Model: Citizen Campanola 4386-T022332 / AA7800-02L Moon Phases
Year: February 2019
Features:
The History. Citizen’s luxury sub-brand is named after Nola, an Italian town, which located in the Campania region. The two words were portmanteau’d together to form Campanola. The Church in Nola is recognised as being the first Church that ever rang its bells to signify time. Not only does the name reflect this story, but the Campanola logo features two bells side-by-side.
The Collection. Campanolas are renowned for their use of layering, often opting for a distinctly three-dimensional look, as demonstrated above. Taking a typically chaotic complication, like a Triple Date Perpetual Calendar, and leaning into that chaos is the Campanola’s signature move. There are at least six different metal finishing techniques on display: brushing, sunburst, engraving, polishing, relief striping, and azurage. Definitely not a dial you’d get bored of looking at.
The Complication. A moonphase, but not as you know it. Rather than utilise a small disc that rotates to reveal and hide a singular image of the moon as the month progresses, Citizen has chosen to turn the disc into the dial. Yes, the dial rotates in time with the lunar month. Not only does this give you a interesting and easy to understand view of the moon’s position every day, but it also gives you a scientifically accurate one that demonstrates: Lunar Age, Lunar Position, Solar Position, Time of Sunrise and Sunset, Time of Moonrise and Moonset, and it's an accurate drawing of the moon and its craters.
The Accuracy. I can only assume that fully understanding the manual for this watch is the first step towards starting your career as NASA. I can’t even begin to try to explain it in a Newsletter, so please consider reading it yourself. It’s as interesting as it is utterly insane. Regardless of whether or not you make it through the manual and understand everything (I think your PhD gets mailed to you automatically) or not, the watch looks incredibly sharp. I suspect that even just using it as a daily moon calendar will leave most people feeling very satisfied.
The Craftsmanship. Much like Grand Seiko, the Campanola collection is hand-assembled, from the movements to the watch itself. Even the quartz movements, like this one, are hand-assembled! The case is hyper-polished and coated with Citizen's proprietary surface-hardening Duratect, and the domed sapphire features Citizen’s proprietary multi-layered AR coating system, known as Clarity Coating.
The Size. Like a lot Campanolas it seems large on paper, but the 45mm case width is neutralised by the tiny lugs and leather strap. The photographs show it on a 6.5 inch wrist, and it looks well-sized.
Condition: In great condition. No noticeable marks anywhere. The glass, hands and dial are all immaculate.
Scope: With both original boxes, manual, and papers.
Movement: : Citizen 4386 Moonphase Quartz
Dimensions:
- Case Width: 45.0mm
- Case Thickness: 14.0mm
- Lug Width: 21mm
