Citizen Field Watch BM8180 - Scratch Off My List
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- Опубліковано 15 вер 2024
- This solar-powered field watch from Citizen, model BM8180, is available for under $150, but is it a great deal? This video examines the Pros and Cons of wearing this watch on an EVERYDAY basis.
I've had the same model Citizen for over 20 years. It's been my everyday 'work' watch, and it looks like it has been used as a hammer. When I got a new MWC G10LM, I put the Citizen away in a box, and it was still running four months later. Mine gains 6 seconds a month, so I just set it 20 seconds slow twice a year.
I wish Citizen would offer more watches between 36mm and 38mm. I refuse to buy large watches. They look ridiculous.
Vaer have some nice looking small models.
This watch is an enigma. It looks and feels cheap at first yet with the right strap it has a simple elegance that makes it special. I love mine, it's a no nonsense watch, a good companion for a daily errand run around the city type of watch.
Hello crBudgetWatches. I love that about a watch. Changing the strap can make the world of difference. Every couple of years I change the strap on my citizen night Hawk and it feels like a new watch.
I have this watch and love it. Value for money, accurate and never need to change the battery!
People parrot that phrase, but that only really made sense when it was an $80 watch, not a +$150 dollar watch. Even cheaper solar powered Timex's have sapphire now. The only thing this watch really has is a decent lume look.
I have the chronograph version of this watch. I work at a bar and I've been beating on it for years. It keeps going and going. Purchased new over 20 years ago for $90. Citizen makes a great watch.
Hey Emjay. Great to hear your experience with the watch. Thanks for sharing and watching.
It's a little tank. I've had one for five years or so, gets banged about regularly and does show a few scars, but it is definitely the most robust, dependable and most loveable watch I have ever worn. And the battery doesn't wear out lol.
I recommend it without reservations.
P.S. If you're worried about getting a scratch on the crystal, wise up! This watch needs a few marks, it's that type of watch. Don't just wear it, ENJOY it 😉😂🤣
Add clear vinyl lens protector....invisible and great....see my other comment.
Couldn’t agree more. Watches have come and gone but throughout 7 years this remains a mainstay.
@@jkwyx8290 Well, this is the only 37 mm Eco-drive watch in Citizen’s line up. Other eco-drives are bigger.
If you enjoy it then you should wear it.
Just purchased the similar BM8188-01E as a gift for my son, together with a blue fabric wristwrap to give it a slightly more elegant look and hopefully better comfort. I hope the glass won't scratch too much. My wife and I both have already Citizen watches with sapphire glasses and mine withstood even scratching against concrete without any marks. That this one has only "normal" mineral glass almost kept me from purchasing it but there seems to be no sapphire-glass equipped alternative with a similar size and look.
I've had mine for 10 months, paid $95 new gray market. Pros - excellent solar movement, extremely accurate (it has only gained 5 seconds in 10 months), second hand hits every marker every time, nice looking dial. Cons: feels cheap, strap is not great, mineral crystal. I have not scratched mine. Definitely worth the $95 I paid for it.
Hey Danny G. Thanks for watching. You’ve had much better luck with the Crystal than I did. What part did you find feels cheap?
@@EricsEverydayWatches The case finishing. Feels more like plated chrome than stainless steel. I have a huge watch collection, and this is my only stainless steel watch that feels so cheap. Other than that, it is an excellent watch that could use a sapphire crystal and a better strap.
I own this watch and love it. It is very nice, very well built, and keeps excellent time. Solar. I have had it for at least two years and I don't baby it at all. I wear it at work on my outside job and it has zero scratches. Maybe you got a bad crystal. Also, you could buy a $5 clear screen protector and put it on the crystal if you want. The watch has that great minimalistic military look. In a world of huge G-Shocks I like this a lot as an understated alternative military style watch that is not too "loud."
