Guys the movement is NOT the usual movement Citizen uses, (that would be a Miyota 8200) it's a high quality 9051 28.8k unit - you can only find an equivalent on Marinemasters vs the crappy 6Rs you now get in Seikos for more money. Plus the crown is signed and good size vs the large unsigned crown of the SPBs.
Have to agree .. Seiko auto movements don't seem all that good . Had a Seiko 5 with the 4r35, was running almost a minute slow A DAY... Sold it . Also have a citizen kuroshia 64 with the 8315 movement . Rated at roughly the same as the 4r at + 40 SPD. yet after three days on a winder and worn once to work it is running at just 4 SPD... Incredible
I've had a baby alpinist for about a year which comes with the 6r35. Despite everything I read online, mine runs -5sec a day. Maybe I got lucky, but I feel pretty comfortable buying another watch with this movement.
The 9051 movement is a premium movement, with manufacturer tolerances much tighter than the Seiko 6R (which (IMHO) was rushed to address the power reserve wars, at the sacrifice of real-world accuracy. (My 6R Seiko's are all over the map, and most are barely within spec and some even worse). Then there is the Chapter ring/Bezel alignment issues that they still can't get right (about 75% of my Seiko divers have some degree of misalignment) and I have never had an issue with a Citizen watch (owned about 6 divers). This watch is my out piece of the Seiko mine field. (About 7 years ago, Seiko's did not have these issues, something has changed with this company).
Just picked one up for £590.00, the SPB149 is £1100.00. That it stands comparison and is made of Titanium rather than Stainless Steel is a great credit to Citizen imo.
Citizen is so much better than Seiko at making affordable watches. Seiko’s QC for their entry level range is ridiculously poor. It has become a joke with enthusiasts but it is really unacceptable. Give me a Citizen anytime.
Iono homie, I bought a Seiko 5 SRPD76K1 about a mth ago. The bezel is spot on, the strap fit perfectly in between the lugs, and I didn't find not one speck of dust inside it, which is more than I can say for 1 of my more expensive watches. The finish is lovely and that 120 click bezel, I love it. Only 2 complaints I have is that the bezel is not lumed whatsoever and no sapphire crystal but then again Price... So I can't complain about those. This watch is really beautiful in person.
I've had barely any issues with, like, 11 Seikos. One misaligned bezel, that's it. And they look way better on the wrist than these citizens, it's not even close.
Good critical review! The bracelet was right there and y'all didn't review it?!? It has a better clasp than Seiko with quick adjustment which you should show. I've been waiting for this watch for months now and was excited that it's finally launched. However I'm disappointed now after seeing the bezel, crown quality.
I think the crown size is proportional to the thickness of the mid-case. The idea of an automatic watch is that it runs as you wear the watch. There should be very few times that requires you to operate the crown.
Appreciate the honest review, Blake! There seems like a lot more than $100 difference between the two watches in quality. Once the Citizen sinks down to its street price it'll be a lot more worthwhile.
Great segment and comparo, I gotta say, the pictures and specs did have me a lot more hyped than the real world coverage has thus far. I will say the biggest edge the Seiko has is that it looks way better in person than in Seiko's adverts vs. which appears to be the opposite case for the Citizen. So management of expectations definitely effects level of on-wrist satisfaction and overall ownership experience.
Nice review. My take.... The particular Seiko you compare with has pretty rave reviews for its clean aesthetic. An extraordinary looking watch sometimes compared to the BB58. The Citizen is very good looking but to me, this Seiko wins the beauty contest...the Citizen's bezel is just a bit too wide relative to crystal surface area...to my trained eye...and the Seiko nails this proportion. But...but...the game changer for the Citizen is...its Titanium chassis. I love Ti. Reason is, all day wear weight. For me in general, I prefer lighter watches. The stainless bracelet on the Seiko is heavy together the Seiko weighs in at close to 180 grams. A huge difference compared to the Citizen.
I still don't understand how people test diving watches (rotation, crown, etc) out of the water. I already had Citizen and Seiko watches, and in my opinion, Citizen is on another level, although Seiko has more ''name''. I have never had a problem with a CITIZEN. I love de brush Steel, The Safire, titanium, the eco-drive movemnts, etc...Super resistent and reliable. Payng 200/300€ for watches that never given me any problems in 20 years....? count me in CITIZEN And I'm glad that's the case, because I can buy better watches, with sapphire and titanium, at half the prices of the Seiko, or other brands.
I recently picked the black one up; already having a couple of the Seiko SPBs I was curious to see how they would compare. My SPB239 is one of my favorite watches so the Barnical had its work cut out for it! That said, although they seem like they should be similar, they have distinctly different feels and personalities. I was surprised that well past my normal honeymoon phase, and despite mentality giving myself permission to change to another watch it was STILL on my wrist! It's just so easy to wear and I love the rubber strap! It does have the issues you noted with the bezel and crown. But it's still a keeper for me and I would only think of moving it on if Citizen upgraded it and fixed the bezel and crown. I got it for a VERY good price so I am pretty satisfied with it!
Citizen blew my mind in the eighties and nineties. The Ana digi temp. The animated coloured digital graphs for stopwatches. The pilot watches like the wingman looked like they were pulled out of an instrument panel from an aircraft. The don’t do that any more and I think it’s a little sad
Pick up the Blue dial for $549+40Duty. Citizen all year long over a Seiko. Watch collection can be a hefty hobby.. spent over $90G for my 10 pc ranging from hundreds to over 10s... Citizen is a must have for sure.
Citizen Best material : Super Titanium , Sapphire Crystal , Eco-Drive or Automatic 👍👍 Hopefully size of Citizen watch more better options 36mm - 37,5mm.
Funny how criticism works. Before the guys mentioned anything negative, I thought, wow, that's a great looking watch. But as they started pointing out all the little nitpicky issues, I started thinking, meh, I can wait for a better executed iteration.
I still have the original version (the 52-0110 one) which is a gift from my father, and it's already worn out, and then I'd replaced the bezel insert, the hands with after market product from a seller in Hongkong, and I bought an original new old stock dial from a seller in Lebanon for almost $200 🙈🤦🏽♂️😄 But I feel it's worthed all the money spent, and I enjoy wearing it everyday 😁😁
Oh that, my Promaster Dive Chronograph Eco got blue lume and it's absolutely beautiful, and Propex Penguin Save the Ocean only got plain green lume LOL
RE ISSUE is INSPIRED by the Citizen 52-0110 .............. BUT the model re issued is closer to the earlier model (1976) CITIZEN 62-6198 ... the bezel is same layout as the 1976 62-6198, the LUME PLOT next to the date window is the same as layout of the dial on the 62-6198 too
Well for me the search is over until I am able to afford a Rolex no Date Submariner this will be the watch on my wrist I've been searching for this watch in this configuration for a long time and it will become my everyday wear over the other 60-odd watches I currently own
Mercedes hands? Nope! I have a half dozen citizen divers in my collection… Most of them are from the promaster line… Anything but Mercedes hands And that’s when would already be on order.
