Citizen H38 Series User manual

109
***** Notice *****
All repairs performed on this watch are to be performed at the
CITIZEN.
When desiring to have your watch repaired or insepected, please
contact the Citizen Service Center either directly or through the
store where you purchased your watch.
English

111
This radio controlled watch receives standard radio
waves broadcast from the People’s Republic of China
• Only standard time radio waves (BPC) broadcast from the People’s
Republic of China are received.
• The radio controlled watch has no effect on the human body or
medical equipment.
Fully charge your watch before use
by exposing it to sufficient light
The second hand will move at 2-second intervals
when the watch is insufficiently charged. Charge
your watch as indicated in “Guide to Charging
Time” (p.146).
• Charge the watch in direct sunlight for a long
time once a month.

113112
Part Names
* The illustrations shown in this manual may differ from the actual watch you
have purchased.
Button (B)
Button (A)
Reception status: OK Receiving: RX Reception status: NO
Reception status
Minute hand
Crown
Hour hand
Second hand
• Depending on the particular watch model, some indicate the reception status with
the long side of the second hand, while others indicate with the short side of the
second hand.
Long side of the hand
Short side of the hand
Reception status

114 115
1. Your Watch ..................................................................................... 116
2. Operating the Crown ...................................................................... 117
3. Before Use ...................................................................................... 118
• Checking the Reference Position ...................................................... 120
4. Functions List ................................................................................. 122
Radio Wave Reception
5. For Best Reception ........................................................................ 124
6. Poor Reception Areas .................................................................... 125
7. Receiving the Radio Waves .......................................................... 126
• Automatic Reception ........................................................................ 126
• On Demand Reception ..................................................................... 126
• Recovery Automatic Reception ......................................................... 127
• Confirming the Reception Status ....................................................... 128
• Reception Area Guidelines ............................................................... 130
Setting the Time Manually
8. Setting the Time ............................................................................. 132
9. Correcting the Time Difference ..................................................... 134
10. Correcting the Reference Position ............................................... 136
Solar Power
11. Solar Power Function .................................................................... 138
12. Characteristics of the Solar Powered Watch ............................... 140
• Power Saving Function ..................................................................... 142
• Insufficient Charge Warning Function ................................................ 144
• Overcharging Prevention Function .................................................... 145
• Guide to Charging Time .................................................................... 146
• Handling Your Solar Powered Watch ................................................. 148
Troubleshooting ................................................................................... 150
Precautions ............................................................................................. 154
13. Specifications ..................................................................................... 160
Table of Contents

117116
1. Your Watch
iAutomatic reception function: Every morning at 2 a.m. and 4 a.m. the watch
will automatically receive the radio wave and adjust the time.
However, if reception is successful at 2 a.m., automatic reception will not be
performed at 4 a.m.
iOn demand reception function: The radio waves can be received at any time
of the day to adjust the time.
* Not possible when the radio wave is interrupted
iEco-Drive function: This solar powered Eco-Drive watch is equipped with a
solar power function for powering the watch by converting light energy into
electric energy. The watch incorporates a power saving function that reduces the
electrical power consumption when the watch face is not exposed to light.
iTime difference adjustment function: The watch incorporates a convenient
time difference adjustment function (±27 hours).
A simple method is available for changing to the local time if you are going to
an area in a different time zone.
2. Operating the Crown
There are two models available for the crown: normal and screw lock.
<Operating the Screw Lock Crown>
<Moving the Hands Continuously>
When the crown is pulled out to the position 1
and quickly turned to the left or right (more than 2
clicks), the hands will rotate continuously.
To stop the continuous movement of the hands,
turn the crown to the left or right by one click.
* A gentle “click” can be felt by the fingertips.
• Turn the crown
to the left.
Using the side of your finger, quickly
turn the crown by two or more clicks.
Turn to the left
• When the screw lock is
released, the crown
pops out a little and
stops in the normal
position. After
finishing the operation,
lock the crown again.

119118
3. Before Use
Check the
reception
status by
pressing the
lower right
button (A).
The second
hand indicates
a reception
status of OK
The second
hand indicates
a reception
status of NO
Refer to “On
Demand Reception”
(p.126) to perform
the radio wave
reception.
Your watch is
correctly
receiving the
standard time
radio wave.
It is ready to use.
Check the movement of
the second hand
The second hand is
moving at 2-second
intervals.
The second hand is
moving at 1-second
intervals.
OK: Reception
successful
RX: Receiving
NO: Reception
failed
Button (A)
Charge the watch sufficiently
by placing it in direct
sunlight as indicated in
“Guide to Charging Time”
(p.146).
The second hand is moving
at 1-second intervals.

