The Great Wave off Kanagawa, created by Katsushika Hokusai in the early 1830s, stands as one of the most celebrated works in Japanese art. Part of his Thirty-Six Views of Mount Fuji series, the woodblock print captures a claw-like wave frozen mid-crash, poised to engulf fishing boats, with the tranquil silhouette of Mount Fuji in the distance. Its bold composition, vivid Prussian blue, and striking contrast between the restless sea and calm mountain embody both nature’s power and the resilience of those who live alongside it. Today, you can even spot it on Japan’s new 1,000 yen bill.
 
In the 1960s, Citizen paid tribute to Hokusai’s masterpiece with a special limited-edition series featuring ukiyo-e artwork, originally created as souvenirs for overseas visitors. While most were made in CGP 14K gold-plated cases, a small number were produced in stainless steel. These are exceptionally rare, as steel variants were considering "inferior" during that era, and thus produced in far fewer number.
 
The steel model retains the same elegant beveled lugs as its gold-plated counterpart, perfectly proportioned for any wrist. The dial is a true miniature artwork: each cresting wave, each shade of blue, rendered with depth and motion worthy of Hokusai himself. The handset’s shape and color complement the golden inner bezel beautifully, while finely engraved indexes frame the scene and slender, mountain-shaped hands echo Mount Fuji’s form. Inside beats a 21-jewel, hand-wound Caliber 156, running at 18,000 BPH.
 
We are thrilled to offer this immaculate and exceptionally rare example, a reference as captivating to wear as it is to admire.
 
The watch will be serviced once purchased.
 
Ships from Tokyo, Japan