For the sort of money a Swiss watch brand will charge you to evaluate what the service fee will be you get a great daily wearer that can handle it all. Even if it isn't your daily, leave it on the window sill and it' ll always be ready to go. Watches like this show what outstanding value Citizen can bring. Remember they pioneered the titanium wrist watch.
I agree it would look much nicer with white painted lume. Unfortunately, it's still too large. I don't have a small wrist, but that's way too much wrist presence for me. This would be really nice at 39 or 38mm.
Yup, totally agree. I got a couple eco drive divers. Of course they are like 44mm 316L but have the diver bezel so it works fine at that size. They are great beaters even with mineral.
Really want to get into citizen, but I just can't seem to find anything that would be perfectly suitable. They are either too big for my sub 7 wrist or the dial is too cluttered. This watch comes pretty close though.
I have 2 Citizens.....that I hardly wear. Looking back I should have skipped Citizen and spent the money on a Seiko or an Orient. I much more picky now and will not pull the trigger on anything unless I can test it on the wrist first.
@@RelativeTime I was just about to mention those. I know the colorways are supposed to appeal to women, but I think a lot could be done with the switch of rubber straps to appeal to other genders!
That’s a great looking watch. Every so often they get one really right. I could do without the teeny day date window. You do great watch reviews. One of the things I like about your style of review is you are showing the watch 90% of the time (an estimate) vs other reviewers who want to film water falls and clouds or themselves. You actually show us the watch in question. I personally like that.
I´m not a big Titanium fan, but this watch looks great! 42mm is the right size for a flieger. I would like to see it with a typical flieger leather ...and without the day date window, which i.m.o. makes no sense to this style of watch. Great review not missing a detail, like always, Shane, thanks for that 👍👍👍
I remember your review of the Avion. I do a lot of hiking and I wanted something solar and different from the standard field watch. I bought the Avion and all these years later it is still in great condition. What astounds me is the mineral crystal has no scratches. I would definitely recommend Citizen's Eco Drive watches.
I’ve had this exact style watch for ten months for use as my weekend beater. Put it on a fabric band. Super light weight and easy to read and decent loom. Dead accurate too.
the off-yellow is to make it have a bit of "vintage" aesthetic. My avion doesn't have a very good lum either though. But they are fleigers, not divers: so I forgive em.
Nice looking watch. Now if only Citizen could add saphire crystals to ALL their watch lines, that would be great! And that would kick Seiko in their collective behind too!
I kind of wish it were slightly smaller at 40mm, but it does have my attention. While it may be a Flieger, it reminds me of the Seiko SNK381K1 Field watch, aka the MACV SOG watch.
I love my Citizen PMD56-2952 which is very similar. So comfortable and carefree. I love the lightweight titanium, day-date, white-lume, domed sapphire, atomic timekeeping, and on the fly size adjustment! Only complaints are the average lume and Japanese only atomic time. Fortunately, it's a very accurate movement. I use an app on my phone to set the time twice a year (when switching for DST) since it only gains a couple seconds per month.
@@pedrovalenzuela7776 - I use Clock Wave on my iPhone, but there are other apps that work too. It took a little messing around to get the settings right the first time. There are RU-vid videos where people give tips
Damn, it's not just my eyes that are getting older...😋 A solid, tool watch, but i never liked the square-ish "old style" numerals. Other than that, a watch for a decade, or two, problems or maintenance free. What more do you need? Cheers Shane, be well mate.
This piece seems a very good choice for money. Now, I've looking more towards the Citizen Promaster Tough - BN0118-55E. Some features are better, but what I like more on the Though is the design and the crown guard.
Great review. What a great looking piece. A possible alternative would be the Citizen Promaster Tough BN0211-50E. Titanium coating on steel, saphire, Eco-Drive, unusually small date window but white markers and numerals.
