EuropaFb: Eco Drive

Showing posts with label Eco Drive. Show all posts

Review of Citizen Signature Diver BL1285-53L

Citizen, Divers, Eco Drive, Quartz, review, Signature

The Citizen Signature line continues to be a great option for those looking for a watch with high end features that don’t break the bank. The Courageous Diver models were released a few years ago in 2011 in a variety of dial and movement options. They have since been reduced in selection, but price wise remain the most affordable option of the entire Signature line. There is a trade off in quality on the Diver model relative to the more expensive Signature models, however, the Divers still represent a good option for something nicer than an entry level Citizen or Seiko.

With the discontinuation of the Signature Chronograph, the Diver model (located in the Courageous line) is the only remaining sport Signature. Unlike the Chronograph model, much of the intricate work on the case and bracelet are lost on the diver, but the Diver still carries much of the Signature DNA.
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Review of Citizen Drive CA0421-04E

Chronograph, Citizen, Drive, Eco Drive, review

The Drive Collection was introduced by Citizen in the end of 2012. Characterized as a "uniquely designed collection for the next generation of Citizen Eco-Drive consumers", the Drive Collection represents sharp looking watches at an affordable entry level price.

The CA0421-04E is from the AR 2.0 line. I don't know what the AR 2.0 means or if it matters what it means. Of the four lines in the Drive Collection the AR 2.0 line has the most chroma finishing on the case which is why I selected it.

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Review of Citizen Scuba Fin BN0095-08E

Citizen, Divers, Eco Drive, Quartz, review

I like it when the watch manufacturers give nicknames to their own products. Saves all the arguing and hurt feelings for watch forum members with nothing more important to be concerned about.

Review of Citizen Signature Flyback Chrono AV1000-57A

Chronograph, Citizen, Eco Drive, review, Signature

The Citizen Signature Collection was introduced in 2009 to North America, UK and Caribbean markets and was positioned under the Campanola luxury line. The Signature line features a cohesive design superior fit and finishing with hand assembly. A variety of Eco-Drive calibers are utilized and both men’s and women’s models are included in the line. Since its launch Citizen has been very controlling not only with the selection of authorized dealers eligible to sell this line but also with the simple availability of pictures of the models outside of the dedicated website. http://www.citizen-signature.com/

For the longest time the Signatures didn’t do much for me. I thought they were interesting but priced outside of my normal limit. The one day I discovered a little jewelry shop near my house was an AD so I stopped in for a visit and was pleasantly surprised. Having seen all the models in hand it became easier to justify the expense.

Of the models available, I would say that the Grand Complication, Flyback Chronograph and Moonphase Flyback Chronograph are the gems. The Diver and Perpetual Calendar models are nice and have the essence of the line, but at a little bit of a step down in the level of specialness. The Moonphase is very well done with a very subtle level of finishing on the dial that must be seen in person to fully appreciate. The Grand Complication probably has the most interesting caliber but is on the thick side to accommodate the special caseback necessary for the chimes to be heard from the repeater complication.

Citizen Eco-Drive METAL

Citizen, Eco Drive, METAL, RING

Fresh on the heels of the commercialization of the Citizen Eco-Drive RING, Citizen has announced the release of the METAL line. This line is named as such because of the use of metal dials which is typical with non-solar watches. So how is this an Eco-Drive you ask? Well, Citizen has moved the solar cell from underneath the dial to a ring around the perimeter of the dial. Some people who spend too much time on watch forums would recognize this as a rehaut.

I think this is a big deal. The translucence of the dial has always been a limitation to Citizens because of the limitations it imposes to design and construction of the dial. Over the years Citizen has developed ways around this such as the use of laser perforation or translucence in the subdials only, but for models such as the Campanola line which feature exquisite hand finished dials Eco-Drive was either not possible or was implemented at the expense of dial design. I guess those of you who really like chapter rings will be disappointed, but I prefer the look of the dial without a chapter ring.

What surprises me is that this has only been announced on the Citizen New Zealand and Australia sites. Nothing from Japan and nothing from North America. An innovation like this will surely see a global launch. Maybe more will be announced at Basel in a few weeks.

Picture and more information here.

Thanks UpstandingCitizen!

Citizen Eco-Drive RING Special Interviews

Citizen, Eco Drive, RING, Video

Citizen Japan's Facebook site has published three video interviews detailing the new RING model.

The first video is in English and is led by Designer, Benjamin Cheng and he highlights the depth and dimension of the dial and moonphase indicator.

The second and third videos are led by Engineer, Yohsuke Noma and Art Director Satoshi Sugiura. Unfortunately these videos are not in English, but they offer some very nice real life images of this model. I have to say it looks larger than I was expecting, but the dimensions on the dial are impressive.

Videos 2 and 3 after the jump.

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Citizen Eco-Drive Ring BU1020-08A to be Released February 2012

Citizen, Eco Drive, News, RING

The Citizen Eco-Drive Ring model was introduced as a concept at Basel 2009 and its commercialization was announced at Basel 2011. Citizen recently announced that the Ring model BU1020-08A will be available for sale February 8, 2012.

Review of Citizen World Perpetual AT CB0010

Citizen, Eco Drive, Radio Controlled

In 2010 Citizen released to the US market a line of simple analog radio controlled models named the World Perpetual AT. This was an exciting time for enthusiasts of radio controlled watches because Citizen finally made this technology available to the US market in regular looking watches with no gadget overtones.

More Details Are Released About the new Solar Citizen" Chronomasters"

A010, Chronomaster, Citizen, Eco Drive, HEQ, News

Photo courtesy of Citizen Watch Corporation, LTD - Japan

Citizen Japan released today more details about the most significant product update done to the "The Citizen" line since 2005. Right now we know more about the watches and the new solar high end quartz movement that powers them. We now also know that they will be released in the Japan domestic market at the end of June, 2011.

Now I Understand what the Citizen RING is all About

Citizen, Eco Drive, RING

So the deal with the Citizen RING concept model is that the solar panel has been moved from underneath the dial to run around the perimeter of the case. This explains the open design of the casework in order to let the panel have greater access to light. You can see the RING in the picture below.

What an interesting idea. Not only does it permit for interesting case work design, but it also allows Citizen to use traditional dial construction which might have otherwise obscured the solar panel.

Other concept models from Citizen can be found here and here.

New Citizen Eco-Drive "Appleseed XIII" Satellite Wave Video

Appleseed, Citizen, Eco Drive, GPS, Video

Another must see video of this super exciting new offering from Citizen Japan. Here you can see better closeups of the watch and see some of its main functions, including, GPS time sync, world time for 26 major cities around the world (Plus UTC) and perpetual calendar. Although this model has two "pushers" on the case, there is no mention of stop watch and alarm functions. The case is made of steel + ceramic. Can't wait to see this limited edition watch being released in the fall.

To me this new Citizen Satellite Wave was the absolute highlight of Basel World 2011. What do you think?

Video Friday: Citizen Appleseed XIII

Appleseed, Basel 2011, Citizen, Eco Drive, GPS, Video

Super cool video. Enjoy!

Citizen Baselworld 2011: New "The Citizen" Eco-Drive Models Unveiled

Basel 2011, Citizen, Eco Drive, HEQ, Quartz

The biggest news coming out of Baselworld this year for Citizen Watch Co., are the introduction of the first ever "The Citizen" high accuracy quartz watches using a yet to be specified Eco-Drive caliber with adjusted factory accuracy of -/+ 5 seconds per year!