CITIZEN is releasing four new watch models from the CITIZEN L signature AMBILUNA*2 collection of sustainable watches that blend technology with kindness to people and the environment. These four new models, including a special 10th anniversary model, are designed to evoke the Four Elements*3 – Earth, Water, Fire, and Air – and integrate aspects of biomimicry inspired by the structures of living things and the beauty of nature.
 
The CITIZEN L brand of watches is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2022. CITIZEN L watches are at the forefront of sustainable manufacturing, and the new models to be released from the signature AMBILUNA collection convey the message that human beings are one with nature. The designs of the four new models are inspired by the Four Elements – Earth, Water, Fire, and Air – reflecting the beauty of our planet and its ability to give life to countless plants and animals.

The design process for these new models was supervised by biologist Dr. Shin-Ichi Fukuoka. The designs incorporate biomimicry - lessons learned from the structures of living things and the beauty of nature – to create even better watches that are both aesthetically appealing and comfortable to wear.

The lightweight and comfortable knitted watch band dissipates sweat easily thanks to a design that mimics the porous structure of sea sponges. The band incorporates a polyester material called ECOPET®*4 made from recycled clothing and plastic bottles. Bands are knitted using WHOLEGARMENT®*5, producing a hand-washable fabric with a porous structure that delivers superior stretch and durability.

The innovative dials feature a new technology called structural color ink*6, developed by FUJIFILM Corporation, which recreates the structural coloration phenomenon seen on the wings of Morpho butterflies and other animal species. The colors on the watch dials are not printed with conventional pigments - they only appear when light is reflected by the microstructures on the surface, creating a breathtaking array of colors on the dial.

These new models will be released to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the CITIZEN L brand of sustainable watches. Each model integrates lessons learned from nature, reflecting the incredible natural structures and beauty found on our planet.



- Product Features
 

• Design process supervised by biologist Dr. Shin-Ichi Fukuoka

Strikingly beautiful dial created by structural colorationa

Structural coloration is the phenomenon that creates the beautiful colors displayed by Morpho butterflies and jewel beetles. The colors appear when microstructures reflect specific wavelengths of light. The effect is produced by structural inks developed by Fujifilm, and this is the first time that this special ink has been used in the watch industry. The innovative watch dials, which produce colors when light is reflected by the surface, were developed jointly by Fujifilm and CITIZEN. Each model expresses one of the Four Elements – the bounty of the earth (EM1003-48X), the flow of cool water (EM1005-42L), the sun emerging from the horizon (EM1007-47E), and a refreshing breeze (EM1006-40A) The watches keep time with the power of light and the dials reflect light to produce an array of beautiful colors found in nature. All models feature lab-grown diamonds*8 on the dial. The limited-edition global model has additional special features including four lab-grown diamonds as well as a gold accent at the 10 o’clock position to celebrate the 10th anniversary of CITIZEN L.

Knitted watch band that mimics the porous structure of sea sponges

The bands incorporate a polyester material called ECOPET® made from recycled clothing and used plastic bottles, and they are knitted using WHOLEGARMENT®. WHOLEGARMENT® is seam-free to eliminate waste from fabric cutting, thereby minimizing the amount of yarn used in this environmentally-conscious product. Each hand-washable knitted band mimics the porous structure found in sea sponges to deliver superior stretch and durability. All models also come with an interchangeable stainless steel mesh band with a beautiful sand ripple pattern.

• Light-powered Eco-Drive*9

All models are equipped with CITIZEN’s proprietary light-powered Eco-Drive technology that transforms sunlight and artificial light into energy to power the watch. Power is stored in a secondary battery, eliminating the need for regular battery changes, and reducing the number of used batteries that are thrown away.



- Product Specifications
       
*1. Biomimicry: Learning lessons from the structures and functions of living things found in nature.

*2. AMBILUNA: Iconic collection in the CITIZEN L brand. The prefix “ambi” is a reference to the ambient environment of light and wind, and ambiguity which suggests the natural, mysterious changes that occur in nature. This is combined with “luna” in reference to the influences of the moon.

*3. The Four Elements: This is based on the concept of the Four Elements, which states that the world is composed of four naturally occurring elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. The concept of the "four elements" is said to have originated in ancient Greece.

*4. ECOPET®: Polyester fiber regenerated by recycling technology using collected PET bottles and other discarded materials. Compared to petroleum-based products, ECOPET results in reduced CO2 emissions, and offers flexible, soft material properties.

*5. WHOLEGARMENT® is a proprietary technology developed by SHIMA SEIKI that allows the production of seam-free knitwear using their world-first WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine.

*6. Structural color ink: Pigment-free ink that produces colors using microstructures contained in the ink film. This inkjet ink creates true structural colors when light is reflected by the surface.

*7. HERALBONY: An art life brand with a mission to release the unique creativity of everyone. The experimental art unit behind the brand aims to create new culture with artists living at welfare facilities. Over 2,000 pieces of art data have been created through art licensing agreements with artists with intellectual disabilities all over Japan.

*8. Lab-grown diamonds: Diamonds created in a lab that have the same hardness and brilliance as natural diamonds. All lab-grown diamonds used by CITIZEN are made in a lab, rather than being mined from the earth, making them ethical products created in adherence with the highest level of environmental, safety, and labor standards.

*9. Eco-Drive is CITIZEN’s proprietary technology that powers watches using any natural or artificial light source, eliminating the need to replace batteries. Certified as an Eco Mark product for the first time in the watch industry.



- About CITIZEN L

CITIZEN L offers elegant and feminine designs inspired by the beauty of nature. Sustainability was established as the brand’s core value in 2016 and, since then, CITIZEN L has continued to provide sustainable watches that reflect the beauty of our planet while upholding the brand’s commitment’ to caring for both people and the global environment. All CITIZEN L watches are equipped with light-powered Eco-Drive technology that eliminates the need for regular battery changes. CITIZEN L watches aim to create a more sustainable future by using sustainable materials that deliver beauty and functionality without sacrificing the wellbeing of others.

CITIZEN L Special Website
Citizen L Official Instagram @citizenlwatch



- About CITIZEN WATCH

CITIZEN WATCH is a true manufacture d'horlogerie with the capabilities to carry out the entire watch manufacturing process in-house, from creating a watch’s individual components to its final assembly. The company operates in more than 140 countries around the world. Since its founding in 1918, CITIZEN has held the belief of “Better Starts Now” — that is, no matter who you are and what you do, it is always possible to make something better, and now is the time to start doing it. Based this belief, we have created watches, invented and improved technologies and explored the future of watches such as our proprietary light-powered Eco-Drive technology and state-of-the-art satellite-synchronized timekeeping.

*Eco-Drive is registered trademarks or trademarks of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
*ECOPET® is a registered trademark of Teijin Co., Ltd.
*WHOLEGARMENT is a registered trademark of SHIMA SEIKI MFG., LTD.
*The final design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
*The availability, specifications, and related information, such as the product code for the models featured in this site, may vary by markets. If you would like to know more details, including the availability of these products in your area, Please visit your nearest Citizen store.