Citizen Exceed “Sacred Morning in the Forest” debuts with a shimmering winter-blue dial and ultra-slim 7mm case
Citizen has introduced a new limited-edition dress watch that turns a quiet winter morning into a refined piece of wristwear. The Citizen Exceed CB1140-79L “Sacred Morning in the Forest” combines a delicate blue dial, solar-powered Eco-Drive technology, radio-controlled accuracy, and a remarkably slim 7mm Super Titanium case.
Designed primarily for the Japanese domestic market, the new Exceed model is part of Citizen’s 2026 DEAR Collection, a pair-watch series centered on the theme of sharing meaningful time with someone special. While the watch has the clean proportions of a classic dress model, its dial is where the design becomes far more expressive.
The deep blue gradient dial shifts from a lighter tone near the outer edge to a darker, almost midnight-blue shade toward the center. A fine glitter finish creates a frosty sparkle, giving the surface the look of sunlight catching ice crystals on a cold morning. Citizen also adds a subtle forest-inspired pattern, designed to suggest trees standing against the early sky.
The lighter blue inner ring adds another layer to the theme, representing the first rays of morning sunlight reflecting across mist rising from a lake. It is a poetic design, but still restrained enough to work as a formal watch.
Silver-tone hour markers, Roman numerals, baton indexes, and faceted hands keep the overall look elegant and easy to read. A date window sits at 3 o’clock, while additional dial markings support the watch’s radio-controlled timekeeping features. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal with Citizen’s Clarity Coating, which helps reduce glare and improve visibility.
One of the biggest highlights of the Citizen Exceed CB1140-79L is its case. Measuring 38mm wide and only 7mm thick, it is built from Citizen’s Super Titanium, a lightweight and scratch-resistant material that makes the watch comfortable for daily wear. The case and integrated bracelet are finished with Duratect Platinum treatment, giving the watch a bright silver appearance while improving durability.
The 7mm thickness makes this new model slimmer than the earlier Exceed “Arrow of Oath,” which arrived with an 8.5mm profile. To achieve the thinner case, Citizen uses the H147 Eco-Drive caliber instead of the H149 movement found in some other slim Exceed models. The H147 is designed for ultra-thin dress watches while offering similar practical features.
As an Eco-Drive watch, the CB1140-79L is powered by light, so owners do not need regular battery replacements. It also includes radio-controlled timekeeping support in Japan, China, Europe, and the United States. When it is not receiving a radio signal, the movement is rated at an accuracy of plus or minus 15 seconds per month.
The watch also includes a perpetual calendar, world time across 26 time zones, and Citizen’s Direct Flight function for easier time-zone adjustment while traveling. With power-saving mode activated, the watch can run for approximately two years on a full charge.
The Citizen Exceed “Sacred Morning in the Forest” is limited to just 500 pieces. It is scheduled to go on sale in Japan on November 5 with a retail price of ¥187,000, which is roughly around $1,180 depending on exchange rates. Since this is a Japan-exclusive release, international buyers in regions such as the US and UK may need to look to import-focused watch retailers if they want to secure one.
Key details include a 38mm Super Titanium case, 7mm case thickness, Duratect Platinum finish, blue gradient glitter dial with a forest-inspired pattern, sapphire crystal with Clarity Coating, Citizen H147 Eco-Drive movement, radio-controlled timekeeping, 26-time-zone world time, perpetual calendar, Super Titanium bracelet with three-fold push-button clasp, daily-use water resistance, and Type 1 magnetic resistance.
With its slim profile, lightweight titanium build, solar-powered movement, and atmospheric winter-inspired dial, the Citizen Exceed CB1140-79L stands out as one of the brand’s more graceful limited-edition dress watches. For collectors who appreciate Japanese-exclusive Citizen watches, this 500-piece release could become a particularly desirable model.