121120
Before using the watch, check that the hands are aligned with
“0”, similar to when setting weighing scales
iThe reference position may become misaligned when the
watch is exposed to strong magnetism, static electricity or
impacts.
Even if radio waves are received, the correct time will not be
indicated unless the watch hands are aligned to the correct
reference position. Check that the hands are properly aligned
with “0”.
Examples of magnetic products that can affect the watch.
• Health products (for example, medical necklaces and waist bands that have
magnetic fields)
• Refrigerators (magnetic part of the door)
• Electromagnetic cookers
• Bags (with magnet fasteners)
• Mobile phones (speaker part)
Keep the watch away from items similar to those above.
Checking the Reference Position iCheck that the reference position aligns
correctly in the 12:00:00 position.
1. With the crown in the normal position, press the
upper right button (B) continuously for about 5
seconds.
2. Release the upper right button (B) when the
second hand begins to move.
The hands will move rapidly, stopping at the
reference position recorded in the watch memory.
Correct reference position
12:00:00
Crown
Button (B)
Check the
reference
position
Press the upper right button (B), or leave
the watch for 2 minutes, and the hands will
return to their normal movement.
<Reference position
is correct>
iThe hands are aligned with the
12:00:00 position.
<Reference position is incorrect>
iThe hands are not aligned with the 12:00:00 position.
Pull out the crown and correct the reference position. (p.136)

123122
4. Functions List
Function Button or crown operation Hand movement
On demand
reception
(p.126)
Press the lower right button (A) for
more than 2 seconds and release
when the second hand stops in the
RX position.
• The second hand will stop at RX and reception will begin.
Confirm reception
status
(p.128)
Press the lower right button (A)
once. • The second hand will stop at OK or NO.
Correcting the
Time Difference
(p.134)
Press the upper right button (B)
once, turn the crown to set the time
difference, and press the upper right
button (B) once more to complete
the operation.
• The second hand will stop at the 12:00 position. (If a time difference setting has been
made, it will stop at the position appropriate for the time difference.)
• The second hand at the 12:00 position indicates time difference of ±0 hours. Turn the
crown to set the time difference. One step of the second hand indicates a one hour time
difference.
Setting the time
manually
(p.132)
Pull out the crown to position 1.
Second hand, minute hand, hour hand:
• Turn the crown to the right to rotate the second hand clockwise once and move the
minute hand ahead by 1 minute.
• Turn the crown to the left to rotate the second hand counterclockwise once and move the
minute hand back by 1 minute.
Turn the crown quickly to move the hour and minute hands continuously.
Button (A)
Button (B)
Crown

5. For Best Reception
There are three kinds of reception: automatic reception, on demand reception,
and recovery automatic reception. When the radio wave has been properly
received, your watch will automatically adjust the time. When reception is
complete, each of the hands will move either clockwise or counterclockwise to
the received time.
Remove the watch from your wrist and
place on a stable surface near a window
where the radio wave can be easily received,
pointing the 9:00 position in the direction of
the radio wave transmitter.
Do not move the watch during reception.
• Reception may be difficult due to the surroundings or metal shielding.
When inside a building, place the watch as close to a window as possible for good
reception.
• Radio wave reception may be difficult during the hours around sunrise and sunset. Avoid
attempting to receive radio waves during these times.
125
6. Poor Reception Areas
It may be difficult to properly receive the radio waves under certain environmental
conditions or in areas susceptible to radio noise.
124
jExtremely hot or cold
locations
jNear high-tension electrical
lines, railway overhead wires
or communication facilities
jInside vehicles, including
cars, trains and aero planes
jNear TVs, refrigerators,
computers, fax machines and
other electrical equipment or
office appliances
jNear cellular phones
that are in use
jInside reinforced concrete
buildings
Between tall buildings or
mountains, or underground
Radio Wave Reception

2. Press the lower right button (A) for more than 2
seconds and release it when the second hand stops
at the RX position.
3. When reception is complete, the second hand will
leave the RX position and return to normal
movement.
Referring to “Confirming the Reception Status”
(p.128), check the reception status.
Recovery Automatic Reception
iIf the watch stops due to insufficient charging, expose
the watch to sunlight to recharge it. When the watch
is recharged sufficiently, it will automatically receive
the radio wave once. Please remember to keep the
watch charged to prevent this situation from occurring.
jIf the lower right button (A) is pressed for more than 2 seconds during reception,
the reception will be cancelled and the hands will return to their normal movement.
127126
7. Receiving the Radio Waves
Automatic Reception
iPlace the watch in a stable location near a window where the radio wave can be
easily received with the 9:00 position pointing towards the transmitter. The watch
will receive the radio waves at 2 a.m. every day. If the radio wave cannot be
received at 2 a.m., it will try again automatically at 4 a.m.
On Demand Reception (Manual Reception)
Radio waves can be received at any time.
* Not possible when the radio wave is interrupted
Use this function when automatic reception is impossible due to changes in the
reception environment.
(Depending on the weather or noise conditions, reception can take up to 15
minutes.)
1. Remove the watch from your wrist and place on a stable surface near a window
where the radio wave can be easily received, pointing the 9:00 position in the
direction of the radio wave transmitter.
The second hand stops
at the RX position.
Button (A)

