I bought this watch after seeing this review, in blue with the OEM bracelet as my first serious watch and after a year of wear, I wanted to mention one thing that I don't think you highlighted enough. The legibility. I wear glasses and with those big chunky hands, I can read the time with no glasses when I wake up groggily at 4am with ease, yet the needle points also give the accuracy that you want in full sunlight with glasses on. The lume is out of this world. I live in NZ so this was actually a pretty pricey watch for me, US$338 all told with the bracelet. If the base price was anything but affordable I wouldn't have been able to justify it. I have received many compliments on this watch from my dentist to a prison guard. You've got to be a real snob to ho hum this watch. Thanks for the recommendation.
I own this watch and I absolutely love it. It's my everyday timepiece ( working, gardening, exercise ). I own an omega seamaster however, I actually wear this a little more...
A note on the water resistance, the presence of the word "divers" before the number means it is ISO 6425 certified (also noted on the Citizen website in the description). Which means each individual watch with the rating has been tested against the standard. Does it matter for me, where the bodies of water I live by are frozen half the year? No. But it makes me feel better, and has a certain cool factor.
Bought the blue one about a year ago and threw it on a 2 tone blue Barton bands nato. Total gem 💎 never had a single issue and it’s good enough for my humble taste.
I love the fact that you talk about quartz watches. This watch does come on a bracelet, a pretty good bracelet. I’ll find the # for you. It really completes this watch. I have one that I will never flip. Thanks again Nick, quartz watches have their place in every collection.
I've been wearing my blue one everyday for about three years now. It has some scratches and I'm about to replace the cracking strap, but I would highly recommend it. I've considered a protough, but this watch is still too nice to replace. Love it.
I just recently found the BN0151 (blue) model and I asked my mother for it for my birthday. The metal bracelet version is the Citizen Promaster BN0150-61E Steel Man
This is why Citizen makes up 90% of my watch collection. They run & run & run. My absolute favorite brand (althogh I have about 20 pcs- 15 acually running- I dont consider myself a collector. Mild, mild enthusiest at best. ) gr8 reveiw Nick. I might have to check into this diver for that money.
Yes this is my everyday watch, tremendous value, super quality. It takes a beating and looks great. Yes I have Seikos I also love but this watch is in a class by itself. A gotta have.
If you search for long enough, you can find one that comes with the rubber band and the bracelet as well (which doesn't have micro adjustment but has a very nice diver's extension with 5 levels).
The orange minute hand is for underwater visibility, the best colour for that... Probably has something to do with the ISO dive certification that the watch meets. I mean, it is likely that most divers will use a dive computer, but some people do dive with it. Some divers like the old school element of an analog watch. PS... the style grew on me as I owned it... There is something cool about the bottlecap type look. Looks best on a bracelet or NATO. The strap... kinda made it look cheap.
Orange/red is actually pretty bad for visibility underwater. Anything red or orange tends to appear brown once you get to moderate depths because of how the water filters out the red wavelengths first. For underwater visibility bright yellows and greens retain their natural colour better.
As far as color underwater is concerned, colors with the longest wavelengths, with the lowest energy, are absorbed first. Red is the first to be absorbed, followed by orange & yellow. The colors disappear underwater in the same order as they appear in the color spectrum. Even water at 5ft depth will have a noticeable loss of red. Underwater the lume is more important than the color of the hand and most lumes use green or blue which are visible to depths of 200 and 250 ft. respectively. But the orange hand is pretty cool when out on a date.
TheMasonator777 as a former cop search and rescue diver for my sheriffs office I would wear both a dive computer and this watch on the other side as a backup Incase the computer failed that’s why it’s good to study the old ways with the new ways
I have the automatic version of this watch (no longer available in the USA) and I am going to get one of these Eco-drives soon. I love the Citizen build quality and attention to detail. I believe that you hit the nail on the head regarding the functionality of these watches. I do dive and snorkel a bit, so I can attest to how Citizen has built a diver that is first of all useful and secondly gorgeous to wear. Does a diver need 120 clicks on the bezel? No, but we do need great lume! How a bout sapphire? Nope, just give us an instantly readable face and distinctive hands. Is a metal bracelet a must? Not really, but ISO rated 200 meter water resistance is. Then add in the convenience and accuracy of the Eco-drive and you've got a real winner. Lastly, I disagree about the strap. It is perfectly functional and I use mine in the water. But I did buy a leather Nato to use when I wear it casually and also have a great SS bracelet that gets swapped around with my other 20 mm lug watches. IMO learning to change watch straps is a must for anyone with a decent variety of watches. Great review and a dead on recommendation for the Citizen diver. An unbeatable value at under $150.00
100% agree with you on this one. That is one damn cheap but reliable tool watch. I would have gone for this if I haven't paid for the Seiko turtle. I even have an Omega Seamaster Professional. It's a cool, good looking, functional and you don't have to wind it up every few days. An awesome watch from Citizen.
