Citizen has launched a new watch which features unorthodox traits for a product of this Japanese brand – primarily the fact that it is equipped with a self-winding mechanical movement. The newcomer named Signature Grand Touring Automatic includes three hands and a date as its sole indications. It is likewise distinguished by its crown protector system which contributes to the raised waterproofness of 200 meters. The Citizen newcomer is placed in a mid-size steel housing with optional PVD treatment and coupled with a steel bracelet or a leather strap. Depending on the version, its price is between $995 and $1,195.
Citizen Signature Grand Touring NB0070-57E Watch
The latest watch by Citizen is obviously the result of the brand’s desire to break the current routine and establish itself as a manufacturer of more respectable mechanical movements and not just quartz-driven modules, regardless of how technically advanced they may be. So far, the brand is only launching tree-hand mechanical movements without additional complications (except the date at the three o’clock position) as it is the case with the latest timekeeper from the Signature collection. This piece in particular comes with Miyota 9010 high-pinion caliber which was designed specifically for Citizen. It is a self-winding mechanical movement with a power storage that lasts for 42 hours. Otherwise, the movement in question integrates 24 jewels and operates at the frequency of 28,800 vph.
A Crown Protector Reminiscent of Panerai Watches
New Grand Touring timekeeper’s appearance is dominated with a large crown protector with a patented system that is in fact attached to the crown and that comes out when the wearer is ready to set it. Even the first glance on it shows a lot of similarities to the crown protectors used on Panerai watches, to say the least. The Citizen’s novelty comes with a stainless steel housing which has the diameter of 44 mm and the thickness of 15 mm. Despite the dial and its fixed bezel being round, the screw-down case-back has four curved triangle extensions that are joined to the lugs, thus making the entire housing appear to be of an irregular shape. The front of the timepiece is protected with a thick sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating. Sapphire is once again used at the see-through section of the case back which lets the wearer see the movement decorated with the Geneva striping and an eagle engraving on the rotor. As it has been mentioned, the watch is water proof to 200 meters.
Citizen Signature Grand Touring NB0075-11F Watch
Black Dials and Three Variations of the Model
Citizen Signature Grand Touring timekeeper is made with a black dial that includes raised Arabic numerals at the four main positions (3, 6, 9 and 12 o’clock) which are the only hour markers that are not treated with luminous coating. On the contrary, the other peculiar looking hour markers (which are also raised), as well as three hands (the watch features thick hour and minute hands and a second hand with a large arrow tip and a counterweight) are treated with a material that makes them glow in the dark.
Citizen Signature Grand Touring NB0070-06E Watch
There are three versions of the new timepiece from the Citizen Signature series. The first two are made with basic steel cases and silver-colored hour markers on the dial. Whereas the model NB0070-06E has a brown leather strap (which fastens with a buckle) and the price of $995, the variation NB00070-57E is made with a stainless steel bracelet (that locks with a folding clasp with a hidden double push button) and is valued at $1,195. The third version (with the reference number NB0075-11F) has a black PVD treatment on its case, includes a brown leather strap in a lighter vintage shade, and costs $1,095.
