WHO, WHAT, WEARABLE
Citizen Eco-Drive Bluetooth Watch
Japanese watchmaker Citizen has debuted a new version of its flagship high-end connected watch—the Eco-Drive Bluetooth—inspired by tennis superstar and Citizen ambassador Naomi Osaka, who won the women’s singles title at last year’s U.S. Open with an Eco-Drive strapped to her wrist. The sporty new model, released in March in a limited run of 1,000, is impressively thin and packs 85 components into its 1 mm quartz movement.
What it does: The unisex model looks analog (there’s no digital screen), but notifies wearers of incoming calls, emails, and text messages via 15 exclusive sound options and the movement of the watch hands. It also boasts a smartphone finder, three alarm settings, and date and time synchronization.
What we liked: The smartwatch is one of the most lightweight hybrids on the market, and its vivid orange accents and strap, inspired by Osaka’s “dynamic tennis style,” feel sporty yet sophisticated. The surface of the titanium case is five times harder than stainless steel, thanks to a proprietary hardening technology.
Best feature: Animating the model is Citizen’s cool Eco-Drive technology, a quartz movement powered by any natural or artificial light source—which means you have to change the battery only once a year, or every four years if you keep the watch in power-save mode. ($670; citizenwatch-global.com)
SUPPLY IN DEMAND
Rio Grande Hole Punch Tool
Rio Grande’s new hole punch tool makes it easy to cut clean, round holes into leather watch bands. The 5-inch device comes with two sizes of punching pins that create 1.5 mm and 2 mm holes—and a small and light acrylic block that makes for an ideal work surface while protecting pins from damage and dulling. The high-quality hand tool is easy to use and master: Simply orient the punch vertically, hold the tip securely against the leather band, then strike the punch downward with your palm. Perfect perforations at last. ($19.99; riogrande.com)
Rio Grande’s new hole punch was designed specifically for use with leather and is self-punching—no hammer required!
