Citizen launches four new super accurate moonphase watches with atomic timekeeping

After launching the striking Exceed "Mid-Autumn Moon" limited edition earlier this month, Citizen is back with four new radio-controlled Eco-Drive timepieces with a fully analog moonphase display.  At the heart of the new series is the company's high-tech Eco-Drive H874 solar movement, which uses radio reception and a clever algorithm to automatically adjust the moon phase.

The new moonphase collection has shown up on Citizen Hong Kong's website, and it arrives just in time for the Mid-Autumn Festival, a harvest festival celebrated in Chinese culture around the autumn equinox. There are four distinct colorways to choose from. First is the all-black BY1035-56E, joined by the BY1036-53L with a blue dial, gold bezel, and black case. Then there's the BY1034-59A, which pairs a white dial with a two-tone stainless steel case and bracelet, and the BY1033-01H with a charcoal gray dial housed in a rose gold-toned case.

As mentioned at the start, all four are powered by Citizen's in-house Eco-Drive Caliber H874. It combines radio-controlled time synchronization with Citizen's proprietary lunar calculation system called "Luna Program", allowing the moonphase display to update itself automatically without the periodic corrections usually demanded by traditional moonphase watches.

The moonphase display prominently appears at 6 o'clock, displaying a gold or silver moon against a black sky with a striped gradient beneath. At 12 o'clock sits a multifunction subdial that doubles as a power reserve indicator and world time selector, while a smaller 24-hour register is located at the 9 o'clock position. A framed date window is tucked in at 4 o'clock. A dedicated setting also allows wearers to switch the moon-phase between Northern and Southern Hemisphere views, depending on where they are.

Except for the gray model, which is paired with a calf leather strap, all three come equipped with an integrated five-link stainless steel bracelet. The lineup also moves away from titanium (which was used on the limited edition) and instead comes equipped with a stainless steel case that's 42mm in diameter and 10.7mm thick.

Pricing & Availability

The new radio-controlled moonphase collection starts at HK$5,180 (~$660) for the BY1033-01H (gray) and BY1034-59A (white), while the all-black BY1035-56E and blue-dial BY1036-53L are priced at HK$5,280 (~$673). So far, the watches have only appeared on Citizen Hong Kong, and we don't know yet if and when they will launch globally. 

View Citizen Calendrier Moonphase Eco-Drive on Amazon

Specifications

• Movement: Citizen Eco-Drive Caliber H874 (solar-powered)
• Timekeeping: Global radio-controlled (atomic time synchronization)
• Case material: Stainless steel
• Case diameter: 42mm
• Case thickness: 10.7mm
• Crystal: Sapphire glass
• Water resistance: 10 bar (100 meters)
• Power reserve: Approximately 6 months on a full charge (normal use)
• Strap/bracelet: Stainless steel bracelet (BY1034-59A, BY1035-56E, BY1036-53L); calf leather strap (BY1033-01H)
• Moonphase: Fully analog automatic moonphase with Northern/Southern Hemisphere switching
• World time: 24 time zones
• Calendar: Perpetual calendar with day and date display
• Additional functions: 24-hour display, power reserve indicator, daylight saving time (DST) support, low-charge warning, overcharge prevention