The Citizen Eco-Drive Tosa Washi Blue Ref. AQ4091-56M

Citizen is an eminent brand for its robust and trustworthy quartz and mechanical movements. Since 1918, the brand has been a trailblazer in watchmaking and innovation, advocating for creativity and traditional craftsmanship.  As part of  their swashbuckling “The Citizen” release previously, the Japanese brand introduces visually similar mechanical options that are very pleasing to an aesthetic eye.  While not part of Citizen’s top-of-the-range “The Citizen” collection, we introduce today the new timepiece, the Citizen The Citizen Eco-Drive Tosa Washi Blue Ref. AQ4091-56M. This watch functions like a high-end dress watch with its sturdy specifications but goes easy on the wallet.


Citizen 'The Citizen' Eco-Drive Tosa Washi Blue Ref. AQ4091-56M

This timepiece is made of Super titanium with a multi-dimensional texture because of its high-polished and satin-brushed surfaces. Citizen’s proprietary Duratect Platinum, the same as Seiko’s Diashield - a hardened coating to help protect the watch from scratches, coats the super titanium case to showcase the durability and shiny surface of the watch. Moreover, the AQ4091-56M also has a titanium bezel for added longevity , a case size of 38.3mm in diameter, the watch has a thickness of 12.2 mm and a lug-to-lug of 46.5mm.

Iridescent blue dial

The timepiece's dial alludes to the “The Citizen” Iconic Nature collection and is a feast for the eyes. The matte blue Tosa Washi paper dial is of a cement colour hue that reflects understated elegance. Tosa washi is a type of traditional Japanese paper manufactured in Kochi prefecture, both in the city of Tosa and around the town of Ino. This paper is highly regarded because while it is incredibly thin, it is also very strong. The paper’s reliability is evidenced by its widespread use in painting restorations both in Japan and in other parts of the world.

Furthermore, the dial was meticulously hand-polished to provide its trademark high sheen. Dauphine hands with applied baton indices and a double-baton at 12 are also used in this artistic timepiece. A date aperture can be found at 3, adding a useful complication while not diverting attention away from the dial’s proportions. A piece of dual spherical sapphire glass that features a non-reflective coating protects the dial and aids in the dial's legibility in poor lighting conditions.

Multi-finished case

For such a magnificent dial, one certainly deserves the absolute clearest view possible. The dual spherical scratch-resistant sapphire dial is coated with Citizen’s proprietary ‘Clarity Coating’ anti-reflective treatment, suppressing reflections by accomplishing 99% light transmission. Even in bright sunlight, it is almost like the glass simply disappears.

For those who likes to go about their daily activities, rejoice! This watch boasts a solid water resistance of up to a hundred meters! Moreover, this watch also contains the high precision Eco-Drive A060 movement that has proven reliable and robust. The movement is rated by Citizen to have an accuracy of an astonishing +/- 5 seconds a year, satisfyingly aligned to every second marker on the dial as the second hand ticks into place. Being a movement fueled by natural and even artificial sources of light, no periodical battery replacement is required. Additional features that can benefit the wearer include the perpetual calendar, date display, the date early correction function, and the time difference setting function of the watch. Held in the case with a screw-in caseback signed with Citizen’s prestigious eagle crest.

Nifty case finishing and polish

Citizen pairs the The Citizen  with a super titanium bracelet to add to the sturdiness and ruggedness of this stunning timepiece. The multi-finished bracelet further espoused versatility for its wearer too.

Lastly, Citizen The Citizen Eco-Drive Tosa Washi Blue Ref. AQ4091-56M is a watchmaking marvel that not only display their dial-works, and also exuding high quality craftsmanship in every single one of its components, reflecting on over 100 years of fine watchmaking expertise from the respected Japanese watch manufacturer. It’s all in the details, the combination of precision timekeeping and a beautifully finished case, this is physical proof that quartz watches really do have a ‘soul’, standing neck to neck even with its mechanical counterparts.

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