Citizen Caliber C480: Eco-Drive Chronograph With World Time and Alarm

The Citizen Caliber C480 is a multifunctional analog quartz Eco-Drive movement designed for globetrotters, professionals, and watch enthusiasts who value both precision and global versatility. Packed with features such as a chronograph, world time, alarm, and perpetual calendar, this movement is among Citizen’s most versatile analog offerings.

Built on the reliable Eco-Drive platform, the C480 removes the need for battery replacements, offering up to 270 days of power reserve on a full charge.

Core Features of Caliber C480

The C480 movement is engineered to handle multiple timekeeping functions without cluttering the dial, thanks to its intelligent subdial system and smart crown/pusher controls.

Main features include:

• Eco-Drive Technology (solar powered; no battery changes)

• Time Display: Hours, minutes, small seconds

• Chronograph: 60-minute counter with 1/5-second increments

• World Time: Displays time in 30 cities across 24 time zones

• Perpetual Calendar: Auto-adjusts for leap years and short months

• Alarm function: One-time alarm with digital tone

• Daylight Saving Time (DST) setting

• Power Reserve Indicator

• Power saving function

• High accuracy: ±15 seconds per month

Power System and Reserve

The C480 movement is powered entirely by light through Citizen’s Eco-Drive system:

• Solar cell beneath the dial converts light into energy

• Rechargeable energy cell stores power with no memory effect

• Full charge life: Approximately 270 days

• Low power warning: Second hand skips every 2 seconds

• Power saving mode: Activates after 3 days in total darkness; disables hands to conserve charge

To recharge, simply expose the watch to sunlight or bright indoor light. A full recharge may take 8–20 hours of direct sunlight depending on conditions.

Chronograph Functionality

• Start/Stop: Operated via upper pusher (Button A)

• Reset: Lower pusher (Button B) after stopping

• Measurement capacity: 59 minutes, 59 seconds (1/5-second steps)

• Ideal for timing activities like laps, meetings, or tasks

• The central chronograph second hand moves in 1/5-second increments for precision

World Time Mode

The World Time function is one of the highlights of the C480:

• 30 cities/time zones selectable via the crown

• Dedicated city code ring helps select your desired location

• Displays local time and home time separately

• Automatically accounts for time differences, including DST (when enabled)

• Great for international travelers or business users managing overseas teams

You can swap home and local time zones for flexibility during travel.

Alarm Feature

• Alarm can be set based on the current local time

• Audible tone when alarm is triggered

• One-time use—must be re-enabled daily if needed

• Setting is done through the alarm mode, using the crown and pushers

Perpetual Calendar

The perpetual calendar automatically adjusts for:

• 30-day and 31-day months

• Leap years

• No manual correction is needed unless the battery is fully depleted

The date is displayed via a small window or subdial, depending on the model.

Setting Functions

Functions are set using a combination of crown positions and pushers. Common operations include:

• Crown positions:

  • Position 0: Normal operation

  • Position 1: Mode selection (rotate to switch functions)

  • Position 2: Setting mode for time/date/alarm

• Button A (top right): Generally used to start/stop chronograph or enter settings

• Button B (bottom right): Used to reset or toggle between adjustments

The instruction manual includes a mode hand to indicate which function is currently active, simplifying navigation.

Watch Design Compatibility

Watches with the C480 are typically part of Citizen’s higher-end Eco-Drive Chronograph and World Chronograph lines, featuring:

• Stainless steel, titanium, or Super Titanium™ cases

• 50M to 100M water resistance

• Sapphire or mineral crystal

• Multi-link bracelets or premium leather straps

The dial is often complex but well-organized, with a clean blend of sport and aviation design cues.

Ideal Users

This movement is best suited for:

• Frequent travelers and digital nomads

• Business professionals working across time zones

• Watch enthusiasts seeking an analog watch with full calendar and global functions

• Eco-conscious users who prefer solar over battery-driven quartz

Conclusion

The Citizen Caliber C480 offers a powerhouse of analog functionality inside a sleek Eco-Drive platform. With world time, alarm, chronograph, and perpetual calendar all in one, it’s one of Citizen’s most feature-rich quartz calibers. Its long power reserve, light-powered convenience, and intuitive interface make it a standout choice for modern global citizens who want precision without complexity.