The Citizen limited edition model with a gorgeous sand-sown dial will be released on September 7th

The Citizen has previously expressed a variety of traditional craftsmanship on its dials. This time, they have released a limited edition model that is full of elegance and presence, and no two are alike. Each model is carefully crafted in their Aizu workshop using the sand-sprinkling technique on black-dyed Tosa washi paper.

Transience and technique that allow you to feel the roots of Japanese aesthetics

　Some people may be hearing the word "sunago" for the first time. However, I'm sure that many people have actually uttered the word at least once. I would like you to think of the Tanabata song. It goes, "The stars twinkle, gold and silver sunago." That "kingin sunago" refers to the traditional craft of "sunago." It is known not only for lacquerware, but also as a technique in Japanese painting.

　This watch is made with black-dyed Tosa washi paper, topped with gold leaf from Kanazawa, a region boasting a history of over 400 years and boasting exceptional quality, and the "sunakomaki" technique, a technique cultivated in the Aizu lacquerware process in which gold and silver leaf sand is placed in a tube and sprinkled onto the paper. This one-of-a-kind dial is the result of a combination of traditional materials and techniques from across Japan, as well as cutting-edge technologies such as Eco-Drive. The Tosa washi paper was created in collaboration with Hidaka Washi, a workshop in Kochi Prefecture, and the process of applying the leaf to the dial was carried out in collaboration with Sakamoto Otsuzo Shoten, a long-established lacquerware manufacturer in Aizu-Wakamatsu, Fukushima Prefecture.

Realization of a dial that can transmit light

　Eco-Drive, which runs on light energy, requires ensuring the dial's light transmittance. The black Japanese paper used in this watch is a material and color that is not particularly good at transmitting light. Furthermore, scattering the foil on the dial necessitated even greater consideration of transmittance than usual. Taking these various factors into account, gold ore was conceived as the ideal dial for this piece. Gold ore is a mineral mined in gold mines that contains patches of natural gold. An exquisite amount of gold leaf was first placed in a cylinder, then shaken out onto a flat plate, and then individually placed with a brush. This is a method that requires considerable effort and skill, as well as a keen sense of placement. The dial was then completed through painstaking work, including measuring the transmittance of each individual piece of Japanese paper dial.

　Citizen's proprietary Super Titanium™ is approximately 40% lighter than stainless steel, five times harder, rust-resistant, and gentle on the skin, making it the ideal material for watches. The Citizen limited edition model, which offers a variety of practical functions and a variety of aesthetic features, is limited to 350 pieces worldwide and has a limited edition number engraved on the case back.

　It will only be available at the following specific stores. You'll want to choose a special one that takes into account the unique look of each foil.

"Citizen Flagship Store"
https://citizen.jp/flagshipstore/index.html
"Citizen Premium Doors"
https://citizen.jp/premiumdoors/index.html
"Citizen Concept Shop"
https://citizen.jp/conceptshop/index.html