Citizen Watch America (CWA) officially opened the group’s first-ever U.S.-based multi-brand flagship store on December 6, 2023. Situated within one of Manhattan’s premiere shopping destinations at 605 Fifth Avenue, steps from Rockefeller Center, this new retail concept invites customers to shop the full range of timepiece offerings across the group’s portfolio of brands that includes Citizen, Bulova, Accutron, Frederique Constant, and Alpina.
The first of its kind in North America, the new expansive 7,000 sq ft. three-story space is an immersive shopping experience incorporating state-of-the art technology and bringing to life Citizen’s acclaimed “LIGHT is TIME” art installation, a visual expression of the concept of time and its relation to light.
Together with Paris-based Japanese architect, Tsuyoshi Tane (ATTA – Atelier Tsuyoshi Tane Architects), the captivating installation is inspired by Citizen’s proprietary light-powered Eco-Drive technology and spotlights the foundation of any watch movement – the base plate, which is manufactured in-house for all Citizen watches and ensures the company’s status as a manufacture d’Horlogerie. The installation takes center stage as glimmering base plates elegantly encapsulate the staircase, warmly inviting customers into the store and to the upper shop floors.
Designed by acclaimed architect Ken Park and his award-winning New York-based firm Kenneth Park Architects, other notable features of the store include a massive video display viewable from the street and dynamic True 3D technology where watches visually jump from a screen. A seamless 20ft-long branded wall showcasing the company’s rich legacy in watchmaking leads you through the flagship toward dedicated shop-in-shop destinations for each brand.
The first two floors are for CWA’s full range of timepiece offerings from Citizen, Bulova, Accutron, Frederique Constant, and Alpina across sport, style, and luxury collections, in addition to timepieces that are available exclusively at the flagship location. The third floor will include a museum archive and dedicated space for on-site programming, events, and community activations scheduled for 2024.
“We are proud to join the ever-growing Fifth Avenue shopping district and introduce Citizen Watch America group brands through an innovative and immersive experience,” says Jeffrey Cohen, President of Citizen Watch America. “This is our first-ever U.S. multi-brand flagship and there is no better place than New York City to capture the inclusive worldview of our company as it serves as the most iconic intersection for citizens from across the world.”
Jeffrey Cohen, President of Citizen Watch America
Special novelties from each of the brand’s will be available exclusively at the NYC flagship, including the following:
Citizen
The Citizen collection embodies “the essence of the watch”, according to the brand, with its ideals of superior precision, fine craftsmanship, and exceptional design. A premiere collection sought after by watch enthusiasts worldwide, The Citizen will be available in the NYC flagship location. Defined by the use of traditional Japanese washi paper dials, each limited-edition timepiece features high-accuracy movements, high-quality materials, and an expression of the art of tradition and innovation.
Pricing is marked at $3,800.
To learn more, visit Citizen, here.
Bulova
Bulova and iconic singer, songwriter, and actor Marc Anthony come together to collaborate and celebrate a passion for watches and a shared cross-generational love of music, innovative design. The collection’s three design themes, stage, classic, and play, utilize some of Bulova’s most popular design elements and technologies with distinguishing features that form the DNA of the full collection, like numbers 1, 3 and 5, which are significant numbers to Marc Anthony, case back quotes of either one of Marc’s songs or a saying that is meaningful to him, along with his favorite color orange. Some of Marc Anthony’s awards and statues will be on display through January 1st.
Pictured above is the Maquina, which has a price tag of $695.
To learn more, visit Bulova, here.
Accutron
Accutron adds four new vibrant colors to the DNA timepiece collection, continuing to build on the success of the brand’s groundbreaking electrostatic movement. The Accutron manufacture movement powered by electrostatic energy is a historical advancement in timekeeping and the first of its kind. The new Accutron DNA Casino collection makes a futuristic and bold statement with the introduction of green, blue, orange, and red colors that echo the neon city skyline and the bright atmosphere of Las Vegas and its iconic casinos. Limited Edition to 100 pieces each. Launching first at the NYC Flagship store.
Pricing is marked at $3,500.
To learn more, visit Accutron, here.
To learn more about the new NYC flagship store, visit Citizen, here.
Citizen (and Seiko too) have such a broad offering of product that I could never understand that they did not have their own boutiques to highlight these offerings already. It is great to see that Citizen “heard me” and opened up their own boutique! The boutique does not have to stock every model, but if they exhibit all or most models, the boutique would be a “must-see” destination for Citizen fans to see. None of the existing retailers (like Macy’s) ever displayed enough Citizen models to generate real excitement. I do not live in NYC, but look forward to visiting the Citizen boutique.
Excellent now I hope to see more watches w the 252HZ movement. The moon watch is great, but many of the others are in my opinion over styled I’d like to see some more simple dress watch designs using this movement.