Tracking the phases of the Moon long predates the advent of the wristwatch, or clocks in general, or even the knowledge that the Earth actually revolved around the Sun. Starting around 2,000 B.C., the lunar cycle had been an important way to monitor the passing of time, but has since been replaced by more exact mathematical formulas and actual atomic clocks. Nonetheless, the moonphase complication remains as one of the most fun to have on your watch dial, albeit the most inaccurate, with a typical moonphase requiring some form of manual adjustment every couple of years. Citizen seeks to fix that inaccuracy with its latest model, Tsuki-yomi A-T.
Named after the Japanese god of the Moon, the Tsuki-yomi watch comes in time to celebrate Citizen’s 30th anniversary of its very first atomic watch. Since then, of course, the brand has become legendary for its innovative technologies, such as its Eco-Drive solar-powered movement, which can be charged on any light source (not just the Sun) and last for 2.5 years in total darkness. The Tsuki-yomi has several functions — all of which function thanks to the Eco-Drive 2 — but the most impressive is its moonphase, which obviates any inaccuracy by using multi-band radio transmitters, which send signals to the watch to calculate the current phase of the Moon.
What’s more is the timepiece will shift its Moon display based on whether you’re in the Northern or Southern Hemisphere. The watch also indicates AM/PM, power reserve, hemispheres, days of the week, and the date, and has a world time function. Surrounded by a 43mm Super Titanium case, the giant Moon on the dial comes in three colors — burgundy, blue, or gray — which only add a nice touch to an already-impressive timepiece.
Water resistant to 100m, the Tsuki-yomi A-T is available now from Citizen’s website for $850.
