Handmade paper is an unusual starting point for a watch that’s designed to gain or lose no more than five seconds in a year. In Citizen’s two new Tosa washi limited editions, it also does a practical job: light passes through the dial to power the Eco-Drive movement below.
The AQ4100-65X pairs a deep crimson dial with a silver-colored titanium bracelet. The AQ4106-00B takes a softer approach, combining white paper, gold-colored fibers and a Sakura Pink case on a crocodile leather strap. Both belong to the premium The CITIZEN collection and share the same Caliber A060 movement.
Projected price: US$3,000 for AQ4100-65X; US$3,100 for AQ4106-00B
Product details: AQ4100-65X · AQ4106-00B
Availability: October 2026 is the announced global launch window. Local pricing and availability vary.
Two ways to let the paper show through
The red AQ4100-65X uses Tengujoshi, an exceptionally thin variety of Tosa washi made in Japan’s Kochi Prefecture. A crimson upper plate sits over the paper, letting its fine texture show through while preserving the light transmission Eco-Drive needs. The sunburst finish adds another layer to the dial, with a gold-colored seconds hand and eagle emblem picking out details against the red.
The AQ4106-00B uses Unryushi, whose longer fibers create flowing, cloud-like patterns. Gold-colored fibers are added during papermaking, and their placement varies from one sheet to the next. That makes the decoration specific to each dial rather than a printed pattern repeated across the edition.
Citizen has used Tosa washi dials since 2017, including the indigo AQ4094-58L we covered earlier this year. These two give the material distinctly different treatments. The crimson model keeps its texture beneath a strong color; the Unryushi version puts the individual fibers in plain view.
Accurate timekeeping with fewer adjustments
Caliber A060 is rated to ±5 seconds per year. That specification assumes a charged watch worn for roughly 12 hours a day at temperatures between 41°F and 104°F (5°C to 40°C). Keeping it charged is especially important because its accuracy-compensation mechanism is disabled when the low-charge warning is active.
Natural or artificial light replenishes the rechargeable cell. From a full charge, the rated running time is approximately seven months in normal operation or 18 months with power saving active.
The movement also handles several smaller chores. Its perpetual calendar accounts for short months and leap years through February 28, 2100, and the date changes at midnight. An independently adjustable hour hand lets you change local time without stopping the watch. Impact detection and automatic hand correction help keep the displayed hands aligned with the movement’s timekeeping.
A compact case, with two different finishes
Both watches measure 38.3mm across and 12.2mm thick, using Citizen’s published design dimensions. The Super Titanium cases have surface-hardening treatments: Duratect Platinum gives the red-dial model its bright silver tone, while Duratect Sakura Pink supplies the warmer finish on the Unryushi version.
The bracelet on the AQ4100-65X is also Super Titanium. The AQ4106-00B’s crocodile strap comes from a Leather Working Group-certified tannery. Both have anti-reflective dual-sphere sapphire crystals and 10-bar water resistance, though the leather strap deserves different care from a metal bracelet.
At 12.2mm thick, these aren’t ultra-thin dress watches. Their relatively modest diameter is the more useful dimension for someone considering how much space they’ll take up on a wrist.
Price and launch timing
The AQ4100-65X is limited to 300 pieces worldwide at a projected US$3,000. The AQ4106-00B is limited to 350 pieces at a projected US$3,100. The global announcement schedules both for October 2026; Japan has a more specific October 8 release date. Those dates don’t establish stock at a US retailer.
Projected price: US$3,000 for AQ4100-65X; US$3,100 for AQ4106-00B
Product details: AQ4100-65X · AQ4106-00B
Find a retailer: The CITIZEN store directory
The extra $100 changes the dial treatment, case finish and strap, while the movement stays the same. For someone already drawn to high-accuracy quartz, the choice is wonderfully visible: a deep red dial with texture underneath, or a pale dial whose golden fibers make each watch a little different.