Hello liberty-rn4wy. After I made this video, I now think I may have scratched it when lifting and moving the tree. That’s my own fault. Glad to hear you’re enjoying your watch. It does have that great looking military vibe. Enjoy. 👍👍
Agree on strap......change out to your preference. Quick-release tab versions allow "Style" changes...like tan-leather for more elegant occasions and maybe rubber or sail-cloth for heavy duty. See below other comment on glass protectors....not a biggie. Wishes?.....sure.... 13-24 hr markings.... screw-down crown....maybe even a rotating bezel if you have some chore or such that you want to time-out over several minutes. Barring these.....this is a fantastic field watch worth considering with small mods. I even got "longer" hour and minute marker hands added and changed-out....to solve a minor gripe on hand-length and "too fat" width....but that is a personal touch item. Even doing this....total cost and effort was worth it as there isn't much else in the marketplace to compete with all features ( That said, with ALL the ridiculous and style-mandated watches available.....why can't we find a solar field watch with all the features here....PLUS rotating bezel and 13-24 hr markings. Seems no one offers a combo like this and it shouldn't be all that hard).
Another beautiful eco drive! I agree with the other comment: if this were brushed, even better titanium, it’d definitely be on my list. Or under the Christmas tree…
. Plus it’s the right size for my small wrist!
Great content as usual!
There are two new variations; one all black and the other a kind of gunmetal color but there are no videos about them.
@@folksurvival cool! I’ll have to check them out! Thanks!
I have been wearing this as my go-to watch for several years. I don't baby it and have worn it fishing, hunting squirrels, Canada geese and black bears. I have worn it cutting grass, cleaning gutters, trimming the 70 ft. of privet hedge on my yard (which, I assure you, is a whole helluva lot more likely to scratch the crystal than any artificial Christmas tree) and, yes, trimming our Christmas tree, typically a Frasier pine. I did replace the band with a simple padded black leather band, not due to the the adjustability issue, but because I simply prefer a leather band. Fingerprints on the case rates a big "meh" and sitting here looking at the crystal, I only see 3-4 almost imperceptible marks. A quick swipe with a microfiber cloth and these disappear. Accuracy has been impeccable as it typically is within 5 seconds per month. At the $120 I paid for it, it's one of the better items and higher value items I've ever purchased.
Hello rickherrmann5326. Thanks for sharing your experience. It’s always great to hear from someone who’s own the watch long term.
@@EricsEverydayWatches Did you try rubbing it out with a polishing cloth?
@@rickherrmann5326 the scratches I had were too deep. I don’t know what I did. But I’m definitely more cautious now.
That's actually the correct opinion. Field watches are military watches which should be small enough to go under a field shirt and sandblasted so you are not seen by the enemy.
These crystals are very easy to polish to practically to condition.
I got one of these about 13 years ago for about 80 dollars. Wore it until the solar battery got weak which was about 11 years and before I started having more than one watch so it got daily, hard use. I could barely see through the crystal at the end. The strap does break in. I was on my third strap by the time I scrapped the watch. I got more compliments on that watch than any other in my 67 years. The crystal did scratch easily but i suspect you hit some metal that is in the branches. Reminds me though to take off my watch when I put my my tree up--sapphire or not.
Hey Wayne. Thanks for watching. I think you may be right. After thinking about it more it may have happened when I pick the tree up to move it. It’s more likely I scratched something then. I love the fact you wore the watch until you could barely see through the crystal. That’s a sign of you watch well loved.
hi, if you don't mind, what kind of straps did you use with this watch?
@@calvinxleix hi Clavinleix. Thanks for watching. The strap in the photo is the one that comes with the watch. Is that what you meant?
@@EricsEverydayWatches ah sorry he mentioned that he was on his third strap so I was just wondering what straps he used on his watch
@@calvinxleix Can't remember but one. All were lookalikes to the original. The one I do remember was a Barton canvas strap. I don't care for Barton leather straps that i have since tried but their canvas straps seem pretty good.
I have this watch. Love that it has day/date. I was also considering the Citizen Tough monocoque. I can't come up with enough reasons to make the additional purchase.
I have a few of the tough models and they're great.
