For 2011 Citizen’s major new piece is perfect for the American market. If you want to check out their other cool stuff you’ll need to take a little trip over the Japan (which would be nice… go support them). Part of their newer Signature collection, this is the simply named Citizen Signature Perpetual Calendar, and Citizen Signature Perpetual Calendar Chronograph. Two watches that each come in a host of styles and colors.
The Signature collection is a higher-end range of watches from Citizen that sits under the Campanola collection. Signature watches all have better cases, sapphire crystals, and more interesting movement. They also have more decorative elements. Some of these look great, others are more a matter of taste. The new Signature Perpetual Calendar watch is a lot going for it. The 43mm wide steel case is attractive, but has some unique decorative elements to it – and let’s just get it out of the way now – yes, the rotating diver’s style bezel is taken from Tag Heuer’s Aquaracer 500M collection.
Citizen uses a double AR coated sapphire crystal and the cases are 200 meters water resistant on the chrono (multi-function) version, and 300 meters water resistant on the three hand version. Attached to the case is a pretty decent metal bracelet, with some versions being two-tone with rows of rose-gold toned links.
On the three-hand Perpetual Calendar watch the dial is nice and easy to read, even though it does have a sort of engraved sunburst pattern dial. Legibility is ensured through large lume-coated hands and applied hour markers. Both watches have light-powered Eco-Drive movements. The three-hand model with caliber E764 has the time, and perpetual calendar with only the date displayed. This means while you only see the date, you don’t need to set the date – pretty much ever.
There are at least seven versions of the Signature Perpetual Calendar. Each version of the watch has a different dial and bezel combination – while two versions are done in two-tone. Dial colors include, black, blue, silver, gray, and brown. The Signature Perpetual Calendar Chronograph comes in five versions. Two of them have crocodile straps – and I really like Citizen’s crocodile straps for the price.
The Chronograph model is more than a chronograph, and contains Citizen’s popular multi-function Eco-Drive quartz caliber E820 movement. The movement has the time, 1/20th of a second chronograph (measures up to 60 minutes), perpetual calendar, alarm, and a second timezone. It can also displays the time in 24 hour format.
Citizen makes the dials pretty glossy for decorative effect. It takes away from the tool watch style case, but makes it feel like a more high-end timepiece. While not the most innovative timepieces in the world, the Signature Perpetual Calendar collection is a lower priced Signature collection watch and offers a good value. No doubt they will sell, and sit well as a daily wear. Prices for the collection ranges from $795 – $ 850 for the Signature Perpetual Calendar watches, and from $$925 – $975 for the Signature Perpetual Calendar Chronograph watches.