Just wanted to say thank you for this video! I have very small wrists and so trying to get into the watch scene has been pretty tricky. Out of all of my research, your channel and especially this video have been by far the most helpful... not to mention your presentation is so refreshingly relatable and chill! Hard to believe you only have less than 1k subs, you deserve much more!
So welcome! Glad it was helpful, and I hear ya on the trickiness. Thanks a bunch for the kind words (and for watching, of course), so appreciated. I've been somewhat sporadic lately but more videos to come, for sure. All the best!
Great review. I have the SNE569. I agree about the "backwards" second hand lume and especially the date window. I wish they'd have used 4:30 date placement with porthole and rotated date like the new shrunken 62MAS. Been trying to find a sub-38mm dive watch with no date window. $1500 Ginault Ocean Rover seems too big and $3K+ Black Bay 54 is too much $$$ for me ATM. Above-mentioned 62MAS still seems too thick. If they'd ditch date and make it 1.5mm thinner I'd probably shell out the money.
The 569 is so good, with that kinda ghost bezel. I'm also partial to the brown one. Very tempting to double or triple dip with this model. I'm not as much of a fan of the 4:30 date, but those 62MAS *are* attractive, so maybe the concept just needs to grow on me, ha. Someone in another comment mentioned Vaer, and they do have 38mm options with no date. I don't have any experience with them, though. Have you looked at Christopher Ward or Farer? They both have 38mm diver options, but I do think you're stuck with a date on those. I have the 38mm Trident Pro 300 from CW, and it's a solid watch, especially for the price. Need to review that one before too long. I digress. Thanks for your comment/watching and good luck on the search! I know I'm always looking, too; let me know if you find something rad.
Great video dude! I love this watch series enough that I actually search YT and forums to see if people make new posts on it, so it was really enjoyable to see yours. I have way more watches than I need but I must wear these the majority of the time, they are that good! SNE575 and SNE587 say hello
Ha, I do the same thing for some of my favorite references/model lines. Love to see different takes and presentations. Thanks for watching and for your kind words, and enjoy your rad pieces, for sure. :)
Had mine for 2 years soon, got 9 other watches, mainly automatic (German, Swizz and Japanese), now this thing pretty much lives on me... it's too good to not fall for, unless you are a mechanic snob :D
man this is exactly the video I wanted to see. I bought the citizen initially thinking its small size would be great on my 6'25" inch wrist but it was such a disappointment when it felt like a round apple watch or a "hockey puck" as you called it. ended up returning it and going for the seiko and I am so joyous since ive been on a journey for an edc buyitforlife watch.
Very glad the vid was helpful and that you eventually found the watch that fit your needs more. I'm with you on the Citizen. It's counterintuitive, for sure, since the smaller size doesn't necessarily wear better. Oof. Enjoy your piece and thanks for watching!
Nice! That brown one is great, too. There's also one with a dark dial and a grayish bezel that's super good, and a green one, as well. Ha, I've been tempted to double-dip. I dig the nickname. I've seen various people call it the "Sunmariner," which also seems fitting. Cheers!
I have the green variant. I have both of Mark’s LIW bracelets made for the watch, the 3 link oyster and the 5 link jubilee. These bracelets elevates the overall watch into something you’d find from a quality micro brand. The only downside I experienced: bezel insert was misaligned. I fixed that one negative, leaving me with a QC perfect watch. I wish the markers were a tad larger for legibility and lume. It’s a piece that’s staying in my collection. I have since added the CWC RN300 quartz, a watch with an Omega 300 big triangle M.O.D dial, hands, and insert combined with a vintage Heuer style case. The British military provenance is an added bonus. The fixed bars are badazz. Quartz divers are under appreciated, and they shouldn’t be.
You're so on point. Agreed 100%. I started heavy quartz, and lately, I've been leaning heavy quartz again. Those CWC divers are bangers, for sure. I have a 3-link oyster for this one from Uncle Straps that I've enjoyed a lot, too (think I showed a couple of shots with it on the bracelet), but it's been a rubber summer over here. I should snag that 5-link you mentioned, though...hmmm. Thanks for your comment and for watching!
Ive had my Citizen (in blue) for just over a year. Very nuch a summer watch for me. I did consider the Seiko but thought it might be *slightly* too big. But it looks great on you and very helpful to see the two side by side.
Nice! Looking back, I would've gotten the blue, especially with this Seiko in the rotation now. I think that's the one to snag, for sure. Glad you found the vid helpful and thanks for watching! :)
Nice presentation. I have this Seiko on a Forstner Klip bracelet - an old school Bonklip style very light weight brushed & polished bracelet that matches up very well for a dress-diver. The combination weighs 83 grams.
