It’s no secret that Disney is dominating pop culture right now. From Marvel and Star Wars to the classic animated films and the theme parks that attract millions every year, the House of Mouse is more prevalent in the entertainment industry than ever before. That’s why becoming an official partner with Disney is one of the rarest and most sought after business deals in many industries. At Baselworld, Citizen made the announcement that it was joining Disney in multiple ways. This year, Citizen will become the official timepiece of Disney World and Disneyland with a Citizen branded clock on Main Street USA in both theme parks, an official sponsor of the Marvel Creative Space, global music licensing opportunities, a Red Carpet sponsor for Marvel Avengers Infinity War and its 2019 sequel, a sponsor of the Marvel Minute, official timekeeper of the Run Disney Run Races at Walt Disney World, and many more lucrative possibilities throughout the Disney kingdom.
The other standout news for 2018 is the centennial anniversary for the Japanese watchmaker. To commemorate 100 years of timekeeping, the brand is introducing a special Eco-Drive collection of eight timepieces that include two Satellite Wave GPS watches in proprietary Super Titanium ($2,800/$3,500), a Promaster Eco-Drive Flyback Chronograph ($1,000), and a Promaster Eco-Drive Diver Chronograph ($435).
Citizen also brought back one of its underappreciated vintage models into a new production collection powered by Eco-Drive. Back in the 1970s, Citizen was known for producing bullhead chronographs. These have been highly collectable for many years and are popular among vintage enthusiasts. The new watch takes its design influences from a 1972 chronograph known as the Challenge Timer, and especially from its successor in the 1973 Tsuno Chrono (“horned chronograph” in Japanese) for which the modern piece is named. It comes in four color variations, two of which have a black bezel with an orange or white dial, and the other two using steel bezels with blue or white dials. The piece has a round, 45-mm case in a bull-head construction, with a crown and two chronograph pushers at its top; lugs integrating seamlessly into a its bracelet; and a second crown at the 5 o’clock position to adjust the watch’s alarm function. Depending on the color of the dial, each will come equipped on a different-style strap, ranging from an Oyster-style steel bracelet, orange and black leather racing strap, red and black alligator construction, or simple brown leather. On the dial is an inclined tachymetric scale, applied rectangular hour markers, and four black subdials for 1/5-seconds counter, 12-hour counter, power-reserve indicator, and running seconds indicator at the 3,6,9 and 12 o’clock positions, respectively. At the 1:30 position is a small date window, while at the 4:30 position is an on/off indicator for the alarm function, which has an adjustable arrow-type hand rotating around the face. The luminescent-filled hour and minutes hands are sword-shaped, while the chronograph seconds counter has a slim, color-tipped design. The various complications are made possible by a currently unspecified Citizen Eco-Drive movement. Of the hour watches, two of the variants will be limited to 1,973 pieces, while the other two will be produced on a continuing basis. The prices will range from $795 to $895, with the watches reaching boutiques later this year.
Finally, overshadowed by Disney and the 100th anniversary, is a true horological feat: the concept cal.0100 Eco-Drive movement that boasts an accuracy of +/1 per year. Presented inside a pocketwatch at Baselworld, this new solar-powered caliber automatically becomes the world’s most accurate timekeeper with an internal regulator and provides a new definition to High-Accuracy Quartz. It is currently unavailable to purchase but is expected to be available to the public in 2019.
