Maiko Horikawa

DESIGNER

https://ms.citizen.jp/assets/maiko-horikawa
Name
Maiko Horikawa
Specialty
Product design
Region
Japan
Career
Horikawa joined CITIZEN after working at a design office on automotive gauge design. She handled domestic women's, then licensed products, then domestic men's, followed by the North American market (and occasionally global), and finally domestic luxury, gaining comprehensive experience with the CITIZEN brand. She is currently responsible for designs for the domestic men's segment.
Favorite Things
Thinking about minimalist living; appreciating architecture

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https://ms.citizen.jp/assets/NB6060-58L_IMG06 のコピー

Dynamic Shapes and Meticulous Finish

In the Series 8 collection, model names are composed of three-digit numbers starting with 8, in line with the brand name. The second digit represents the portfolio: the smaller the number, the more modern the model; as the number increases, the design becomes sportier. Following the 870 and 880, the development theme this time was the '890,' the sportiest model in the Series 8 collection.

https://ms.citizen.jp/assets/025_04-02_シチズン ジュニア_01

Round

The center second hand was born in an era when the small second was mainstream. The glass, dial, and hands are rounded at the outer edge and drop downwards, making the center appear thinner, which gives a precise and refined impression. By curving the tips of the hands to match the arc of the curved dial, the distance between the dial and the hands is reduced, improving legibility. The domed case back fits comfortably on the wrist, and the domed crown is gently shaped to rest against the back of the hand. The logo, 'C Citizen Junior,' composed of arcs, still gives a stylish impression today. The round shapes seen throughout the design are made with the user in mind, and the rounded, endearing form never fails to capture the heart.

https://ms.citizen.jp/assets/081_11-04_CITIZEN カレンダー_01

Intuitive Understanding

At a time when most watches only had three hands, this model was the first domestically produced watch to incorporate day, date, and month calendar functions. The combination of a gold-plated case and a black crocodile leather strap instantly gives an impression of luxury, and the delicate craftsmanship on the gold dial and buckle confirms its high-end nature. The first thing that catches your eye are the windows for 'month' and 'day of the week.' Next, you notice the deep blue numbers from 1 to 31 arranged in an arc and the round-tipped hand pointing to them. It intuitively feels like a sun symbol, making it clear at a glance that this is the 'date display.' The sharp, bold sword-shaped hands have a strong presence, yet they harmonize with the base color of the dial, making it clear that the true stars are the 'day, date, and month.' Looking at the side, the push buttons have small indentations about the size of a ballpoint pen tip, making you want to press them with a pen. Pressing the push button at 2 o'clock rotates the 'day wheel' near 2 o'clock, pressing the one at 10 o'clock rotates the 'month wheel' near 10 o'clock, and pressing the remaining button at 4 o'clock rotates the 'date hand.' Everything is extremely easy to understand. Despite its new functions, this watch excels in allowing you to intuitively grasp its sense of luxury, display features, and even how to operate it.

https://ms.citizen.jp/assets/087_11-10_バイオスポーツ_01

Instant Recognition

A model designed to support running, equipped with a pulse detection sensor, an accelerometer, and a function to calculate calories burned during exercise. First, your eyes are drawn to the digital display outlined in red and the red button, while the button at the 12 o’clock position is slightly protruded to make it easier for your finger to find. The slope on the underside of the case is designed to make the LCD easier to read, and the hook-and-loop fastener on the leather strap allows you to wear it at the optimal angle. The large LCD display, which can be switched with a button, allows you to instantly capture the information you need while running, and the light function makes it easy to read the time even during night runs. When this model was released, at a time when neither running nor wearable watches were yet popular, it must have been quite innovative. It was created with sincere attention to ease of use for runners.

https://ms.citizen.jp/assets/093_12-01_キー直結バンド_01

Classic Style

Every detail, from the overall impression down to the smallest elements, has been meticulously crafted, resulting in a beautiful design that not only looks stunning but also offers excellent legibility and comfort. The compact case size, seamlessly connected mesh band, skin-friendly coloring, and a modern twist on a classic image all come together to create a design that brings satisfaction and happiness to the wearer.

https://ms.citizen.jp/assets/095_12-03_マニフィーク_01

Crystal of Light

At first glance, you might be tempted to answer "Is it a watch or a jewel?" with the latter, as this model completely breaks away from the conventional appearance of a watch. The bold design fully embodies the concept of "wearing light." The crown is made extremely small, the case is chamfered, and even the clasp is boldly adorned with sapphire, thoroughly expressing the concept. The dial is minimized to the limit without losing balance, fitted with hands inspired by crystals, and the finishing touch is a glass thicker than the center of the case, giving the side profile an impressive presence. Unconstrained by the boundaries of wristwatches, its pursuit of beauty is exhilarating.