[tfar]

I recently acquired a wonderful The Citizen Chronomaster, model CTQ57-0934, from forum member a-Tom-ic in a great transaction. Thanks again to Tom!

Tom's review and pics are hard to beat so I link to them first of all:
https://www.watchuseek.com/f9/photos-my-citizen-ctq57-0934-a-408881.html

My own pics are at the bottom of the post.

For me, the watch is the Japanese quartz equivalent of a Rolex Datejust or a Rolex Oysterquartz, which they don't make anymore. The polish and finish is wonderful and actually tops Rolex in my eyes at least for the case and the hands but the dial is sweet, too. The main difference would be in the weight and in the luster. It is lighter than a Datejust because of the quartz movement and the luster is different. 316L steel polishes to a different luster than the 904L Rolex uses. That's what makes them so distinctive looking. The case design clearly draws inspiration from the classic Oyster but it's a tad more elaborate and angular. For example look at the way the bezel is not only sitting on top of the case but how the case embraces the bezel on the sides.

I have fairly small wrists at 6.5" so this size watch at 35.5mm wears very well on me. If you have read Tom's review you will have noticed that he complained about the deployant buckle sitting so oddly that he couldn't wear the watch on its standard croc strap with the standard buckle. Guess what? I tried the buckle on a different strap and it was doing the exact same thing as for Tom, even though his wrist is 7.5" IIRC. Really weird. I didn't try the original strap/clasp combo, though. But then I turned the buckle around in the hope that would help the geometry. Nope! Now I tried another strap. Also a croc. Well, lo and behold, this time it worked to at least a decent level if not ideal. I have no idea what the trick is behind this. It is as if the clasp jutted out too far to the outside of the arm (towards the pinky side of the hand). I compared it to a similarly constructed Cartier deployant I have. The curve is the same and the Cartier is even longer but it still doesn't get in the way. I'd love to know what's wrong there. I suppose the 12 o'clock strap side was too short. That must be it. At least, I have no other explanation.

Back to the watch. Flawless accuracy and Tom even was nice enough to set the watch to my time zone and to the second. Thanks, pal! :-!

The polish on this piece is a dream, as I just said. The details like the blued hands and the lume that glows in jade green/blue are magnificent.

The watch is as good as silent. You have to hold it directly to the ear and preferably be in a very silent room to even hear it ticking. Eery. All hands hit the marks just perfectly, too. The lume is better in all regards than the lume on an IWC Inge that I just bought, too.

What I like about it is that it's a perfect understatement watch that can be dressed up or down. Nobody will know that behind this watch is one of the most accurate movements ever made, the famed A660. You can read all about it at the HEQ forum. People will think this is a nice little Citizen that cost perhaps $500 at the most. Yet the WIS brothers and sisters will recognize the superior finish compared to the "normal" Citizen watches and perhaps even the little Chronomaster print on the dial. I love it.

With the stock strap it's very elegant. Tom's ABP strap is the dandy's choice for the winter. The photos don't do this wonderful custom band justice. On top of it I tried it on my Aerospace and it looks very nice with the blue dial. I got two more straps for it: a cognac color high-gloss croc that I put on the stock clasp and that works reasonably well with that clasp and a light tan fake gator. It's a really nice embossed calf leather and was a steal at $30. The orange-ish croc will be my autumn choice and the light tan gator is great for the summer. It gives it a very Italian look, I find. Elegant and simple but yet extravagant. Extravagant is also what my girlfriend called the watch. I found that surprising given that it appears to be such a simple design at first. But, as I said, people who know to appreciate the fine details will know to appreciate The Citizen.

There's not much more to say except that I find that these watches are not really getting enough love.

Till

On Tom's ABP

Original and Gator strap:

Cognac croc with original clasp:

For kicks. Breitling on ABP:

 

[jason_recliner]

Nice review Till. One of the best quartz pieces,IMO.

