Citizen Tsuyosa x seconde/seconde/: A Bold New Stroke in Watch Design
Citizen has unveiled a striking collaboration with French creative seconde/seconde/, resulting in a limited-edition Tsuyosa watch that’s generating buzz among watch enthusiasts. This isn’t just a new timepiece; it’s a fusion of art, humor and horological craftsmanship, injecting a playful spirit into the popular Tsuyosa line.
The Collaboration: Where Japanese Strength Meets French Flair
The partnership between Citizen and seconde/seconde/ – the brainchild of artist Romaric André – is an unexpected yet harmonious blend. André, known for his quirky watch customizations, drew inspiration from the meaning of “Tsuyosa” – power and strength in Japanese. This concept is vividly translated into the watch’s design.
A Katana on Your Wrist: The Design Details
The most eye-catching feature is undoubtedly the minute hand, reimagined as a pixelated katana sword. This isn’t a sleek, modern interpretation; it’s deliberately rendered in the retro aesthetic of classic Japanese video games. Adding to the playful design, the applied hour indices appear to be sliced in half by the katana’s blade. The dial and sword hilt are a vibrant blue, enhancing the visual impact. Even the bracelet clasp features engraved “slash” marks, and the case back carries a message from seconde/seconde/: “Being smaller has never stopped Minutes from slicing Hours into pieces.”
Technical Specifications and Build Quality
The Citizen Tsuyosa x seconde/seconde/ (NJ0157-81L) maintains the Tsuyosa’s accessible dimensions, housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with an integrated three-link bracelet. It weighs 136 grams and fits wrists from 145mm to 208mm. A sapphire crystal protects the dial, while luminous hands and indices ensure readability. The watch is water-resistant to 50 meters, suitable for everyday wear. Powering the watch is Citizen’s automatic caliber 8210, offering approximately 42 hours of power reserve and featuring a 21,600 vibrations per hour.
Limited Edition and Availability
This special collaboration is limited to 3,600 pieces worldwide – a number chosen to represent the 3,600 seconds in an hour, echoing the katana’s “slicing” theme. The watch comes in unique packaging featuring katana slash marks. It is available through select Citizen retailers and the company’s online stores in Japan, Europe, Asia, and Oceania, priced at $495 / ￥73,700 / €449.
The Rise of Artistic Watch Collaborations
The Citizen x seconde/seconde/ Tsuyosa isn’t an isolated event. The watch industry is witnessing a growing trend of collaborations between established brands and independent artists. These partnerships inject fresh perspectives and appeal to a wider audience. This approach allows brands to tap into new creative energy and connect with collectors seeking unique, limited-edition pieces.
Why This Trend Matters
- Increased Brand Appeal: Collaborations broaden a brand’s reach and attract new demographics.
- Enhanced Creativity: Artists bring unconventional ideas and aesthetics to traditional watch designs.
- Collectible Value: Limited-edition collaborations often become highly sought-after by collectors.
Future Trends in Watch Design
The success of the Tsuyosa x seconde/seconde/ collaboration suggests several potential future trends in watch design:
- Pixel Art and Retro Aesthetics: The leverage of pixel art, as seen in the katana hand, taps into nostalgia and appeals to a gaming-savvy audience.
- Playful and Humorous Designs: Watches are increasingly becoming expressions of personality, and playful designs resonate with consumers.
- Storytelling Through Design: The narrative behind the Tsuyosa collaboration – the katana, the slicing of time – adds depth and meaning to the timepiece.
- Sustainable Materials and Practices: While not explicitly mentioned in this collaboration, the broader watch industry is moving towards more sustainable materials and ethical production practices.
FAQ
Q: How many Citizen Tsuyosa x seconde/seconde/ watches are available?
A: Only 3,600 pieces will be produced worldwide.
Q: What is the price of the Citizen Tsuyosa x seconde/seconde/?
A: The watch is priced at $495 / ￥73,700 / €449.
Q: What makes this Tsuyosa model unique?
A: The unique design elements, including the pixelated katana minute hand and sliced hour indices, set it apart.
Q: Where can I purchase the Citizen Tsuyosa x seconde/seconde/?
A: It’s available through select Citizen retailers and online stores in Japan, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
Did you recognize? The number 3,600 was specifically chosen to represent the number of seconds in an hour, tying into the katana’s theme of “slicing” through time.
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