129128
jOK indication Reception was successful.
The watch has been set to the correct time.
* If reception was successful, but the time
is not correct, refer to “Checking the
Reference Position” (p.120), and
“Correcting the Reference Position”
(p.136).
jNO indication
Unable to receive the radio wave.
Retry reception, either on demand
reception or automatic reception.
2. Press the lower right button (A). The hands will return to their normal
movement.
If the watch is left, the hands will return to their normal movement after 10
seconds.
<Even if the radio wave is received correctly, there could be a slight deviance from the
correct time due to factors such as the radio wave reception environment and internal
watch processing.>
Confirming the Reception Status
iThe reception status (reception successful or failure) can be confirmed.
1. Press the lower right button (A). The second hand will stop at the OK or
NO position indicating the last reception status.
[NOTE]
Do not press the lower right button (A) for more than 2 seconds. If you do this, the
second hand will move to the RX position and on demand reception will begin.

131130
Beijing
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Taipei
The standard time radio wave used by this radio controlled watch is broadcast
almost continuously, but may be interrupted occasionally due to special
circumstances at the radio wave transmitter. Radio waves cannot be received during
this period.
Standard time radio wave Radio wave transmitter
BPC Shangqiu, Henan
Reception Area Guidelines
The map shows the approximate reception area. Suitable reception areas may vary
according to changes in conditions for the radio wave due to factors including time,
season and weather.
The reception area on the map is only guideline, and it may be difficult to receive
the radio wave even within the areas indicated on the map.

132 133
8. Setting the Time
2. Turn the crown to set the time.
With every click, each of the hands moves sequentially one minute at
a time.
(Turn to the right to move forward; turn to the left to move back.)
Turn the crown quickly (more than 2 clicks) to move the hands
continuously.
To stop the continuous movement, turn the crown one click to the
left or right.
3. Set the time by using a time signal and press in the crown to
complete the operation.
1. Pull out the crown. The second hand will
align with the 0 seconds position.
[NOTE]
If the second hand does not align with the 0
seconds position, it is possible that the reference
position is incorrect. Refer to “Checking the
Reference Position” (p.120), and “Correcting the
Reference Position” (p.136).
Setting the Time Manually
Crown

135
1. Press the upper right button (B)
once. The second hand will stop at
the 12:00 position. The second hand
12:00 position indicates a time
difference of ±0 hours.
* If the time difference has already been set,
this time difference is indicated.
134
9. Correcting the Time Difference
When traveling to a different time zone, the time difference can be set (in 1-hour
units, ±27 hours) to match the local time using the second hand.
2. Turn the crown without pulling it out. Turn the crown to the right by
1 click to move the second hand ahead by 1 step. Time difference of
+1 hour is set. Turn the crown to the left by 1 click to move the
second hand back by 1 step. Time difference of -1 hour is set.
Example:
When going to an area with a time difference of +1 hour relative to China, align the
second hand with the 1 second position.
3. After setting the time difference, press the upper right button (B)
once. The time difference will be indicated and then the hands will
return to their normal movement.
(If the watch is left for 60 seconds, the hands will return to their normal movement.)
Button (B)
+10
+5±0
+27
- 10
- 5
- 27

137
1. Press the upper right button (B)
for more than 5 seconds, and
release when the second hand
begins rotating rapidly. While
the hand is still moving, pull
out the crown and wait until
the hand stops moving.
136
10. Correcting the Reference Position
If the reference position does not indicate “12:00:00”, the reference
position must be corrected.
2. Align the hands with the “12:00:00” reference position.
Turn the crown one click to the right to advance the hand by one
second, and one click to the left to retard it by one second.
Turn the crown quickly (more than 2 clicks) to move the hands
continuously.
To stop the continuous movement, turn the crown one click to the
left or right.
3. After correcting the reference position, press in the crown to record
the new reference position.
4. Press the upper right button (B) once. The hands will rapidly return
to the current time.
If the watch is left for 2 minutes, the hands will return to their
normal movement.
jIn the event that the time is not correct, carry out “On Demand
Reception” (p.126).
Button (B)
Correct reference position
12:00:00
Crown

Solar Power
11. Solar Power Function
This watch uses a secondary battery to store electrical energy.
When the watch is fully charged, it will maintain its accuracy for about 6 months.
<Ensuring best operation of the watch>
Always store the watch in a bright location for best results.
jPlacing the watch near a window where its face can
receive sunlight or near another source of light when
you are not wearing it will ensure that the watch is
regularly charged, allowing it to maintain its
accuracy.
139138
jWearing clothes with long sleeves makes it difficult for the watch to get the
necessary light, resulting in insufficient charging.
It is recommended that the watch be left in direct sunlight once a month to
charge it.
[NOTE]
Do not charge on surfaces that can easily become hot,
such as a car dashboard.

