Wristwatches aren’t immune to popular culture partnerships that pull in new buyers, and Citizen’s Star Wars Mandalorian CA0857-09W Eco-Drive chronograph is no exception. Citizen has a new editionsof its arm accessories on the way, heavily layered with Star Wars iconography.
Pricing for the new Eco-Drive units isn’t known yet. They’ve yet to launch (into space?), but they’ll probably command serious enough price tags. The cheapest Citizen watch in this range retails for around R7,500, but you can probably expect something closer to the R20,000 mark when the Mandalorian version lands.
Mandatory Mandalorian
Visually, the Mandalorian CA0857-09W Eco-Drive is a serious bit of kit. It’s obviously aimed at fans with a decent chunk of income dedicated to their Lucas-flavoured interests. Several touches, like the Mudhorn and the titular character’s helmet on the subdials, are immediately visible. There are other nods to the Disney/Lucasfilm series around the back of the wristwear.
The Mudhorn icon occupies much of the 43.6 mm stainless steel case’s rear panel, with the legend ‘This is the way’ and the Star Wars logo thrown in for good measure. Plus all of the ‘required as part of the license’ copyright data. Can’t forget that, or Disney’s lawyers will tear off a solid chunk of your torso.
It’s not all about the visuals, as attractive as the brown leather band and gold(ish) bezel are. Inside, Citizen’s B612 Eco-Drive movement means that this one depends on light for power. Using it only in the darkness of space probably won’t be helpful. If you are in the dark, the watch’s luminous hands will at least allow you to tell the time back on Earth.
Closer inspection shows that one of the dials sports Grogu’s ears. Since fans of the show may want to retain this one as a display piece, the whole setup comes in a similarly Mandalorian-themed presentation canister, with the helmet and Mudhorn prominent. The box the canister arrives in is a little more retail-friendly than brushed, etched metal.
