Citizen is perhaps best known for their Eco-Drive technology, which has been a core part of their catalog for years. Eco-Drive was first introduced in the mid-90s (though Citizen’s first light-powered watch came out in 1976), and in the years since Citizen has refined and elevated the tech to new heights. In 2016, Citizen unveiled the Eco-Drive One, the thinnest solar-powered timepiece ever produced coming in at just 3 millimeters thick. And last year, Citizen announced the Caliber 0100 Eco-Drive prototype, a high-accuracy quartz movement that boasts precision of just ±1 second per year. Though that exact caliber is a prototype and it won’t be available to the public, the tech inside the Caliber 0100 is expected to be featured in future models.
Citizen recently unveiled a trio of Eco-Drive divers through the Brycen range, and what makes these three stand out from most of Citizen’s current catalog is that they take on more of a neo-vintage aesthetic than most. At first glance, I’d say the watches look like ‘70s-inspired divers, featuring a mix of bold colors, classic design cues, and, of course, Citizen’s Eco-Drive tech. I’m a fan of when Citizen keeps it simple, and I think they’ve done that here.
Though the case is on the bigger side of things coming at 43 millimeters across and 13 millimeters thick, the lugs don’t appear to be overly long so it should wear well on the wrist. The case is brushed up top, polished along the sides, and features a bevel that runs along the point where the two planes meet. The case is rated to 100 meters and features a mineral crystal.
There are three variants available: Ref. AW1591-01L (blue dial/blue bezel on leather), Ref. AW1593-06X (gold-plated case with a brown dial/brown bezel on leather); and Ref. AW1598-70X (green dial/green bezel on a stainless steel bracelet). The dials feature cross-hairs, lumed markers, a date window right off 3, and luminous dauphine hands. Altogether, it’s a pleasantly cohesive design that doesn’t rock the boat and should have broad appeal.
Like many of Citizen’s Eco-Drive watches, this new range is aggressively priced. On leather it’s $295, and on a bracelet it’s $325. If you’re in the market for a no-nonsense diver that you can wear without much worry, then you should definitely consider these three gems. Citizen