The Citizen, which has brought new possibilities to light-powered quartz watches with the use of light-transmitting washi paper, has now completed two new models that combine this with the traditional technique of indigo dyeing. Each dial, created using different techniques, features a deep indigo color and a delicate, hazy appearance. Let's delve deeper into the charm of washi paper dials, where traditional Japanese craftsmanship and cutting-edge technology resonate together.
This model features a deep indigo kachi-iro washi paper dial, achieved through repeated dyeing. Gold accents on the hands and indices add a special touch befitting a limited edition model. It is a light-powered quartz watch with a battery life of approximately 1.5 years on a full charge (in power-saving mode). It has a titanium case (40.0mm diameter, 12.2mm thickness) and is water-resistant to 10 atmospheres. Limited to 400 pieces worldwide. Price: 462,000 yen (including tax).
(Left) AQ4090-08A
This model applies the traditional tsutsumaki shibori dyeing technique, commonly used for dyeing fabrics, to washi paper, creating unique patterns. Because each piece is hand-dyed, the resulting pattern is different, making each one a truly unique work of art. It features a light-powered quartz movement, approximately 1.5 years of battery life on a full charge (in power-saving mode), a titanium case (40.0mm diameter, 12.2mm thickness), and 10 ATM water resistance. Limited to 200 pieces worldwide. Price: 44 yen (including tax).
Photographs by Masahiro Okamura (CROSSOVER)
Written by Tsubasa Nojima
Text by Tsubasa Nojima
Edited by Yuto Hosoda (Chronos-Japan)
[Article published in the July 2026 issue of Kronos Japan]
Japan's proudest pinnacle of solar power generation
Light-powered quartz watches have an unavoidable limitation: the dial itself must be translucent to deliver light to the solar cell. Therefore, translucent resin dials are commonly used, making it difficult to achieve the intricate designs often seen in high-end watches. The Citizen brand, however, has transformed this limitation into an appealing feature through a revolutionary approach.
The material chosen is Tosa washi, a traditional Japanese paper craft. Washi, which has been used for shoji screens and other purposes since ancient times, transmits soft light while possessing a unique texture and warmth created by its woven fibers. It is a material that combines the transparency required by Eco-Drive with the high-quality feel befitting a luxury watch.
The two limited-edition models released this time are ambitious creations that further evolve the expression of washi paper dials. While employing natural indigo dyeing, each model showcases a completely different shade of indigo through the use of different traditional techniques.
One of the items is "AQ4094-58L," which features a deep indigo color that has been cherished in Japan since ancient times as "kachi-iro" (victory color). The dyeing is handled by "Watanabe's," an indigo dyeing workshop in Tokushima Prefecture. They use sukumo, which is made by drying and fermenting Polygonum tinctorium, and cultivate the dye solution using a traditional method called natural lye fermentation. Indigo dyeing is not a one-time process. The process of immersing washi paper in the dye solution and allowing it to oxidize by exposure to air is repeated many times, gradually building up the color. The indigo dyed in this way, layered many times, is elevated to the "kachi-iro" color, which changes its appearance depending on how the light hits it. The rich shading that is unique to hand-dyeing is arguably the greatest charm of this work.
On the other hand, the "AQ4090-08A," adorned with white and light blue stripes, takes a different approach. In this model, the traditional tsutsumaki shibori dyeing technique, used for dyeing fabrics, is applied to washi paper. In this technique, washi paper is wrapped around a tube, then pulled in a consistent direction while creating fine wrinkles, and the shibori and dyeing process is repeated to create delicate shibori patterns. This process spreads a contrast of indigo and white across the white washi paper, creating a fantastical scene as if a mist is drifting. Furthermore, because everything is finished by hand, each piece has a unique shibori pattern and color that differs from one another. You can enjoy the one-of-a-kind individuality of a work of art on the dial.
The deep, rich color of AQ4094-58L contrasts sharply with the ephemeral, hazy shading of indigo in the AQ4090-08A. Although both are indigo-dyed, their expressions are diametrically opposed.
Of course, the appeal of both watches is not limited to the washi paper dial. Both feature a case made of Super Titanium, which is lightweight and boasts excellent scratch resistance, and are equipped with the high-precision Eco-Drive movement Cal.A060, which has an annual deviation of ±5 seconds. While incorporating practical technologies that are representative of The Citizen, such as the perpetual calendar, they are finished in a way that allows you to enjoy the dial, which is a unique sublimation of traditional techniques. It is also worth noting that purchasers can register with the Citizen Owners Club, which offers comprehensive after-sales service, including an extended warranty period.
The washi paper dial, born from the harmonious blend of traditional Japanese craftsmanship and advanced light-powered technology, is an expression only The Citizen could achieve. This new model demonstrates that its possibilities continue to expand.
