Citizen Promaster Diver Evaluate: Is That This Eco-drive Diver Right For You?
I mentioned this in my introductory coverage, but the announcement of this new dimension in the mannequin vary struck me as the final word play for a really unisex diver. While I still find it a tad smaller than what I search for in this style of watch, the truth that Kasia and I may both pull this off effortlessly was very cool. It additionally simply so occurred that we have been traveling via Tokyo when we had this watch with us so it only made sense to shoot it there. But then I put it on and received that familiar feeling I love from my 36mm Explorer, my 36mm Datejust.
It’s the sensation I long for – the sensation of me carrying a watch, and not the other means round. And to be trustworthy, after I strap on a 42mm diver, it would not necessarily blend in with the general Danny Milton expertise. The first time I laid eyes on the Citizen Promaster Diver was throughout my time perusing Terry’s ToxiNATOs Instagram feed, and seeing it with a beautiful bunch of straps.
Even the four o’ clock date window—which eats slightly into the hour marker—is pleasantly built-in. I’m also very impressed with the general measurement of the handset, particularly when switching between this watch and one thing like my Doxa, which options actually unconventional hand sizes. The Citizen Promaster Dive assortment presents a spread of function-forward professional sports activities watches which are designed for an energetic life outside, whether that’s on land, at sea, or in the air. The Citizen Promaster Dive collection consists of a diverse assortment of purpose-built diver’s watches that offer ISO-certified performance and all of the features that are essential to spend a life exploring the mysteries of the ocean. As the new colourful variants added to the Citizen Promaster BN collection are functionally similar to the prevailing models, the ref. BN X and its two recently-released siblings are powered by the brand’s Eco-Drive Caliber E168 motion.
The flat mineral crystal has an anti-reflective coating, the higher to see what’s occurring with the fundamental black dial. Unfortunately, Seiko has started an upmarket creep, discontinuing the SKX series just lately. They’ve changed it with the similar-looking-but-not-really Seiko 5 Sport sequence, with an upgraded movement, downgraded water resistance, and updated worth points. You can nonetheless discover the SKX model, however they now go for about double what they used to, which is type of a dumb purchase when higher-spec Seikos go for much less.
This was till one fateful day, a Citizen Promaster dive watch appeared within the search outcomes. The watch featured a black dive bezel, an uneven case design with the crown on the eight o’clock position, and at a glance appeared sufficient like an SKX to pique my curiosity. It was in fairly rough shape, a minimum of judging from the low-quality photographs offered. However, the seller did promise that it was in working order, for the €50 asking worth I decided to take the risk. BN X is an extra-long turquoise blue rubber strap that’s fitted with a thick unsigned pin buckle that has a brushed gold-tone end to match the case.
The idea was never to make these watches vintage-inspired, and that at all times worked for me. It was only a size delta between the watch and my wrist that needed citizen promaster to be overcome. For a while, mechanical variations of those dive watches have been absent from Citizen’s modern assortment.
We are also pleased to offer complimentary watch bracelet sizing services together with your Citizenwatch.com buy; please enable an additional 1-2 enterprise days for order processing, prior to delivery, as sizing occurs on demand by one of our expert technicians. We stayed in an inexpensive but perfect little Air BnB in Puerto del Carmen, near a seashore called Playa Chica. Another random choice, largely dictated by our price range limitations and proximity to the airport, however as fate would have it, a great one certainly. We picked up our rental VW Polo and made the 20-minute drive from the airport to the place we might keep the following two weeks. I had solely taken one watch with me on this journey, the Citizen Promaster NY0040.
If you’ve read any of my earlier articles, it will definitely sound acquainted. But for those whose first peek into my assortment comes within the shape of this article, I’ll briefly clarify. In Germany, the platform eBay Kleinanzeigen (which translates to “small ads”) is equal to Craigslist, or different classified ad websites. Thousands of adverts go up every day, nonetheless, the ads are in German, most sellers speak only German, and they’ll probably only ship within Germany. And one where bargains could be had, as individuals use the platform far more casually than different more widely accessible public sale sites, in addition to watch-only sales portals similar to Chrono 24.
On boats, underwater and in additional quotidian conditions, this is what I found whereas carrying the basic Citizen Promaster Dive Automatic, also called the “Fugu.” A chronograph arrangement on the subdial measures the 60 minutes in just 1/5th of a second. With a unidirectional bezel, the watch information extra data corresponding to diving time.
They have a genuine and sporty vibe that makes me truly need to see mine get extra scratched and banged up than it currently is in its relatively pristine state. From its general construction to its comfortable polyurethane (a kind of plastic) strap which feels so much like rubber, it’s exhausting to search out anything to complain about for the worth. The solely concern I’ve found with the Citizen Fugu is that its crown screws in so tightly that it can be tough to unscrew when you need to set the time — and doing so with my left hand took somewhat apply. On a weathered dive boat where beat-up old oxygen tanks are knocked round among different unsentimental gear, you don’t need a refined or preposterously overbuilt luxury dive watch. Something simple, inexpensive, dependable and rugged is more than adequate. In truth, I’d argue it even helps you benefit from the expertise in a more real means.
Incorporating a charging warning operate and overcharge prevention, this watch by no means runs out of power or fails to do its job. All three variations – black, blue, and pink (with a rose gold-toned steel case) – will set potential patrons again $375, which, given the styling and “engine,” makes these new wearable divers extremely compelling. I did actually use it in the old style way, alongside a depth gauge and with no dive laptop. Just before deflating my BCD and descending, I’d turn the bezel to document my dive time. It turns nearly as easily with wet hands because it does when dry but with extraordinarily solid action and reassuring clicks (a complete of 120 of them across the dial).
Trawling through the mud of the Kleinanzeigen listings, you’ll have the ability to actually strike gold. I’m simply fascinated that a tiny collection of springs, gears, screws, and jewels can do what they do, and my admiration for the watchmakers that dream them up and maintain them ticking is on the same stage as in the event that they were a surgeon or a analysis scientist. The heavy hitters in my collection are proof of that appreciation. Not that long ago, should you wanted a dependable dive watch that didn’t empty your treasure chest of doubloons, you bought a Seiko. Usually, a Seiko SKX sequence, the gateway drug to all things dive watch. Sure, you would go along with a Samurai, a Turtle, a Sumo, or any variety of creatively nicknamed Seikos, however the SKX was the Official Dive Watch Starter Kit.
While I didn’t get any pictures here, the lume is Citizen’s aqua tone BGW9 and I absolutely love it. Low mild visibility isn’t any concern and even seconds hand is slightly lumed. All these options make for a dial that’s simply enjoyable to interact with. Above all, the blue tone can also be a sight to behold and may often transition to a sort of deep purple relying on the light. I’ve additionally had zero issues with the AR-coated mineral crystal.