Dialed In
HOROLOGICAL NEWS
CITIZEN TO SUPPLY TITANIUM TO
COMMERCIAL LUNAR EXPLORER
Citizen will supply its proprietary alloy Super Titanium for titanium
components used in the Hakuto-R lunar lander and lunar rover (right)
as part of a new partnership between the Japanese watchmaker and
Ispace, Inc., a lunar exploration company based in Tokyo. Ispace engi-
neers chose Citizen’s alloy for its light weight and strength and will
utilize the metal for various mechanical parts in the Hakuto-R moon
exploration craft. As a lightweight, scratch- and corrosion-resistant
material developed by Citizen for its watches, Super Titanium is
expected to improve the reliability and environmental resistance of
the spacecraft’s titanium parts. Citizen developed Super Titanium
using proprietary technology called Duratect, which utilizes special
treatment techniques—including ion plating, cold plasma, gas harden-
ing and duplex coating—to produce a lightweight titanium material
that is six times harder than stainless steel with excellent durability
and abrasion-resistance. Citizen’s history with titanium begins in 1970
when it released the first watch made of pure titanium.
FHH REPORTS ON WATCH TRENDS
The Foundation High Horology (FHH) has unveiled its latest
industry report, Watch Trends 2019/2020, which detail key trends
with a sociological analysis of current and potential watch customers.
The report is broken up into four socio-styles; the Extrovert, Idealist,
Connoisseur, and the Performer, with each style profiled and then
categorized. The report invites readers to find the watches that best
suit them based on their tastes, values and aspirations.
For the past seven years, the Foundation has published a detailed
yearly overview of the new creations unveiled by its watch brand
affiliates. Initially presented as a “tool” at the service of the profes-
sion, this new, less technical work is carried out by about ten experts,
complemented by an analysis of the year’s watchmaking trends.
Developed with NellyRodi agency, known for its trend books, the new
approach is geared towards the public, watch lovers, customers of
the luxury industry and those who will become so. The report can be
downloaded for free from www.hautehorlogerie.org.
26 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | FALL 2019
FRANCK MULLER INTRODUCES
BITCOIN WATCHES
Franck Muller launched a Vanguard Encrypto watch this
summer in partnership with cryptocurrency trading
platform Regal Assets. The watch bears a Bitcoin logo and
a QR code of Bitcoin on its dial. The dial effectively includes
a laser-etched QR code for a public wallet address that can
be used to deposit Bitcoins and check the balance of the
account. To allow this secure process a sealed USB stick
is included with the watch to store the private key. The
Vanguard Encrypto, in a host of gem-set or non-gem-set
models, is available in 45mm and 38mm stainless steel, rose
gold, titanium and carbon cases. It comes with a hand sewn
alligator strap with rubber on the other side of the folding
buckle. Functions include hours, minutes, seconds and date
at 6 o’clock. Prices start at $10,780.