Of all my watches, this is always the first one I grab when going on a trip, or just running about. YOU are right, the crystal is the weakest point on this watch. My work watch is a Casio F-91 W, in case I run into any artificial Christmas trees ! I really do not know why, but this Citizen is my favorite watch.
I have same watch but I haven’t scratched it - I also use some thought knowing it’s a mineral instead of sapphire crystal to be cautious with it. Switch the band though
Fantastic watch.....had mine for over 7 years, no issues. As to the mineral crystal. Let's review....there is no free lunch. Consider.....sapphire is scratch-resistant (true) but is more easily prone to fracture failure if banged hard. In contrast...mineral crystals can scratch easily but are more shatter resistant. Solution?---> clear vinyl lens-protector over a mineral glass. The protectors are avalable in 3-pak bulk purchase at times from Ebay or Amazon...and some sellers will actually cut them to size for you. I buy a few 31 mm paks for my Citizen field watch.... and replace the covers maybe every 3 years when the edges get bugggered. In the meantime they are totally clear and you don't even notice them. The even have a sense of being anti-reflective....all good !! After 7 years of HARD use..... NO scratches at all !!!
My Christmas tree has coat hanger like wire inside the branches, so you can shape them. My guess is you caught the watch on a wire branch! 😮
Hi Pete, thanks for watching. I think you are right. After I had more time to think about it, I think it got scratched by reaching in between the branches not reaching around the tree. That’s just when I happen to notice it. That would make a lot more sense. Either way, I am definitely taking my watch off from now on when I decorate a tree.
Scratches and stuff don't really bother me. I have an 18 - year old Cit. Calibre 8700 that I wear daily (in a rare smaller size for Citizen at 38mm). Trust me, you can tell I've worn it through everything I do (from working on the PC, automative repairs, working on production lines etc) - it's seen a hard life. Yet it barely looses much time per year, Though it does seem once per year when the DST changes I check the hand alignment and find on occasion it needs to be adjusted. I literally put it on and just go. Anyways, I am sending it out for it's very first service (yep, 1st service at 18 - it does need a new crystal (going to upgrade to a saphire), gaskets and a lubing to ensure it stays ticking the way it is). I really feel Citizen is highly underrated, though I agree they really need to use sapphire crystals more often on their watches. I was thinking it's time I add another Citizen to my watch collection, and wanted a less complicated one (the perpetual calander being too over the top and not really being useful). Anyways, thanks for sharing your experiences with this one. :-)
If you want crystal then the minimum width in Citizen’s line up is 40 mm.
@@proudbacteria1373 If they can't, I'll go aftermarket (no worried about being original)
The shiny finish puts me off!
Yea, not my first choice either. Shiny man’s finger prints.
That and the scratches.
Excellent review. Thank you.
Thank you Hughh8075. I appreciate it.
Great review Eric! I've been wearing watches for over 45 years and have never scratched a watch like this. And I've been doing lots of things more rugged! A plastic Christmas tree of all things. Very disappointing. In fact this watch was my top choice until this review. Also the band is unattractive and the inner lining will certainly degrade. I'll consider the Vaer C5 solar now, or maybe the Casio Lineage Titanium.
Hello alansellinger3186. Thanks for watching. I should mention after giving it more thought it is possible I scratch the watch while moving a Christmas tree. I’m still not sure what happened. But want to let you know, it might not scratch quite as easily as I initially thought.
I have a Citizen with movement e101 I bought in 2009. Looks similar to this watch but my has a metal band. I’m trying to find a similar replacement. So far only 1 new available but with a white dial and no crown guard.
Hello iggytse. I’m not sure which model you’re trying to replace, but you could always swap out the strap for a metal bracelet. Thanks for watching.
Looks like it may be a faulty Cristal I have a few citizen watches but none have scratch up like yours
Hey Eddie. Thanks for watching. That never occurred to me. Possible something wasn’t up to par with the Crystal. I’ve had more time to think about it, and it may have happened when I moved the tree. Regardless, from now on I’m taking my watch off when it’s time to decorate the tree.
