Table of Contents
Introduction
As we quickly approach Watches and Wonders, most exhibiting brands begin unveiling their new watches, as do their competitors who will not attend the watch fair. Citizen turns one hundred years and thus celebrates such a milestone as it started its journey: with a pocket watch.
The Citizen Pocket Watch 100th Anniversary seamlessly links 1924, when the first CITIZEN-branded timepiece appeared (the company was founded in 1918), and marks a mission statement, aiming at placing itself as a premium luxury mechanical watchmaker.
The 1924 Citizen pocket watch
Let us briefly rewind the brand’s history and ambitions set by the 2024 Citizen Pocket Watch 100th Anniversary development.
As Kenji Tsuchiya, Watch Development Engineer, admits in a Citizen Watch Global corporate video released on YouTube, Citizen’s first-ever watch had to compete against the best-imported watches back then. The outcome was a classic pocket watch introduced in 1924, with three hands and a large running seconds counter placed at six.
The new Pocket Watch Caliber 0270
This modern edition mimics the original layout and builds upon the Citizen Group’s state-of-the-art technology, which includes the Group’s owned La Joux Perret SA manufacture. It is noteworthy that Kenji Tsuchiya is the same engineer who supervised the calibre 0200 project; hence, the new luxury steel watch collection is branded as “THE CITIZEN” in Japan and out.
The new Citizen Pocket Watch 100th Anniversary adopted the same approach and aims to offer a watch elevating Citizen’s pedigree to the realm of mechanical luxury watchmaking; here is the manifesto of the brand’s capability to craft the most demanding luxury watches.
The DNA of caliber 0200
Let us start with the case specs: it measures 43.5 mm across and 13.4 mm in thickness, is made of beautifully polished titanium alloy, and has a convex sapphire crystal on the dial.
The latter showcases an electroformed pattern mimicking snowflakes piling up during a snowfall, running seconds counter excluded. Topping the above are black Arabic numerals whose font pays homage to the 1924 model paired with Breguet-styled hour and minute hands.
Citizen equipped the watch with a blue cord crafted by Domyo, a Japanese braided cords manufacturer founded in the seventeenth century. For the Citizen Pocket Watch 100th Anniversary, Domyo crafted an exclusive one in silk.
The Citizen caliber 0270
Here is where things get hot. Visible through the sapphire crystal exhibition case back is a hand-wound movement drawing inspiration from the 0200 series’ project’s guidelines, which surpasses in decoration and finish.
It comes equipped with a free-sprung balance and guarantees an accuracy of -3 to +5 seconds per day. It exceeds what a Chronometer certification (i.e., the ISO 3159 standard) sets as the standard. Once fully wound, the watch runs for circa 55 hours.
The escapement’s craftsmanship process adopts the proprietary LIGA technology, and the bridges showcase Côtes de Genève finish on top and diamond-bevelled edges.
The case and movement undergo tests similar to those the brand envisions for the Caliber 0200 series. It is unquestionably THE CITIZEN in all its aspects, exquisitely finished, superbly designed, and tested to be among the best in its class.
Final thoughts
The Citizen Pocket Watch 100th Anniversary reference NC2990-94A will be marketed as a 100-piece model priced around 9,000 USD. It will not be found anywhere (not in Italy, for example), and notably only where THE CITIZEN brand is marketed. Although the watch carries the Citizen logo, its technology, finishes, and dial pattern confirm that it belongs to the Citizen Group’s premium brand.
Craftsmanship and performance epitomize the Group’s top offering among luxury mechanical watches. It also extends the collection housing La Joux Perret-conceived movements. A true collector will not want to miss it.
However, there is more to come. It proves that Citizen aims to strengthen its footprint in the premium luxury product segment. Should we expect an extensive range of premium new mechanical watches to hit the global markets anytime soon? It is hard to tell, but we are sure something interesting is coming down the road, and hopefully, it will involve the European market, too. For further information please visit Citizen Watch Global.
(Photo credit: Citizen Watch)
Giovanni Maria Di Biase @Horbiter®
