Horological Meandering

KIH
[Purist]
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CITIZEN Eco-Drive "EYES" Launch Reception report

Report of CITIZEN Eco-Drive "EYES" launch reception.

As I have been reporting the innovative products from CITIZEN design center, this model - announced at Basel 2010 - is to be soon launched (Feb. 2013) worldwide as LE of 250 for each of black model and white model.  The bottom line of these "concept models" is "fusion of the innovative technology and the beauty", which may somewhat overlap with the PuristS concept.


A Message from the designer:




Sorry for the bad lighting - White version




Black version




The raw material of the special ceramic.




Day, date indicator parts (the EYES)








Inner bezel without index bar and dial plate.




These 13 ceramic blocks are the index bars - all surfaces are polished with diamond paper to be so sharp, shiny and flat.  The process which really takes time.




Inner bezel and dome sapphire crystal (both sides ARC) and stainless steel cover with "dura-tect" coating to protect from scratch and swirl.  Dura-tect is CITIZEN's metal surface coating technology to keep the case more durable and less prone to scratch for longer period.








Case








Dome crystal is for collecting more light into the dial.







In the box





Enjoy the light and shadow....
















Those 4 screws need to be unscrewed to disassemble and service the watch.








Straps is called "liquid rubber strap" with special coating to protect it from stains or dusts.








The first all ceramic dial - and the solar panel is hidden under the center of the dial.




Tries to absorb as much light as possible through the dome crystal.  Quite domey,




White version's center of the dial is the thin white ceramic while the black version's center of the dial is not ceramic but sapphire crystal to achieve the power charge efficiency.

- Specification, other info -
Case diameter: 43mm
Case thickness: 18.7mm (including the top of the dome crystal)
Caliber 8676: +/-15sec per month (no radio wave adjustment function), Eco-Drive, Fully charged power reserve=6 months.  Day and date indicators.  Water resistant 5 ATM
Reference numbers: White model AO9010-02A, Black model AO9010-02E
LE pieces: 250 for each color (500 in total)
MSRP: JPY420,000.-
Expected Launch date: Feb 2013


Eco-Drive is quartz movement and not mechanical, so it may not be of such interest for PuristS here.  But "eco" is something everyone should be mindful of these days and design concept and their "attention to detail" way must be something we should appreciate.  Not extremely accurate as some of the quartz watches out there (without radio wave capture function either), but this is an interesting and fun watch to look at and wear. 

Honestly, I think CITIZEN will do something very interesting or already have something very interesting under its sleeve even for purists.  I have been wearing Proximity these days - it's so convenient, comfortable and useful as a beater watch (read -> home.watchprosite.com ).


Thanks!

Ken


This message has been edited by dxboon on 2013-01-09 17:44:51 This message has been edited by dxboon on 2013-01-12 10:00:57