[dcb1]

Does anyone have any suggestions for a less expensive alternative to the Citizen Chronomaster? I'm looking for a perpetual calendar watch with a sapphire crystal.

The chronomaster would be a perfect watch for me, but it is too expensive. I'm looking for something that is <$600. Although I like the idea of having a HEQ movement, a less accurate quartz movement that is less expensive would work for me.

Thanks a lot.

 

[bullosa]

Hi MrDcb1,

I just got the Seiko SBQK079, a Japan Only GS lookalike with the 8F32 Cal. This is a +/-20s a year watch with sapphire, 10 year battery, 50M WR, 4800m/a anti-magnetic and perpetual calendar.

By bullosa, shot with NIKON D80 at 2007-12-11

Got this one from Katsu San. :-!

 

[M4tt]

The watch you want is the Citizen Exceed with the E501 movement - you will be glad to know that you can find it here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITIZEN-EXCEE...ryZ31387QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

About a year ago I was looking for a Chronomaster when I came across this wonderful watch. As you can see, it has the classic looks of the Chronomaster, is made of duratec titanium and is, by specification, accurate to ten seconds a year. My personal experience is slightly better than this at a mere no deviation whatsoever since purchase. I spent the money I saved on an Aqua Terra and have slightly better than the best of both worlds!

They even do it in white:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITIZEN-EXCEE...ryZ31387QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I have written rave reviews of this beauty elsewhere here - as have other owners. In my opinion it is is the most advanced movements that I have ever come across - utilising 'fly by wire' technology not seen elsewhere - even on the chrono master. The nearest competitor that I own is the Perpetual Constellation and that is a little over five seconds out now over the same period.

To sum up: if you can't afford a Chronomaster but want an ultra accurate Citizen then this is simply a no brainer.

Yup, that's an opinion!

 

[fstshrk]

That is a great watch,

I think you would find that the "Fly-by-Wire" technology is used in a lot of other Citizen watches including the Skyhawk line.

Similar technology is in use in quite a few ETA movements as well.

The watch you want is the Citizen Exceed with the E501 movement - you will be glad to know that you can find it here:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITIZEN-EXCEE...ryZ31387QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

About a year ago I was looking for a Chronomaster when I came across this wonderful watch. As you can see, it has the classic looks of the Chronomaster, is made of duratec titanium and is, by specification, accurate to ten seconds a year. My personal experience is slightly better than this at a mere no deviation whatsoever since purchase. I spent the money I saved on an Aqua Terra and have slightly better than the best of both worlds!

They even do it in white:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CITIZEN-EXCEE...ryZ31387QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem

I have written rave reviews of this beauty elsewhere here - as have other owners. In my opinion it is is the most advanced movements that I have ever come across - utilising 'fly by wire' technology not seen elsewhere - even on the chrono master. The nearest competitor that I own is the Perpetual Constellation and that is a little over five seconds out now over the same period.

To sum up: if you can't afford a Chronomaster but want an ultra accurate Citizen then this is simply a no brainer.

Yup, that's an opinion!

 

[ppaulusz]

The watch you want is the Citizen Exceed with the E501 movement...

M4tt, I fully agree with you... well, almost because the movement is called: E510 ;-)

 

[Guest]

I second the recommendation. The current line of Exceeds don't have this HEQ movement. Grab one before these are all gone.

I wish it had lume and was a tad bigger though.

The white dial may be more practical for dim env. since they catch light better.

Though it doesn't say Duratect or DLC, I believe the Ti surface is treated. Did some expt. with a spare link and I have to say it resisted the case knife very well.

Whichever you choose, you're getting alotta watch for the money.

 

[M4tt]

Why is it that I keep making that same mistake? I actually KNOW that but I always lapse back to 501 - it's probably a bicycle frame thing.

However,

When I say 'fly by wire' it is a bit of a misnomer - what I am trying to say is that the crown does not control the watch by a direct mechanical link but by a digital signal. In addition, the watch has a stepper motor for each hand which works independently.

As far as I am aware no Swiss movements do this and certainly none of my other HEQ watches do. That covers Omega and Seiko perpetual, Krieger chronometer, JLC mecaquartz and I'm sure there's something else but I forget!

I do not know about other Citizen watches but it wouldn't surprise me.

 

[ppaulusz]

Why is it that I keep making that same mistake? I actually KNOW that but I always lapse back to 501 - it's probably a bicycle frame thing...

:-d:-d:-d

 

[artec]

M4tt, I fully agree with you... well, almost because the movement is called: E510 ;-)

Let me add another voice to this chorus of praise!

I have one and it has tracked my Chronomaster exactly in terms of accuracy. Neither has gained or lost a second since July 7th, 2007. It's a real bargain and I'm thinking of getting another before they all vanish (I didn't know the current Exceeds didn't have the 510 movement but it's good to know).

