In 2019, the Japanese company Citizen Group announced its plan to supply its patented Super Titanium for use in the Japanese lunar rover, known as HAKUTO-R. Citizen and some other watch companies have developed special alloys or coatings for wristwatches that can also have significance for other industrial applications. Super Titanium improves standard titanium in several key parameters, all related to wear resistance. Using this material in parts for a lunar lander flying through space makes a lot of sense. Now, in 2021, Citizen presents two watches dedicated to the HAKUTO-R lunar landing system. I get my hands on the Citizen HAKUTO-R AT8185-71E and CC4016-75E Super Titanium watches.
The Japanese company Citizen is one of the few players in the wristwatch market producing what we call "high-end quartz." This term is used to describe more luxurious watches equipped with quartz movements, as opposed to the more common quartz watches, which have simpler mechanisms and less luxurious case and dial designs. High-end quartz watches are becoming increasingly popular but still remain a niche area among watch enthusiasts, although there are very dedicated followers. The Japanese domestic market is one such place where high-end quartz watches can achieve good results. Citizen has been producing a variety of very elaborate watches based on its own quartz movement for many years, and these two models are some of the latest.
It is almost inevitable with the release of a limited edition high-end quartz watch from Citizen that there is a bit of sticker shock. These watches are indeed produced in more limited quantities and are generally more artistic than Citizen's serial products, although their price can be several times higher. I suppose this is primarily due to the very small production volume and the necessity for Citizen to recoup development costs for a smaller number of watches. Indeed, these are halo products that help increase the overall brand value, but at the same time, no one wants to continue production if you can't even break even at the end of the run. In any case, let's take a look at these two interesting limited models of the Citizen Super Titanium Hakuto-R watches.
Despite the similar style, these two watches have a price difference of more than $1,000 - mainly due to different movements. The names of the watches are the same, only the reference numbers differ (I know). Let's start with the AT8185-71E model, which is a travel watch with a world chronometer and an artistic dial depicting the surface of the Moon. The dial is created from three printed layers, which create an impressive three-dimensional effect. I like that the watch feels genuinely "spacey," and the lunar pattern doesn't distract or seem tacky.
The AT8185-71E Hakuto-R watch contains the Citizen H800 movement, which can synchronize with atomic clock radio signals and Eco-Drive (meaning it is powered by light). The movement is useful, but I wish it had GPS or Bluetooth and a companion phone app to manage the movement's functions. Casio offers this for less money - even if these watches aren't as well-equipped. The dial also features a mother-of-pearl ring around the lower sub-dial, which I find quite stylish. The golden tones on the dial match the lunar black color of the Super Titanium case and bracelet. The case of this model is 42mm wide, water-resistant to 100 meters, and has sapphire crystal over the dial.
On the case back of the Hakuto-R AT8185-71E is the Hakuto-R logo - indicating that these watches are indeed intended for insiders directly familiar with the lunar flight program. The other limited model has a more vibrant scene of the lunar rover, which I think better reveals the theme, although I like that Citizen went in completely different directions with the two limited models of the Super Titanium Hakuto-R watches. This model, in all black with a world time dial, will be released in a limited edition of 1,600 pieces.
The more expressive and modern Citizen Super Titanium Hakuto-R CC4016-75E watches are more expensive and more limited than the aforementioned model. Although only this model features an intriguing printed lunar dial. The Super Titanium Hakuto-R CC4016-75E model belongs to the Satellite Wave GPS family and is equipped with the current generation F950 Eco-Drive movement. This is a larger movement than the H800, but it has more functionality, a cleaner dial, and a GPS receiver - although neither of these watches yet has Bluetooth, which I think would be wise for Citizen to implement.
The F950 model performs almost the same as the H800 but with a different dial layout, which I find easier on the eyes. We see the mother-of-pearl segment in the sub-dial once again, as well as the gold tones of the hands and hour markers. The CC4016-75E model also has a two-tone Super Titanium case, including black gunmetal and pale gold colors. The Super Titanium Hakuto-R model is slightly larger - 44mm in width (also with sapphire crystal) and has the same 100-meter water resistance as the other Hakuto-R model. The bracelets on each model are comfortable and attractive, though simple in design and construction. The overall light weight of all watches (thanks to the titanium case material) is very impressive and makes them quite suitable for prolonged wear.
Around the bezels of the watches are city names (I assume there should be 27), which is a common design element for both models. Note that Citizen made other interesting distinctions, such as the design of the crown and buttons, as only the CC4016-75E model has a protective crown. Even the counterweight design on the second hand varies between the two models.
Neither model is a clear winner, even if I prefer the Hakuto-R watch based on the F950, considering the more serious travel-oriented GPS movement. Both models have a particular artistic flair but ultimately remain sports-style watches. The Citizen Super Titanium Hakuto-R CC4016-75E watches will be released in a limited series of 1,200 pieces. The price of the Super Titanium Hakuto-R reference AT8185-71E is $2,295, and reference CC4016-75E is $3,495.