A Closer Look at Citizen’s “Citizen Chronomaster”
The Citizen Chronomaster falls under the classification of a HAQ type timepiece. The acronym stands for High Accuracy Quartz, which ensures that the timekeeping is accurate within a maximum error between 10 and 20 seconds per year. This is a highly specialized system for timekeeping and a technical masterpiece offered by the brand which is insistent on ensuring the accuracy within 5 seconds per year is the maximum error allowed. They maintain a firm footing as leaders in precision quartz accuracy. This is but one of the attributes that make the Citizen Chronomaster such an intriguing wristwatch. It’s aesthetics, performance and uniqueness make it worthy of a closer look.
The case
The front case is 38mm in diameter with a 10.3mm thickness for a medium-sized presentation on the wrist that doesn’t overwhelm the wearer nor the observer. It’s made of stainless steel material in a brushed finish.
The bezel
The bezel is a fixed style that encircles the case with a brightly glowing finish that is polished to a mirror-like reflective shine. A medium grey colored inset makes a nice transition to the dial beneath in a symphony of form that works well for adding perfect symmetry and a sense of balance to the cylindrical shapes which seem concentrically aligned for an understated detail that is a bit subdued to set the stage for the dial and its enhancements.
The dial
The dial provides a deep black background for the rest of the embellishments. The display is an analog type with cutout indices at 5-minute increments. The detail is suburb with a silver metallic tone behind the cutouts and a beveled cut with obvious silver and white detailing that makes them highly legible and attractive. Smaller silver cuts indicate the minute markers with lovely contrast against the dark backdrop. In print, the CITIZEN logo is placed below the 12 o’clock position with the Chronomaster name above the 6 0′ clock indication in cursive, both in highly legible and contrasting silver tone. The hour and minute hands feature sharp beveling in a brushed finish. The second’s hand is shaped in a tapered needle style. The date window is placed at the 3 o’ clock position neatly encased in a square box featuring the same details as the cutaway markers with the addition of a white background for the black date indications and white detailing on the inside walls of the box. These are small details but it is within each tiny feature that this watch finds its intrinsic beauty and brilliance.
The movement
The Citizen Chronomaster is powered with a caliber A660 quartz automatic movement. It is accurate to within 5 seconds per year and features anti-magnetic properties. The functions are a full auto calendar, perpetual calendar, date, hours, minutes and seconds. The movement is battery operated and the battery life is 5 years. Citizen has chosen a movement that is classified as a High Accuracy Quartz in step with their mission to go over and above the old standard of 10 to 20 seconds accuracy deviances which they don’t find acceptable.
Other features and attributes
The glass is a sapphire which is treated with anti-reflective coating on the inside and on the exterior. It’s scratch resistant and highly durable. This watch is waterproof up to 10 BAR and weighs 81 grams. The bracelet is made of titanium material that matches the case with a push clasp style closure.
The cost
The Citizen Chronomaster is offered at the cost of $2,900. In keeping with the higher end of a brand that constantly strives to meet the demands of its loyal customers, expecting the best in an affordable and dependable watch that is both functional and aesthetically pleasing.
Final thoughts
The Citizen Chronomaster comes across with a wink at the stylings of the vintage timepieces of yesteryear with its classic design and simple features. It’s not bejeweled nor dazzling, but it has been crafted with a thoughtful approach to applying a careful approach to the smallest details. It’s far from being a plain watch upon a closer inspection. it’s actually quite intriguing. The brand is known for its production of accurate watches which rank high in dependability. While their reputation rests on quality, there are elements of luxury built into the Chronomaster which are not overdone. It’s a watch that is suitable for casual and casual dressy attire and it’s a thoughtful expression of both form and functionality in a classic styling.
