Do you know if the movement can be adjusted easily if it falls out of the +5 seconds like a grand seiko? I’m interested in getting one but if it doesn’t keep the time as advertised I will pass. How is yours keeping time?
@@jimblack8104 my understanding is there is no trimming feature where you can self regulate, and regulation would have to be done by Citizen. Mine was +9 seconds after one year if I remember correctly. So outside of the stated +/-5, but still perfectly fine for my preference. I believe the +/-5 is only if you wear it every day for 12 hours a day or something like that. So although Citizen has better stated accuracy, I think Grand Seiko is usually more accurate in person. I still love my The Citizen though and wouldn’t trade it for anything in GS’s catalog though since I prefer the styling, titanium, washi dial, and perpetual calendar+jump hour+solar setup of The Citizen
@@ajgross67 thank you for the insight I appreciate it. I also like the look and fact it is titanium with solar power. +9 is still good going but I definitely wouldn’t be wearing it daily. I’ve been obsessed with accuracy recently so I never wear my Rolex anymore I wear my atomic and Bluetooth G shocks daily. the +5 annual was the main selling point for me although I think it looks amazing. I’m in uk so would need to import it so the grand seiko is an easier purchase as I will get the 5 year warranty but not the solar or perpetual calendar 😩 might have to stick to the g shocks for now because the GS doesn’t cut it compared to the the citizen I’m eyeing
@@jimblack8104 if you are really into inherent accuracy you could look at Citizen’s caliber 0100 watches. You still have solar and jump hour, but I think they are all no date instead of perpetual calendar. Then you get +/- 1 second per year (the most accurate watch in the world). But then you are looking at $6k plus, so spending Rolex money on a Citizen. It does look very well made and has a display caseback for its haute horological finished eco-drive movement, but you still probably wouldn’t be able to see one before buying. They have both steel or titanium (as well as a white gold) models with the movement
This watch looks so beautiful! I’m a sucker for greyish sunburst dials! This watch appears extremely promising! It’s cool to see citizen going the extra mile to have something a bit different and very interesting!
Thank you so much for this review. A few years ago, I would have called this model "a boring quartz watch". But I am more clever today . Lovely watch... thanks again!
Just got a high accuracy Bulova precisionst , accurate to +/- 10 per year chronograph for less than £150 in a sale from Bulova UK, it’s smart, 43mm case and understated, perfect.
Love the styling, & I appreciate it from the technical side with its high accuracy...It just seems a lot of money 4 a quartz Citizen, even with the movement & the high level of finishing
I have purchased 5 Grand Seikos and am open to premium Citizen watches. As Grand Seiko has demonstrated, the studio approach and separate branding is probably a must for premium Citizen watches. This is already being done with the artisanal Campanola high image/high complication quartz watches. The Citizen portfolio of companies include the Swiss movement maker La Joux-Perret and Thomas Arnold so it is not a stretch for Citizen to focus in on a premiere watch line. Grand Seiko references are becoming harder to obtain and pricier so there is an opening for Citizen to enter that sphere subject to the caveat that the best approach would be to aim to exceed Grand Seiko and to not accept second best.
Actually Grand Seiko lost all my interest when the put it as a brand name on the dial. The old ones were awesome, not for show off, the differences were in the details, and you knew and felt you had something amazing yet un conspicuous. Anybody else thought you were wearing a beautiful but average Seiko. That for me was the greatest thing ever. Hope Citizen keeps the branding as it is
I just got a new model; it's nice, and I like the solar and paper dial, but I did notice a few QC issues. Then again, I have seen issues with several Grand Seiko quartz watches as well, notably with a secondhand not hitting the markers - which my The Citizen does well. The Citizen I got is good at about $2,400, but not as perfect as I had hoped.
Any idea what the actual lug to lug length is with the bracelet? Only asking because sometimes even if the lug to lug is a certain length, with some bracelets it can really make the watch effectively larger. And I have tiny wrists.
I have huge respect for Citizen. Their Eco-Drive system is a great concept, and they're often great value for money. Sadly it's quite rare I really want a specific Citizen model. Well this was different for sure! Damn, that's a stunning watch and that time keeping is insane. I've never seen that cool feature that you can set the hour hand separately, brilliant. Of course then it's the price lol.. But it's very cool to see high end Citizens like this reviewed, it's quite rare. I wont go into the obvious debate about this one vs a GS, though.
This is a stunning watch and yes I believe its not very knowm to all yet unlike Seiko but the all over beauty and polishing of this watch is superb. Thanks for this video 👌👏😊
I have a 2018 paper dial model, without lume. I see no dust (with a macro lens), and the polishing looks better than on this one. Could the dust you're seeing be lume? It would be most fair then to compare yours to an equally old GS with lume.