Thanks for the kind words (and for watching)! That bracelet sounds the business, dude. I've never snagged a Forstner but have been close a few times. Need to pull the trigger and give one of those Bonklips a whirl. Been thinking about them, incidentally, ever since I got into Serica, since they use 'em for their field pieces. I digress, ha. Cheers!
Mm, I can't say I've noticed the panels out in direct sun. I will say, under harsher sunlight, it's noticeable that the dials are more like a lighter black/gray, to allow for the light pass-through, though, vs. the richer black shade inside. Hope that helps! I'll try to take 'em out when it's sunny and come back to this thread. Thanks for watching!
I'd say it isn't a fair comparison against the Citizen's 37mm, with the Seiko SNE which costs at least $80 more. I agree that the SNE is better overall though regardless. The Citizen diver looks way too small even on my 6.25" tiny wrist. Scratch resistance is more practical for sure, but mineral glass is generally less reflective than sapphire with no AR coating.
Fair points. If cost is a factor, the Citizen is the way to go, especially on the gray market. I find that both are pretty solid when it comes to mitigating annoying reflections. I get much worse reflection problems on, for example, my Hamiltons vs. these. Thanks for watching and sharing!
I don't actually know. Never had a Vaer, but they seem like they'd be solid options in a similar vein, potentially. I almost bought a quartz piece from them a while back, but they discontinued the reference I was wanting. If you find out, color me curious!
Most def! I got it from Long Island Watch. It's pretty solid, screwed links, all brushed, etc. longislandwatch.com/islander-18mm-brushed-solid-link-bracelet-for-citizen-36-5mm-promaster-solar-dive-watch-brac-88/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjDk7AvwX20g1yIsWEImwBVp8GDN_yVMX4kYpN-VhbMyKTMoSNsH-xRoCPXMQAvD_BwE
I'd be here for it, for sure. The more solar, the better. Would love that anthracite/gray colorway with the 62MAS design cues, as well. Thanks for watching!
Aw, ha, I almost feel bad for the Citizen. I'm so glad they took a stab at a smaller size, since so many of their divers are huge. Would love to see a middle ground around 38-39mm in a similar vein. Then, we'd have a real competition on our hands, I think. Thanks for watching!
I hear ya, dude. The lug-to-lug is probably the most important stat for peeps like us with smaller wrists. I wore a Hamilton Mechanical for a while (before giving it to a family member) that was 47mm and fairly straight lugs; that worked out okay still, especially on a pass-through strap like a Nato. Beyond that, they'd really have to curve down a lot to be wearable for me. Anyway, I could go on and on, ha. Thanks for watching!
@@smolwatch bro I just was able to try on the black bay pro on the strap. I have a 5.5 inch wrist so I never thought I could pull off the 15mm thick and 47 lug to lug but damn it wore so well and I forgot I was wearing it. The lugs taper way better compared to the hamilton mechanical.
should i buy a solar seiko citizen next !? my seiko 5 auto stated having issus after running 3years , powered 40 hours is gone , now it stops after 15 hours non moving
Mm, if you can find a local watchmaker and you still like your Seiko 5, maybe try to get it serviced? If you want either of the pieces in the video, they're roughly similar in terms of price and both reliable (in my experience so far). I'd choose whichever appeals to you the most. Thanks for watching!
You and me both, homie. I'd settle for a color-matched date wheel. Almost pulled the trigger on the blackout version of this watch for that alone. Thanks for watching!
Just wanted to say thank you for this video! I have very small wrists and so trying to get into the watch scene has been pretty tricky. Out of all of my research, your channel and especially this video have been by far the most helpful... not to mention your presentation is so refreshingly relatable and chill! Hard to believe you only have less than 1k subs, you deserve much more!
So welcome! Glad it was helpful, and I hear ya on the trickiness. Thanks a bunch for the kind words (and for watching, of course), so appreciated. I've been somewhat sporadic lately but more videos to come, for sure. All the best!
Great review. I have the SNE569. I agree about the "backwards" second hand lume and especially the date window. I wish they'd have used 4:30 date placement with porthole and rotated date like the new shrunken 62MAS.
Been trying to find a sub-38mm dive watch with no date window. $1500 Ginault Ocean Rover seems too big and $3K+ Black Bay 54 is too much $$$ for me ATM. Above-mentioned 62MAS still seems too thick. If they'd ditch date and make it 1.5mm thinner I'd probably shell out the money.
The 569 is so good, with that kinda ghost bezel. I'm also partial to the brown one. Very tempting to double or triple dip with this model. I'm not as much of a fan of the 4:30 date, but those 62MAS *are* attractive, so maybe the concept just needs to grow on me, ha. Someone in another comment mentioned Vaer, and they do have 38mm options with no date. I don't have any experience with them, though.
