![citizen chronomaster citizen chronomaster](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190318/0d2a46d08c09e3622128fe37a8effc01.jpg)
A thin, clear plastic cover seals it from the elements. In this context its modern application in front of the solar panel is perhaps fitting. For example, washi is used in Japanese lanterns ( Chochin) and Japanese wall paper ( shoji). Traditionally, washi is not only used for writing, but also where as a light diffuser. The use of washi on a watch dial is a World Premiere and a nod to the Edo period Japanese culture. The irregular patterns are unique as each piece is hand made. The completed washi is laid out in the dial such that the slightly striped texture on the paper is vertically aligned. Kataoka Akari is the 4th generation owner of the company and is the artisan who makes the washi used by Citizen by hand. The product team at Citizen work directly with the owners. The Tosi-washi used for AQ 4020 is made by a traditional paper company – Osaki Paper Co. The textured surface is unique in each dial, as it depends on how the fibers fall during the hand manufacture. The dial is made from traditional Japanese paper called washi. The hands and indices are also highly polished, and are designed to be multi faceted to catch and play with light as the watch is gently moved, like it would on one’s wrist. A master artisan executed both the polishing and the brushed finish. The entire case is initially finished in the high polish zaratsu style, and the brushed surfaces are added by hand using fine grain sand paper. The case is finished in a mix of high polish and linear brushing. The case is a very classical tonneau like shape, with curved sides and an integrated bracelet design. The hands are magnificently faceted and polished and sparkles as one moves the watch. The dial is remarkable, in that the surface has a subtle textured appearance, and the applied text, indices and branding appears to float over the paper dial. The alternate high polished surfaces sit next to brushed ones, and the edges are polished to achieve a sharp edge, though not quite enough to slice or dice fingers. Having said that, the design is rather sober, and proper. The case features very classical lines, and measures 39mm in diameter with sensuous curves at the right places.
![citizen chronomaster citizen chronomaster](https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/20190407/132177c1b88712e83a8f8edd0d32e1df.jpg)
The case with bracelet is very light, at only 79g. The case is in Super Titanium, a special grade of titanium made within the Citizen family and coated with their proprietary Dura-Tech coating to be 10 times more scratch resistance than regular stainless steel. We visited the production facilities in Iida, Nagano Prefecture, and will be bringing you a report of that visit soon.įor starters The Citizen is a beautiful watch.
![citizen chronomaster citizen chronomaster](https://deployant.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/thecitizen-chronomaster-three-layflat.jpg)
In 2012, they acquired Proctor Holdings, who own the brand Arnold & Son and La Joux Perret. And in 2011, the world’s first light-powered, satellite synchronised watch “Eco-Drive SATELLITE WAVE” was introduced. They made the first radio controlled watch in 1993, and the first light powered watch in 1996. Citizen focused on their manufacturing capability and made huge progress in mass production and cost control. Citizen was in the forefront of the quartz revolution, though rivals Seiko was the first to announce their Astron. The company continued through the war years, and made the first Japanese watch with a calendar in 1952. The movement is a classical Swiss styled lepine movement. The watch is now in the Citizen Museum, and photographed here. Emperor Shōwa (post humous name for Emperor Hirohito) who was then the Prince Regent of Japan in the Taishō era, owned the Citizen Caliber 16. The first customer was possibly the the Imperial family of Japan. It was presented to his friend and mayor of Tokyo Gotō Shinpei who named it Citizen as it was his dream that every citizen could own a high quality watch. The first commercial model was the caliber 16 pocket watch. Founded by Tokyo jeweler Kamekichi Yamazaki in 1918 as he Shokosha Watch Research Institute. The brand celebrates 100 years of its existence this year. Could this be the best quartz watch in the world? A very special quartz watch with features a zaratsu polished case and a washi paper dial. Simply labelled as The Citizen, aka The Chronomaster. And from this rich engineering heritage, comes interesting technology.
Citizen chronomaster professional#
After all, this is a corporation who makes in excess of 200 million watches a year, and led not by professional managers or sale/marketing people, but by engineers. But we also discern a true engineering spirit from within the company. While this is true as the name Citizen was actually given to the first watch they produced in 1924 for this very reason – as a watch for the citizens of the world. What comes to mind when one thinks of Citizen watches? Probably inexpensive watches, robustly built.