Hands-on: Citizen Promaster Dive Bn0162-02x Eco-drive Watch
Pair this with the comparatively skinny mid case part and titanium development, and you’re left with a watch that’s downright pleasant on the wrist. Building upon the lineage of the famous Seiko SKX007, the latest revamp of the iconic diver has been developed throughout the Seiko 5 line (hence the nickname 5KX). While a number of the specs aren’t as function-heavy because the Citizen, there are a selection of dial and magnificence choices obtainable that give you extra creativity to specific yourself with your watch alternative – take a look at the complete review. No, this Citizen Promaster Diver is powered by the Citizen Eco-Drive E168 movement, which is a photo voltaic quartz watch motion. Yes – the Citizen Promaster Diver is ISO certified, which makes it a excessive performance skilled diver.
The 37mm riff on the known Citizen dive watch just isn’t better or worse than its bigger predecessor – it is different in a stunning method. This minute hand dominates the dial as the one factor that breaks from the light green and black colours utilized across the remainder of the dial. It’s wonderful in nature and makes a fast learn of where you are throughout the hour trivially simple from even the quickest of passing glances. It’s a good suggestion to start with what was maybe most shocking after getting this one on the wrist—case proportions. The watch nearly feels lugless and the compact match actually translates well on the stock strap or a NATO. On paper, we now have a 43mm case diameter, 48mm lug-to-lug distance, and a thickness of simply eleven.5mm.
As the new colorful variants added to the Citizen Promaster BN sequence are functionally similar to the prevailing fashions, the ref. BN X and its two recently-released siblings are powered by the brand’s Eco-Drive Caliber E168 movement. Solar-powered and capable of charging itself with any light supply (natural or artificial), the Citizen Cal. E168 is a straightforward time-and-date quartz motion at its coronary heart, and it, therefore, offers confirmed performance and set-it-and-forget-it performance. Long-term timekeeping has been more than acceptable in relation to my private example, and aside from needed adjustments because of journey, daylight savings, or updating the date display at the finish of the month, I by no means have any purpose to unscrew the crown.
Is this smaller version of the well-known diver better than the original? In the top, it is totally different, and in a world where we get a complete lot of the same – we’ll take totally different any day of the week. That measurement takes under consideration the whole case and bezel. As a degree of comparison, think about a field-style watch like the Rolex Explorer at 36mm. With no functional bezel, the dial actual property is huge and accounts for much of the overall diameter measurements.
Really, I find it exhausting to consider that anybody might be on the fence about this one—especially now that prices are dipping so low. I have, however, seen a stainless-steel bracelet supplied by Citizen that looks compelling. But, I almost suppose that it will take away from the engaging, lightweight nature of the watch overall.
Alas, they were specifically for the European market and by no means made their way Stateside. Then, I perked up once more when USA variations arrived in 2023, only to be disappointed to be taught they have been 44mm for supersize-loving Americans. Even still, I suppose most individuals (myself included) would like for Citizen to make use of sapphire crystals whenever potential, and if additional impact resistance is needed, a thicker crystal should be in a position to help provide it. Although the case, crown, and bezel ring all obtain a gold-tone finish, the caseback is regular brushed stainless-steel, and despite its largely turquoise and gold shade profile, the bezel on the ref. BN X is fitted with a black aluminum insert that has a silver-colored 60-minute timing scale.
The camo execution was funky enough to jive with the unusual case design, but the full lume seems like a more sensible solution to bring a unique level of readability and contrast to the watch as an entire. It takes a close to novelty degree watch to a supremely sensible stage of watch. The aluminum unidirectional rotating bezel incorporates an correct 60-click mechanism that I discover preferable to 120-click systems for quick timekeeping.
Combine that with the super light-weight nature of the Eco-Drive motion, and you have a watch that almost feels like a titanium diver… particularly on a nylon strap. Water resistance is 200m and I had no qualms about taking this one swimming in the Hood Canal off the gorgeous shores of Seabeck, WA. From the primary pull of air via the regulator, to descending down to six meters, floating weightlessly over the white sand, it was just magical.
Whether you wish to dip your toe into the world of mechanical watches and are on the lookout for a solid start line, or you may be available within the market for a quality beater, the Citizen Promaster NY0040 definitely holds its own. Despite having flown underneath the radar for a protracted time, I think it’s a watch that deserves extra recognition and consideration. With a retail value of around €190, it’s a real value proposition.
The remainder of the dial adheres to the design codes discovered in plenty of generations of Citizen dive watches they usually really feel right at residence placed with the sea of lume. This includes a small date aperture at 3 o’clock, which retains a small remnant of lume to its right to maintain up to ISO spec. One factor to quickly observe, and which in my eyes offers citizen promaster the Promaster NY0040 a ton of credibility, is its navy past. These watches were adopted in the mid to late ‘90s by the Italian Navy or Marina Militare. A modified model of these watches was worn by the army divers. Some decommissioned items nonetheless make their approach to the second-hand market today, but they’re extraordinarily uncommon.
BN X, which has a gold-tone case, a turquoise-blue dial, and an identical aqua-colored rubber strap. Citizen Promaster Dive watches are manufactured from both stainless-steel or the brand’s proprietary ‘Super Titanium’ alloy, and they can be found with either matching steel bracelets or dive-ready rubber straps. The model’s dive watches at the entry point of its Prospex collection offer an analogous stage of primary automatic movement and comparable specs. They’re additionally highly succesful divers and tend to supply a few of the sporty/funky character of the Fugu. Seiko models just like the Turtle, nonetheless, tend to be ever so slightly costlier (while lacking sapphire crystal). Check out the awesome worth of Seiko 5 Sports watches primarily based on the legendary SKX dive watch.
It was in March, that my girlfriend and I decided to go on vacation to the Canary Islands. After some research, by which I mean that we checked the place we could fly to from Nuremberg via Madrid for lower than €40, we decided that our destination could be Lanzarote. In the couple of days that we spent in Madrid, visiting family and friends, I made my way over to a small watch store on the corner of Alonso Cano and Viriato where I asked the watchmaker to test the watch’s water resistance, a take a look at which it handed with flying colors. CITIZEN Promaster, a group of professional-grade sports watches with an enchantment for the everyday adventurer.
There are dive watches beneath $500, and even some automated options, but you are largely going to be looking at Citizen’s fellow Japanese watchmakers (though, the Dan Henry 1970 is an honest option). The Citizen Promaster Collection can additionally be famend for its durability and toughness, with many models featuring a spread of shock-resistant and anti-magnetic options. One of the preferred models within the assortment is the Promaster Diver, which contains a unidirectional rotating bezel and a helium escape valve, making it appropriate for professional divers. The Citizen Promaster Collection is a real testament to Citizen’s commitment to innovation, efficiency, and style.