Constraints into Character

Radio-Controlled

https://ms.citizen.jp/assets/075_10-07_初電波_01

2024.03.25

The distinctive design of multi-band radio-controlled watches features an antenna positioned at the center of the dial, encased by thick cut glass and a ceramic bezel. It was precisely the limitations of the reception antenna developed for the world’s first wristwatch with the Cal. 7400 that gave birth to this one-of-a-kind form.
If there had been no antenna constraints and the world’s first multi-band radio-controlled watch could have been designed freely, would this form have come into existence?
Behind this form lies CITIZEN’s passion to create a wristwatch that keeps even more accurate time, and their belief in imagining and inventing ways to overcome many constraints. The design of this model is a symbolic example of the "fusion of technology and beauty."
The design approach of turning constraints into originality and creating unique forms has also been used in past models. The greater the constraints, the more original models CITIZEN is likely to create.

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A truly unique design with a radio signal reception antenna placed at the center of the case (dial). The delicate balance between the hands, dial, and antenna is exquisitely designed.

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A unique form in which glass and ceramic bezel make up 44.4% of the case thickness. This design was born from CITIZEN’s unique approach to creating the world’s first multi-band radio-controlled watch.

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Glass and ceramic bezel account for 44.4% of the case thickness. This distinctive case balance and the form utilizing the refraction of cut glass are elements that further characterize this model.

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Sapphire glass combining spherical and cylindrical cuts. The antenna housing is processed by pressing.

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The crown and push buttons are all the same dimensions but finished differently.

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The circles and fan shapes on the dial are expressed with ultra-fine slits. These delicate slits create a sense of precision.

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The hands are designed to enhance legibility within their limited length. Additionally, the two sub-hands for the month and day on the left differ in width by 50μm but have the same base diameter, so when they overlap, they appear as a single hand.

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Original Roman numeral font.

WATCH

CREDIT

Researcher

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Hideki Inoue

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