Palms-On: Citizen Promaster Dive BN0162-02X Eco-Drive Watch

One in every of my favourite Citizen designs is the model’s BN sequence of watches from the Promaster Dive assortment. I’ve owned the unique black dial mannequin for quite a lot of years, and it has been the definition of a carefree timepiece and certainly one of my go-to watches for all kinds of various out of doors actions. That stated, again after I bought my instance, Citizen solely provided this mannequin in both black or navy blue, and it has solely been in recent times that further colorways have been added to the lineup. Whereas the BN sequence was initially a slightly sober and utilitarian design that was continuously thought of to be a solar-powered different to the Seiko SKX, the brand new colorways have given the BN lineup a way more relaxed and playful identification. The most recent additions to the gathering are a trio of extremely colourful renditions that take the core design of the Citizen Promaster BN sequence diver and place it firmly in trip mode on the subject of its aesthetics.

Not like some fashions such because the Fugu or Ecozilla, these entry-level Citizen Eco-Drive divers don’t even have any formal title past their generic “Promaster Dive” label, with solely their slightly lengthy and convoluted reference numbers (which all begin with “BN”) used to designate the varied colorways. The trio of recent fashions consists of the ref. BN0169-03X with a metal case and an orange dial, the ref. BN0163-00H has a rose gold completed case with a grey wave-pattern dial, and my private favourite among the many new fashions, the ref. BN0162-02X, which has a gold-tone case, a turquoise-blue dial, and an identical aqua-colored rubber strap. Whereas these specific colorways are hardly the choices for somebody who needs a diver with a rugged and function-forward look, they’re nonetheless simply as succesful as their extra restrained siblings, with all of them being correct ISO-certified dive watches that provide 200 meters of water resistance.

By way of case measurement and profile, the gold and turquoise Citizen Promaster Dive ref. BN0162-02X is similar to the opposite fashions from the present BN sequence, and it measures 44mm in diameter by 11.5mm-thick, with 20mm lugs and an total lug-to-lug distance of 49.5mm. Equally, it additionally options nearly fully brushed surfaces, with the one polished components being situated on the crown and inside the small grooves on the bezel. Identical to the opposite BN fashions, a flat mineral glass crystal protects the dial, the reverse aspect of the case receives a stable screw-down caseback, and a signed screw-down crown protected by two small guards protrudes from the aspect of the case on the 4 o’clock location. Surrounding the crystal is a 60-click unidirectional timing bezel that rotates with a satisfying motion and that contains a barely domed outer rim with alternating grooved and clean sections.

Though the case, crown, and bezel ring all obtain a gold-tone end, the caseback is regular brushed chrome steel, and regardless of its largely turquoise and gold coloration profile, the bezel on the ref. BN0162-02X is fitted with a black aluminum insert that has a silver-colored 60-minute timing scale. Whereas the choice to go along with silver textual content on the bezel insert may sound barely questionable, I believe it really works on this specific occasion, and the silver numerals on the bezel complement the white printing featured on the dial. Moreover, though 44mm may sound a bit massive, the edges of the case and the bezel function a considerably rounded profile, which makes the Citizen Promaster Dive BN sequence put on fairly a bit smaller than its on-paper dimensions, and it finally feels extra like one thing within the 40mm to 42mm vary.

The one small gripe that I’ve with the Citizen Promaster Dive reference BN0162-02X is similar precise one which I’ve with lots of the model’s fashions, which is that they’re fitted with crystals produced from mineral glass slightly than sapphire. Moreover, worth level doesn’t all the time appear to be the only figuring out issue on the subject of crystal materials, and there are some budget-friendly fashions (such because the titanium Citizen Garrison ref. BM8560-53E) which have sapphire crystals, whereas others just like the flagship Aqualand Depth Meter diver are nonetheless fitted with crystals produced from mineral glass. Years in the past, I bear in mind listening to that Citizen will typically particularly choose to make use of mineral glass on sure sports activities and power watches on account of the truth that it’s extra affect resistant. The underlying concept right here is that in lively use, it might be preferable to have a watch crystal be extra vulnerable to scratches and superficial harm if it finally means being extra immune to shattering and full structural failure.