Have you looked at Christopher Ward or Farer? They both have 38mm diver options, but I do think you're stuck with a date on those. I have the 38mm Trident Pro 300 from CW, and it's a solid watch, especially for the price. Need to review that one before too long. I digress. Thanks for your comment/watching and good luck on the search! I know I'm always looking, too; let me know if you find something rad.
@@smolwatch Ah cool; thanks. I will check those brands out. Looking forward to your other reviews.
Great video dude! I love this watch series enough that I actually search YT and forums to see if people make new posts on it, so it was really enjoyable to see yours. I have way more watches than I need but I must wear these the majority of the time, they are that good! SNE575 and SNE587 say hello
Ha, I do the same thing for some of my favorite references/model lines. Love to see different takes and presentations. Thanks for watching and for your kind words, and enjoy your rad pieces, for sure. :)
Had mine for 2 years soon, got 9 other watches, mainly automatic (German, Swizz and Japanese), now this thing pretty much lives on me... it's too good to not fall for, unless you are a mechanic snob :D
Most def! Very relatable. Just can't resist. Thanks for watching!
Those Seiko solar divers are amazing, affordable, well made, good looking and reliable. The whole package.
Couldn't agree more. Cheers and thanks for watching!
man this is exactly the video I wanted to see. I bought the citizen initially thinking its small size would be great on my 6'25" inch wrist but it was such a disappointment when it felt like a round apple watch or a "hockey puck" as you called it. ended up returning it and going for the seiko and I am so joyous since ive been on a journey for an edc buyitforlife watch.
Very glad the vid was helpful and that you eventually found the watch that fit your needs more. I'm with you on the Citizen. It's counterintuitive, for sure, since the smaller size doesn't necessarily wear better. Oof. Enjoy your piece and thanks for watching!
I've got the brown sne571, it deserves a nickname. I call mine the sting ray, the case shape the crown kinda gives it the sting ray shape.
Nice! That brown one is great, too. There's also one with a dark dial and a grayish bezel that's super good, and a green one, as well. Ha, I've been tempted to double-dip. I dig the nickname. I've seen various people call it the "Sunmariner," which also seems fitting. Cheers!
Got mine a few months ago. Now its my grab & go watch. Never worry about battery or winding it.
What’s your wrist size? Mine 6.5” and afraid the lugs are just gonna bleed off my wrist. Love the watch tho!
@@estebansamra7255 My wrist is about 6.7". This watch is perfect for those with 6.5" wrist.
@@estebansamra7255 My wrist is 6.5". This watch wears just perfect. Lug to lug are just nice.
I have the green variant. I have both of Mark’s LIW bracelets made for the watch, the 3 link oyster and the 5 link jubilee. These bracelets elevates the overall watch into something you’d find from a quality micro brand.
The only downside I experienced: bezel insert was misaligned. I fixed that one negative, leaving me with a QC perfect watch. I wish the markers were a tad larger for legibility and lume. It’s a piece that’s staying in my collection. I have since added the CWC RN300 quartz, a watch with an Omega 300 big triangle M.O.D dial, hands, and insert combined with a vintage Heuer style case. The British military provenance is an added bonus. The fixed bars are badazz.
Quartz divers are under appreciated, and they shouldn’t be.
You're so on point. Agreed 100%. I started heavy quartz, and lately, I've been leaning heavy quartz again. Those CWC divers are bangers, for sure. I have a 3-link oyster for this one from Uncle Straps that I've enjoyed a lot, too (think I showed a couple of shots with it on the bracelet), but it's been a rubber summer over here. I should snag that 5-link you mentioned, though...hmmm. Thanks for your comment and for watching!
Ive had my Citizen (in blue) for just over a year. Very nuch a summer watch for me. I did consider the Seiko but thought it might be *slightly* too big. But it looks great on you and very helpful to see the two side by side.
Nice! Looking back, I would've gotten the blue, especially with this Seiko in the rotation now. I think that's the one to snag, for sure. Glad you found the vid helpful and thanks for watching! :)
Nice presentation. I have this Seiko on a Forstner Klip bracelet - an old school Bonklip style very light weight brushed & polished bracelet that matches up very well for a dress-diver.
The combination weighs 83 grams.
Thanks for the kind words (and for watching)! That bracelet sounds the business, dude. I've never snagged a Forstner but have been close a few times. Need to pull the trigger and give one of those Bonklips a whirl. Been thinking about them, incidentally, ever since I got into Serica, since they use 'em for their field pieces. I digress, ha. Cheers!
Hey smol, great vid!
Under the sun, can you see the solar panels in either of these models? My old eco drive is prerty bad in the department.
