Citizen has a knack for creating interesting dive watches, and their modern Promaster collection houses many of them. The brand has found success in the rebirth of the Fujitzubo, and rightfully so, however I find their more adventurous designs to be the most compelling. Watches like the ‘ashtray’ and Aqualand showcase a huge amount of character in a manner unique to Citizen. Such is the case with their latest release, which places an E365 Eco-Drive movement within the robust confines of the 46mm steel Promaster case. The naming gets a bit tricky within the broad Promaster designation, but this is the reference BN1024-01Z, and it’s most definitely deserving of a catchier title.
This is a Promaster Diver 300M to narrow it down slightly further, granting it a 300 meter depth rating, though looking at it you’d be forgiven for assuming this was an ultra-deep situation. That said, 300 meters is more than sufficient, and the integrated strap nixes any need for a lug, so despite the somewhat intimidating numbers, this watch should wear just fine on the daily, should you so desire. But if you’re looking for a better all-rounder in that regard, probably best to check out the titanium Fujitsubo or Aqualand references. This particular watch embraces the more extreme tropes of the genre, and that’s what makes it so cool.
The round case places the crown and crown guard at four o’clock along the case, allowing for easier access to the bezel which, which boasts heavy teething in five minute increments. The bezel and its insert are the main focal point of the watch as a whole, with the dial itself relegated to a relatively small portion at its center. That dial gets a subtle fade from black to deep red from top to bottom, and is used to capture light that can be converted into usable power for the E365 movement within.
This is an Eco-Drive watch, and as the name of the movement suggests, is capable of powering the watch for 465 days continuously, even in low light situations. Citizen first launched this technology in the mid ‘90s, and it’s matured quite a bit in the successive decades. This isn’t the first Eco-Drive Promaster dive watch, but it is a new configuration within the collection that inherits many of the best traits of the BN0156-05E.
This watch uses a strap made from a plant-based polyurethane material called BENEBiOLTM, and it attaches directly into the mid section of the case. This execution accentuates the unique design of the case, and further pushes focus to the oversized bezel assembly and insert. It also helps in on-wrist comfort, especially in light of the 46mm diameter, and 16.3mm thickness.
The new Citizen Promaster Diver 300M Eco-Drive will be available in April, and will be priced from $695. Citizen
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