This is a stunning watch, and I am certainly a Citizen fan. I call shenanigans on this video though when talking about the dust inside the movement. This watch is clearly well worn, as evidenced by the watch back, as well as a number of scratches on the case & band. We, as viewers, can't know the history of this watch. Has a curious owner opened it to see how the eco-drive magic works? Maybe, maybe not, but this is not a factory fresh watch so it can not be judged to those same standards.
Great review and camera work! A lovely watch from the Citizen stable but as a peasant, I grumble If I have to pay any more than 200 nikka for a watch! Just bought a Citizen ProMaster CB5039-11L for 174, eco drive, radio controlled, sapphire glass, WR200m, fully lumed and yes I'm pleased with it!
I love high accuracy quartz movements. And i really like this watch. But better value can be found in the certina precidrive line of watches. The down side is that certina lacks finesse in the design departmanet. Apart from the ds2 chronos, the rest of the lineup is kind of generic. Thanks for the video! Happy holidays!
Great video and a lovely watch. I'm lucky enough to have AQ2040-54A and absolutely love it and while I'm not into naming my watches, I call this one The Albino.
@@jannovotny9630 oh wow its only +2 after two years! That’s amazing, how often do you wear it and did you import it from Japan? I’m considering importing one to the uk.
Thanks for the great review. I had no idea Citizen dabbled in this level of watch. Despite the few minor flaws you mentioned, I would love to own one of these or a similar model. Where's a good place to shop for Citizen watches at this price point?
what i would like is for this watch to utilize a precisionisht movement, the one with 262kHz. An ecodrive precisionist. With sapphire glass. Titanium body. That would be an affordable watch that id buy.
Great! But I can't find a reputable vendor selling this watch in the USA. And I'm leery of importing from Japan due to import duty fees that are a crap shot.
When first time owners asked me to what the best quartz watch they can buy under $500 Citizen is undoubtedly one of my first suggestions although Seiko/GS is my favorite brand at that price citizens QC is much better ive bought $1k plus Seiko divers with misaligned bezels and I have $200 and up pro masters and have never had that issue. Their eco drive technology is superior in the watch world being the first to be able to charge using natural or artificial light they are radio powered and incredibly accurate they own the quartz space which Seiko also had a hand in creating but you don’t need to spend this kind of money to get an incredibly accurate well finished quartz far from it. Grand Seiko doesn’t specialize in quartz their bread and butter is the spring drive and when your talking almost $3k I would highly recommend spending a little more and getting a spring drive or getting one pre owned for about the same price as this the citizen has impressive specs and is well finished but like you said the macro tells the story that power reserve hand, indexes and seconds hand would never make it through GS QC every single piece is finished and fit by hand and not only Do they make more dynamic dials but the attention to detail is a step further than this especially when it comes to the bracelets especially when you see the chamfering zaratsu creeping up onto the link like you would see on a Patek or something. Big fan of citizen but I just don’t see it at this price. I’d be much more inclined to try one of their new series 8
I am very happy with my dozen Eco-Drives. These HAQ Citizens are nice, but I am hesitant to spend more than about $500 on any watch. For me, slightly better finishing isn’t worth the extra money. Although I am very interested in watch accuracy, spending the extra money for a higher specification can be a little silly. I have several regular quartz watches and high-frequency Bulovas that run about +6 sec/year. Most of my other quartz watches are accurate enough for me. With my radio, satellite and Bluetooth synchronized watches, I know the correct time. I enjoy my mechanical watches, even though their accuracy over one day doesn’t match most typical quartz watches over a month or more.
@@rangersmith4652 : solar quartz makes a lot of sense if the reliability and durability is as good as i hear it is . why bother with mechanical watches that cost hundreds to service if you can buy one bulletproof watch that never needs anything for its 30 year service life or whatever your luck happens to be ?
@@rangersmith4652 : seiko recommends service every 2-3 years for its mechanicals , but i think their high end quartz are maybe like 50 year intervals .
@@rangersmith4652 Only 4 of my 12 Eco-Drives require hacking the movement for the DST changes. Most high accuracy movements have perpetual calendars and jumping hour capabilities; handy for traveling between time zones. I agree about the intricate accuracy needed in a wristwatch. In our modern world, we are rarely out of connection to a source of standard time for more than a few hours or days. Since I may go weeks or months without wearing a particular watch, I will always check/reset the time when I put on the watch. The DST changeover may be the only time I set some of my many quartz watches. It is really nice if they have kept very accurate time, but not worth spending thousands of dollars. I would probably need to reset the time anyway, since I reset any watch, I am going to wear, if it is more than 1/2 second off.
That silky ideal is beautiful. But, just like the Seiko, I hate the power reserve gauge. If Citizen took that power reserve gauge off and turned this into an automatic movement it would be a home run of a time piece.
