Thursday 3 November 2016

Watches: The Citizen Eco-Drive One - The world's thinnest light powered quartz watch


Now this is an interesting Citizen dress watch for those who do not like chunky or thick watches. In fact people who do not want to feel like they are wearing a watch may also apply. The Citizen flagship model called the Eco-Drive One. The world's thinnest light (any sort of light source) powered anolog quartz watch that is 2.98mm thick. Inside this thin case is a wafer thin movement that is 1mm thick. 


I have viewed this watch over at the Isetan:The Japan Store (a specialty store by ISETAN selling everything 'Made in Japan' - a must visit for not so common Japanese clothing, culture, pottery, toys, watches etc) a few days ago and it is really thin. Thinner than one of those Swatch Skin (which is a regular battery operated quartz watch). 

These types of watches are not my cup of tea actually but as I said, it is for people who like slim watches or for those who like such technology in watches. Interesting tech indeed. But it does come with a price as you can see in the picture below (USD2,800 for the regular production version)

It could make a good understated dress watch though. 

PRESS RELEASE
CITIZEN Flagship Model for 2016 – “CITIZEN Eco-Drive One”

— The world’s thinnest*1 light-powered watch with a 1.00mm movement —
It has been 40 years since CITIZEN invented the world's first analog quartz watch that uses light as

a power source. We called this technology Eco-Drive*2 since it uses a renewable natural resource that

anyone can access to generate its own electrical energy. Eco-Drive has evolved as one of our core

technologies and serves as the foundation of our corporate philosophy of “crafting timepieces loved

by citizens all over the world.”

For this milestone we introduce our latest flagship model, Eco-Drive One which is the world's

thinnest light-powered analog quartz watch with a 2.98mm case and 1.00 mm movement.

Capturing the rank of ‘world's thinnest’ required redesigning almost every part of the movement, the

structure of parts by using CITIZEN's most advanced processing techniques. We also improved on

our Eco-Drive technology. For example, in spite of its thinness, Eco-Drive One runs 10 months on a

single full charge by successfully reducing energy consumption.

To create a watch with a case thickness of 2.98mm required the use of new materials. Materials that

are both thin and strong. Materials that are malleable to form a beautiful silhouette that would hug

the wrist but a material that would be strong enough to resist flexing. The case of the Eco-Drive One

Limited Model (AR5014-04E) and the bezel for AR5000-50E/AR5000-68A/AR5004-59H models all

use a cermet*3 to achieve the mutually exclusive requirements of “beautiful thinness” and “durable

hardness.” It also helps to keep the watch's beautiful finish and metallic luster. The bezel on the

Limited Model (AR5014-04E) is made from a binderless cemented carbide*4 that is hard and

resistant to both corrosion and oxidation.

As a light-power pioneer, we will continue to break boundaries and explore new possibilities of

incorporating light powered technologies to craft timepieces that inspire people everywhere.

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