BY ERIK SLAVEN
Citizen really needs no introduction. It’s among the most influential watchmakers of the last century, producing the first Japanese electric watch, the first solar-powered quartz watch, the most accurate movement in the world (Eco-Drive Caliber 0100) at +/- 1 second per year and so on. The brand is also known for two pioneering achievements, Eco-Drive and Super Titanium. Eco-Drive is arguably the best light-powered tech for movements, while Super Titanium is Citizen’s titanium variant that’s five times harder and 40% lighter than stainless steel. Unlike early solar-powered models like the CRYSTRON SOLAR CELL, Eco-Drive models have a power reserve of six months or more in total darkness. The latest nine watches leverage the best of the brand – Eco-Drive, Super Titanium and slick, retro designs.
The star of the show is the CA7090 Eco-Drive chronograph with a 1970’s vibe. Citizen claims that design elements were inspired by that decade’s motorsports, such as the flat(ish) pushers, date window and case profile. Most of the 43mm x 11.3mm case has a matte finish, but the bezel and beveled edges are highly polished. An integrated, three-link titanium bracelet comes standard for a very sporty look.
There are three dial colors, black, blue and red, and all have the same layout. There’s a 60-minute counter at 12 o’clock and small seconds at 6 o’clock, while the retro date window (font and depth) sits at 3 o’clock. The dials have a matte brushed finish and applied indices every 10 minutes, and the hour and minute hands have lume inserts. A black tachymeter sits on an angled flange at the perimeter. The Eco-Drive movement is accurate to +/-15 seconds per month with a power reserve of seven months. Perhaps not as romantic as a mechanical counterpart, but there’s no denying the technological advantages. All three watches retail for CHF 329.
The other two models are the CA0810 Eco-Drive chronograph and the BM7570 Eco-Drive three-hander. There are three watches for each model, again separated by dial colors, and all are inspired by vintage aviation watches. Everything is again Super Titanium with the same Eco-Drive specs of +/- 15 seconds per month and a seven month power reserve (six months for the three-hand models). The CA0810 chronograph is the largest of all three models at 44mm in diameter and 11.6mm thick, and has a more traditional bracelet that’s not integrated like the CA7090. Dial colors are black, blue or green, and each retails for CHF 299.
The three-hand model, BM7570, naturally has the cleanest aesthetic, but also the smallest dimensions at 42mm in diameter and 10.3mm thick. Dial colors are also black, blue or green and come with applied Arabic numerals and date at 3 o’clock. The retail price is predictably the lowest at CHF 229 and all nine watches are quite a bargain. You’ll never have to worry about winding the movement or changing batteries, and all are more accurate per month than comparably priced mechanical watches are per day.
Visit Citizen here.