Citizen watches used to makes for the price that everyone can affordable, with the basis material, and the Eco drive technology to keeps the products accuracy, reliable and maintenance free. Now with the better made, better material and high performance movement, I don't see why we had to keeps recognise the old way of the brand's name and don't want to pay a higher price for a watch that same as any other high end luxury watches in same class .🤔
The Oceanus is great, but nowhere near the finishing and attention to detail of a GS. I own two Oceanus and two GS. I like the Oceanus because it's very tech and good value, but you'll have to make peace with the idea of blowing close to 1k (like my T4000), on what's essentially a disposable watch.... Those modules are made to be serviceable in any way. And when my phone doesn't work with the watch anymore, out the window goes the Atomic time keeping lol
@@El1988Che Why it would be disposable? I'm sure they can last at least a life time. The battery, when it fades away after probably few decades, can be replaced. And bluetooth is just a gimmick anyway. I have a G-shock with BT, and I never use that option.
I think it is done on purpose like that as it reminds me of some G-shock models that have been done in the same finish, it also makes it less noticeable when glancing the dial as it blends with it from a far
Citizens HAQ watches definitely can compete on quality with GS HAQ watches. However, GS still has the edge on movements (vs any company) with Spring Drive and their dials. That being said, I'll probably buy a Citizen HAQ some day.
This reminds me of the seiko core range beautiful watches but a fraction of the price , obviously there must be quality levels but appearance pretty similar
All those things you said were very true, but the Grand Seiko would never have hour and minute hands that are as dirty as they are on that Citizen. I think thats where Grand Seiko shines. In the details.
I like Eco-drive as I have several. But, this Citizen can't compare with GS Spring Drive with its sweeping second hand. And there are no batteries to change in a Spring Drive either. The only reason I would spring for a GS is the Spring Drive. If high accuracy quartz is the only goal, then Bulava's Precisionist movement provides a much greater bang for the buck.
As accurate as it is, I'm still turned off by the once a second tick of the second hand. Since Citizen owns Bulova, the should further develop the Bulova 262 kHz movement instead.
Those 262kHz movements need a lot of energy (big battery) so it's ideal to combine that with Citizen's eco-drive technology, but that would mean redesigning parts of the movement to put in the charging cirquit and a thicker and semi-transparant dial for the solar cells to work properly. Nothing impossible, all the tech exists, but it will need some work to bring it together.
@@dikkie1000 I'm not sure the tech is there. Eco-Drives are great because they require so little energy and are incredibly efficient. The 262hz Bulova movements are energy hogs. Beautiful movements, but not efficient. With current tech the best you could hope for is to prolong the battery life a little which is hardly worth it. The eco-precisionist is an impossibility at this point. Perhaps one day. Save me a 38mm model.
I don't know about this high-end stuff, but it seems like you were asking for a blood bath in the comments section to suggest Citizen could be a GS killer 😂. Joking aside, Citizen have solid offerings in the true affordable bracket. Their Atessa line-up seems interesting. I'd like to see the CA4390-55E chronograph featured in this channel.
this is light years away from a Grand Seiko. 5s/year vs. 10s/year is insignificant and in all other regards, it's a definite loser. Just look at the power reserve needle finishing and on the middle of the 6'o clock end link in the macro at 4:00. Grand Seiko would never let that leave the factory
@@bettersteps Grand Seiko sells sub 3k watches (Look at SBGP011 for $2600 msrp). It's finished better and just better looking than this watch. I guarantee GS wouldn't overlook the details that Citizen missed on this one.
@@bettersteps hahahah quartz Grand Seiko even sell under 2k. Or buy a Seiko Grand/King Quartz , accurate to +-10 seconds a year for less than 200 bucks 😂😂😂
Thank you for sharing. I do like this design very much, eco drive sounds like the way to go for a daily under a suit (when you rarely dress up). And without an array of winders to keep watches in when not worn. I like my automatics, but not having to set them when i run out the door. While a Citizen may be less value stable (I guess), there is less value to be lost. A bit more care free, and all the looks you can reasonably wish for. The dust particles are a bit disappointing. Could a watch maker do a revision and fix that?
2:24 I’m sorry, dials and hands are a turned off to me. So much imperfection and I’m not gonna pay so much for this. This is why GS is still my number one choice
You actually need to see The Citizen IRL. I have the AQ4091-56E titanium watch. It is very light so if you want to have the solid steel feel, get something else. The watch is very beautiful in every detail. The anti-reflex coating is magic as if the hands were freely floating in space. The more I wear it the more I appreciate it. It lies peacefully next to a GS 9S68-00B0. No need to kill anybody or -thing. The two represent two different strategies to approach perfection. The automatic Grand Seiko is where tradition can take you. The Citizen is about technology.
It's a very attractive watch ! Citizen have begun to up their game. It's good to see. Grand Seiko killer? No. That would be like saying that San Martin is a Rolex killer. It's still gorgeous. Not degrading the watch in any way. I would buy one myself! But GS is a world apart. I can understand the copying of Seiko's power reserve indicator on the dial might lead to that impression too, but that's just skin deep.