Great review Sir, I still have the 1-st model Gsrison eco-drive blackPVD with mineral crystal, and that watch constantly takes beating in the field and inside of Atlantic Ocean and sand beach
Cool. It vaguely looks a bit like my Citizen "Ray Mears". Minus monoblock case, red dots and the inverted triangle at 12... Yeah this could possibly wind up in my collection actually! Like the Avion that I also have...
Man the BN0118 has been on my wish list for a minute and this watch reminds me of it as well. If it had better lume I think I'd probably own it already. 👍🏼
It’s nice, but the lack of AR coating, the two mm’s above 40, and the inability to buy the green dial on the titanium bracelet, all brought me to the Timex Expedition North solar for my analog field beater.
Nice to see this watch talked about. I have owned it a few months and love it but yes, wish the lume was white. That said, I get Tudor Ranger vibes from it the way it is. My biggest gripe is that the crown looks great but is too aggressive for not being a screw down crown. Twice in a few months the crown has gotten accidentally pulled out. I wear gloves and once removing gloves. The other time somehow in my sleep. It has killed the wearing experience for me a little bit, I still enjoy it but that's the one main issue I have with it and my use case.
Gentlemen and Ladies (if there are any here), what is the scratch and abrasion resistance of this watch? In fact, I had this watch for a few days, but unfortunately it came to me already scratched and abraded, so I don't know if it is easily scratched, or if someone had it for a long time, scratched it, and then returned it.
Still too big for my liking. I'm going with the Citizen 37mm Garrison eco-drive field watch as my everyday watch. It doesn't have sapphire crystal however.
I think you forgot to mention that is available the chrono version. I liked most than the regular flyer version, because have a modern design base on a retro classic design, also I liked the deep blue dial with yellow accents, and modern subdials
Great practical watch for fat persons. It will be perfect for everyone if 37 to 39mm, all numeric except the 12, and the lume suppose to be in all white.
I really like this one. I'm getting slight Tudor Ranger vibes but at 1/10 the price. It's amazing how universally well all those different strap combos go with this one.
Great review and watch, I like citizen watches. I have a citizen promaster skyhawk blue angels edition but I was searching for a simple design. And two weeks ago I saw this watch but on a black leather strap and it was 150 euros on black friday. I think it is a great watch for the price. Unfortunately this was the only one available, but maybe I can find a titanium bracelet. In my opinion the date window is on a smaller side., and a screwdown crown is missing, but for this price is a great everyday watch. 👍👍👍👍
Just thinking four months later....lol...how about a review of the Citizen Promaster Tough Titanium BN0118-04E (Ray Mears in some circles). I just purchased this watch and I think it's another tool winner for Citizen.
Well I've reviewed the normal Promaster Tough and liked it. The Ray Mears one is a bit harder to find as it was a UK exclusive. Then even harder as I think it's been discontinued. Although I'd have to double check that. But I thought it was, so wasn't sure if it was worth reviewing.
Good review. I picked up the Blue and Green variants on leather (surprisingly decent straps supplied and I dislike bracelets) and they're my go to daily watches. Tough enough you don't need to worry about DIY or gardening in them, incredibly clear display (okay day date is small) Excellent lume. Light-weight and comfortable, perfect timekeepers - no hassle everyday beaters. I don't miss the occasional Seiko 5 shake and reset at all. If I wear a dress watch for a few days, I can just grab one of these and it's ready to go.
I bought this as a gift for my son. It's lovely in many ways but... It's SO light it feels quite insubstantial - heft still carries an implication of quality. The titanium bracelet pressure-marks very easily. And removing links from the bracelet is a nightmare (the tiny retaining "collars" Citizen use on the pins should be banned by statute!).
It is a very good execution. Love the legibility, the weight due to Titanium, minimalist style, EcoDrive for the win, but to me, the watch lacks a certain panache. Hard to qualify. Lacks the elegance of say a Longines...where they get the dial proportions better. Font is too big. It looks a bit too crude for lack of a better description. A very good watch but doesn't do it enough for me to own. But I haven't seen it in person. It sure checks a lot of boxes and love Citizen watches and own the BN-150 EcoDrive.