This is great! Funnily enough, I bought this watch for myself to use while I get my diving certification. A week later my wife bought me a Seiko Turtle Prospex. Holy cow! I might have to two strap these. 😂
Have a blue version of this, bought about 1 1/2 years ago to use when my Citizen Stars and Stripes (also blue) is in the shop for battery replacement and/or movement replacement. I'm on my 3rd movement but I have had the S&S for almost 20 years. With 4 analog dials and 3 LCD's, batteries last 1 to 1 1/2 years. Lately the S&S just sits there, awaiting a new battery. Solar charging is the greatest. I do dive occasionally, like the N.D. table. Thank you for the great review. Awaiting my Spyderco Smock!
There is a bracelet version of the 0150/0151. The stock plastic strap sucks. The rest of the watch rocks. I have owned it more than once. Great review Nick.
I've owned this watch for a few years now. Honestly it is a fine watch, but I don't wear it much. Why, oh why Citizen did you have to put stubby little hands on this watch? I like the case size and bezel. The lume is excellent and accuracy is spot on when worn. If you aren't insane or have lots of other watches, this watch will work great. Some people consider acrylic and mineral crystals to be a negative. I don't. I've had sapphire crystals shatter from impacts at work and it will damage a watch dial/hands/movement. I'll live with nicks and scratches. Excellent review as always.
I've been looking at this watch for a while now. Everything about it I just love. Such a good looking piece. FINALLY ORDERED AND IT'S ARRIVING TOMORROW!!
Sold! Or rather, bought second hand/ as new condition from Amazon, complete with the limited edition dive bottle box. From me, thanks for the heads up on a great watch. From my wife, she knows nothing! Keep it that way 😉
I love that you reviewed my humble daily carry watch! Although mine doesn't have a quick set date. Otherwise it looks exactly the same. You are spot on with just about everything. The strap is a little stiff when new, but after a year of wear it's quite comfortable. The goofy depth chart slowly wears off too. So if you use the watch heavily, it gets better! It really looks nice in the outdoors too. It's certainly not polished all over or anything, but it's got enough to catch the sun and show off a bit. I would eventually like to own a luxury watch, I've got eyes for a Grand Seiko or Planet Ocean, but this watch will be just fine for a long while yet.
This watch is amazing for a daily beater and is deadly accurate, I set the time and check it 3 - 4 weeks later, and at most, it is off by 1-2 seconds. I love the watch but HATE that plastic or silicone watch band. I changed out the watchband as soon as I got it to a metal bracelet. I have a lot of more expensive automatic divers, but this one gets the most wrist time.
You forgot that at this price point, that's actually an ISO-certified dive watch. TBH, I wish they just did away with the date complication, because I hate adjusting the date on watches (that's why my watch has a perpetual calendar).
I just bought it and honestly I wanted to send it back the next day, because it wears so uncomfortable out of the box with this "diver strap". But I gave it a 2nd try and before sending it back I ordered a leather strap for it. And what shall I say... I absolutely love it now! :-)
This is my go-to and has been for about 1.5 yrs. Great value, but great watch. I love the AR coating on the crystal. My only complaint is the bezel insert - I'm looking for a replacement with an SKX mod that will fit. Love the fact that it's solar - this on a nato is ready to go any time.
I have this in blue. Great watch! It's been on vacation with me a couple times. Iso certified so it's tough. A couple gripes... Citizen date windows/ numbers are a bit small. This watch would also benefit from the added stability of a 22mm strap width. My watch is currently on a Borealis rubber dive strap. It's a substantial strap so it keeps the watch from moving around. I like nato's, but again the watch moves around too much on a 20mm nato.
I had my eye on the blue version of this watch for months, but never liked the aesthetic of the rubber band. So when I eventually pulled the trigger I also ordered the steel bracelet that Citizen makes for it: part # 59-S06105. It's a great bracelet, really improves the look of the watch and has a quick adjust feature I use every day as my wrist expands/contracts. I sized it myself, taking out 3 links for my 7.5" wrist, but it was my first bracelet re-sizing and I didn't realize the bracelet uses pin & collar. So I lost one of the tiny collars before I caught on. DOH. The collar seats in the inner link end of each connection, making it easier to miss FYI.
Thanks Nick, great review, I too have that exact same Omega, and I'm looking for a beater watch to wear, for rough occasions,, (ie, looking after the grandkids, lol). After seeing you praise this one so much,, it's now on my (very) shortlist,,, thanks again,, John...
I'm currently deciding between this and the BN0191-55L. I prefer the look of the newer one slightly more, but for my 6.25 inch wrists, it just looks slightly too big for my liking. That's not to say this model is not good looking, it really is! I actually think it has a more unique design compared to the newer one, which looks a bit samey as the other divers out there on the market. I really wish they did the newer one in a 43mm also as opposed to 45mm it comes in. In addition, I have heard people say that this watch wears more like a 41mm because of its styling, and that would suit my wrist size a lot more. A Frankenstein version of the 2 would be perfect lol
Mine has just arrived, £150 paid - dont know where your getting all these deals from, cant find them for less than this, not in UK anyway, and that was through a German supplier. Anyway, the watch just rocks! Such a great daily beater, like mentioned the rubber strap is abit of a downer in terms of build quality - but the watch is superb, why spend ££££ on a another diver, this is a proper tool/utility watch, which has got to give it more kudos. Stick on a nice proper leather strap, its a proper looker (if thats your thing). Also, I love the packaging it came in - A big yellow dive canister, very quirky - Citizen really are on top of their game currently (very under appreciated company I think), and nice they are still doing their own thing and not doing chessy homages.