This might be a little contentious, but imo citizens HAQ movements are more refined than GS's. The date changes are more precise with citizens, along with a perpetual calendar function and a GMT-esque, jumping hour hand (which make a whole lot more sense in a HAQ movement if you're one to travel) They're both gorgeous brands though, but yeah, I feel like citizen's come out ahead in recent years
The finishing quality under the glass is surprisingly low. The hands and indecies are "dirty" and these dust particles. I have watches that coast a fraction of this and are completely clean, even a Citizen automatic diver. Kinda disappointing.
Is this real? unless you were lying in the first 1.15 minutes (I could not face learning more about a quartz with a power indicator) citizen have taken the most hated aspect of the spring drive and added it to a quartz when nobody cares about charge level of a quartz. I would rather watch paint dry than spend time with this watch. That may be a little harsh as I got drawn into watching further, great vid thanks. I like the thinner case but The quality seems to be lacking compared to the grand seiko's but I’m about to go check out the other versions. I struggled to find many, maybe 3 or 4 and most information I found was out of date, as far as I can tell grand Seiko is struggling with quartz and I don’t think it’s fair to even call citizen competition at the moment. I hope things change for both companies offerings.
![Lp. Сердце Вселенной #60 РОЖДЕНИЕ ЛОЛОЛОШКИ [Финал] • Майнкрафт](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YoR0pAV9FVQ/mqdefault.jpg)
Citizen’s The Citizen line is such an under appreciated line of watches. I have one of the washi dial versions and it is absolutely stunning
Do you know if the movement can be adjusted easily if it falls out of the +5 seconds like a grand seiko? I’m interested in getting one but if it doesn’t keep the time as advertised I will pass. How is yours keeping time?
@@jimblack8104 my understanding is there is no trimming feature where you can self regulate, and regulation would have to be done by Citizen. Mine was +9 seconds after one year if I remember correctly. So outside of the stated +/-5, but still perfectly fine for my preference. I believe the +/-5 is only if you wear it every day for 12 hours a day or something like that. So although Citizen has better stated accuracy, I think Grand Seiko is usually more accurate in person. I still love my The Citizen though and wouldn’t trade it for anything in GS’s catalog though since I prefer the styling, titanium, washi dial, and perpetual calendar+jump hour+solar setup of The Citizen
@@ajgross67 thank you for the insight I appreciate it. I also like the look and fact it is titanium with solar power. +9 is still good going but I definitely wouldn’t be wearing it daily. I’ve been obsessed with accuracy recently so I never wear my Rolex anymore I wear my atomic and Bluetooth G shocks daily. the +5 annual was the main selling point for me although I think it looks amazing. I’m in uk so would need to import it so the grand seiko is an easier purchase as I will get the 5 year warranty but not the solar or perpetual calendar 😩 might have to stick to the g shocks for now because the GS doesn’t cut it compared to the the citizen I’m eyeing
@@jimblack8104 if you are really into inherent accuracy you could look at Citizen’s caliber 0100 watches. You still have solar and jump hour, but I think they are all no date instead of perpetual calendar. Then you get +/- 1 second per year (the most accurate watch in the world). But then you are looking at $6k plus, so spending Rolex money on a Citizen. It does look very well made and has a display caseback for its haute horological finished eco-drive movement, but you still probably wouldn’t be able to see one before buying. They have both steel or titanium (as well as a white gold) models with the movement
@@ajgross67 yeh these are insane I’m definitely not paying that money for a citizen though. I’ve never owned a citizen
Both my 9F Grand Seiko watches (movements 9F85 & 9F86) have independently adjustable hour hand as well. It’s particularly helpful for the GMT watch.
I wish they offered the 85 in a 37mm case. The fact that the baby snowflake is £3700 and doesn’t have the improved movement is a travesty.
This watch looks so beautiful! I’m a sucker for greyish sunburst dials! This watch appears extremely promising! It’s cool to see citizen going the extra mile to have something a bit different and very interesting!
At 2:00, I really love how the date adjust itself, even when going backwards..
I bought one last week here in Australia after tossing up between this and a GS! Its absolutely amazing and the fit and finish is second to none...
Thank you so much for this review. A few years ago, I would have called this model "a boring quartz watch". But I am more clever today . Lovely watch... thanks again!
Just got a high accuracy Bulova precisionst , accurate to +/- 10 per year chronograph for less than £150 in a sale from Bulova UK, it’s smart, 43mm case and understated, perfect.
I use my Chronomaster as my grab-n-go everyday watch. It fits the role perfectly!
Love the styling, & I appreciate it from the technical side with its high accuracy...It just seems a lot of money 4 a quartz Citizen, even with the movement & the high level of finishing
I have purchased 5 Grand Seikos and am open to premium Citizen watches. As Grand Seiko has demonstrated, the studio approach and separate branding is probably a must for premium Citizen watches. This is already being done with the artisanal Campanola high image/high complication quartz watches. The Citizen portfolio of companies include the Swiss movement maker La Joux-Perret and Thomas Arnold so it is not a stretch for Citizen to focus in on a premiere watch line. Grand Seiko references are becoming harder to obtain and pricier so there is an opening for Citizen to enter that sphere subject to the caveat that the best approach would be to aim to exceed Grand Seiko and to not accept second best.
