The Citizen Iconic Nature collection turns paper and quartz into a luxury combo
Buffy Acacia- The Citizen Iconic Nature collection uses Japanese Tosa washi paper dials, some of the highest quality paper in the world.
- The blue model is supposed to evoke wind-swept dunes, while the brown dial represents moonlight from behind thick clouds.
- They’re powered by the calibre A060 with an annual accuracy within 5 seconds and the automatic adjustments of a perpetual calendar.
Generally speaking, Citizen is not a brand commonly associated with luxury watchmaking. Then again, neither was Seiko before Grand Seiko made its way into international markets. Under the authoritative sub-brand named ‘The Citizen’ and its iconic eagle mark, high-end and high-accuracy quartz watches have been steadily gaining a fantastic reputation over the last few years. Two new limited editions have just been released, again showcasing the incredible textures made possible with Tosa washi paper. They may be far more expensive than you’re used to paying for a quartz watch, but they’re also manufactured with almost immeasurable precision.
While I may personally disagree that these dials accurately portray the wind and the moon as they supposedly do, there’s no arguing with their beauty and interpretation. The first model is the reference AQ4100-65H, which uses different tones of blue to evoke the crests of sand dunes created by wind. If you prefer to think of them as waves, that still works. It’s delicate colour work, made with awe-inspiring depth thanks to the fibrous texture of the traditional Tosa washi paper. The reference AQ4106-18X is meant to depict the light of the moon diffused behind a layer of cloud. Literal interpretations aside, it’s a captivating dial, and the moody tonality with the gilt details works incredibly well.
Despite their sharp execution, relatively simple layout and extraordinary sense of grandeur, the Citizen Iconic Nature watches don’t pretend to be dress watches. Smart casual maybe, but everything about their case construction is sporty. The harsh bevels on the lugs and chamfered edges almost look like the honed edge of a sword, and the polished areas exhibit great contrast against the brushing. The diameter of 38.3mm is friendly to small wrists without sacrificing too much presence or legibility from a distance, and the 12.2mm thickness is chunky enough to feel solid without being overbearing.
Both watch cases are made from Citizen’s Super Titanium with Duratect hardness coatings, greatly reducing their weight in comparison to stainless steel but drastically improving their scratch resistance. The blue model’s coating allows the silver colour to shine through, complimenting the matching titanium bracelet, while the brown dial has a black DLC finish to emphasise its modern sleekness and goatskin leather strap. They’re also both water resistant to 100m, which means you can take them swimming but they will withstand pretty much all everday wear. The calibre A060 is one of Citizen’s top quartz movements that boasts an accuracy within 5 seconds per year, making adjusting the time pretty much obsolete. It’s also a perpetual calendar, so you won’t need to touch the date function until the year 2100 either. Being an Eco-Drive movement, the translucency of the paper dial allows it to charge a solar cell to negate any annoying battery changes.
The Citizen Iconic Nature collection price and availability
Both of the Citizen Iconic Nature watches are worldwide limited editions of 350 pieces each. Price: US$4,100 (Brown on goatskin strap) / US$4,200 (Blue on titanium bracelet)
| Brand | Citizen |
| Model | AQ4100-65H (Blue) AQ4106-18X (Brown) |
| Case Dimensions | 38.3mm (D) x 12.2mm (H) |
| Case Material | Super Titanium with Duratect hardness coating |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Tosa washi paper |
| Strap | Titanium bracelet (Blue) Black goatskin leather (Brown) |
| Movement | Calibre A060, quartz |
| Power Reserve | Eco-Drive solar power |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, perpetual calendar date |
| Availability | Limited to 350 pieces each |
| Price | US$4,100 (Brown on goatskin strap) / US$4,200 (Blue on titanium bracelet) |