Citizen extends their already rather extensive The Citizen Eco-Drive lineup with another Japanase washi paper dial, this time in chitose midori, a traditional Japanese green pigment. We had the watch for a couple of week, and here is our review of this magnificent timepiece.
New and Reviewed: The Citizen Eco-Drive 50th Anniversary Edition
The Citizen Eco-Drive 50th Anniversary Edition Ref. AQ4091-56W retails at USD 3,100. Limited edition of 650 pieces.
The Citizen Eco-Drive: what remains
This is a line extension to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the launch of the world’s first light-powered analog watch in 1976 (now known as Eco-Drive). Our comprehensive review of the base watch is one of our most requested articles, and please have a read of the article here. Subsequently, the line is extended, and is a rich lineup. New dial colours were introduced in 2019, and more in 2025. I found the watch so compelling, that I acquired the AQ4100-22A in Duratect Platinum for my own collection.
In this novelty, the same, high performance watch is presented. The three elements where Citizen is probably the best of breed worldwide are present. First, the use of titanium technology in the case and bracelet, in this case Duratect Platinum. Second, Citizen’s high accuracy quartz movement with an annual accuracy of 5 seconds. This level of precision is currently the highest offered anywhere in the world. Citizen themselves showed a model with their AQ 6010-06A Caliber 0100, but the model seemed to have been discontinued and not available anymore. The Caliber 0100 achieves a record 1 second a year accuracy, hitherto still the most precise movement ever made, not counting watches which sync with radio or GPS signals. And third, Citizen produces the best and most reliable light powered movements. As mentioned, the TAG Heuer F1 is based on this technology which they source from Citizen owned La Joux Perret.
- Editor note: we were just informed by Citizen that the movement is not discontinued, and is available in the market. Citizen also tells us that we can expect more watches with the C0100 to be offered in the future.
What is new
What is new with this novelty is the dial. The dial remains the hand-dyed washi paper dial used in earlier iterations. But is now presented in a brilliant, pine green – a colour which has deep symbolic meaning to the Japanese that it even has its own name – chitose midori (literal translation thousand years of green). It is a symbol of permanence, inspired by pine needles that remain verdant throughout the seasons.
The paper is hand dyed through a fusion of dyes from the kariyasu grass, traditionally used as a yellow dye and fused with indigo. Kariyasu is a plant with a golden pigment, typically found in Mount Ibuki. The resultant dial has a rich hue, and combined with the visible fibres, makes for a very beautiful surface where depending of the angle where light strikes the surface, presents an amazing texture and depth.
The other difference is the eagle mark on the dial is now in gold-coloured instead of the usual silver-coloured, and the slender sweep seconds hand is also in gold. This contrasts to the other indices and hour minute hands as well as the date frame which remain in a platinum hue, and also reveals even more depth in the green dial.
Concluding thoughts
This is yet another beautiful colour-way to the already rather diverse watches offered under The Citizen Eco-Drive collection. And it still gets our top marks for the design, the construction, the artisanal value, and is a prime example of what Citizen can offer. We also view that the pricing is very reasonable for what the watch delivers. And retains our highest recommendations.