Actually Grand Seiko lost all my interest when the put it as a brand name on the dial. The old ones were awesome, not for show off, the differences were in the details, and you knew and felt you had something amazing yet un conspicuous. Anybody else thought you were wearing a beautiful but average Seiko. That for me was the greatest thing ever. Hope Citizen keeps the branding as it is
@@d3xmeister try citizen series 8
@@d3xmeisterGS always had Grand Seiko on the dial.
@@AceCrickey Discreet like we have “Presage” today, the brand logo was SEIKO. I loved that
That is very pretty. I like the True GMT function. I would buy this at about $1,500-$2,000, similar price point to the Longines VHP GMT.
I just got a new model; it's nice, and I like the solar and paper dial, but I did notice a few QC issues. Then again, I have seen issues with several Grand Seiko quartz watches as well, notably with a secondhand not hitting the markers - which my The Citizen does well.
The Citizen I got is good at about $2,400, but not as perfect as I had hoped.
Any idea what the actual lug to lug length is with the bracelet?
Only asking because sometimes even if the lug to lug is a certain length, with some bracelets it can really make the watch effectively larger. And I have tiny wrists.
Beautiful watch, stellar technology, amazing! Thanks for the video. While I doubt Seiko is shaking in their boots, they ought to be paying attention!
What’s with the power reserve hand @ 2:11? It looks pitted, and scratched.
I have huge respect for Citizen. Their Eco-Drive system is a great concept, and they're often great value for money. Sadly it's quite rare I really want a specific Citizen model. Well this was different for sure! Damn, that's a stunning watch and that time keeping is insane. I've never seen that cool feature that you can set the hour hand separately, brilliant.
Of course then it's the price lol.. But it's very cool to see high end Citizens like this reviewed, it's quite rare. I wont go into the obvious debate about this one vs a GS, though.
Eco-Drive is amazing technology, and pairing it with this high-end movement is brilliant.
Great wrok as always!
I would like to which is the best option between G7900 mudman 9010 and golfman thx u in advance
My citizen GMT is 22 years old still perfect, I mirror polished myself
This is a stunning watch and yes I believe its not very knowm to all yet unlike Seiko but the all over beauty and polishing of this watch is superb. Thanks for this video 👌👏😊
I have a 2018 paper dial model, without lume. I see no dust (with a macro lens), and the polishing looks better than on this one.
Could the dust you're seeing be lume? It would be most fair then to compare yours to an equally old GS with lume.
The second hand looks short . Why has the power reserve indicator on the dial?
This is a stunning watch, and I am certainly a Citizen fan. I call shenanigans on this video though when talking about the dust inside the movement. This watch is clearly well worn, as evidenced by the watch back, as well as a number of scratches on the case & band. We, as viewers, can't know the history of this watch. Has a curious owner opened it to see how the eco-drive magic works? Maybe, maybe not, but this is not a factory fresh watch so it can not be judged to those same standards.
Great review and camera work! A lovely watch from the Citizen stable but as a peasant, I grumble If I have to pay any more than 200 nikka for a watch! Just bought a Citizen ProMaster CB5039-11L for 174, eco drive, radio controlled, sapphire glass, WR200m, fully lumed and yes I'm pleased with it!
I love high accuracy quartz movements. And i really like this watch. But better value can be found in the certina precidrive line of watches. The down side is that certina lacks finesse in the design departmanet. Apart from the ds2 chronos, the rest of the lineup is kind of generic. Thanks for the video! Happy holidays!
This is beautiful like those series 8 or is it 9 however if people struggle to spend 1000 in seikos I feel its even harder on a citizen
0:03 The finishing on that power reserve small hand looks appalling.
Citizen is a computer quartz watch, while grand Seiko has traditional quartz movement
I’m curious about this-I’ve never heard that.
Great video and a lovely watch. I'm lucky enough to have AQ2040-54A and absolutely love it and while I'm not into naming my watches, I call this one The Albino.
How is the watch keeping time?
@@jimblack8104 it's great, I'm wearing it right now. It's about +2 sec and last time I adjusted it was June or July 2020.
@@jannovotny9630 oh wow its only +2 after two years! That’s amazing, how often do you wear it and did you import it from Japan? I’m considering importing one to the uk.
What 9r spring drive needs a battery change ?
Wow! This is an excellent Grand Seiko alternative. Good vid. Keep at it!
Great discovery! Thanks for sharing.
I also think the Casio Oceanus T200 is even better, at about 25% of the price.
Totally different beast. 🤷🏼♂️
No.
@@Ex.zed.no? What do you mean?
