A “Three-Masted” Sail with Citizen’s Latest Endeavor Chronographs

It’s kind of hard to believe, but Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology debuted for US customers 50 years ago. The prescient technology brought astounding advances to earlier solar-powered approaches and, according to the company’s own claims, has prevented tens of millions of watch batteries from ending up in landfills. And it all started well before the term “eco-friendly” was even a part of our common lexicon.

Earlier this month, Citizen shone some light on the anniversary with three new nautical-inspired Eco-Drive-powered Endeavor chronographs, kicking off the celebration in ship-shape fashion. Let’s run them up the mast, shall we?

While the three chronographs range in design options from the classic to the more technical to the full-on nautical, all share the any-light-source-will-do Calibre B620 Eco-Drive movement, 43mm case size, 100m water-resistance rating, intriguing wave-form patterned dial design, protected crown, and pump-style chrono pushers.
 

Notably, these chronos represent the first time this collection has included models with a ceramic unidirectional bezel. Expect 270 days of power from a full light charge, which continuously recharges itself as long as you don’t hide your Eco-Drive in a watch box or a darkroom when you aren’t wearing it.

At this point in time, Citizen has done some terrific work with dial translucency that practically makes the Eco-Drive light-charging sensors invisible to the eye. This feels especially true on the classically styled CA4730-59A version.

While all these new Endeavors employ a triple sub-dial chrono approach (a 24-hour tallier at 3 o’clock, small seconds at 9 o’clock, 1/5^th-of-a-second counter to 60 minutes at 9 o’clock), this silver-tone steel and black “Panda” execution features a particularly light and shimmery silver-tone wave-patterned dial.
 

Even with its legibility and lightness, I couldn’t tell you where the charging sensors are located if I tried. On a steel link bracelet, this Endeavor boldly sails into some neo-vintage seas.

A textured black rubber strap, black wave dial, and steel case broadcast a more technical flavor – along the lines of a cutting-edge modern America’s Cup racing vessel – for the CA4730-08E model.

A vibrant yellow center-seconds hand adds some chromatic pop, as does an equally bold yellow highlight along a 40-second interval between 4 o’clock and noon on the outer dial track gauge. While it isn’t referenced in the press materials, this feature is likely geared to help count down the critical “jockeying” time before the starting horn blows at a sailing regatta.
 

All three Endeavors include a small date aperture tucked up towards the center of the dial at about 4:30. In this execution, the date is even less emphasized, and given the decidedly immediate, race-oriented intent of this model, that is no problem at all. The date is still right there for less-intense daily wear.

Red-gold-toned metallic steel and flowing deep sea blue colorways hallmark the elegant yachting vibe of the CA4733-00L execution. Cerulean rubber strap, deep blue ceramic bezel, darker blue wave-patten dial? Aye-aye, cap’n.

The red-gold tone on the case, hardware, and dial details sets this watch apart from the rest of the Citizen fleet. It reads as particularly handsome on the flat pushers and protected crown.
 

All three share the expected lume on the indices and hands, but on this gold-and-blue model, that light show is particularly useful and eye-catching.

Another welcome aspect shared by this new trio: Some serious pricing accessibility. The steel bracelet CA4730-59A lists for $650, and the black-strapped CA4730-08E goes for $595. Meanwhile, the gold-and-blue CA4733-00L can be had for $625. All are available as you read this.

For more information, check out the Citizen website.