Is the new Citizen Zenshin Fantastic 4 your wrist?
Zach BlassThe Fantastic 4: First Steps is now playing in cinemas worldwide, but as a watch guy, I am wondering: what is possibly a fantastic, robust, hassle-free daily-wearer watch under US$600? Citizen just might have the answer with its Zenshin Three-Hand.
I know I am known for wearing my Marvel Tony Stark sunglasses (a somehow seemingly contentious signature of mine), but that is not why I am mentioning the new Fantastic 4 film. Citizen recently launched a Fantastic 4: First Steps Limited Edition of its popular Zenshin model. So, I felt it was timely not only to take a closer look at the Fantastic 4 limited edition, but also a regular production Zenshin as well.
The case
First, let’s delve into what they have in common. Each of the watches is fabricated in Citizen’s proprietary Super Titanium, coincidentally fitting for a superhero edition. Super Titanium combines the already lightweight and robust material that is titanium with Citizen’s proprietary Duratect surface-hardening technology to further enhance its properties. To put it in perspective, Citizen claims its Super Titanium has a surface hardness five times that of stainless steel, while also being 40% lighter than stainless steel. A great daily-wearer material, you can go about your day without fear of blemishing or scratching easily.
It is worth shouting out that though titanium has become far more common in watchmaking, according to the brand, Citizen was the first-ever watch manufacturer to realise a watch with a titanium case in 1970 with the X-8 Chronometer – meaning they’ve got over half a century of expertise with the material, with a constant focus on innovation.
The Zenshin has wrist-friendly dimensions, measuring 39mm in diameter, a rather slender 10mm thick, and a reasonably compact 44mm lug-to-lug and 47mm endlink-to-endlink. The case is well-finished, especially for the price point, with the majority of the surfaces brushed, complemented by polished accents such as the bevelled faceted lugs and the bezel ring framing the dial. Of course, I should mention that the case is 100 metres water-resistant, meaning it’s safe for swimming and summer fun.
The bracelet
The mixed finishes extend to the Zenshin’s case-matching integrated bracelet, with brushed Y-shaped links that have polished bases that connect to each succeeding link. It is secured to the wrist via a folding clasp that kindly includes two drilled positions for micro-adjustment. Each of the links also utilises a pin and collar system; you will need to be familiar with it should you wish to size the bracelet yourself.
The movement
The last shared element is Citizen’s in-house, proprietary J800 Eco-Drive movement. Eco-Drive, unlike conventional quartz, is a light-powered movement that is constantly recharging itself. It runs continuously and sustainably without any need to replace a battery. And it is important to note I don’t just mean solar-powered: when I say light-powered, that also includes the artificial lighting above you when you are working away at your desk. In the unlikely event it is left running in the dark for an extended period of time, the J800 will run for 8 months on a full charge before it needs to be exposed to light again.
The dials
By now, I am assuming you have figured out the key difference between the two watches is their dials. The Fantastic 4: First Steps Limited Edition Zenshin pays homage to the four superheroes with a very icy blue central medallion framed by a sectored outer perimeter that alternates between more traditional minute hashes with a blue backdrop and more spaced, dotted indexes on a grey backdrop.
Applied baton hour indices with white luminous fillings surround the majority of the inner perimeter, but each of the cardinal indices has been remixed to pay tribute to each member of the Fantastic 4. At 12 o’clock we have wavy markers to represent Mr Fantastic; at 3 o’clock, the Invisible Woman; at 6 o’clock, the fiery Human Torch; and at 9 o’clock, a rocky index to embody The Thing. Naturally, for 4 o’clock, you also have the Fantastic 4 emblem.
The regular production model we have here is much more in line with what you would expect from a Japanese watch brand. At its centre, you have a textured green surface that presumably takes inspiration from nature. It is a very rich hue, and its texture really adds further depth and dimension. By my estimation, you would normally find a dial like this on a much more expensive watch, so kudos to Citizen. Bordering the green centre, you have a black outer minute track with a full set of printed hashes that clearly denote each individual minute, and by extension, each second.
You also have a full, consistent set of applied hour indexes, squared rather than rounded as seen on the Fantastic 4 Limited Edition, that are all filled with white luminous fillings. For both dials, the central hours and minutes hands, like the applied hour indices with white fillings, are luminous in the dark. And, at 3 o’clock, you have a very practical day and date complication that is bilingual. On the models I have in hand, you can set the day to be displayed in English or Spanish. Pretty neat.
It is worth shouting out that one of the challenges of a light-powered watch is having a dial that allows light to permeate through its surface and charge the movement. This is why many other brands that attempt to create their own have dials with subtly noticeable slits to allow light to pass through. Citizen, in its mastery and wizardry, leaves no overt signifiers on its dials.
The verdict
Overall, while Eco-Drive watches like these Zenshins may not carry the romance of a mechanical watch, it is hard to deny that these two watches both exude practical beauty at an attractive price. Robust, 100-metre water-resistant Super-Titanium cases; a handsome, well-finished integrated design; attractive day-date dials; and hassle-free, highly accurate Eco-Drive technology. With both Zenshins being under US$600, I think it is a hard-to-beat analogue watch experience in terms of both looks and performance.
Citizen Zenshin Three-Hand pricing and availability
Both Citizen Zenshin Three-Hand watches are available now for purchase, but the Fantastic 4 model is a limited edition of 1,100 pieces. Price: US$525 (Green), US$595 (The Fantastic 4: First Steps Limited Edition)
| Brand | Citizen |
| Model | Zenshin Three-Hand |
| Reference | AW0130-85X (Green) AW0131-66W (The Fantastic 4: First Steps LE) |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 10mm (T) x 44mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Super Titanium |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Green, textured Blue, Fantastic 4 elements |
| Strap | Integrated Super Titanium bracelet, fold-over clasp |
| Movement | J800, in-house, Eco-Drive solar quartz |
| Battery Life | 8 months on a full charge, recharges via any light source |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date |
| Availability | Now (Green) Now, limited to 1,100 pieces (The Fantastic 4: First Steps LE) |
| Price | US$525 (Green) US$595 (The Fantastic 4: First Steps LE) |