PS the Seconds Hand alignment looks near perfect to me. Where it seems off is it not just the parallax error in camera placement?
I would like to know if the links of the bracelet are screwed. Thanks for the answer.
They are
Thanks for the great review. I had no idea Citizen dabbled in this level of watch. Despite the few minor flaws you mentioned, I would love to own one of these or a similar model. Where's a good place to shop for Citizen watches at this price point?
Seems to me that it has a little more in common with high end Casio, like oceanus and their MTG g shocks, but hey Rome wasn't built in a day.
what i would like is for this watch to utilize a precisionisht movement, the one with 262kHz. An ecodrive precisionist. With sapphire glass. Titanium body. That would be an affordable watch that id buy.
Do you know if the movement can be adjusted if not running to spec like a grand seiko?
Citizen is great quality for the money. But I want to see a Meca Quartz Eco Drive.
Great! But I can't find a reputable vendor selling this watch in the USA. And I'm leery of importing from Japan due to import duty fees that are a crap shot.
For around the same price think Grand Seiko still has it up on finishing. Both are beautiful though.
Its disappointing that they dont have a sweeping second hand like the GS.
Ehhh the 9F85 has a independent hour hand also?
Did you get that 2nd hand? Looks like it was opened at some point. Mine has zero dust.
When first time owners asked me to what the best quartz watch they can buy under $500 Citizen is undoubtedly one of my first suggestions although Seiko/GS is my favorite brand at that price citizens QC is much better ive bought $1k plus Seiko divers with misaligned bezels and I have $200 and up pro masters and have never had that issue. Their eco drive technology is superior in the watch world being the first to be able to charge using natural or artificial light they are radio powered and incredibly accurate they own the quartz space which Seiko also had a hand in creating but you don’t need to spend this kind of money to get an incredibly accurate well finished quartz far from it. Grand Seiko doesn’t specialize in quartz their bread and butter is the spring drive and when your talking almost $3k I would highly recommend spending a little more and getting a spring drive or getting one pre owned for about the same price as this the citizen has impressive specs and is well finished but like you said the macro tells the story that power reserve hand, indexes and seconds hand would never make it through GS QC every single piece is finished and fit by hand and not only
Do they make more dynamic dials but the attention to detail is a step further than this especially when it comes to the bracelets especially when you see the chamfering zaratsu creeping up onto the link like you would see on a Patek or something. Big fan of citizen but I just don’t see it at this price. I’d be much more inclined to try one of their new series 8
The Citizen line is hand finished and hand assembled.
Got My daughter an Eco-drive for Christmas. She's long distance runner whose Garmin is getting to be out of place in grad school.
you can get an used tudor
black bay for that money right?
The perfect hits on the markers made my sploosh
I am very happy with my dozen Eco-Drives. These HAQ Citizens are nice, but I am hesitant to spend more than about $500 on any watch. For me, slightly better finishing isn’t worth the extra money. Although I am very interested in watch accuracy, spending the extra money for a higher specification can be a little silly. I have several regular quartz watches and high-frequency Bulovas that run about +6 sec/year. Most of my other quartz watches are accurate enough for me. With my radio, satellite and Bluetooth synchronized watches, I know the correct time. I enjoy my mechanical watches, even though their accuracy over one day doesn’t match most typical quartz watches over a month or more.
my lower accuracy quartz watches still seem to go months without significant deviation . why would i pay thousands for more accuracy ?
I can't see a need for this level of accuracy since we have to reset our watches twice a year anyway. Still, I do enjoy my half dozen
@@rangersmith4652 : solar quartz makes a lot of sense if the reliability and durability is as good as i hear it is . why bother with mechanical watches that cost hundreds to service if you can buy one bulletproof watch that never needs anything for its 30 year service life or whatever your luck happens to be ?
@@rangersmith4652 : seiko recommends service every 2-3 years for its mechanicals , but i think their high end quartz are maybe like 50 year intervals .
@@rangersmith4652 Only 4 of my 12 Eco-Drives require hacking the movement for the DST changes. Most high accuracy movements have perpetual calendars and jumping hour capabilities; handy for traveling between time zones. I agree about the intricate accuracy needed in a wristwatch. In our modern world, we are rarely out of connection to a source of standard time for more than a few hours or days. Since I may go weeks or months without wearing a particular watch, I will always check/reset the time when I put on the watch. The DST changeover may be the only time I set some of my many quartz watches. It is really nice if they have kept very accurate time, but not worth spending thousands of dollars. I would probably need to reset the time anyway, since I reset any watch, I am going to wear, if it is more than 1/2 second off.
That silky ideal is beautiful. But, just like the Seiko, I hate the power reserve gauge. If Citizen took that power reserve gauge off and turned this into an automatic movement it would be a home run of a time piece.
Lmao, automatic movent? That’s the opposite of what this watch needs
Always well done videos 👏
Citizen watches used to makes for the price that everyone can affordable, with the basis material, and the Eco drive technology to keeps the products accuracy, reliable and maintenance free.