140 141
12. Characteristics of the Solar Powered
Watch
iWhen the watch is insufficiently charged, the indication will be changed as follows:
*1. When the watch stopped due to insufficient charging
• It takes at least 30 minutes to recharge sufficiently to perform recovery automatic reception,
even if the watch is being exposed to light.
After recovery, refer to “Guide to Charging Time” (p.146) and sufficiently charge the watch.
*2. If the watch failed to perform recovery automatic reception
• The time is incorrect even if the second hand moves at
1-second intervals, so after fully charging the watch, set
the time manually or perform on demand reception.
[Recovery automatic
reception]
[Normal indication] [Insufficient charge warning]
The watch will
stop due to an
insufficient
charging.
The watch has been
insufficiently charged because
the watch face, which
contains the solar cell, has
not received sufficient light.
The insufficient charge
warning (a 2-second
interval movement)
continues for more
than 2 days.
Sufficiently charge
by exposing the
watch face, which
contains the solar
cell to light.*1
When the watch is recharged
sufficiently, it will receive the
radio wave automatically once.
When a radio wave has been
successfully received*2
The second hand will begin a
2-second interval movement.
2-second interval
movement

142 143
If the watch face is not exposed to light for 7 days in succession, when
the time reaches 12:00 midnight, the hands will stop and the watch will
go into power saving mode.
• Even in power saving mode the watch will
continue to keep time internally.
<Canceling the power saving function>
The power saving function will be automatically canceled when the
watch face is exposed to light.
• When power saving function is canceled, the hands will return to their normal
movement.
• If the watch is insufficiently charged, the second hand will begin the 2-second
interval movement. Charge the watch adequately to restore normal movement of
the hands.
[NOTE]
• The power saving function cannot be canceled with crown or button operations.
Cancel the power saving function by placing the watch in light.
• After the power saving function has been canceled, press the lower right button (A)
once to check the reception status.
If it is not showing the correct time, carry out “On demand reception” (p.126) or
“Setting the Time Manually” (p.132) before using.
All hands stop at the
12:00:00 position.
Power Saving Function

144 145
The second hand’s movement changes from
1-second intervals to 2-second intervals to
show that the watch is insufficiently charged.
The watch will stop due to an insufficient
charging about 2 days after starting the
2-second interval movement.
[NOTE]
During 2-second interval movement, automatic
reception, on demand reception, time difference
setting and manual time setting
are unavailable.
Whenever the secondary battery becomes fully charged by exposing the
solar cell to light, the overcharging prevention function is automatically
activated to prevent the battery from being charged further.
No matter how much the watch is charged, it will not affect the
secondary battery, timekeeping, functions or performance of the watch.
jIf the charging insufficiency occurs during “Radio wave reception”, “Confirming
reception status”, “Time difference correction” or “Checking/correcting the reference
position”, the operation will stop automatically, the watch will return to the time before
the operation, and 2-second interval movement will begin.
Regularly charge your watch so it does not become insufficiently charged.
Insufficient Charge Warning Function Overcharging Prevention Function
2-second
interval movement

147
For a 1-day movement charging time ... The charging time to run the watch
for one day with normal movement.
Time for full charging ... The time for full charging after the watch has
stopped due to an insufficient charging.
[NOTE]
A fully charged battery will run the watch for about 6 months without further charging.
The watch will maintain its accuracy for about 2 and a half years when running in the
power saving mode.
Charge the watch every day, as it will take a long time to recharge it, as is indicated in
the table, when it stops due to an insufficient charging.
Furthermore, it is recommended to charge your watch by exposing to direct sunlight for
a long time once a month.
146
The charging time varies according to the model (including the color of the watch face).
The following data should only be used as a guideline.
Illuminance
(lx)
500
1,000
3,000
10,000
100,000
Environment
Indoor lighting
Charging time
4 hours
2 hours
40 minutes
12 minutes
3 minutes
Time from stopping
to resuming the
1-second interval
movement
20 hours
9 hours
3 hours
1.5 hours
40 minutes
Time for full
charging
------
------
190 hours
60 hours
18 hours
60-70cm beneath a 30W
fluorescent light
20cm beneath a 30W
fluorescent light
Cloudy sky
Direct summer sunlight
For a 1-day
movement
charging time
* If the second hand is moving in 2-second intervals, refer to “Time for full charging”
and fully charge.
* The charging time is based on continuous exposure.
Guide to Charging Time