posted 07-21-2021 02:07 PM               

The Light and Dark Side of the Moon

Citizen introduces new watches created in collaboration
with the HAKUTO-R lunar exploration program

As another historic day in space exploration is upon us, Citizen is proud to announce the launch of two new models created in collaboration with the HAKUTO-R lunar exploration program.

The HAKUTO-R Program is a commercial lunar exploration program being implemented by Citizen's corporate partner, ispace, inc., a Japanese startup company centered on micro-robotics. The program has two missions – to land on the Moon and to explore the lunar surface. The legs of the lunar lander will be made using Citizen's proprietary Super Titanium*2 technology. To commemorate this collaboration, Citizen has created two limited edition timepieces inspired by the light and dark side of the Moon with Duratect*3 MRK Gold and Duratect DLC.

The CC4016-75E Limited Edition model features yellow gold highlights on the case and band, evoking the pale light of the Moon using Duratect MRK Gold to harden the surface of the material itself. Duratect DLC used on parts of the bezel and band provides an attractive contrast with a deep black color representing the dark of the Moon.

The subdial at the six-o'clock position uses mother-of-pearl to convey the subtle changes in the light of the Moon as it transitions between light and dark. In addition, this model also has an image of the HAKUTO-R lander craft landing on the Moon printed on the case back.

The watch uses Citizen's advanced F950 Eco-Drive GPS Satellite Wave*4 movement which is capable of receiving time signals in as little as 3 seconds – the fastest GPS satellite signal reception in the world.* The hour and minute hands move twice as fast as previous models to rapidly display the current time. This high-spec model also includes the Double Direct Flight 1/20 chronometer function and is limited to 1200 pieces.

* Fastest satellite signal reception in the world for an analog light-powered GPS satellite wave watch. Figure from Citizen's in-house research, as of May 2021

The Limited Edition AT8185-71E is inspired by the dark of the Moon with a beautiful deep black color on the case and band made from Super Titanium treated with Duratect DLC for superior resistance to nicks and scratches. The dial design, inspired by the surface of the Moon, provides an appealing sense of depth.

The subdial at the six o'clock position is accented with mother-of-pearl over a black printed background and the outer edge of the dial features glittering accents to represent the glow of starlight. The gold color on the hands, bezel, and crown represents beams of moonlight in the darkness, and the case back is printed with the HAKUTO-R logo.

This Eco-Drive radio-controlled model also includes a world time function and is limited to 1600 pieces.

posted 11-30-2022 11:59 AM               

Introducing the CITIZEN Atessa 35th Anniversary Timepiece

A New Duratect DLC Blue model inspired by the concept of a blue universe.

CITIZEN introduces its newest Atessa model, CC4066-69E, to celebrate 35 years of this iconic timepiece. Inspired by the concept of a blue universe, the bezel and middle bracelet links feature CITIZEN's newly developed DLC Blue, which maintains all the features of the brand's proprietary Duratect DLC surface hardening technology in a distinctive, deep blue color.

While utilizing the brand's advanced DLC film-forming technology, CITIZEN focused on thin-film interference during development – the same phenomenon that makes rainbow colors appear on the surface of soap bubbles. CITIZEN has developed its Duratect surface hardening technology over decades, and its latest leap forward is DLC Blue, now featured on this new model, providing scratch resistance and a beautifully smooth surface in an appealing blue color.

The blue dial features silver-tone hands and indices for an eye-catching contrast. This model also has a range of functions provided by CITIZEN's advanced F950 movement, specially designed for light-powered Eco-Drive Satellite Wave GPS watches. It is capable of receiving time signals in as little as three seconds — the fastest GPS satellite signal reception in the world — and the hour and minute hands move twice as fast as previous models to rapidly display the current time.

(Fastest satellite signal reception in the world for an analog light-powered GPS satellite wave watch. Figure from CITIZEN's in-house research, as of October 2022.)

As a corporate partner of HAKUTO-R, the lunar exploration program operated by ispace inc., CITIZEN has provided two parts developed with its Super Titanium technology for the Lunar lander's legs.

HAKUTO-R is launching in December 2022, and to mark the historic event, this new limited-edition timepiece features sparkling accents on the dial reminiscent of glittering stars in outer space, in anticipation of CITIZEN's Super Titanium upcoming journey into outer space.