Now with the better made, better material and high performance movement, I don't see why we had to keeps recognise the old way of the brand's name and don't want to pay a higher price for a watch that same as any other high end luxury watches in same class .🤔
Very nice! Tho, I'd rather spend that money onto few Casio Oceanuses. 😁
I agree ,so would I
The Oceanus is great, but nowhere near the finishing and attention to detail of a GS. I own two Oceanus and two GS. I like the Oceanus because it's very tech and good value, but you'll have to make peace with the idea of blowing close to 1k (like my T4000), on what's essentially a disposable watch.... Those modules are made to be serviceable in any way. And when my phone doesn't work with the watch anymore, out the window goes the Atomic time keeping lol
@@El1988Che Why it would be disposable? I'm sure they can last at least a life time.
The battery, when it fades away after probably few decades, can be replaced.
And bluetooth is just a gimmick anyway. I have a G-shock with BT, and I never use that option.
This is really really cool! Citizen is underrated
The power reserve always ruins dials for me. Same with the grand seikos. The snowflake would be so beautiful without the spring drive meter
Can't agree more!
agreed
Hand finishing looks rough but otherwise it's nice. I definitely appreciate Citizen HAQs, but will still buy Grand Seiko instead.
What's going on with the power reserve hand? It's hideous. I'd be disappointed if I saw that in a $50 watch.
I couldn't agree more
I think it is done on purpose like that as it reminds me of some G-shock models that have been done in the same finish, it also makes it less noticeable when glancing the dial as it blends with it from a far
Hideous? Hyperbolize much? lol
@@WatchGeek I agree that it was done on purpose, I just don't understand why. In my opinion, it looks completely out of place.
Great video by the way.
Very beautiful looking watch!!
Yup 😁
My promaster tough is I credible with pvd coating chronograph it's perfect but I ditched it for a sinn auto haha
Citizens HAQ watches definitely can compete on quality with GS HAQ watches. However, GS still has the edge on movements (vs any company) with Spring Drive and their dials.
That being said, I'll probably buy a Citizen HAQ some day.
This reminds me of the seiko core range beautiful watches but a fraction of the price , obviously there must be quality levels but appearance pretty similar
All those things you said were very true, but the Grand Seiko would never have hour and minute hands that are as dirty as they are on that Citizen. I think thats where Grand Seiko shines. In the details.
I like Eco-drive as I have several. But, this Citizen can't compare with GS Spring Drive with its sweeping second hand. And there are no batteries to change in a Spring Drive either. The only reason I would spring for a GS is the Spring Drive. If high accuracy quartz is the only goal, then Bulava's Precisionist movement provides a much greater bang for the buck.
i think seiko recommends servicing every 2-3 years ....hilarious
A ticking second hand is more useful than a sweeping second hand.
@@folksurvival : i guess
This isn’t competing against spring drive but rather the 9f caliber
Where do we shop for this level of Citizen watch? In my area they sell budget Citizens only.
Japan
As accurate as it is, I'm still turned off by the once a second tick of the second hand. Since Citizen owns Bulova, the should further develop the Bulova 262 kHz movement instead.
Those 262kHz movements need a lot of energy (big battery) so it's ideal to combine that with Citizen's eco-drive technology, but that would mean redesigning parts of the movement to put in the charging cirquit and a thicker and semi-transparant dial for the solar cells to work properly. Nothing impossible, all the tech exists, but it will need some work to bring it together.
agreed. it makes it look cheap.
Same
@@dikkie1000 I'm not sure the tech is there. Eco-Drives are great because they require so little energy and are incredibly efficient. The 262hz Bulova movements are energy hogs. Beautiful movements, but not efficient. With current tech the best you could hope for is to prolong the battery life a little which is hardly worth it. The eco-precisionist is an impossibility at this point. Perhaps one day. Save me a 38mm model.
I like CITIZEN high end line but this design is basically a GS
It looks cool and classic. I don't like metal much but this I think I'd wear.
How many watches even exist that don't have metal?
What is the point of a power reserve... It goes more than a year without a charge, its just stupid.
What model number is this?
That power reserve indicator completely ruins the watch for me.
Nice looking and clever watch but I’m not an old style analogue fan. I wear a gxw56 g shock king. Only watch I’ll ever need and never needs a battery.
I don't know about this high-end stuff, but it seems like you were asking for a blood bath in the comments section to suggest Citizen could be a GS killer 😂.
Joking aside, Citizen have solid offerings in the true affordable bracket. Their Atessa line-up seems interesting. I'd like to see the CA4390-55E chronograph featured in this channel.
I think he did it for the comments, you know, in Algorithm We Trust. 😅
Submariner owner here: this watch is freaking nice. Great review
this is light years away from a Grand Seiko. 5s/year vs. 10s/year is insignificant and in all other regards, it's a definite loser. Just look at the power reserve needle finishing and on the middle of the 6'o clock end link in the macro at 4:00. Grand Seiko would never let that leave the factory
Grand Seiko would never sell a sub $3k watch either. For the price, this watch is a home run.
