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Citizen Turns Its Affordable Titanium Sports Watch Into a Monochromatic Masterpiece

This time around, the watchmaker’s big Eco-Drive anniversary joins another brand’s celebration.

Close-up of a silver Citizen wristwatch with a metal link band and day-date display on a gradient gray background.Citizen
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Ethan Brehm

By Ethan Brehm

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Citizen’s 50th anniversary of Eco-Drive this year has already seemed like a never-ending parade of releases — and it’s only June. Nevertheless, the celebration is well-deserved.

Even though Eco-Drive didn’t officially come out until 1995, Citizen has been working on its groundbreaking solar tech since 1976. The Crystron Solar Cell was the first-ever solar-powered analog quartz watch, eventually evolving into Eco-Drive. This extends its reach to artificial lighting, allowing you to charge up the timepiece indoors as well.

For its latest anniversary edition, Citizen parlayed the jubilee with that of another iconic brand, debuting arguably the sleekest version we’ve ever seen of its flagship integrated sports watch.

Close-up of a metallic watch case back with engraved text "HYPEBEAST" and serial numbers.
Iconic blog Hypebeast celebrates its 20th anniversary this year, tapping Citizen’s Zenshin for a monochromatic take on the integrated sports watch.
Citizen

Believe the hype

Hypebeast launched 20 years ago, quickly changing the template of how we’ve absorbed fashion-related news. It rose alongside the peak of sneaker enthusiasm in the late ‘00s, turning a typical drop into an event.

Now, it taps one of the biggest watchmakers on the planet for its anniversary. And with a model that exemplifies the Hypebeast spirit well.

Silver Citizen Eco-Drive titanium wristwatch with day-date display and brushed metal bracelet.
The Zenshin is made of Super Titanium but now sports Duratect Platinum coating, giving the timepiece a remarkable sleekness. Note the “20” at 4 o’clock.
Citizen

Minimal effort

Citizen’s Zenshin debuted in 2024 as a value-luxury integrated sports watch not dissimilar to Tissot’s PRX. However, instead of using steel, Citizen employs its Super Titanium with proprietary Duratect Platinum coating on the case and bracelet, delivering a remarkable sleekness along with hardness protection.

Person wearing a white sleeveless top with silver chain necklaces, a silver watch, and a silver ring against a dark blue background.
Citizen is also celebrating its groundbreaking solar-cell tech’s 50th anniversary this year.
Citizen
Close-up of a wrist wearing a silver Citizen watch with a metal band and a silver chain necklace on a person in a white tank top.
This is arguably the best the Zenshin has ever looked.
Citizen

According to Hypebeast, this “features the most extensive application of Duratect Platinum in the Zenshin lineup to date.” It’s the only Duratect Platinum version of the watch in Citizen’s current catalog as well.

It’s paired with a matching silver dial with vertical brushing, paired with skeleton hands to help the aesthetic truly pop. The result is an incredibly minimalist, monochromatic timepiece that just might be the most streetwear-friendly Zenshin we’ve seen yet.

Side view of a silver metal link watch band with a clasp and a round watch case.
Super Titanium extends to the integrated bracelet as well, which employs a folding clasp with push-button release.
Citizen

The rest of the specs

The majority of the new variant is the same as your typical Zenshin, except for the noticeable “20” in the 4 o’clock spot, honoring Hypebeast’s anniversary. The blog’s branding can also be found etched into the caseback, along with the edition size (out of 600).

Brushed silver titanium Citizen watch back with "HYPEBEAST 001/600" engraving and linked metal bracelet.
Limited to 600 pieces, the watch also features Hypebeast’s branding etched into the caseback.
Citizen

Housed in the 39.5mm case, the J800 Eco-Drive, a solar-powered quartz movement supporting a three-hand setup with a day-date function. 

Silver Citizen wristwatch with metal band displayed on black cushion inside black Citizen Hypebeast box with a silver card.Citizen

Availability and pricing

Limited to just 600 units, the Zenshin Three-Hand x Hypebeast is available right now from Citizen’s website. It’s priced at $625, which is at least $100 higher than your standard Zenshin Three-Hand.

About the Author: Ethan Brehm is an associate editor at Gear Patrol writing about footwear, watches, spirits, EDC and more. When he’s not shopping for his next G-Shock, he spends his time watching movies and planning a future road trip with his family. He firmly believes CDs sound better than vinyl.

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