Mm, I can't say I've noticed the panels out in direct sun. I will say, under harsher sunlight, it's noticeable that the dials are more like a lighter black/gray, to allow for the light pass-through, though, vs. the richer black shade inside. Hope that helps! I'll try to take 'em out when it's sunny and come back to this thread. Thanks for watching!
@@smolwatch thanks!
Beautiful watch , thanks Chris
Cheers, my dawg, thanks for watching!
Love your videos
Thanks, dawg! Appreciate ya watching and glad you're digging the vids. :)
I'd say it isn't a fair comparison against the Citizen's 37mm, with the Seiko SNE which costs at least $80 more. I agree that the SNE is better overall though regardless. The Citizen diver looks way too small even on my 6.25" tiny wrist. Scratch resistance is more practical for sure, but mineral glass is generally less reflective than sapphire with no AR coating.
Fair points. If cost is a factor, the Citizen is the way to go, especially on the gray market. I find that both are pretty solid when it comes to mitigating annoying reflections. I get much worse reflection problems on, for example, my Hamiltons vs. these. Thanks for watching and sharing!
Love the grey strap! What is it, and where did you get it?
It's a gray FKM rubber from Strap Habit. Great quality and seller, in my experience.
How does it compare to vaer 38mm?
I don't actually know. Never had a Vaer, but they seem like they'd be solid options in a similar vein, potentially. I almost bought a quartz piece from them a while back, but they discontinued the reference I was wanting. If you find out, color me curious!
Wow. Can give link to the citizen diver bracelet?
Most def! I got it from Long Island Watch. It's pretty solid, screwed links, all brushed, etc. longislandwatch.com/islander-18mm-brushed-solid-link-bracelet-for-citizen-36-5mm-promaster-solar-dive-watch-brac-88/?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw8fu1BhBsEiwAwDrsjDk7AvwX20g1yIsWEImwBVp8GDN_yVMX4kYpN-VhbMyKTMoSNsH-xRoCPXMQAvD_BwE
@@smolwatch thanks! Ordered it. Looks handsome from you videos.
This watch is hard to beat. Seiko need to make solar versions of their best sellers like the SPB143 etc.
I'd be here for it, for sure. The more solar, the better. Would love that anthracite/gray colorway with the 62MAS design cues, as well. Thanks for watching!
The citizen ticks all the boxes: big hands, big lume, small diameter. They give all that I want and they prove it: it's ugly 😂
Aw, ha, I almost feel bad for the Citizen. I'm so glad they took a stab at a smaller size, since so many of their divers are huge. Would love to see a middle ground around 38-39mm in a similar vein. Then, we'd have a real competition on our hands, I think. Thanks for watching!
Is that an Islander bracelet on the 36.5mm Promaster?
Yes, indeed! Pretty solid quality and affordable. No affiliation with them. Snagged it on sale recently. Cheers!
What wrist size are you? I'm deciding between this and the citizen
6.25" (15.88cm). Hope that helps and thanks for watching! Both are solid pieces, for sure.
I think 46 lug to lug is the longest I can pull off comfortable, unless it’s a g-shock or other light weight watch
I hear ya, dude. The lug-to-lug is probably the most important stat for peeps like us with smaller wrists. I wore a Hamilton Mechanical for a while (before giving it to a family member) that was 47mm and fairly straight lugs; that worked out okay still, especially on a pass-through strap like a Nato. Beyond that, they'd really have to curve down a lot to be wearable for me. Anyway, I could go on and on, ha. Thanks for watching!
@@smolwatch bro I just was able to try on the black bay pro on the strap. I have a 5.5 inch wrist so I never thought I could pull off the 15mm thick and 47 lug to lug but damn it wore so well and I forgot I was wearing it. The lugs taper way better compared to the hamilton mechanical.
should i buy a solar seiko citizen next !? my seiko 5 auto stated having issus after running 3years , powered 40 hours is gone , now it stops after 15 hours non moving
Mm, if you can find a local watchmaker and you still like your Seiko 5, maybe try to get it serviced? If you want either of the pieces in the video, they're roughly similar in terms of price and both reliable (in my experience so far). I'd choose whichever appeals to you the most. Thanks for watching!
@@smolwatch yes sir 👍🏾
I’ve got the most beautiful Steinhart and it gets zero wrist time anymore because of this watch
The Seiko is a wrist time thief, for sure. Relatable, ha.
Still hope they release a no date version of this watch someday
You and me both, homie. I'd settle for a color-matched date wheel. Almost pulled the trigger on the blackout version of this watch for that alone. Thanks for watching!
That would be cool but never will happen unfortunately. Seiko almost never does a no-date dial; especially on their Prospex diver’s.