Ayaka Ohtake

Origins to Future

On the occasion of CITIZEN’s 100th anniversary, CITIZEN designers themselves set out to explore what makes 'CITIZEN Design' unique. By studying past models and consolidating the insights gained, they articulated these as 'design sources.' This project, which spanned about five years and included objective analysis by external advisors, is introduced here.

A Shape from the Future

The word that best describes this model is probably "futuristic." At first glance, its distinctive form evokes the cockpit of a spaceship, yet it was designed in 1984, over 40 years ago. Despite being a watch from the past, it exudes a sense of the future. It brings together various functions and elements in a harmonious way, and while the design is unique, it still feels simple—a watch packed with mysterious qualities. The sense of simplicity may come from the bold, sharp forms and pronounced edges. The unwavering, clean lines and the pleasant transitions between crisp surfaces unify the complexity of each element, creating a sense of cohesion. Another charm of this model is the sense of "familiarity" and "cuteness" within its sharpness. The large, rounded cutouts and speaker section that appear among the straight lines, the gold and red accents used only for the CITIZEN logo and the REC lettering, and the subtle deviations from the overall monochrome scheme all contribute to its lovable character. The watch features a groundbreaking function for its time—the ability to record and play back six seconds of audio. By clearly separating the VOICE and TIME functions, the layout is both functional and visually impactful. This watch possesses a futuristic form that remains relevant today, along with uniquely charming details.

Rugged Elegance

A watch designed for practical use that combines ruggedness with elegance. The bold, uncompromising case and band shapes, constructed with unwavering lines and free from unnecessary slopes, and the solid feel of the almost entirely hairline finish, all exude a sense of ruggedness. On the other hand, the domed glass that covers most of the case adds a touch of softness to the ruggedness, while the occasional glint of a polished finish amidst the hairline texture brings an elegant allure. Although most of the watch features a hairline finish, it does not feel cold; the fine, smooth texture and the warm gray hue of the titanium give it a refined and elegant impression. On the dial, the boldly sized Arabic numerals and thick bar indexes create a dignified presence. The sub-dials, while intricate and detailed, are easy to read and feature luminescence where needed, showing consideration for the user. The hands and indexes are white, and the dial is black, creating a high-contrast, highly legible design for practical use. It is a tough yet elegant PROMASTER that suits even a mature suit style.

Bold and Meticulous

What makes this model so compelling is the way boldness and meticulousness coexist in just the right balance. A case distinguished by generously voluminous planes and a dynamic slope that smoothly connects to the case side has an unadorned, decisive form, and its stylish, streamlined silhouette evokes a futuristic mood. The prominently protruding push button iconically expresses the model’s headline function—its built‑in stopwatch. In contrast to the case’s dynamism, the dial is crafted with a deliberate interplay of density and openness. The comfortable tension between the thick, commanding indexes and the finely detailed minute track stands out, while the distinctive window frame—composed of three facets—feels bold yet meticulously executed, with chamfered corners and an inner slope finished in black. Carefully considered details abound. The green and yellow accent colors within the sub‑dials are restrained in saturation, becoming vivid highlights against the dial’s nearly‑black dark gray. With generous negative space and obsessively refined micro‑details, this thoughtfully balanced watch harmonizes curves and straight lines to exude a sense of futurism—a design that excites the sophisticated wearer.

Easy to Read

Kinder Time is a watch designed to support children by solving the problem that "children struggle to read the time" through a clearer way of displaying time. The two main features that make it "easy to tell the time" are showing the time in time zones and using matching colors for the hour and minute hands and their corresponding markers. Additionally, the second hand reaching all the way to the minute track is another thoughtful detail that makes reading the time easier. The vivid and energetic red and yellow colors, the CITIZEN logo on the dial that resembles an emblem, and the bright red leather strap reminiscent of a shiny new school bag all contribute to an exciting design. While this watch is sure to delight children, it also has aspects that are unusual for a children's watch. To make it easier to read the time, the case is slightly larger than typical children's watches. The sharp, well-defined surfaces give a somewhat edgy impression for a children's watch, but the clean, uncluttered design nicely balances the cuteness of the dial. The simple yet charming and easy-to-read Arabic numerals are also appealing to adults. The design shows a commitment to quality, never compromising just because it's for children, while always staying close to their needs.