For Citizen, their modern GPS watch collection began in 2011 with the release of the original Satellite Wave (hands-on here). In 2013 Citizen followed up with the more practical Satellite Wave-Air (which actually gets some brand new designs for 2014), and this year we see the very interesting Satellite Wave F100 with a relatively thin and very light titanium case.
The first series-produced models using this technology were presented at BaselWorld last year in the form of the Eco-Drive Satellite Wave Air, with improved antennae sensitivity that ensured the world’s fastest signal reception speed, and the Eco-Drive Altichron Cirrus, with an altimeter function.
Currently the big three Japanese watchmakers (Citizen, Casio, and Seiko) each have timepieces that offer the ability to directly connect to GPS satellites in order to receive the correct time. It is very important to note that each of these watches act differently. Further, in addition to each having a very different design, the various models each have their respective pluses and minuses.
Citizen's main competitor in the market is probably the Seiko Astron, which was originally released in 2012. Both Seiko and Citizen are looking to appeal to a more sophisticated person who wants to use their watch as a regular travel item or for daily wear. Each is impressive and while the Astron is able to indicate the time zone (it does not automatically adjust for DST), it is currently a much larger watch than the Satellite Wave F100. Though each is very nice in their own right.
What Citizen claims to have on both Casio and Seiko is speed. They claim that while one needs determine their own time zone location and adjust for DST, the Satellite Wave F100 requires on average only three seconds to connect with a satellite and update the time–no matter where you are in the world .
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