The Citizen Iconic Nature Green - Ltd Ed 250pcs Ref. AQ4100-06W

Citizen is renowned for producing rugged and reliable movements - both quartz and mechanical. So renowned for their movements, in fact, that their watches tend to be overlooked by the average watch collector. However, if you are going to overlook this latest release from them, you are truly missing out. 

When many of us think of quartz watches, we think of them as “inferior” to their mechanical counterparts. Common grievances about quartz watches include “they have no soul” and that they are “cheaply made and assembled”. However, we tend to forget that it is precisely quartz watches that nearly destroyed the Swiss watch industry in the 1970s/1980s - the period dubbed as the quartz crisis. Hence, it is time we give quartz watches their due respect. If you’re still not convinced, this new Citizen will definitely change your mind. 

Citizen 'The Citizen' Iconic Nature Green - Ltd Ed 250pcs Ref. AQ4100-06W

Citizen’s “The Citizen” collection is a series of top-tier, premium watches. The collection offers a high level of refinement that you will only find on luxury timepieces and this latest Iconic Nature collection is no different. Each model in this collection is meant to express the beauty of the four seasons as viewed through a shakkei (borrowed scenery) window - a feature of Japanese architecture designed to frame outdoor landscapes for the viewing pleasure of those indoors.

This particular model, the Spring Air model Ref. AQ4100-06W, comes in at 38.3mm in diameter, 45.5mm lug-to-lug, and is 12.2mm thick. This set of dimensions are perfect for a dress watch and would make the wearing experience on any wrist extremely pleasant. The case is entirely made of Citizen’s proprietary Super Titanium. Super Titanium is approximately 40% lighter and five times harder than stainless steel while being rust resistant and gentle on the skin. Citizen also treats the case with their Duratect surface-hardening treatment to help keep the case looking as fresh as possible, for as long as possible. After all, when the case is so immaculately well finished with Zaratsu polishing and finely brushed surfaces, you would want to admire it for a long time to come. 

Iridescent sunburst green

The dial is where the Citizen Iconic Nature Green really shines. Making the dial requires a high level of refinement as it is made of washi paper. Washi paper is an intricate and delicate surface so it requires a thin transparent disc to be placed above it to hold the applied logos and indices in place. The result is a splendid looking green fumé dial that has a darker green accent on the outer rings and transforms into a lighter green in the middle, reminiscent of the beautiful Spring leaves. The translucent nature of washi paper has its practical use too, as it allows light to pass through, reaching the solar panels underneath the dial to charge up the Eco-Drive movement. Applied indices and dauphine hands are also found on the elegant dial, along with an applied Eagle logo. The eagle mark is exclusive to The Citizen models and can also be found tastefully etched on the crown and caseback. 

The Citizen Iconic Nature Green is not just a show-pony, as the screwed-down caseback gives it 100m of water resistance, allowing you to take the watch for a swim if you dare. A dual spherical sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating helps protect the impeccable dial while also ensuring maximum readability in harsh lighting. 

A  natural texture of "Tosa Washi" material dial

As mentioned above, powering the beautiful Citizen Iconic Nature green is one of Citizen’s high-end Eco-Drive movements, the in-house calibre A060. It is a high accuracy quartz movement, with a stated accuracy of an astonishing +/- 5 seconds per year! In comparison, Grand Seiko’s 9F quartz movements have an accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per year - which is already no slouch. Apart from being tremendously accurate, the calibre A060 has an independently adjustable hour hand and is also a perpetual calendar - adjusting the date accurately for monthly and leap year deviations up to the year 2100. It also has an on-demand power reserve indicator. Pushing the recessed button above the crown will temporarily engage the second's hand to serve as an indicator of battery charge. 3 o’clock indicates a full charge while an empty battery will see the seconds pointing to 1 o’clock. Eco-Drive movements are also solar-powered. That way, you will never need to replace the battery within as it derives its power from any source of light. 

Completing the elegant look of the timepiece is a 19mm crocodile leather strap with a signed titanium deployant clasp. The deployant clasp and crocodile leather further adds to the refined taste of the watch, oozing pure class. The Citizen Iconic Nature Green is limited to 250 pieces worldwide, guaranteeing a sense of exclusivity to the owner.

Nifty case finishing and polish

Citizen has produced a high-end timepiece offering excellent case finishing, a high-end quartz movement, and a dial so gorgeous that it is best admired in person. If such a timepiece does not leave you gobsmacked and changes your mind about quartz watches, nothing will.  The devil is in the details, and Citizen have thoroughly mastered all the details in an extremely well thought out timepiece, refined to the highest standards of luxury watchmaking. This watch has a soul indeed.