Editor's Discussion: Citizen "The Citizen" Caliber 0100 Models

Three members of the Chronos Japan editorial team have begun a series of roundtable discussions in which they share their impressions of popular models. In the first installment, they freely review models equipped with The Citizen's ultra-high-precision Caliber 0100.

Hosoda"My first impression was that it felt comfortable on the wrist and was extremely convenient as a practical watch. However, if practicality was being pursued, I think it would be more consumer-friendly to have a date display. Perhaps the reason they chose not to include one was due to the Eco-Drive's light-receiving ability. What do you think?"

Hirota"It may have something to do with the light-receiving capacity, but I think the reason they didn't add a date was to focus on expressing precision. Also, if the date were linked to the independent movement of the hour hand, the mechanism would become larger, the power consumption would increase, and the light-receiving capacity would not be able to keep up."

(I.e."I don't think it would cause a lack of light reception, but adding a date would have made it more complicated to handle and would have increased the thickness, so I don't think it would have ended up in this finish."

Hosoda"So this model is the first to be equipped with the Cal. 0100, and is aimed at enthusiasts."

(I.e."That's right. They've thoroughly pursued precision, claiming an annual accuracy of ±1 second. And they've made full use of that precision in displaying the time. It's amazing how the second hand is designed to line up perfectly with the thin indexes. This is possible because they used LIGA (microstructure formation technology) to create the return spring for the third return wheel and the fourth stop lever. It's so satisfying to watch the thin second hand, which doesn't deviate by even a second a year, pointing accurately to the indexes, and it's very satisfying."

Hirota"That's right, the design also follows the codes of high-precision watches. The key points are that the hands are long, the tips of the hands overlap the indexes, and the bezel is narrowed to make the dial appear larger. In other words, the design is focused on displaying the time clearly and accurately."

What do our editorial staff think about transparent bags?

Hosoda"What do you think about the controversial transparent case backs?"

Hirota"We have to show this off! I think this movement is monumental in the sense that it marks the beginning of Japanese watchmakers finally getting designers involved in the movement design. Up until now, Japanese manufacturers have improved the performance and finish of their movements, but they haven't paid enough attention to the appearance itself."

Suzuki: "It was designed from the beginning with the intention of being visible, so I agree. If you put a lid on it, it loses its playfulness and sexiness, so I think it's necessary to increase the owner's satisfaction. I also think it's a nice topic to talk about."

For example, it would be like "super high-class soba noodles."

Hosoda"The only thing that bothers me is the price. 800,000 yen is expensive for a quartz watch! Compared to other high-end quartz watches, you can buy the Grand Seiko 9F for even less... Also, I think the Grand Seiko wins in terms of the luxury of the exterior. What do you think about that?"

Hirota"Grand Seiko watches have their exteriors polished to a high shine (laughs). But The Citizen watches aren't just priced high, and I think they've been given a fair amount of care.
First of all, they've spent a lot of money on the dial and hands. I thought the texture of the Eco-Drive dial was the best among solar watches, but this one is by far the best.

Hosoda"Solar-powered watches use polycarbonate on the dial surface to allow light to pass through, which can give them a cheap impression. However, this model has a stainless steel plate with small holes underneath the polycarbonate dial, giving it a metallic texture."

(I.e."Also, the indexes and hands are diamond-cut, and in fact, they're even coated with luminous paint. The meticulous attention to detail is what makes it so affordable."

Hirota"Also, the overall packaging is excellent. It's difficult to create play in a bracelet with many links, but even with seven links, it manages to achieve both rigidity and play, ensuring a comfortable fit."

Hosoda"The lightness of the head also contributes to this excellent balance."

(I.e."I tried typing on my PC while wearing it, but it was so light and thin that I barely noticed it. It doesn't get in the way even when I'm using my PC, which is in line with the times."

Hirota"It's basically a very high-class soba noodle dish (laughs). My favorite, Kanda Yabusoba, has no toppings and costs 750 yen, but once you try it, it's worth it.
If I were to compare it to a watch, I felt it was similar to Audemars Piguet's watches from the 1940s. The image is of a stainless steel watch with a diameter of about 35mm, and inside it is the ultra-high precision Caliber VZSS, which is a Valjoux without the chronograph. I think it's similar in that it has the integrity to only include what is necessary for a watch, and that it looks ordinary despite its high precision.

(I.e."Yes. At first glance it looks plain, but the movement, which is entirely focused on precision, and the design of this high-precision watch feel rather cutting-edge. However, there is a good chance that models with dates and GMTs will appear in the future, so now is the time to buy one while its pure appearance remains, before it becomes a commodity."

Hirota"There's one more reason why you should buy it..."

Hirota"We were able to achieve this incredible level of precision by using an AT-cut quartz crystal oscillator. I wrote about oscillators in detail in the September 2019 issue of Chronos Japan, but in my opinion, oscillators will shift to silicon in the future. A good example is the Apple Watch. I'm not sure whether they'll be able to continue making quartz watches, which require so much money."

(I.e."When you think about it, this might be the last top-of-the-line model of a true quartz watch that uses a quartz oscillator. Citizen is making this watch with pride, disregarding profitability. It might be worth buying, especially since it represents the pinnacle of their maturity, achieving an annual accuracy of ±1 second."

Hirota"Until now, the pinnacle of quartz movements was probably Seiko's 9F. It was certainly the highest-end mass-produced model, including in terms of price, but this is the pinnacle in the sense that it offers even greater precision."

Hosoda"If you're a watch lover but are having trouble finding a watch to wear on a daily basis, this is the one to buy. It may look plain at first glance, but it's actually quite edgy, so even watch enthusiasts will be pleased with it."

Hirota"However, there is one problem with this model... I wore it to a public bath, and when I took it off to get in the bath, it was so light that it didn't feel like I was wearing it normally, and I almost forgot about it on the way home (laughs). So, you should never take it off when you're out and about."

(I.e."Professor, when you were trying on other watches at a new brand launch event, you almost took this watch off and forgot about it when you left. I think that's more of a problem with the user than the watch itself (laughs)."