Japanese watchmaker Citizen turns 100
Rather than releasing limited editions, Citizen celebrates its centenary with a preview of an Eco-Drive movement ticking in a nostalgic timepiece.
The light-powered Cal.0100 is showcased in a conceptualised pocket watch, which pays tribute to the first timekeeper bearing the Citizen brand name, introduced six years after the company was founded as Shokosha Watch Research Institute in 1918.
The new nameexpressed the brand’s mission, which was to provide quality timepieces to citizens around the world.
One of the measures of quality is precision, and the new movement provides an accuracy of ±1 second during a span of one year, making it the most accurate Eco-Drive movement to date.
The Eco-Drive technology debuted in the 1970s as an alternative energy source to a battery, which powered quartz watches popular at that time.
Batteries require replacement and environmentally damaging disposal whereas Citizen’s technology runs using light from any source, such as natural, artificial and even dim light.
On its 100-year timeline, the Japanese company completed a prototype with a round solar cell embedded in the dial in 1974, followed two years later by the world’s first light-powered analogue quartz watch with Cryston solar cell.
The development of thinner solar cells and more resilient electric double-layer capacitors inspired Citizen’s engineers to continue improving light-powered watches.
Besides advancements in accuracy and a longer running time, the technology even allows taking in light from the side of its case.
Marking the 100th anniversary, the Cal.0100 Eco-Drive movement features an original AT-cut quartz oscillator rather than being traditionally shaped as a tuning fork.
The new design and engineering minimise the accuracy-reducing effects of changes in temperature and gravity. Moreover, applying its own power-saving technologies, the 2.92mm movement can run for six months on a full charge even without the presence of light.
The black-coloured calibre is visible through the sapphire glass on the case back of the pocket watch, which is also shock resistant and features a function that automatically corrects the positioning of the hands for superior accuracy.
The commemorative concept model is not for sale, but the Cal.0100 will be incorporated into upcoming models set to launch in 2019.