Citizen’s Eco-Drive Satellite Wave, launched in 2011 as a concept watch, was the brand’s first light-powered watch capable of synchronising with GPS satellites to display the correct time anywhere in the world. The first series-produced models using this technology were presented at BaselWorld last year in the form of the Eco-Drive Satellite Wave Air, with improved antennae sensitivity that ensured the world’s fastest signal reception speed, and the Eco-Drive Altichron Cirrus, with an altimeter function.

Eco-Drive Satellite Wave F100 by Citizen

Specifications:
F100 Eco-Drive movement with satellite timekeeping system with worldwide reception, world time in 40 cities, perpetual calendar and power reserve indicator; accuracy +/- 5 seconds per month; case diameter 45.4mm, thickness 12.4mm, in titanium with matching titanium bracelet.

Both of these models sported highly technical designs that reflected the enormous amount of research that had spawned the miniaturised technology beneath their dials. But the next generation of this technology, which Citizen is introducing this year, has understatement as its byword. Thinner and lighter, with a titanium case, the new Eco-Drive Satellite Wave F100 now captures the signals from GPS satellites orbiting 20,000 kilometres above the Earth in just three seconds (over twice as fast as the previous model) and its hands immediately adjust to display the correct time in any of the 40 recognised time zones around the world.

Despite brimming with technology, the dial is a model of understatement, with a clear display of central hours, minutes and seconds and date at 3 o’clock in the most conventional of arrangements. The only other indications are the discreet “NO”, “RX” and “OK” around the top of the dial (RX indicates a that the watch is in reception mode, then OK will indicate that a signal has been received or NO will indicate that no signal has been received) and an offset subdial underneath for the day of the week and a new indicator, subdivided into seven increments, that shows the level of light that is shining on the dial for charging the watch. The large angular facets of the 45mm case are a refreshing new design reminiscent of watches from the 1970s. The bezel is flush with the edge of the case, which opens up the dial even more and adds to the clarity. The three-letter abbreviations for the world’s major time zones are etched on the outer edge of the crystal, which also aids with clarity.

What the Eco-Drive Satellite Wave F100 loses in weight and clutter, however, it gains in accuracy, since the new F100 Eco-Drive movement offers accuracy to within +/- 5 seconds per month – three times more accurate than the previous model. It will be available from autumn 2014 in three versions: with black and silver dials on the titanium case and, as a limited edition of 500, with a coated titanium case and polyeurethane/titanium bracelet.

It is almost as if the three big Japanese brands – Seiko, Citizen and Casio – had passed the word around: 2014 will be the year of the GPS watch, capable of displaying the exact time instantaneously, wherever you may be on the planet.
Read also:
- New design for the SEIKO ASTRON GPS SOLAR
- CASIO, “SYNCHRONIZED TIMEPIECES”

Source: Europa Star April - May 2014 Magazine Issue