The Citizen showcases a masterclass in Japanese luxury horology with the limited edition Hand-dyed Indigo Washi Paper Dial AQ4090-08A timepiece.
This striking watch combines ancient Japanese craftsmanship with the absolute pinnacle of light-powered technology. The underlying product concept centers entirely on the relentless pursuit of the true essence of timekeeping.
Specification
The modern exterior design complements this artistic face with a lightweight and robust outer chassis. Citizen utilizes its proprietary Super Titanium material to construct the entire case structure elegantly.
This advanced metal undergoes a Duratect Platinum surface treatment to maximize everyday scratch resistance. This specialized hardening technology makes the titanium case five times harder than standard stainless steel.
It provides a bright metallic shine that significantly elevates the luxury aesthetic. The case features a well-proportioned diameter of exactly 40mm for comfortable everyday wear.
It maintains a slim total thickness of 12.2mm, sliding easily under formal shirt cuffs. The technicians apply Zaratsu polishing to create completely distortion-free mirror surfaces.
Dual sphere sapphire glass protects the delicate washi paper dial from external impacts. This premium crystal receives an advanced anti-reflective clarity coating to maximize absolute transparency.
The special crystal treatment minimizes glare, making the glass seem almost non-existent. The watch boasts a robust water resistance rating of 100 meters for daily wear.
A sophisticated black crocodile leather strap completes the elegant look of the timepiece. The leather strap comes from tanneries that are certified by the international Leather Working Group.
A secure tri-fold clasp with a push-button release fastens the strap comfortably and safely. The solid case back features the eagle emblem alongside a unique limited edition number.
Design of Dial
The captivating dial showcases ultra-thin Tosa washi paper hand-dyed in stunning traditional indigo hues. Citizen collaborated extensively with Watanabe’s artisanal dye workshop in Tokushima Prefecture for this project.
Artisans utilize a specialized fabric technique called pole-wrap shibori to create organic, mist-like patterns. They carefully wrap the delicate white Tosa paper around a sturdy cylindrical tube.
The skilled craftsman binds it tightly with string and pushes it upward to form fine wrinkles. Immersing the paper in natural indigo dye multiple times adds an exceptional visual depth.
This intricate method produces an unpredictable texture, ensuring no two dials look identical. The fibrous composition allows sufficient ambient light to pass through and power cells.
The resulting dial background beautifully blends clean white sections with delicate bands of deep Japan Blue.
Polished, faceted indices and sharp hands contrast cleanly against this rich texture to optimize legibility. A gorgeous gold-colored eagle emblem sits proudly on the dial to symbolize foresight.
Luminous paint coats the primary hands and markers to guarantee readability in the dark. Meanwhile, the date window is placed at 3 o’clock.
Eco-Drive Movement
The high-accuracy Caliber A060 Eco-Drive quartz movement drives all timekeeping functions with absolute perfection. This flagship movement achieves an incredible autonomous accuracy of ±5 seconds per year.
The proprietary solar system absorbs any light source to power the internal mechanism cleanly. This highly efficient technology completely eliminates the need for regular battery changes forever.
A fully charged battery runs smoothly for up to 18 months in power-saving mode. An integrated perpetual calendar function automatically adjusts for short months until February 2100.
The intricate calendar mechanism triggers an instantaneous date switch precisely at midnight. Wearers can easily adjust the hour hand independently when crossing different time zones.
Built-in impact detection protects the wheel train by locking the movement upon hard shocks. An automatic hand correction function continuously checks and realigns the hands.
The Citizen AQ4090-08A is strictly limited to only 200 pieces worldwide.
