If you look at the watch from above, you’ll notice that the case and band are unified in a full-flow design, with the lines of the band smoothly connecting to those of the case. Instead of the typical four-lug case, this is a case designed exclusively for a metal band. This allows for a flowing expression throughout the design.
Rather than the case and band each asserting their own individuality, they come together as a single exterior, expressing a unified character. The bezel is also thin and intentionally left undecorated, which maximizes the information conveyed by the dial. When viewed from the side, you can also see the flowing lines that make up the design. The bezel’s height is kept low, and there are no large steps, so the flow is uninterrupted.
The cross-section of the case and band from 3 to 9 o’clock forms a gentle mountain shape. For the band, the center link is set one step lower, so the thickness is not felt. Thanks to this shape, a high level of comfort on the wrist is achieved both visually and physically.
This smooth continuity in the design sometimes makes you want to trace the surface with your finger and enjoy its lack of resistance. Here lies one answer to the question, “What does it mean to wear a watch?”
The flowing outside diameter line from the band to the case, along with the functional shape that bulges from 2 to 3 o’clock and covers the push button at 4 o’clock, achieves both lightness and a high level of comfort.
The minimal steps between the upper surfaces of the band, case, bezel, and glass, combined with the semi-fixed end piece structure at 45 degrees, enhance the fit on the wrist.
A guard that covers the crown, as if to say that with a radio-controlled watch, there’s no need for manual time adjustment using the crown.
The arc running from the top of the case’s lug, through the end piece, to the top of the band in the 3 to 9 o’clock direction, further enhances the comfort on the wrist.
A flowing line runs from the top of the band to the top of the case’s lug in the 12 to 6 o’clock direction, creating a natural connection between the case and band.
A precise construction with three separate rows. While the arc on the upper surface from 3 to 9 o’clock gives a sense of softness, lowering the center link by one step reduces the overall thickness, conveying a slim impression.
A full honeycomb pattern is printed on a black sunray base. The strong contrast between the indexes and the base ensures excellent legibility.
The smooth surface composition makes you want to touch it. The design pursues comfort and a perfect fit.
ENGINEER'S EYE
Only CITIZEN
At the time, CITIZEN was developing an Eco-Drive radio-controlled watch with a built-in antenna that used ceramic and plastic materials, but people said, “A radio-controlled watch whose case can’t be made of metal has no future.”
Amid that, the Technology Research Laboratory brought us a project themed “development of a radio-controlled watch with a metal exterior.” It was based on research results showing that, by increasing the sensitivity of the reception circuit and improving the antenna, radio reception would be possible even with a metal exterior.
Thus began development with the goal of realizing a “dream watch”: a movement that could be adopted in all CITIZEN products and was easy to use. Building on the lab’s findings, we combined a highly sensitive reception circuit with a thin, compact, high-sensitivity antenna and fine-tuned the matching with the exterior, ultimately enabling radio reception by an antenna housed inside a metal exterior.
Every component was newly developed, and by advancing low power consumption in the circuit system, we were able to adopt a compact battery roughly one-third the size of the conventional one, reducing the movement thickness to just 4 mm—less than two-thirds that of previous models.