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Recommendations for first Citizen watch?

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heistz

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I've been eyeing Citizens over the years but never really got into owning any of them as of yet. I would prefer automatic but quartz is fine if I love the design. Anything versatile that's not a dress watch and doesn't cost more than $300-400.

Wondering if I could get a good recommendation on a starter Citizen watch?
 
#3 ·
If you like divers, Citizen has some great Eco-Drive and automatic dive watches. Citizen also has excellent titanium watches that have a very hard scratch resistant coating. Unfortunately Citizen also has a ton of "mall watches" in their catalog. If you really want to experience a good Citizen I would look at the ProMaster series of watches, and find a titanium dive watch that you like. Also, don't pay retail, most department stores and web sites have good sales on Citizens, Official Watch Deals on eBay has great deals on Citizens (LINK) and you can regularly pick up used Citizens on WUS and other sites (www.watchrecon.com) for a lot less than retail.

You can look through this thread on WUS (Let's See Your Citizens) to get some ideas on watches to look into.
Lepdiggums, philskywalker, Russ1965, CitizenPromaster & Ziptie are all good Citizen collectors.
 
#6 ·
Just got my first Citizen in the mail today! So my completely biased answer is a BN0166-01L.

I'll post some pictures tomorrow when it's light out again.
 
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#7 · (Edited)
If Quartz: Nice legible dial, radio controlled for accuracy, solar powered, lightweight titanium.
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If mechanical: Lightweight titanium, decent movement, vintage diver vibes.
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#9 ·
Citizen makes lots of very good watches that will fit your budget! Citizen Promaster Dive, Fugu, Ray Mears, Nighthawk/Skyhawk series just to name a few, there are several JDM models very popular outside of Japan! Best of luck with your new watch!!!
 
#10 ·
I would look at their Titanium ECO watches as the Ti watches are very light and durable. The next thing I would look for would be radio control for extreme accuracy. With this as a basis, I would find your style and what you want to see every time you look at the face of your watch. Then when you buy your second watch you can go crazy. :p
Frank.
 
#12 · (Edited)
Lots of great recommendations above. You should also be extremely mindful of your wrist size and find an appropriate range of watches based on case & lug to lug sizes and how large or small you want to go in proportion to your wrist.
 
Discussion starter · #13 ·
Thanks for all the recommendations, I was a bit overwhelmed by the Citizen catalog. The reason I was leaning automatic was that I already have lots of quarts and tough solar g-shock digital watches so wanted to get something without a battery if possible. Titanium is great as it'd be nice to have something lighter for regular wear.


I liked some older versions of the Nighthawk I've seen as well. Though in terms of dive watches is the Promaster the most popular/famous design by Citizen?
 
#14 ·
heistz said:
Thanks for all the recommendations, quarts and tough solar something lighter for regular wear.
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I may get shot down for saying this, but here goes. For me I no longer have any interest in anything but solar powered watches. I just don't see why anyone would purchase a watch that requires a battery change or must be worn to keep it running. I once was enamored with the beauty of a fine automatic watch, but the care & upkeep (for me) is not worth the effort and expense.
 
#15 ·
heistz said:
Thanks for all the recommendations, I was a bit overwhelmed by the Citizen catalog. The reason I was leaning automatic was that I already have lots of quarts and tough solar g-shock digital watches so wanted to get something without a battery if possible. Titanium is great as it'd be nice to have something lighter for regular wear.


I liked some older versions of the Nighthawk I've seen as well. Though in terms of dive watches is the Promaster the most popular/famous design by Citizen?
Click to expand...
There are a number of great articles and videos about the history of Promaster Dive watches including this one.

The Promaster/Promaster Tough Titanium line includes several models/types including solar (Eco Drive). My Promaster Tough Solar “Ray Mears” (field watch style) I purchased in 2000 is still going strong, so you can expect them to serve you well for a number of years.

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#16 ·
Another unpopular opinion: I don’t like dive watches. I suggest a casual / sporty field or pilot watch. For example, the BM6838 series is affordable and lovely. For an automatic with a field aesthetic look for the NJ0070; there’s plenty on ebay within your price range. If you want world (not just Japan) radio control, search for the H145 movement; there are a bunch of styles in both steel and titanium.

I do have larger wrists, so I like watches over 40mm. The opposite is true for a lot of folks as well. Your wrist size will probably dictate what you like.
 
#19 · (Edited)
heistz said:
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The reason I was leaning automatic was that I already have lots of quarts and tough solar g-shock digital watches so wanted to get something without a battery if possible.
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(In that case I will avoid mentioning (Promaster Eco-Drive) BN0190-series of watches in stainless steel (have BN0198-56H & (recently acquired) BN0191-55L).)

in terms of dive watches is the Promaster the most popular/famous design by Citizen?
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"Promaster" is a brand of, or a line of watches from, Citizen; is not one particular style.

There are also dive-style Citizen watches, some of which may have non-rotating bezel marked💩 as if it could rotate🙄😒
 
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