 

[tfar]

Thanks. I appreciate that coming from you all the more!

However, looking at the numbers, plenty of views but not much reply reaction. I really don't understand why this watch doesn't get more attention. It's seriously exciting and not at all boring when you see it in person.

The sheer accurracy (basically world record worthy) and features such as ten year warranty, free battery changes, parts guaranteed for life, perpetual calendar, zero maintenance an independently settable hour hand for traveling combined with 100m water resistance and Duratect finish plus sapphire crystal with super nice lume put this watch in the absolute top league. Still not much reaction. I don't get it.

Till

 

[nhoJ]

That's a beauty. If I had the scratch, I'd get one myself. Consider yourself a member of a small group who can appreciate the significance of this watch. Most people don't say anything because they don't know what they are supposed to say.

Wear it with pride!

 

[UpstandingCitizen]

Classic, understated, fantastic movement, and a true watch enthusiast's kinda watch. Congrats!

 

[tfar]

Thanks guys, I'm indeed proud of it. If y'all have any questions I'll gladly see if I can answer them.

Till

 

[hiro1963]

Outstanding choice!

- Hiro

 

[LUW]

Classic, understated, fantastic movement, and a true watch enthusiast's kinda watch. Congrats!

Couldn't have said it better! A true WIS watch :-!.

 

[cubicsquare]

tfar,

Don't get too hung up on the lack of reaction. I have my own HEQ, but the Citizen would not be on my list of watches to get. Entirely personal, so just enjoy your top-of-the-line Citizen. I'm absolutely convinced about the quality of the watch.
:-!

 

[tfar]

Thanks, guys. That helps. I guess one has to be really a lost-level WIS to get into it.

Till

 

[WantWatches]

Very, very nice.

 

[ljb187]

I think it's a great looking no BS watch. In fact, the CTQ57-0952 is probably next on my list ("next" not to be cofused with "near future"). Is it possible that folks on this board aren't as interested in higher end stuff? It seems they derive more satisfaction in getting a nice watch at a good price.

 

[South Pender]

This is not the subforum on which this watch will receive the requisite love; the place where it would is the HEQ subforum. I've owned three Chronomasters now (sold one, so now have two), and, I think that you will find that the consensus is that it is a tossup between this watch and the GS quartz models using the 9Fxx movement as to which is the most accurate watch in the world. In my mind, there is little doubt that the Chronomaster ("The Citizen") is the most accurate out-of-the-box watch available, and various reports seem to confirm that most will stay within the ± 5 sec./year specification--but only if worn the required 12 hours a day. The GSs won't do quite as well (except for the occasional "special" anniversary model, also spec'd to ± 5 sec./year), as their general specification is ± 10 sec./year. A few HEQ specialists will prefer the GS quartzes because they have digital calibration ports, which the Chronomaster does not have. Still, if your watch is out of spec, Citizen will fix this for you at no charge.

As for aesthetics, there is again a difference of opinion centering around the Chronomaster, on the one hand, and the GS, on the other. I also own several GSs, and personally find very little, if any, difference in aesthetic quality (fit & finish, design, construction) between them, although there are others who will insist that the GS has a slight edge in these factors.

There are other ways in which the Chronomaster comes out on top: (a) longer battery life (5 yrs. vs. 3), (b) perpetual calender, (c) independently-adjustable hour hand (for DST changes), and (d) length of warranty (10 years vs. 3).

In my mind, these two Japanese top-of-the-line thermocompensated quartz watches are far nicer than any European competitor, the main one these days being Breitling.

As for straps, there a couple of things you might consider. First I'd look for straps with quick-detachable spring bars, which makes swapping straps a breeze. Second, if you want to get it really right, look into straps with curved ends so that the gap between the watch end of the strap and the watch case can be eliminated. I like your idea of having several straps to accessorize the watch for the season!

