The Navihawk GPS uses satellite signals rather than the
terrestrial radio towers most “atomic” watches rely on, a genuine technical
step up that gives it worldwide time synchronization instead of the regional
coverage limits radio-controlled watches face.
Core specifications
•
Movement: Citizen caliber F900, Eco-Drive
(solar-powered)
•
Timekeeping technology: Satellite GPS
synchronization, with time adjustment available across 27 cities spanning 40
time zones
•
Case: Stainless steel, approximately 47mm
diameter, with a rotating slide rule bezel
•
Crystal: Sapphire
•
Water resistance: 200 meters
•
Functions: Chronograph (1/20 second),
perpetual calendar, alarm, light-level indicator, dual time display
•
Strap: Leather or polyurethane-coated
leather depending on specific reference
Why GPS timekeeping is a
genuine upgrade over radio control
Radio-controlled
(“atomic”) watches rely on receiving time signals from ground-based transmitter
stations, which cover specific geographic regions and can fail to sync reliably
indoors, underground, or far from a transmitter. GPS-based timekeeping instead
pulls signals from orbiting satellites, offering genuinely global reception
rather than being limited to specific countries or regions. This is the core
reason Citizen markets the Satellite Wave technology as refining and surpassing
radio-controlled watches rather than simply being an alternative to them.
How the interface actually
works day to day
Reviewers
consistently note that the Navihawk GPS has a genuine learning curve; the dial
(following Citizen’s dense “modern pilot’s watch” design philosophy) packs
multiple sub-dials and indicators onto the case, and understanding what each
one displays typically requires spending time with the owner’s manual
initially. Once learned, changing time zones is described as straightforward:
essentially a button press to resync, though on this specific reference the
hour and minute hands don’t move independently during zone changes, meaning a
full time zone change requires resetting both hands together rather than just
advancing the hour hand alone (a feature present on some other Citizen GPS references).
Why Eco-Drive matters for
a watch this feature-dense
Powering
GPS reception, a chronograph, perpetual calendar, and multiple display
functions draws considerably more power than a basic quartz watch. Pairing this
feature set with Eco-Drive (solar charging) rather than a standard battery
means the watch can sustain heavy functional use without frequent battery
changes, solar charging replenishes the power these advanced functions draw
down, which matters more here than on a simpler solar watch given how much this
reference actually does.
Who this watch actually suits
The
Navihawk GPS suits buyers who travel across multiple time zones regularly and
want the convenience of instant, accurate resyncing without manual time-zone
math, combined with genuine chronograph and pilot-watch functionality. The
learning curve and dense dial layout mean it rewards buyers willing to learn
the interface rather than someone wanting the simplest possible daily watch.
Current
specs and pricing for the Citizen Navihawk GPS are available for anyone
comparing this reference against other Citizen Satellite Wave models.
FAQ
How is GPS timekeeping different from
radio-controlled (“atomic”) timekeeping? Radio-controlled watches rely on
ground-based transmitter stations covering specific regions; GPS watches pull
signals from orbiting satellites, offering genuinely global time
synchronization regardless of location.
Does the Navihawk GPS need battery replacement? No,
it uses Citizen’s Eco-Drive solar-charging technology, converting light into
stored power rather than relying on a standard battery.
Is the Navihawk GPS difficult to use? It has a
genuine learning curve due to its dense dial layout and multiple functions,
though reviewers note that once learned, operations like time zone changes
become straightforward.
What’s the water resistance of the Navihawk GPS?
200 meters, a robust rating well beyond what most GPS or radio-controlled
watches typically offer.