 

[ppaulusz]

...The current line of Exceeds don't have this HEQ movement...

As far as I know the top model of the Exceed (The Exceed EBJ74-2101) is still in production and it is fitted with the caliber E510 movement.

 

[Guest]

As far as I know the top model of the Exceed (The Exceed EBJ74-2101) is still in production and it is fitted with the caliber E510 movement.

They're not in this year's Exceed catalogue, which are only 15 s p/m standard accuracy or RC controlled. There are no EBJ74 watches in the lineup.

http://citizen.jp/exceed/index.html

 

[M4tt]

I wonder if Seiya are suddenly wondering what hit them!

For any who are wondering, this is where I bought mine and they were exemplary - however, in the UK be prepared to be hit for an extra few quid - Parcel Farce pay the tax for you but charge you that and an additional £13 for the privileged. The parcel is tracked too - 24hours to Gatwick and and an additional four days to your door.

Irritating - but worth it.

 

[ppaulusz]

They're not in this year's Exceed catalogue, which are only 15 s p/m standard accuracy or RC controlled. There are no EBJ74 watches in the lineup.

http://citizen.jp/exceed/index.html

I stand corrected! You are right the The Exceed is no longer in the lineup and no other perpetual calendar models either except the radio-controlled ones. But there are Eco-Drive thermocompensated models (without calendar) in the lineup that are rated +/-10 seconds per year: eg. Exceed EBR74-2141
http://citizen.jp/exceed/lineup/standard/742141.html
Here is the complete lineup for eco-drive thermocompensated +/-10 seconds per year models:
http://citizen.jp/exceed/lineup/standard.html

 

[Guest]

Ah yes yes, I forgot about the EBR74... Thanks for the correction too.

 

[Bruce Reding]

As you can see, it has the classic looks of the Chronomaster, is made of duratec titanium and is, by specification, accurate to ten seconds a year. My personal experience is slightly better than this at a mere no deviation whatsoever since purchase.

Not to talk down the Chronomaster (mine would pout if I did), but another benefit of this one over the Chronomaster is that it is an Eco-Drive. No battery hassles.

 

[Guest]

Ah yes. And not just any Eco-drive but one with power save mode and a 4 year power reserve!

 

[Eeeb]

...

When I say 'fly by wire' it is a bit of a misnomer - what I am trying to say is that the crown does not control the watch by a direct mechanical link but by a digital signal. In addition, the watch has a stepper motor for each hand which works independently.

As far as I am aware no Swiss movements do this and certainly none of my other HEQ watches do. That covers Omega and Seiko perpetual, Krieger chronometer, JLC mecaquartz and I'm sure there's something else but I forget!
...

The crown communicates to the microprocessor in the Longines VHP and other users of the ETA thermocompensated perpetual movements... It is used to start the "tell me how far from leap year we are" mode. The microprocessor then turns on a stepping motor to move to that section of the date dial.

I just saw another movement that used 3 stepping motors and was not a chronograph... but I forgot to note it at the time and it is now lost in browser world.

 

[wisdu]

Another vote for Citizen's E510 movement. My Attesa (with good lume!) is still spot on after almost 6 weeks (not that I'm checking very day ;-)).
They crop up on Yahoo Japan occasionally - in fact there's one at the moment; even with an intermediary's fees still great value.
The Exceeds on ebay are also good value - just a pity about the lume.
As so many have said, this movement is a true marvel and really worth picking up. The Eco-Drive makes it superb. :-!

 

[M4tt]

The crown communicates to the microprocessor in the Longines VHP and other users of the ETA thermocompensated perpetual movements... It is used to start the "tell me how far from leap year we are" mode. The microprocessor then turns on a stepping motor to move to that section of the date dial.

While this is, of course correct, it is not quite what I meant. In the case of the VHP and the Perpetual Constellation the stem and crown have a direct mechanical connection with the hands when changing the hours and minutes while the hack function allows you to stop the seconds.

In the Exceed the crown does not have a direct (or indirect) mechanical connection with the hands. When the crown is pulled out the second hand automatically moves to the 12 o'clock position and hacks there. Furthermore when in this mode, the crown , when turned, moves the hands digitally by exact increments which ensure that, once set up, the relationship between second, minute and hour hand - not to mention hands and face- is always exactly correct.

This is certainly unique to Citizen in my experience.

 

[ppaulusz]

...This is certainly unique to Citizen in my experience.

My Seiko Brigtz Solar RC (Cal.7B25) watch works similarly: the hands are regularly (electronically) checked and adjusted for correct position.
Very high-tech solution just like in the case of the Citizen Cal.E510.