Citizen announced two limited editions in its flagship The Citizen line on September 17, both with dials made from Tosa washi, a traditional Japanese paper handmade in Kochi Prefecture.

The two references

The AQ4100-65X has a crimson dial made with Tengujoshi, an extremely thin washi. It comes on a titanium bracelet, is limited to 350 pieces and costs $2,995.

The AQ4106-00B uses Unryushi, a paper with long fibers that form swirling, cloud-like patterns, here interwoven with gold-colored fibers. Its case has a pink-toned finish, and it is fitted with a crocodile strap. It is limited to 300 pieces at $3,095.

Shared specifications

Both watches use the same 38.3mm by 12.2mm case in Super Titanium, Citizen‘s surface-hardened titanium, with 100m of water resistance. Inside is the Eco-Drive caliber A060, a light-powered quartz movement rated to ±5 seconds a year. Paper is not an obvious dial material for a solar watch, but washi is translucent enough to let light pass through to the cell underneath.

The context

Accuracy is the headline here. Quartz accuracy is usually quoted per month, so a rating of ±5 seconds a year puts the A060 in a small group of high-accuracy calibers. Light power also removes routine battery changes from ownership. Add titanium and 100m of water resistance, and these watches are more practical than their delicate dials suggest.

The dials are what the extra money buys. At $2,995 and $3,095, these sit well above most Eco-Drive models and against a crowded field of Swiss and Japanese mechanical watches. The case for them is a craft material with a regional story, on a movement rated to keep far better time than any mechanical rival. Buyers who need a mechanical movement will look elsewhere. Those who care about accuracy and want something unusual on the dial have few direct alternatives.

Key specifications

  • AQ4100-65X, crimson Tengujoshi washi dial, titanium bracelet, 350 pieces, $2,995
  • AQ4106-00B, Unryushi washi dial with gold fibers, pink-toned case finish, crocodile strap, 300 pieces, $3,095
  • 38.3mm by 12.2mm Super Titanium case
  • Eco-Drive caliber A060, rated ±5 seconds a year
  • Washi paper handmade in Kochi Prefecture
  • 100m water resistance