 

[CitizenM]

If we look at watches from a purely functional perspective, the chronomaster may be the highest achieving watch ever. It performs the "watch" function better than almost all others.

 

[tfar]

True, the Chronomaster has all the basic and essential watch functions covered very well. It measures time very precisely as well as over longterm, then displays it very clearly (black dial and lumed second hand would be even better). I think the ultimate would be an Eco-drive, titanium, black dial, full lume, radio-controlled multi-band watch with 200m WR, screwdown crown, monocoque case, sapphire glass with anti-reflex on inside, perpetual calendar (not really necessary if radio-controlled). But I'm not sure such a thing exists in the full measure.

South Pender outlines all the other qualities very well. Thanks for the great contribution to the thread. I placed this here on purpose to show what fantastic watches Citizen is building and attract more people over to HEQ.

I find that it is particularly important to have the hour hand and calendar adjustable without stopping the clockwork. One thing that's clear is that the 9F is prettier to look at. But since none of the watches has a display back that's a bit of a non-issue. And Breitling's B78 would win that contest anyway by a mile.

Till

 

[South Pender]

True, the Chronomaster has all the basic and essential watch functions covered very well. It measures time very precisely as well as over longterm, then displays it very clearly (black dial and lumed second hand would be even better). I think the ultimate would be an Eco-drive, titanium, black dial, full lume, radio-controlled multi-band watch with 200m WR, screwdown crown, monocoque case, sapphire glass with anti-reflex on inside, perpetual calendar (not really necessary if radio-controlled). But I'm not sure such a thing exists in the full measure.

Several come very close. My Oceanus Manta OCW-S1050 has all of that except for the 20 BAR, and, I imagine, the monocoque case, whatever that is.

One thing that's clear is that the 9F is prettier to look at. But since none of the watches has a display back that's a bit of a non-issue.

The only quartz watch that has a display back that I know of is one of the eco-drive Campanolas, and there's hardly any point to this because the back of a quartz module reveals next to nothing. I don't understand what you mean by the 9Fs being prettier to look at, but that this is somehow irrelevant because it doesn't have a display back. Most of what makes a watch beautiful lies in the case design, the overall workmanship, and the fit and finishing. Having said that, however, let me ask whether you have held one (a Seiko 9F) side-by-side with a Chronomaster? I have, and, believe me, there's not much difference!

And Breitling's B78 would win that contest anyway by a mile.

Boy, there's no way a Breitling B78 comes close in beauty to one of the more expensive Grand Seiko models (like, for example, SBGT014 or SBGX002)--at least in my opinion. But that's the thing: beauty is in the eye of the beholder! ;-)

 

[tfar]

SP, unfortunately I've not held a GS 9F in my hands yet. I wish. What I meant was purely comparing the esthetics of the movement. I know there is not much to see but the nicely sun burst polished brass plates of the 9f look nicer than the A660. Just talking movements here, that's why I said the B78 beats them. It has a very nice Cotes de Geneve decoration.

After writing the thing about the ideal watch I tried to find one myself. I was thinking of the Oceanus or Citizen line (the name escapes me right now, U610 movement). But they failed (not sure for the Citizen) on the 20bar and the monocoque. Monocoque watches are also called uni-body. It is basically a watch that has no separate back. It is a hull into which the movement and dial are set. The hull is then closed with the glass and bezel. I love this design because of its simplicity, shape, thinness and comfort. It is in principle also more prone to be waterproof because there is one less seal to fail and it is overall more rigid all things equal. If the watch is solar powered and radio-controlled there is even less reason to open it in order to change the battery or regulate it. Thus an ideal candidate for a monocoque.

I do believe you just from looking at the pictures that in terms of the exterior appearance and finish there is not much difference between a The Citizen and a GS 9F at all. In fact, they look pretty similar with the Citizen being perhaps a bit more elegant and conservative and the Seiko a bit more rugged and sporty.

