Yuri Kawashima

Like a Power Stone

In August 1973, CITIZEN specially adjusted the accuracy of its first quartz watch, Cal. 8810, which had already been released, from a monthly deviation of ±10 seconds to within ±5 seconds, and launched it in October as a special edition. This model embodies the spirit of the engineers and designers of the time, who wanted to present their own quartz technology—which was still novel then—in the finest form possible. The case boldly features the mainstream cutting techniques of the era, and the dial is made from goldstone. Three cut rubies are set as indexes. The combination of gold hands and ruby indexes floating above the glossy, dark dial gives this model a unique power—almost like a subtle sense of self-assertion—that surely gave its owners a special confidence at the time.

By Eye and Touch

Among the many watches available, only those designed for people with visual impairments are made with the assumption that users will 'read the time by directly touching the dial and hands.' Every part’s shape and specification is carefully considered so that it can be touched safely and comfortably. The overall design of the watch is simple and modern. The openable bezel is fitted with a domed box glass, and when touched, its rounded shape gives a sense of warmth and reassurance. When you open the lid and touch the dial directly with your finger, you are first struck by the presence of the hands. The sturdy stainless steel hands, which do not shift position even when pressed a bit firmly, have a solid three-dimensional form from base to tip, making it easy to read the time by touch. The indexes are each shaped with a conical top, but you won’t feel any sharpness even when touching them with your fingertip. Their shape seems to be inspired by Braille. The resin-coated dial, like the glass, has a gently rounded shape, making its surface pleasant to the touch and giving you the urge to keep touching it. This is a model in which you can deeply feel the designers’ thoughtfulness toward those who need this watch.

Pure Precision

A hand-wound three-hand chronograph wristwatch manufactured for about five years from 1967. According to advertising materials from the time, it appears to have been released as a product aimed at the younger generation. At that time, watches were transitioning from hand-wound to automatic winding, and automatic chronographs were released by other companies two years after the launch of the Record Master. Although it was produced for only a short period, it is a classic model, and its beauty lies in the delicate craftsmanship and attention to detail throughout.