Hands-on: Citizen Promaster Diver 37mm
The very first thing I seen as quickly as I ripped up the handbrake and seemed out of the automotive window was that instantly throughout the road from the Air BNB was a dive shop. I appeared down at my wrist and felt butterflies in my abdomen. After a couple of days snorkeling the crystalline waters of Playa Chica I labored up the courage to stroll into the dive shop. The folks there have been a band of incredibly friendly Brits, who immediately let me know all in regards to the PADI uncover scuba dive. The nearly symbolic worth of €50 obtained you a 30-minute dive, the place you’ll discover ways to gear up, equalize, and breathe underwater using a regulator.
Low light visibility isn’t any concern and even seconds hand is slightly lumed. All these options make for a dial that’s just enjoyable to interact with. Above all, the blue tone can also be a sight to behold and might typically transition to a sort of deep purple depending on the light. I’ve additionally had zero issues with the AR-coated mineral crystal. One factor that stood out to both of us was that it is a perfect vacation watch – notably in the summer.
Combine that with the super lightweight nature of the Eco-Drive motion, and you have got a watch that simply about seems 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 beautiful shores of Seabeck, WA. From the primary pull of air by way of the regulator, to descending down to 6 meters, floating weightlessly over the white sand, it was simply magical.
Alas, they had been particularly for the European market and never made their means Stateside. Then, I perked up again when USA versions arrived in 2023, solely to be disappointed to study they were 44mm for supersize-loving Americans. Even nonetheless, I suppose most individuals (myself included) would like for Citizen to make use of sapphire crystals each time possible, and if additional influence resistance is needed, a thicker crystal ought to be in a position to assist supply it. Although the case, crown, and bezel ring all receive a gold-tone end, the caseback is regular brushed stainless steel, and regardless of 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.
Really, I discover it onerous to believe that anybody might be on the fence about this one—especially now that costs are dipping so low. I actually have, nonetheless, seen a stainless-steel bracelet offered by Citizen that appears compelling. But, I virtually assume that it would take away from the engaging, lightweight nature of the watch general.
And to be trustworthy, after I strap on a 42mm diver, it does not necessarily blend in with the general Danny Milton expertise. Embodying the spirit of journey in the air, on land or at sea, Promaster watches reside as a lot as the values of functionality, sturdiness, and safety while respecting the planet it’s designed to discover. We are also happy to supply complimentary watch bracelet sizing providers together with your Citizenwatch.com purchase; please allow an extra 1-2 enterprise days for order processing, prior to delivery, as sizing happens on demand by one of our professional technicians. As we’ve commented about this case prior to now, wearability is near easy. It’s not a small watch at 46mm in diameter, but it’s lack of lugs mean it’s the same distance from high to backside.
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 either 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 on the entry level of its Prospex assortment provide an analogous level of basic automated motion and comparable specs. They’re additionally extremely succesful divers and have a tendency to supply a few of the sporty/funky character of the Fugu. Seiko fashions just like the Turtle, however, are usually ever so slightly more expensive (while lacking sapphire crystal). Check out the superior worth of Seiko 5 Sports watches based on the legendary SKX dive watch.
Despite it being the winter, the honeymoon section ensued, so I wore this was from December through to Match virtually exclusively, and all the time on the rubber strap. The blue dial and bezel colors are very reminiscent of the larger mannequin except that the markers listed right here are outlined in a reflective blue – a brighter blue than the navy-adjacent dial colour however darker than the powder-blue strap. Regardless of this little citizen watches for men bit of blue flash on the surrounds, this 37mm Promaster nonetheless maintains its toolish allure. While inexpensive, rugged watches like this are often known as “beaters” and spoken about in the context of diving or different outdoor activities, they can be the sort of watch you want to put on in everyday informal situations.
Something about the compact case styling, care-free Eco-Drive movement, and low price simply really spoke to me. That’s when my finest bud Kaz stepped in and gave it to me in the course of the great TBWS Christmas gift battle of 2016. I was floored from day one and now, I get to scream my praises from the highest of the world. Taking it out of the makeshift packaging, I discovered it to be in a better state than I had anticipated, ticking away, on time, and with the day and date each correct. Kudos to the vendor for his McGyver-esque wrapping abilities, in addition to for setting the watch earlier than delivery — a five-star score was never more deserved.