Till

 

[South Pender]

SP, unfortunately I've not held a GS 9F in my hands yet. I wish. What I meant was purely comparing the esthetics of the movement. I know there is not much to see but the nicely sun burst polished brass plates of the 9f look nicer than the A660. Just talking movements here, that's why I said the B78 beats them. It has a very nice Cotes de Geneve decoration.

After writing the thing about the ideal watch I tried to find one myself. I was thinking of the Oceanus or Citizen line (the name escapes me right now, U610 movement). But they failed (not sure for the Citizen) on the 20bar and the monocoque. Monocoque watches are also called uni-body. It is basically a watch that has no separate back. It is a hull into which the movement and dial are set. The hull is then closed with the glass and bezel. I love this design because of its simplicity, shape, thinness and comfort. It is in principle also more prone to be waterproof because there is one less seal to fail and it is overall more rigid all things equal. If the watch is solar powered and radio-controlled there is even less reason to open it in order to change the battery or regulate it. Thus an ideal candidate for a monocoque.

I do believe you just from looking at the pictures that in terms of the exterior appearance and finish there is not much difference between a The Citizen and a GS 9F at all. In fact, they look pretty similar with the Citizen being perhaps a bit more elegant and conservative and the Seiko a bit more rugged and sporty.

Till

Oh, I see. Yes, I agree that the Seiko 9Fxx movements themselves are very pretty, and, as you say, a little better finished (the movements) than the Citizen A660. I don't know whether it really matters in a quartz watch, but the A660 has 17 jewels, vs. 9 (I believe) in the Seiko 9Fs. As for the monocoque construction (thanks for the explanation), I doubt that you'll find that in a modern HEQ or high-end RC watch, but I could be wrong. On a side note, does 20 BAR really buy you anything if you don't use the watch in diving?

 

[tfar]

Not sure if 20bar really buys you anything. It's just one of those specifications that seem really desirable - and not terribly difficult to attain. I think it is astounding for example that the IWC Inge is only 120m WR and something like the AP RO only 80m. These watches lend themselves to a good WR rating and are quite massive, at least the Inge.

For an interesting monocoque check out the Citizen Ecodrive BN0000-04 dive watch. It's a beautiful watch and not crazy expensive at all. BTW, most Swatches are monocoque designs.

http://www.amazon.com/Citizen-BN000...ional-Rubber/dp/B000EQS1RO/ref=pd_sbs_watch_3

Till

 

[a-Tom-ic]

Till,

Thank you for the writeup and photos. I would love to see a additional pictures of the watch on the lighter colored (tan?) croc strap, especially outdoors in natural light.

I agree with everything you wrote. Indeed it is a flashier watch that its stock photo could ever convey. I suppose that's partly why I wanted to move it on to a new home; because it wasn't the best fit for my "jeans and sandals most of the time" look. There's a reason Citizen matched a shiny black croc strap to this watch after all.

You mentioned that maybe the hour hand wasn't hitting 12 exactly at the 0 minute. I did feel there was play when adjusting the independent hour hand. If you haven't already, perhaps try setting the hour forward and then back and maybe the hand will hit the mark perfectly. Like the second hand already does.

Put simply, the watch is a classic. You can tell from the paperwork, warranty, catalog... the pride of Citizen in this watch is catching! There is an old expression about being wary of a man without a watch as it means he won't respect your time any more than his or something glib like that. But anyway, the Chronomaster seems like a watch that would appeal to sensible, moderate Japanese men who would hold that saying close.

I hope you don't mind, but I'll bring up the warranty question here for my benefit and others. The simple answer is I'm not sure how to handle the battery change, but I assume you can just mail it back to, if not Seiya, then Higuchi or another for a small handling fee. Other owners can hopefully give first-hand feedback on the procedure. It didn't even occur to me to ask Seiya about this when buying my Spring Drive. But my guess is it would be best to work through a Japanese intermediary (but I could be horribly and expensively wrong!)