Nice, my two cents, it's almost a winner; smaller case size 36-38mm availability would be nice, the minute hand is too short, and not broad enough, it should sport a different color (and/or lume) to stand out from the hour hand, or at least the second hand should add a bit of color. Am I the only one to find day/date feature irksome? Get rid of it, most of the time they're wrong anyways, put the saving into anti reflective coating. Thanks for reviewing!
Hi. Thank you for this clear and comprehensive review. I appreciated the straps, you have a taste for it. Actually I'd like to know where did you take the dark brown leather one that appears at 40 secs and the black one at 2:18. Thanks!
Well if you look at most of the watches Citizen and Seiko make... most of them are bigger., even aviation watches. The Avion (which is still a big seller) is 45mm, and the Nighthawk (perhaps the most well known eco-drive) is also a 42mm with 22mm lugs. Entusiasts tend to push for smaller watches these days, and we are pretty vocal about it. Yet the general public still seems to want larger.
And if the date/day indicator is not big enough for you, they do make Magnifier’s that are in that shape that really do help your ability to read the day and date. All you need is some glass glue/ultraviolet light glue and it will keep the magnifier on the Crystal.
I have a citizen from 2004, and he is exactly right you'll get 10 years of use out of it and then it won't work anymore. If you try to put a new battery in it that doesn't work either. However I have a citizen automatic from 1974, I just pick it up and it starts to run... My suggestion is always by yourself an automatic or give someone an automatic for a gift.. Once the battery dies you tend to leave it in the drawer. I also have a 1954 Bulova automatic, I've never had it serviced, I've adjusted the regulator and it just runs and runs and runs.
Prices seem to be all over the map. I still see this one on Amazon for $240. Although Joma has a blue one with a strap for $167. But other places have them for more.
I bought this for my father a week ago. A hell of a watch for < 200 €. But I do agree on the comments about size -- while my father can wear this thing with his chunky wrist, I certainly cannot.
I used to think Citizen were garbage. As a teen in the 90s I bought a Citizen homage of a Movado Museum. The experience was so negative that I didn’t bother wearing a watch for almost 30 years. 😅 Now, Citizen is one of my favorite brands (though I still think a big chunk of their catalog is ugly as sin).
Your text and timing of captions of the macro dial are exceptional. Ho and yes the watch is good run for the money although i wish it had anti reflective coating with a color, and better lasting luminance but i would consider getting it. Since it is very practical, nice looking, accurate and thin. But it would not be my only watch 😅 get a dress watch when im off physical work and i’m fine😊Thank you for this great review 🎉
I have a citizen in the late 80s i don't remember how much I spent on it wouldn't be much had to rubber strap the battery ran for three years or more i wore it for work for fifteen years or more the strap wore out but I've still got it I'm sure if i put a battery in it I'd get another twenty years
Bit of a mixture of design, the font looks very similar to the WW1 watches but with a pilots inverted triangle at 12, not sure if the lume colour works or the red dots. In my opinion a better watch from Citizen is a BM8180-03E similar design but nicer looking and under £100 Great review as always Shane and stay in the studio with that mesmerising spinning thing on your desk, what is it !
I have low vision so I tend to gravitate to Fleegers, my Iris Big Crown is my go to but this might be a great option for when I do nto want to wear a $2.5 k watch on my wrist..
bought one in Vienna for 229 EUR (green dial on a titanium bracelet) 3 months ago, and all I can say is that this watch is the best everyday beater you can buy for less than 300$
Very happy with my Citizen EcoDrive with a sapphire glass. Had before another Japanese watch, well known and famous - no complains for watch itself, but always had problems with it's bracelet, either broken lock or pins connecting bracelet and watch, and no chance to repair - "this model off production at the moment". Never had anything like this with Citizen, plus fantastic precision of this watch, 3 years and second hand as precise as phone time, not a second late or forth.
