Looking to get a dress piece to add to the collection within the next year, and I stumbled upon the Citizen AQ4100-65W limited release JDM HAQ after having my eyes set on the Longines Flagship moonphase for a while. Prices are somewhat similar, with the Citizen at $3300ish shipped, and the Longines between $2500-3000. Here’s my assessment:
Longines:
- Automatic
- Moonphase
- Lower price and available domestically without customs duties
- Greater availability due to non-limited release
- Gold plated hands and dial markers
Citizen:
- Quartz
- HAQ with lots of features to compensate
- Jumping hour (frequent travel) ++ Beautiful washi paper dial with platinum leaf
- Lightweight titanium bracelet (but could also look great on a leather strap)
- More expensive
- Harder to find
- JDM with proprietary HAQ movement requiring shipment to Japan for service
Any other thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!
The flagship has a special case back design that's pretty cool. Not a fan of the gold tho, makes it look dated in a tacky kinda way.
The citizen is beautiful, but needs to be seen in person. I've heard complaints about the plastic looking dial, because there is a layer of plastic over the dial.
There's a version with white hands and markers too. Personally, I like this version better