Citizen 100th Anniversary Pocket Watch

For watch enthusiasts, pocket watches hold a certain allure. While wristwatches have become the dominant mode of timekeeping in the modern era, pocket watches represent a link to a bygone era of elegance and sophistication. This year, Citizen is celebrating its 100th anniversary with the release of a very special limited-edition pocket watch that pays homage to the company's rich heritage while also showcasing its forward-thinking approach to watchmaking.

Citizen's history is intrinsically linked to pocket watches. In 1924, the company's very first product was a pocket watch, and since then, Citizen has built a reputation for quality and precision timekeeping. The 100th Anniversary Pocket Watch is a fitting tribute to this legacy.



At first glance, the Citizen 100th Anniversary Pocket Watch evokes a sense of nostalgia. The watch features a classic round case, with a beautiful mirror finish that catches the light. The image reveals a white dial with easy-to-read black Arabic numerals and a subdial for the seconds at the 6 o'clock position. This layout is reminiscent of early pocket watches and honors the original 1924 Citizen pocket watch.

But upon closer inspection, it becomes evident that this is not merely a vintage replica. The Citizen 100th Anniversary Pocket Watch boasts a number of modern features that make it a truly unique timepiece. The watch has a case crafted from titanium alloy, a lightweight and durable material that is perfect for everyday wear. The dial features a unique pattern that is achieved through a combination of electroforming, clear coating, and polishing. This pattern is said to evoke the buildup of snow during a snowfall, a subtle nod to the passage of time.

Perhaps the most impressive feature of the Citizen 100th Anniversary Pocket Watch is its movement. The watch is equipped with the Caliber 0270, a new hand-wound movement that has been specifically developed for this timepiece. The Caliber 0270 is a testament to Citizen's commitment to precision engineering. It features a free-sprung balance wheel and an escapement made using the LIGA microfabrication process. These high-tech components ensure that the watch is accurate to within -3 to +5 seconds per day, which is even more accurate than the ISO 3159 standard for wrist-chronometers.



The Citizen 100th Anniversary Pocket Watch is more than just a timepiece; it's a conversation starter. The watch's classic design and exquisite craftsmanship are sure to attract attention from watch aficionados and novices alike. The watch is also a reminder of Citizen's long and storied history. For 100 years, Citizen has been a leader in watchmaking, and the 100th Anniversary Pocket Watch is a fitting tribute to the company's enduring legacy.

Watch enthusiasts use terms like "accuracy" and "precision" with a reverence usually reserved for scientific instruments. The goal of every great watchmaker is to minimize the deviation from true, absolute time. With the Caliber 0270, Citizen achieves an impressive -3 to +5 seconds per day. This surpasses standards set for wrist-worn chronometers (watches certified for their accuracy). So, how does it achieve this?

Imagine a tiny wheel with weights positioned strategically around its rim, constantly oscillating back and forth, controlled by a hairspring. This is the balance wheel, the regulating brain of a mechanical watch. In most watches, the hairspring is attached to a fixed stud, which can affect its movement. In the Caliber 0270, the hairspring isn't clamped. Instead, its coils move freely. This makes it less susceptible to shocks, position changes, and the subtle effects of gravity, leading to more consistent timing.



The escapement is like the gatekeeper of a watch's movement. It parcels out the energy from the mainspring and controls the tick-tick sound. Citizen crafted the Caliber 0270's escapement using LIGA, a microfabrication process more often seen in electronics. It allows for incredibly precise shapes and tolerances unavailable with traditional machining. This translates to better interaction between the escapement's parts and, crucially, less energy wasted – all leading to superior accuracy.

Accuracy is important, but there's more to a watch's movement than cold, hard measurements. Aesthetics matter. Through the sapphire crystal case back, you aren't just looking at a tiny machine; you're witnessing meticulous craftsmanship in motion.

The main bridges (think of these as the movement's 'floorboards') are embellished with the classic Côtes de Genève decoration. This pattern of parallel stripes, with each stripe meticulously created, adds a layer of understated visual depth to the Caliber 0270.



Underneath the bridges, the baseplate is adorned with a pattern of overlapping circles known as perlage. This gives a subtle, almost frosted texture that contrasts the stripes above.

Notice the edges of the bridges. They're not sharp but smoothly angled down and are diamond-cut for a polished gleam. This technique, known as beveling or chamfering, is a hallmark of high-end watchmaking, and extremely time-consuming to do well.

Citizen understands that a watch's performance isn't just on paper. Once assembled, each Caliber 0270 undergoes 17 days of rigorous testing. It's checked over six different positions and across three temperatures. This mimics the various ways you might wear a watch in various climates. Only those that pass with flying colors are deemed worthy of the "Caliber 02 Standard Certification." This extra step shows Citizen's dedication to ensuring everyday reliability alongside its pursuit of abstract accuracy targets.

The 100th Anniversary Pocket Watch isn't a fleeting trend piece. It's built to be a part of your life, possibly even handed down through generations.

While a showpiece, it's got basic water resistance, meaning rain or small splashes aren't a worry. The case construction is robust, protecting the precious movement within. Even the bow (where the chain attaches) is designed to be pivot smoothly and be easily maintained, showing that Citizen thought ahead in terms of practicality.



The watch comes attached to a beautiful braided cord from Domyo, a Tokyo-based company specializing in 'kumihimo' since the 17th century. This touch of traditional Japanese craft, dyed a distinctive indigo for this edition, adds warmth and a historical dimension against the high-tech watch itself.

The Citizen 100th Anniversary Pocket Watch isn't a rehash of old designs or a gimmick. It's proof that Citizen, even after a century in the game, refuses to rest on its laurels. It's a watch for true enthusiasts – those who get excited about tiny gears, who appreciate both accuracy and the beauty of human craft. And while only 100 will ever exist, its legacy and the innovation in the Caliber 0270 will influence Citizen timepieces to come.