Realistically talking, I’m certain worth level can be one of many key elements that decide the kind of crystal materials utilized in Citizen watches, though issues surrounding affect resistance would clarify why you’ll discover a mineral glass crystal fitted to a watch that prices twice the worth of 1 that has a sapphire crystal. Anecdotally, my private BN sequence diver has taken fairly a number of exhausting hits through the years, and whereas it has picked up quite a few small marks and scratches on the crystal (sufficient to the purpose the place I even tried sprucing it with PolyWatch’s mineral glass components), it has but to crack or shatter. Even nonetheless, I believe most individuals (myself included) would like for Citizen to make use of sapphire crystals each time potential, and if further affect resistance is required, a thicker crystal ought to be capable of assist provide it.

Together with its daring and vibrant colorway, one of many standout options on the reference BN0162-02X is its dial, which presents a turquoise blue floor with a refined gradient impact that darkens in the direction of the outer edges. Not like lots of the dials fitted to solar-powered watches which are characterised by a barely translucent look when seen in vibrant lighting, the dial fitted to the Citizen Promaster reference BN0162-02X has a wealthy and saturated coloration, together with raised gold surrounds for the hour markers, which visually join the dial to the case of the watch. Past its novel colorway, the general type of the dial is similar to the opposite fashions within the BN sequence, full with its angled chapter ring, geometric handset, and date window on the 4 o’clock location.

Equally, whereas the handset is similar in its form to what could be discovered on the opposite Citizen Promaster BN sequence divers, it presents a singular and colourful end that additional provides to the holiday vibes of the reference BN0162-02X. Whereas the hour hand is polished gold, the minute hand is purple with a matte black base, and the seconds hand will get completed vibrant yellow to match the Promaster emblem on the decrease half of the dial. Moreover, simply as you’ll count on from a correct ISO-certified dive watch, all three of the arms plus every one of many 12-hour markers are completed with brightly glowing luminous materials for added visibility at nighttime. Moreover, whereas the entire lume on the dial and arms glows a teal blue coloration, the small luminous pip on the bezel insert glows inexperienced, and this distinction in lume coloration can be one thing that may be discovered on the unique black and blue variations of Citizen’s BN sequence diver.

As the brand new colourful variants added to the Citizen Promaster BN sequence are functionally similar to the prevailing fashions, the ref. BN0162-02X and its two recently-released siblings are powered by the model’s Eco-Drive Caliber E168 motion. Photo voltaic-powered and able to charging itself with any gentle supply (pure or synthetic), the Citizen Cal. E168 is an easy time-and-date quartz motion at its coronary heart, and it, due to this fact, presents confirmed efficiency and set-it-and-forget-it performance. Lengthy-term timekeeping has been greater than acceptable on the subject of my private instance, and apart from needed changes on account of journey, daylight financial savings, or updating the date show on the finish of the month, I by no means have any motive to unscrew the crown.

Finishing the Citizen Promaster Dive ref. BN0162-02X is an extra-long turquoise blue rubber strap that’s fitted with a thick unsigned pin buckle that has a brushed gold-tone end to match the case. The general form and type are the identical as the opposite straps fitted to the present BN divers, with accordion-style vents close to the lugs and a form that barely flares out after the lugs earlier than tapering right down to 18mm the place it meets the buckle. The polyurethane rubber materials itself is tougher and extra inflexible than one thing like silicone, and it’s finally slightly related in its texture and adaptability to the resin straps that may be discovered on many G-Shock fashions. Whereas they is perhaps a bit lengthy for sure wrists, one further good function about these rubber straps fitted to Citizen’s BN sequence divers is that they’ve metallic tubes constructed into them to supply added help for the springbar holes and forestall torsion on the precise springbar itself.

As one of many extra understated and conventional divers in Citizen’s lineup, the BN sequence represents a superb choice for people who find themselves merely searching for a sturdy and inexpensive dive watch to put on of their on a regular basis lives. That stated, initially solely providing it in both black or blue restricted a few of this mannequin’s versatility, and the more and more colourful variations which have appeared in newer years have considerably expanded this assortment’s enchantment amongst a wider vary of potential consumers. Moreover, with an official retail worth of $395 USD, the Citizen Promaster Dive ref. BN0162-02X can be one of many least costly Citizen dive watches at present out there, with the one extra inexpensive choices being different BN sequence divers which have plain chrome steel circumstances. With its ample water resistance and carefree photo voltaic motion, I may simply see somebody choosing up this gold and turquoise diver as a enjoyable and colourful trip watch that will look proper at residence whereas lounging on the deck of a cruise ship or tropic seaside. For extra info on the Citizen Promaster Dive ref. BN0162-02X, please go to the model’s web site.