Citizen Celebrates 50 Years of the Eco-Drive With Two Photon Limited Editions
Each equipped with the caliber E036 to deliver a full year of power reserve.
Summary
- Citizen marks 50 years of Eco-Drive with Photon limited editions
- Housed in Super Titanium with multi-layered dials inspired by physics experiments, showcasing shifting hues
- Powered by the Caliber E036, each variant is limited to 5,000 units, releasing fall 2026
Citizen is celebrating the 50th anniversary of its pioneering light-powered technology with the release of the Eco-Drive Photon, a special limited-edition duo. First introduced in 1976 as the world’s first analog light-powered watch, Eco-Drive has since become a hallmark of Citizen’s innovation, converting sunlight and even faint indoor light into energy. The anniversary models, BJ6560-53W and BJ6569-59X, showcase a multi-layered dial inspired by the double-slit experiment in physics, symbolizing the transmission of light and the brand’s half-century of expertise in harnessing it for watchmaking.
The design of the Photon editions is inspired by the double-slit experiment in physics, featuring a complex, multi-layered dial that intuitively expresses the transmission of light. Two metal plates with ripple-like slits are layered over a structural color film, creating vibrant, shifting hues produced by microscopic surface structures rather than pigments.
These 39.6mm timepieces are housed in rounded octagonal cases made of Super Titanium™, a proprietary material that is at least five times harder than stainless steel yet significantly lighter. Beneath the dial sits the new Caliber E036 movement, which offers the impressive convenience of running for 365 days on a single full power reserve.
Set for a global launch this fall through Citizen, the twe Eco-Drive Photon 50th Anniversary Limited Editions will each be limited to 5,000 units each.
