layout goes, you'll find the minute track printed on that transparent layer appearing to float in space with the Citizen wordmark below 12 printed in a like manner. The precisely cut applied hour markers have beveled edges with a double marker at 12. Citizen has long used an eagle motif as a symbol of the brand and the modern rendition makes an appearance in an applique above six serving as the visual calling card for the Citizen model family. A beveled frame date window sits at three and upon closer inspection, you'll discover a finely grooved texture on its front facing surface. The razor like Dauphine hour and minute hands are diamond cut while the needle second hand completes the package finished in a gold tone on the blue dial for added visual impact. Moving on to the case and bracelet, you'll find another innovation exclusive to Citizen, the proprietary super titanium alloy. Along with their pioneering light powered movements, Citizen was a leader in the use of this lightweight material creating the world's first titanium wristwatch back in 1970 with the X8 chronometer. More than 55 years on, the titanium of today's Citizen watches is quite different, now known as super titanium. Different versions of titanium alloys can be soft and prone to scratching so Citizen treats it with a surface hardening technology called Duratec which gives the case a hardness of 1000 to 1100 HV on the Vickers hardness scale over five times that of untraded stainless steel. After forging and machining, skilled craftspeople are then able to polish the case and the bracelet parts using a combination of barrel polishing, solids polishing and buff polishing. The result is a shine that few others can achieve in this difficult to work with material. Finally, the Duratec platinum surface hardening technology is applied providing superior scratch resistance, durability and a bright silver white color that lasts. Now that the primer on the materials is out of the way, let's move into the case itself with a diameter of 38.3 millimeters, a case height of 12.2 millimeters and a lug to lug of 45.5 millimeters when measuring with my calipers. This is a well proportioned set of dimensions wearing true to that 38 millimeter diameter size and is comfortable due to that lightweight nature of titanium which weighs around 40% less than stainless steel. You're also seeing some of those extra embellishments that add to the proposition here with the angled facet at the end of those lugs offering a sleek crisp appearance. Fine hairline brushing is found on the lug front and the case sides with the polished bevels precisely following those angled lugs. The sloping bezel also gets a mirror-like polish, a reminder of the artisan skill when considering how tricky titanium is to finish and the bezel rises to meet a curved sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating providing a distraction free view of that magnificent dial beneath. The push-pull crown is signed with the Citizen Eagle and Relief and has a precisely ribbed texture. That said, it is smaller in size, it's under five millimeters in diameter so a bit harder for me to get my fingers on it so that'd be one point I'd bring up about the crown. It is gonna be slightly more recessed for a more elegant appearance and with that though, still coming with 100 meters of water resistance so these watches are everyday worthy. In terms of the ivory dial, 5.7C comes standard on a matching super titanium bracelet bringing a sporty feel to the more formal dial elements. The three-link design maintains the high level of finishing on the case with predominantly brushed surfaces complemented by a pair of polished stripes on the inner edges of the outer links. The solid links are fitted with screws and while there's no accommodation for micro adjustment, you do have two half links that are supplied. The milled clasp has a discreet outer section with the Citizen Wordmark and Relief. It's short length in contrast with the longer scissor mechanism beneath and operated by a pair of spring-loaded push buttons. The strap on the other side for the Blue Dial 22L is going to bring a dressier feel to the watch with a deep blue padded alligator leather strap with matching blue stitching. For this one, you're going to get more of a semi-matte finish to the leather so it's not gonna have that glossy look which I think works well with showing off the more high polish elements of the case. The leather strap is going to meet at a fold over deployant clasp operated by dual push buttons. And both watches do have a lug width of 19 millimeters so while aftermarket strap choices are gonna be more limited than you would if you went for an even size, you should have no problem in finding something suitable if you do feel the need to mix things up. That said, the straps are completely adequate. So I have long wanted to talk about these watches, review these watches. I have admired them from afar and have handled them before but this was my first time being able to spend extended periods wearing these watches and I have to say, they surpassed my expectations. I'm very impressed. There are a few things that probably just get out of the way on the con side that you should just bring up. I mean, these are gonna be more expensive than your typical citizen and if you're somebody that's looking to spend money on a luxury product, if you care a lot about brand, these are not gonna be for you. If you are somebody that doesn't like quartz watches, don't care about accuracy, you care more about mechanical watches and you're maybe a little bit of a snob in that regard, these are not gonna be for you but if you are somebody that values accuracy, you understand Japanese craftsmanship, I am now looking at these as maybe some of the best in their category. It can even stack up to the competition in many ways, exceed what some of the competition is doing. If you look at this compared to a 9F, there's more here that's more impressive which is crazy to say because I love Grand Seiko and champion them. I just have to bring that up because that's where many people are gonna obviously go here. I think some of the dials and what is being presented are also very beautiful. The fact that they are bringing in washi as a material to be able to power the movement itself while also creating this visual showcase to show off what is presented here while getting an everyday watch around $3,000, it's one of the most accurate watches in the industry. I know that these are not going to supplant the $3,000 offerings from Switzerland that are of the mechanical variety, but if you are the type of collector that appreciates fine accuracy, quartz timekeeping, you also like this attention to detail with dials, cases, material types. I mean, think of the innovations that are packed into this at Citizen. We don't give them credit for. The first wristwatch in titanium, pioneer in light-powered watches and the accuracy of quartz. And you have all that packaged in a watch that's around $3,000. It looks very nice. You could wear it every day. The more I talk out loud about these watches, the more I come to appreciate them and what they represent. They're fantastic. I can see how these, from a practicality standpoint, while still having some emotional connection to the artistry of the dials and what is being presented, it's a great overlap. And I think Citizen, if you're listening, keep doing this. But all right, guys, that is my take looking at the Citizen, the Citizen series. What do you guys think of these watches? Have you ever been able to handle these? I know probably most of you, the answer is no, but if you have been able to, leave a comment down below. If you own one of these watches, this is a limited edition watch, so this one might not be as readily discussed and talked about, but if you have seen one of these watches in Japan before, you've been traveling or have owned a previous example, I'd love to hear from you down below because this is a model family that I think more people might want to show some attention to because they are impressive. If you guys enjoyed this video, please give it a thumbs up, subscribe, hit the bell icon, really do appreciate that. Also check out TeddyBallster.com, full authorized dealer of over 35 brands, including Citizen. Every purchase comes with quick and fast fulfillment, dedicated customer support, and a full factory warranty for all the products that we offer. In addition, if you're ever in the Cleveland, Ohio area, definitely check out our new store, full new retail establishment. I'd love to be able to help you out, whether online, in-store for your next watch purchase, how we're able to keep doing what we're doing here and releasing content every single day on this channel is through selling watches. So if you're on the market for a watch, absolutely love to be able to help you out. Also keep doing what we're doing, we love what we do. Guys, thank you again so much for watching. Be well, and I'll see you all very soon.