I like the Eco Drives. I own the EcoZilla another chunker of a watch and the Nighthawk. Both very well made watches. Nighthawk came with a fully milled stainless bracelet. "Keep up Seiko!" 😁 Like the EcoZilla, this one isn't for everyone but the quality is definitely there if you don't mind something more in line with a G Shock in the size department.
Thanks for that mate - yeah Citizen sure know how to build a watch! The Nighthawk is awesome and has a cult following for good reason. I had contemplated getting one myself but the original is no longer easy to get.
Ah, the “Ashtray”… I have the older Citizen BN2021-03E, which I love and look forward to taking diving in Hawaii next month! Funny story: I was talking to a friend with my arms crossed when I noticed him eyeing my Citizen. Wanting to play with him like one uses a laser with a cat, I pretended to stretch my arms outward, upward, and then back to my chest, chuckling as his eyes tracked my watch in the air! He finally asked, “What watch is that?” 🤣 I believe the bezel on your rendition is DLC steel, by they way.
Nice review. WAY to large for me. That's Invicta BIG ! I have several Citizens- a Promaster Diver, Promaster Tough and a few others. One of my favorite watches is their BM8180-03E. It's a small field watch that doesn't get in the way, decent enough lume, and keeps time like a Swiss train. I put it on a leather bund strap that I purchased from a company from Ukraine = Pride & Bright. I never wore a bund band before but figured I'd try one. I bought my first strap from them when Russia was closing in around Kiev. I had no idea where they were from --- when I purchased on Amazon. The watch strap never arrived. I contacted the seller...who informed me that they are from the Ukraine, and the Kiev post office was running with a skeleton crew because of the war !! They figured it was most likely lost as a result of the confusion in the early days of their invasion. I told them via email -- no worries - keep the money, and stay safe----- as the $20-some dollars was not going to make me poor, nor them rich. They said they don't do business like that and would send another ! It arrived several weeks later and messaged/emailed me several times to ensure I received it ! They were the nicest people I have ever dealt with on the internet for a purchase. It looks like the WWII fighter pilot type. Their straps are very soft, comfortable and crafted nicely - total professionals. I am not affiliated with them in any manner, but bought a second bund strap in a different color for the same watch. It's a minimalist, thin design, without stitching -- but super comfortable in cold weather---preventing a cold watch from making your skin cold.
Thanks for sharing.......That is a true "Drivers'" Watch and a "Wrist Boulder"......... It is a cool watch. I am a just a "Desk Diver" and some "Light Snorkeling", and not a fan of "Large Watches", so it would not be on my radar... But, I appreciate those that would like all that.
Citizen make great watches. Think this is definitely from their specialist "design a watch the terminator would wear" design department. Not one for me, but definitely an interesting design and anyone buying it will no doubt love it. Great review as always 👍
I know that various suppliers have offered aftermarket lug extensions for the Citizen Ecozilla, so that normal straps can be attached to the watch. I’d be curious to see if there are similar aftermarket options for this monster.
@@PerthWAtch There is! I have an older version of this watch and ordered a pair of Suppaparts adaptors. Suppaprts is based out of Hong Kong. I normally wear mine on a leather NATO, but swap out to a Zuludivers Octopod strap/buckle when heading into the water. 🤿
I didn't know what the Ecozilla was (that many commenters are referring to) so I looked it up. I have to say I prefer the look of this watch to the Ecozilla - If you are going big make it a 'functional tool watch' big which is what Citizen did here. Yes the packaging is cheesy but so is the plastic tube a brand like San Martin uses as well as Tissot with their new packaging that includes a pop up.
As always an absolute fantastic review Ivan, many thanks. I love Citizen in general, and a huge fan of their divers. This one is truly a monster, I would add to my collection only as a specialty item as diving watches are by far my favorite, but would certainly only wear once in a long while. This watch can certainly help a diver in his descent, but may be too heavy for the ascent 😂🤣😂🤣 Thank you again for sharing. Be well.
Wow.... this is a "holy-crap" kind of watch!!!! Citizen makes some great watches and I think that many are going into the world of Citizen since Seiko has been upping their prices in recent years. Since this is such a big and impressive watch, I do not think that I can actually pull it off on my wrist (I have about 7.4" wrist). Probably it is for 8 to 9 inch wrist. By the way, I just googled about "the lifespan of eco drive watch". It says : "According to reports from Citizen Watches, the solar cells and secondary battery used in Eco-Drive watches will last for up to 10 years." if that is true, I do not see much of difference between Casio 10 year battery (even in $20 Casio watches) compared to Citizen's Eco Drive. Is it some kind of marketing tactic? What do you think, Ivan?
Hello hello Alex! Agreed, I do find that there is this traffic towards Citizen with Seiko's recent apparent money-grabbing stunts. From my readings and forays around the inter-webs, I recall many users reporting that Citizen solar watches last well beyond 10 years, although I do also recall Citizen claiming 10 year life. That's possibly just to "cover their arses"? Casio 10 year life is a bit touch-and-go from what I see and hear... certainly *not* all their watches will give 10 year service off the shelf.
You may not believe me, but I have a Casio Protrek PRG-50YT-1V, which I bought new from the store in 2004, and it has been 20 years since the purchase. The battery continues to work without any problems to date.
@@PerthWAtch yes and in this case it's called oxygen, it's an oxygen tank, not a gas tank, but if it bothers you that people try to say the correct team, then next time I will say nothing at all.
I love it! As a tool it kinda fails, looks from here the hands arent so easy to read, but it is probably a lot better on the flesh. Another complaint Ive had for decades is the pathetic rubber bands that tear an seperate when caught on something or just snap with old age. Kooks who send out a premium watch on a bit of junk Band I reckon do it on purpose, smart really, We gotta buy a new one. One would think They could have steel ribs or belts like a car tyre fitted inside the band as a backup. Enough whinging, I would dig owning one. Great review Westie, Awesome, I agree.
Good point you bring up about the rubber straps here… another really bad thing is that the connection point to the case is proprietary, so we can’t even just swap it out easily.
It's clearly meant to be worn over a wetsuit, otherwise I would say they were trying to build a G-Shock killer. Citizen's designs are hit and miss, but by god they know how to build a watch.
Just an FYI to anyone interested, I have one of the first Citizen Eco Drives from around '94 and it is still going strong. Exception or rule? I agree Ivan, so over the top it is cool. Most of the time Citizen is too much or too meh for me, but I like this colossus.
I think that's more the rule rather than a freak exception - Citizen quality is excellent. I have Casio equipment that are over 30 years old, built to last, and still run. Citizen quality is better I reckon.
WOW monster is the only word you could use for this watch, interesting none the less, I think if I strapped it to my wrist and jumped in the water I'd sink
...... was hanging out for you to spin the case and you didn't ....... if there is one time one wants to see spinability it is with a yellow plastic cylinder .........
I’m a elegant diver type…hydro conquest and the like. I can practically here this one scream, “pay attention to me.” Seems insecure and adolescent. Ok old guy rant over. Enjoyed the review as always!
When slowly ascending from a dive, you want a depth sensor watch that screams, “Pay attention to me!!!” to avoid decompression sickness! 😂 All kidding aside, this watch is meant to play back up to a dive computer or analog/digital depth sensor. Some divers prefer redundancy (i.e.: octo, spare mask, secondary dive light, etc.).
