ⓘ Citizen
Citizen has expanded its Attesa line of radio-controlled watches with two new chronographs. The AT8296-53A and AT8297-51L are standard additions to the lineup, and while they’re not as flashy as the limited-edition 50th anniversary models that arrived last month, they still offer solid features in an attractive design that costs about half as much.
The two chronographs share the same 42mm, 10.7mm thick Super Titanium case and light-powered H800 Eco-Drive movement, but they differ in personality. The AT8296-53A takes a cleaner approach with its bright white dial featuring a scalloped patterned structure, paired with a sapphire world time bezel finished in dark blue vapor deposition.
The AT8297-51L offers a more elegant option, featuring a dark blue dial with rose gold accents and a black sapphire world time bezel. Warm metallic detailing extends to the sub-dial rings and city codes printed on the bezel, while a clean silver case, black pump pushers and crown complete the polished, two-tone look.
The world time display and Citizen Direct Flight function make it easy to switch to local time in another time zone in just a few steps. The bezel lists cities corresponding to 26 time zones, while the H800 movement provides radio-controlled time in Japan, China, Europe and the United States. The watch automatically corrects the time and calendar when a radio signal is available.
The chronograph can measure elapsed time down to 1/20th of a second, with a 60-minute counter, while the perpetual calendar, 24-hour display, power-saving mode and Citizen’s Perfex Multi 3000 technology add to the handy feature set. Like other Attesa models, the watches use solar-powered Eco-Drive technology and can run for about 10 months on a full charge in power-saving mode.
Prices and availability
The Citizen Attesa AT8296-53A and AT8297-51L will launch first in Japan in October for ¥198,000. Citizen has not yet confirmed international availability, but we expect the new watches to hit other markets, including the US and UK, in the coming weeks.
Specifications
- Model: AT8296-53A / AT8297-51L
- Movement: H800
- Power: Eco-Drive (solar powered)
- Accuracy: ±15 seconds/month when not receiving radio signals
- Power reserve: approximately 10 months on a full charge with energy saving activated
- Case dimensions: diameter 42 mm x thickness 10.7 mm
- Case Material: Super Titanium
- Case finish: Duratect titanium carbide
- Glass: Sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating
- Bezel: Sapphire crystal ring
- Bracelet: Super Titanium, triple push-button clasp
- Bracelet width: 21mm
- Water resistance: 10 ATM
- Weight: 95g
- World Time: 26 time zones
- Radio reception: Japan, China, Europe and the Americas
- Chronograph: 1/20 second chronograph with 60 minute counter
- Functions: Direct flight, perpetual calendar, day/date display, 24-hour display, power saving mode, charge level indicator
- Magnetic resistance: JIS Class 1
- Technology: Perfex Multi 3000
- Country of Origin: Made in Japan
Kristen is a technology writer based in Toronto. He is primarily interested in smartphone hardware, Android, the Apple ecosystem, audio devices, and the intersection of technology and climate change. His first smartphone was the HTC Dream, and while he considers himself an Android loyalist, he doesn’t mind using an iPhone as a secondary phone. When he’s not scouring his RSS feed for the latest tech news, you’ll likely find him glued to his Kindle Paperwhite reading his favorite nonfiction titles. He also traveled extensively, visiting Australia, England, Nepal and India.