@@casteltheghettomonk4392 You mean it's x5 more resistant, I guess? Probably, at least I can't see any scratches without magnifying glass. Now, I remember there are many scratches, well visible on both bracelet and watch when I had another watch, not Citizen.
@@pavelantonov251 yeah thanks for correcting ( autocorrect 😅 ) I am thinking about buying a Citizen Ca7090-87L , or maybe for that price 2 watches over 150$ can't really decide. Do you know anything about swiss military hanowa watch brand? Very popular in Europe Balkan but not UK USA
Do you mean the watch on the left, or the spinny thing to the right? The spinny thing is just that, a fidget spinner. Got a couple a while ago as a prop for these videos. Every once in a while I'll put them in a shot. The idea is that it might make it more dynamic, that there was more going on instead of just a watch ticking. So people wouldn't skip ahead as much. Not sure how well it's working.
Great review! WR 100 m Bought one just about two years ago when they were known as "Avions". I am interested in watches but not a collector. Saw it in a showcase window and wanted to buy it. I said to myself, slow down 200€ ist money - think it over - and had the watch put aside for a week. On the way back to my car I turned around, went to the store and bought the watch. Great watch!
Good watch, I'm wearing mine now. A milled clasp would be good. A 36mm - 39mm case would be better, flieger watches look larger due to a small bezel. But it's a good piece. I'm a 7" wrist & it looks fine
Would be great at 40mm, or even a bit less. I get that pilot's watches are generally a bit larger, but theyre bypassing a significant market segment that wants a smaller watch.
Man I have really been eyeballing this model lately. The lume is my main hang-up. I really like the look of it though. I really like the Ray Mears BN0118 and this has a similar style. The PDM56 is another similar design but I'm still hunting "THE" watch. There is a similar Momentum model that is similar as well but I've yet to see many reviews. Oh well, I guess the hunt is part of the fun! 👌🏼 Great video! 👍🏼
Unless it's an ani-digi typically Seiko and citizen don't have a backlight. Although I would love to see something like Timex's indiglo on their solar watches.
I bought the original Avion some years ago, but it does have problems with the leather strap which is too thick. Also, the crown is difficult to use as it does not come out cleanly and setting the time becomes a chore. Other than that, the watch has performed wonderfully. I should wear it more often!
Any watch today without Atomic or Satellite timekeeping is an automatic NO-GO for me, one you tried both, you will NEVER GO back - no matter how pretty the watch looks.
Don't forget Bluetooth. Casio's Oceanus line is a great example of a good-looking watch with it. I know some hate it in a watch, but they each have their pros and cons. Same with High Precision Quartz movements.
I’ve noticed that in reviews of flieger watches, the reviewers often use the words “history” and “heritage” as well as saying they were developed to help German pilots tell the time easily, but they never use the word “nazi”. Just an amusing observation.
Yeah, I was hoping no one would notice that. It's been almost 6 years, so memories start to blur together. That first time it was cooler, but I was remembering another video a few months later where I was sweating to death.
Citizen has been one of the last watch makers that has resisted reducing the size of their watches. I know the original pilots watches were large but not many of these watches will be used by pilots today. 38 or 39mm would be more popular. Also Citizen could use the Miyota 9039 and get rid of the day/date complication. It makes the watch look so Seiko 5. And that is sad.
I haven't fully tested citizens, but the scratch resistant coatings from other companies have worked really well. Ones from a few microbrands and Seiko, so I would assume citizens is legit.
@@RelativeTime if you have left over links from citizen , if you removed some to fit your wrist , why don't you test it out on RU-vid? So everyone will see , cause I hardly doubt is x5 less scratch resistant than steel, maybe 2-3 times more but 5 is a reach
