While Citizen is best known for its affordable and highly capable timepieces, the brand also produces significantly more elevated offerings in the form of its “The Citizen” collection. While the series may have a slightly awkward name, Citizen’s The Citizen lineup represents the Japanese manufacturer’s top-of-the-line models, which take the core concept of Citizen’s approach to watchmaking and elevate it to a luxury level. As a relatively new offering within the American market, The Citizen collection has been slowly increasing its U.S. presence with limited-edition models that offer different takes on the same core concept, and for its latest release of 2024, Citizen has just announced two more limited-edition The Citizen watches known as the AQ4100-22W and AQ4106-00W, which feature nature-inspired washi paper dials.
This isn’t the first time that we have seen this design from Citizen, and the new The Citizen AQ4100-22W and AQ4106-00W watches are essentially new expressions of the black and gold The Citizen AQ4103-16E that was announced last summer (you can find Ariel’s full review of that model right here). Additionally, Citizen also created a bracelet-equipped version known as The Citizen AQ4100-65W, which features a white dial and a platinum-adorned washi-paper dial. With that in mind, unlike their two predecessors that have washi paper dials adorned with flakes of either gold or platinum, the new The Citizen AQ4100-22W and AQ4106-00W models have washi paper dials that feature subtle textured patterns and gradient color finishes.
Just like their siblings, the two new The Citizen AQ4100-22W and AQ4106-00W watches are crafted from the brand’s Super Titanium alloy and have cases that measure 38.3mm in diameter by 12.2mm thick. While the AQ4100-22W has the same bright white Platinum Duratect coating as what can be found on last year’s bracelet-equipped model, the AQ4106-00W features a Sakura Pink Duratect finish, to give it a warm rose gold colored appearance. Similar to their two predecessors, the new AQ4100-22W and AQ4106-00W watches have domed sapphire crystals above their dials, solid screw-down casebacks that are adorned with The Citizen collection’s eagle emblem, 100 meters of water resistance, and signed crowns at the 3 o’clock location that are joined by small push-pieces at 2 o’clock that sit recessed into the side of the case.
The reason why The Citizen models have this additional push-piece is because they are powered by the highly advanced Caliber A060 Eco-drive movement, which features both a perpetual calendar and an independently adjustable hour hand, and this additional push-piece is used to help set the perpetual calendar aspect of the movement. Since Citizen’s Cal. A060 offers an extremely impressive accuracy rating of just -/+5 seconds per year, the independently adjustable hour hand becomes a highly important feature, as changes due to travel or daylight savings will not disrupt the ultra-precise timekeeping of the watch. Additionally, given that the Cal. A060 is light-powered and capable of running for up to 18 months in total darkness when using its power save mode, the level of autonomy that is provided by The Citizen series is rivaled only by watches with Bluetooth and radio-controlled movements.
One other rather interesting feature of Citizen’s Caliber A060 Eco-drive movement is that it includes a proprietary impact detection function that senses shocks and locks the movement to protect itself from impacts. To further ensure a perpetually correct display, the Cal. A060 combines this feature with an automatic hand correction function that will reset the alignment of the hands if they deviate from the correct time. The fact that these types of features (along with hardened titanium cases) are found on models that otherwise look like elegant dress watches makes The Citizen collection extremely interesting from a conceptual standpoint, and while an ultra-premium quartz watch will never speak to a mechanical purist, these models certainly have their audience among the enthusiast community, and they ultimately represent a very forward-thinking approach to watchmaking.
While the movement is the true centerpiece of The Citizen models, the dials are their aesthetic party piece, and both of the new The Citizen watches feature gradient color washi paper dials with texture patterns that are inspired by the fleeting moments of beauty that can be found in nature. The Tosa washi paper surface of the dials is semi-transparent to allow light to pass through and reach the solar panels that power the watch, and while the AQ-4100-22W has a teal green dial with a cloisonné-themed pattern of intersecting circles that is inspired by midsummer flowers, the AQ4106-00W has a warm golden brown gradient dial that is adorned by a linear pattern inspired by an eagle in flight. Although both models offer the same dial layout with baton markers, dauphine-shaped hands, and a framed date window at 3 o’clock, the AQ-4100-22W features polished components, while the AQ4106-00W has these same elements finished in rose gold to match its case.
To further complement their respective colorways, the teal dial AQ4100-22W gets paired with a black crocodile leather strap, while the AQ4106-00W receives a dark brown strap to better match is golden brown gradient dial and rose gold colored case. Aside from their colorways, the two straps offer the same overall design, and they appear to be structurally identical to what can be found on the original black and gold model from last year. Additionally, both straps receive deployant-style clasps that operate with a double push-button release and have outer sections finished to match their respective cases. Just like their two predecessors from The Citizen Lineup, the new AQ4100-22W and AQ4106-00W models are limited editions, although each one will exist in a slightly smaller number of 300 examples, compared to the 350 pieces of the black and gold version, and the 500 examples of the bracelet-equipped model.
In regards to their pricing, the two new The Citizen watches are both slightly more expensive than the original black and gold version, although they are also slightly less expensive than the white and platinum model that is fitted with a bracelet. Consequently, The Citizen AQ4100-22W with its teal green dial is priced at $3,925 USD, while The Citizen AQ4106-00W with its rose gold colored case is priced slightly lighter at $4,125 USD. Although these prices place The Citizen series right in line with what you might pay for a mid-tier Swiss luxury timepiece, these models are a serious refinement compared to Citizen’s standard-catalog offerings, and they represent a rather unique proposition within the current wristwatch landscape by offering classic dress watch styling combined with the highly advanced features of a thoroughly modern light-powered perpetual calendar movement. For more information on The Citizen AQ4100-22W and AQ4106-00W watches, please visit the brand’s website.