After a month of ownership, this watch is really something. It's my first actual nice watch. I tried one of the fancier, more flexible, thinner rubber straps and I ended up going back to the original strap. The shape of the watch really benefits from the larger presence of the strap. It's super stiff but will change shape if you place it under a heavy book or two overnight. The only gripe I have is the second hand doesn't hit all the marks. Wasn't expecting to care about that. But since it does what it does so well, and (to me) looks awesome, I am very happy with the purchase. Posting this review here because this video influenced my decision the most.
Man, I bought this watch after your review. I think it’s second only to the promaster tough on bracelet. I found one local with a sapphire crystal and a ceramic bezel. Is it as good as a few of the seikos I have? Well it’s more accurate, grab and go etc. Maybe not as attractive but it’s a great everyday, knock around watch. No complaints about it whatsoever. Great review. Oh and I through it on a nato. The strap is crap.
Not for nothing Nick but the Promaster Fugo Limited Edition brand is a must have and possibly a collectors item given the fact that there are a few of them made. A win win situation in collecting IMHO of course. Something to hand down to the kids & possibly help them in their college fund or their next whatever.
Just got this on the recent Citizen Gold Box at Amazon for $105 in blue. Like it a lot. Kind of wish it had a 22mm strap, though. BTW, there are bracelet variants of this watch. You can even buy those, although I think they're $120, which is more than I paid for the watch. Reportedly a nice bracelet, though.
Wow so weird i was looking at this watch yesterday and it’s been in my saved inbox since last year and then I see your post lol at first I was like oh another amazon google computer type ad directed at my searching results ect but nope it’s a nick vid anyways great reviews as always thanks :)
I have a Citizen Ecodrive dive watch - not this model - on a rubber strap. I have worn it for diving. However, I don’t refer to the strap tables. If it is any consolation to you, the numbers wear off over time. Mine only shows the top two rows now.
@@NickShabazz She ain't no baby but.....Lug to Lug.....48 mm. 14 mm thick...22 mm strap..It's deceptive. Get one and lets see it next to that Planet Ocean. ;-)))
Hey I like my invicta grand diver at about the same size and is perfect for diving I’ve tested out the depths and pressures and she held up beautifully!and it cost under a hundred bucks now that I trust it it’s worthy in my books!
Just bought the black model today $119 couldn’t pass that deal absolutely a nice watch the band is to stiff for me luckily I had a soft silicone band that fits, great review
I've had an INOX for many years. Maybe 6-7 years. Great watch. It's my bang around watch. I jump in water with it with no issues. Been as dependable as can be. Looks good too.
I'm not a diver but I do like that the minute hand is different color yet it would be nice if minute hand had different color lume also. I have Citizen watches for many years I like them. I have an Echo Drive I have had almost twenty years I found in a box. I put on dashboard of my car for a day and started right up. Now it is under a light in my room with my other Citizens. Still going strong.
Hear me out....I was gifted a Citizen Promaster Eco-drive Calibre 2100 Titanium Sapphire a few years ago. As far as I know it it was a Japanese exclusive model....Sapphire crystal, all titanium, deeply etched case. AV0020-55H. I have called Citizen and they say that it is ultra rare. Anybody know about this model? It is potentially for sale. :) Thanks Nick!!!
Good review, only that your complaints are not really real for the price you pay (watch only). For the strap I agree with you, but there is a variant with a bracelet (a good one). After all I am super satisfied with my blue one, after two years, great value and quality. The watch is ISO certified, which means that every single unit is tested thoroughly. Thanks for the review, it is always nice and entertaining to watch.
I was Seiko boy until by impulse I bought Citizen Excalibur.. And..boy..the lume satisfied my heart So I always look for Citizen eversince just because of the lume quality.
I liked e them too ! Being a former search and rescue diver as a deputy sheriff this has a certain cool factory with the dive tables but I've been out of it for so long I'm not sure if these are padi tables or baby ? As a cop we used all baby tablex!
I literally bought this watch 48 hours ago. 125 bucks, plus a $10 orange nato to replace that godforsaken rubber strap. Comonnnn you've got to be kidding me.
I have a ny0040 and ny0080 with the exact strap. About to but the bn0150 over a few others, because it has the same strap and i love this river strap!! I guess not everyone hates it. Its solid and comfy. Bit stiff. But i love it. Plus the bracelet version is around 100usd extra in australia.
Anthony Ogle comfy? That’s a word a man should never use especially when talking about a dive watch! Lol say it out load a cpl times and you’ll see !! COMFY! Lol
I own this version black bezel, best money I ever spent. Replaced strap with Barton black rubber strap. Durable, accurate, and never needs battery replaced can’t go wrong.