@@bettersteps Grand Seiko sells sub 3k watches (Look at SBGP011 for $2600 msrp). It's finished better and just better looking than this watch. I guarantee GS wouldn't overlook the details that Citizen missed on this one.
😂😂😂
@@bettersteps hahahah quartz Grand Seiko even sell under 2k. Or buy a Seiko Grand/King Quartz , accurate to +-10 seconds a year for less than 200 bucks 😂😂😂
Are you sure the smudge at the 6 o'clock end link didn't happen after the watch left the factory?
This one really caught my eye
I would go for other “the citizen” models because I don’t want to spend 2900 usd for short second hand.
Nice looking watch, but I prefer my Tissot Gentleman at 1/3 the price.
Very nice watch.
How could i not guess that? Hahaha i have a chronomaster yet i did not guess what was the watch on the pic teaser hahaha
Thank you for sharing.
I do like this design very much, eco drive sounds like the way to go for a daily under a suit (when you rarely dress up). And without an array of winders to keep watches in when not worn. I like my automatics, but not having to set them when i run out the door.
While a Citizen may be less value stable (I guess), there is less value to be lost. A bit more care free, and all the looks you can reasonably wish for. The dust particles are a bit disappointing. Could a watch maker do a revision and fix that?
The Seiko SBTM 321, obtainable from Sakura Watches, Japan, has all of the functions of the Citizen for about US$350. It’s a bargain.
For the asking price you are better off with a breitling chronometer quartz
Huge respect for Citizen, but the imperfections on the hands and markers are unacceptable at that price.
Look at all that real estate where the power indicator could have been...
2:24 I’m sorry, dials and hands are a turned off to me. So much imperfection and I’m not gonna pay so much for this. This is why GS is still my number one choice
You actually need to see The Citizen IRL. I have the AQ4091-56E titanium watch. It is very light so if you want to have the solid steel feel, get something else. The watch is very beautiful in every detail. The anti-reflex coating is magic as if the hands were freely floating in space. The more I wear it the more I appreciate it. It lies peacefully next to a GS 9S68-00B0. No need to kill anybody or -thing. The two represent two different strategies to approach perfection. The automatic Grand Seiko is where tradition can take you. The Citizen is about technology.
I’m looking at the 56A I take it you are happy with your purchase. How is your citizen keeping time?
the tick just isn't as nice the grand Seiko sweep of the second hand
Looks great
It's a very attractive watch ! Citizen have begun to up their game. It's good to see. Grand Seiko killer? No. That would be like saying that San Martin is a Rolex killer. It's still gorgeous. Not degrading the watch in any way. I would buy one myself! But GS is a world apart. I can understand the copying of Seiko's power reserve indicator on the dial might lead to that impression too, but that's just skin deep.
This might be a little contentious, but imo citizens HAQ movements are more refined than GS's. The date changes are more precise with citizens, along with a perpetual calendar function and a GMT-esque, jumping hour hand (which make a whole lot more sense in a HAQ movement if you're one to travel)
They're both gorgeous brands though, but yeah, I feel like citizen's come out ahead in recent years
Compelling. Incredible dial - you inclined to de-case the movement to take care of the dust?
But like, why not sign the crown for a nearly $3k watch?
I love my eco drives, but what makes a quartz movement worth 2900?
Is it the finishing and quality of the watch hands, case, and bracelet? Is there a special movement? Is it both?
The finishing quality under the glass is surprisingly low. The hands and indecies are "dirty" and these dust particles. I have watches that coast a fraction of this and are completely clean, even a Citizen automatic diver. Kinda disappointing.
There is no cache with the Citizen name when you are going to lay out luxury money for a watch.
Citizen eco drive watches are fantastic
The finishing and dirt/dust on the hands is unacceptable at this price range.
how does it compare to the longines conquest vhp?
It has a similar super accurate movement but the watch is half the price of this one
Betteridge’s Rule of Headlines
Is this real? unless you were lying in the first 1.15 minutes (I could not face learning more about a quartz with a power indicator) citizen have taken the most hated aspect of the spring drive and added it to a quartz when nobody cares about charge level of a quartz. I would rather watch paint dry than spend time with this watch.
That may be a little harsh as I got drawn into watching further, great vid thanks. I like the thinner case but The quality seems to be lacking compared to the grand seiko's but I’m about to go check out the other versions.
I struggled to find many, maybe 3 or 4 and most information I found was out of date, as far as I can tell grand Seiko is struggling with quartz and I don’t think it’s fair to even call citizen competition at the moment. I hope things change for both companies offerings.
It's OK but I preffer my Longines VHP GMT at a fraction of the price of this watch. The finish on the Longines is better IMHO