Citizen Watch will release two mechanical watch models with dials finished in silver leaf and lacquer from the "Citizen Collection" in late October 2021.

The two new models from the "Citizen Collection," which offers basic design watches that easily match any scene, further highlight Japanese craftsmanship.

The dials, finished one by one by hand by applying lacquer to metal plates and then scattering silver leaf before a final coating, are unique, offering a distinctive texture.

These dials, utilizing the traditional Japanese techniques of silver leaf and lacquerwork, are the result of a joint development with the esteemed lacquerware shop, Sakamoto Kōzō Store (URUSHI SAKAMOTO CO.LTD.). Founded in 1900, Sakamoto Kōzō Store has been a leading lacquerware manufacturer for 121 years, working with a wide range of items from lacquer accessories to industrial products. Currently, they collaborate with various industries, and their work has been selected for the permanent collection of the Museum of Modern Art, New York, promoting the value of lacquer both domestically and internationally under the theme of "Bringing Tradition to the Modern Age."

The two models come in "Mayu-iro" (cocoon color), inspired by the soft white of a cocoon, and "Nibihi-iro" (dull crimson), evoking the twilight of a forest during autumn foliage.

For "Mayu-iro," white lacquer is applied to the metal, followed by scattering silver leaf, and then another layer of white coating is applied, creating a richly textured white pattern. The leather strap is made of fine, lustrous cordovan.

In contrast, "Nibihi-iro" features a metal plate coated with lacquer, onto which sulfurized silver leaf is applied. A blurring technique is then used to reveal the colors of the silver sulfide in a mottled pattern. The accompanying leather strap is made of embossed calfskin.

As a brand that emphasizes practicality alongside the beauty of the dial, legibility is ensured by using leaf hands with a mirror finish on the "Mayu-iro" model and a combination of mirror and matte finishes on the "Nibihi-iro" model. The 10 ATM water resistance also adds to their practicality.

Furthermore, they are equipped with a 24-hour sub-dial at the 6 o'clock position and a power reserve indicator at the 10 o'clock position, which not only add functionality but also serve as design accents. For enthusiasts of mechanical watches, the pleasure is amplified by the see-through case back, allowing a view of the rotor and balance wheel in motion.

Since its founding in 1918, Citizen Watch has consistently pursued the possibilities of timepieces, driven by the belief "Better Starts Now" – the idea that "no matter what it is, we can always make something better by starting now." This silver leaf lacquer mechanical watch is another step in that journey. We look forward to seeing what kind of future Citizen Watch will forge in the world of timepieces.