That watch would be ideal if:
- Had 24 small numbers (13, 14, 15... 24) under major numbers.
- Had the number 12 instead of a triangle.
- That instead of a small triangles it has a longer dash for every fifth second.
- The numbers with the digit 1 actually had the number 1 and not I (1, 10, 11, 12. Not I, I0, II, I2)
- Had sapphire crystal and not mineral.
- The hands for the hours and minutes should be completely filled to make them more visible. And more flat shaped.
- All hands should be longer to make it easier and faster to read the time.
- Numbers should be better centered in relation to the dash.
- No spanish worlds, english only.
- Strap be better.
- The hand for seconds not red but white (this is optional).
i cant buy the bm8180 03e anymor in my country, the front crystal is scratched now after years of use. cna u make a video on how to replace front crystal please
Hello Teja. Replacing the crystal is something you can do with a few tools and patience. Marc from Long Island Watch has numerous videos about watch maintenance. I would suggest looking at his “Watch and learn” videos. Hope that helps. Here’s a link.
ua-cam.com/video/T0Zqit4r0wM/v-deo.htmlsi=_7GIhSSbVbLEB-Tj
@@EricsEverydayWatches thanks appreciate the link!
1:26 Why did the seconds tick backwards?
Hi Adam. Thanks for watching. I didn’t notice that before. That is an excellent question. One which I don’t have an answer for. Obviously, it’s not something that happened often otherwise I would have noticed it while testing out the watch. But that is no excuse either, and it certainly should not done that. Sorry I don’t have an answer for you. I’ll definitely keep a closer eye out the next time I review a watch with this movement in it. Thanks for pointing that out.
@@EricsEverydayWatches No worries Eric , i was just curious. Thank you for your reply. I like your videos. Keep up the good work !
Afaik this indicates that it needs to be charged
light glinting off that bezel will alert the enemy and get you killed.....
What size in the strap?
The strap width is 18mm.
Is the tick sound loud enough to hear in a library / very quiet room when the watch is held next to the ear? Is the tick sound similar to a Lorus quartz watch?
Hello Karan. Thanks for watching. I no longer have this watch to listen to but I don’t remember the tick being very loud. The only loud tick I’ve ever come across has been from a Timex. Hope that helps.
@@EricsEverydayWatches tha ks eric, but needed to know if i could hear the tick in a library our a very quiet room
I just got a citizen at0200 05e which i believe is very similar. Could not hear anything even when it is next to my ear.
I've had one for 10 years or so. It's not a daily wearer anymore but I've snorkeled, fished and camped with it and it has held up well. I sure would prefer a sapphire crystal but I have not scratched the mineral glass or the polished case on this one yet (I live in Oregon, we have real Christmas trees all over the place). The giant metal eyelets on the strap made it unusable and I've had it on other nylon, rubber and leather straps. The lume has been pretty good too.
Hi Colin. Thanks for watching. Yea, those giant eyelets looks great but make the strap difficult to wear. Sounds like your watch has held up really well. In hindsight, I should have removed my watch when decorating the tree. Lesson learned. Have you moved on to another field watch? Or a different style all together?
@@EricsEverydayWatches The field watch I wear most now is a Cincinnati Watch company Cincinnatus field watch. I have the version 2 which has an NH35. Their new version they upgraded to a swiss 2824 type movement. I really like the hands and dial and it has 100 meters of water resistance. I also wear a Certina Podium DS auto basic 3 hander. Very comfortable on the bracelet and versatile.
I must be blind , I don’t see any scratches
It's decent, but high polish on a field watch just doesn't work. A bead-blasted finish is the way to go.
Hello valengreymoon5623. I agree. I think a brushed finish or bead blasted is definitely the way to go. Thanks for watching.
This needs to be titanium or brushed 😢
Hi Du Kirpalani thanks for watching. Yea, I think all these utilitarian field type watches would be better with a brushed finish. And of course, a
Sapphire Crystal wouldn’t hurt anything. 😀
buy a scratchproof glass watch screen protector for 5$