Citizen Eco

This week Japanese watchmaker Citizen announced a new ultra-long-lasting solar-powered Eco-Drive watch collection.

The Eco-Drive 365 comes in three variations, all featuring 42.5 mm x 11.1 mm stainless steel cases, with circular bezels and distinctive angular facets that form the actual case (based on Citizen's 1973 E.F.A. Quartz). As the name suggests, the movement — which is Citizen solar-powered quartz caliber E365 with hours, minutes, seconds, and date functions — has a maximum power reserve of 365 days.

While the watch has the look of a dress watch, it has a depth rating of 100 meters, and the rather small crown and practically flush with the case, as the right side of the case is cleverly designed to act as crown guards, without adding additional material as is typical.

A sapphire crystal protects the dial, which is translucent with glitter accents that result in a look similar to aventurine. Light needs to enter the dial to power the movement, which limits the dial materials, not to mention the price point is relatively low.

Like the original E.F.A. Quartz from 1973, the dial has prominent indices connected directly to the flange, though the hands have been enhanced with a faceted Dauphine design. The case is also larger than the sub-40 mm original.

One version is steel with a steel bracelet, another is black-plated steel with a matching bracelet, and the third is a limited edition model is steel with a calfskin leather strap. The latter model is distinguished by rubies at 12, 3, 6, and 9 — and the hands, flange, and indices are gilt (gold-plated). The first two are regular production, while the ruby version is limited to 1,200 pieces.

Retail is $480 for the steel version (BN1014-55E), $530 for black steel (BN1015-52E), and $875 for the limited edition (BN1010-05E).

Photos by Citizen.