For all the diver’s watches discussed here that are powered by Citizen manufactured movements; it would be fair to say that Citizen -
specifically their Promaster diver’s watches, don’t receive nearly enough coverage often being neglected in favor of their European counterparts.
So here’s a new 2021 Promaster that’s been on my radar since its release in March that I am posting as per the request of one of the OceanicTime faithful – I hope you like it – my thanks to that reader (ARB) for the great suggestion!
This is the new Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver 200m NB6004-08E plus other refs. With its magnetic-resistance, lightweight and durable case made from Citizen’s proprietary Super Titanium™ and automatic mechanical movement it is a significant new model.
Citizen’s diver’s watches are probably one of the most common models that you’ll see worn by actual divers.
No matter where you are in the world, if you find yourself sat on a dive boat heading out to sea, chances are that someone will be wearing one – and there’s a good reason for that.
And yes, they are mass-produced but they are also incredibly well-made and reliable offering excellent value at their price-point.
Earlier this year Citizen launched a new model from their Promaster marine category, a diver’s model featuring a new movement with magnetic-resistance no less!
The new Cal. 9051 movement uses anti-magnetic materials for its balance spring and surrounding components in order to boost the overall magnetic-resistance of the watch.
This new model is capable of maintaining performance even when placed just 1 centimeter’s distance from a device emitting a magnetic field of 16,000 A/ｍ.
The watch is also resistant to magnetic fields from everyday devices, including smartphones, and it can even be used aboard a ship outfitted with a magnetic compass.
In addition to magnetic-resistance, the watch also has an ISO compliant water-resistance up to 200 meters.
The 9051 can run for 42 hours when fully wound, with a daily accuracy of -10 to +20 seconds – a pretty great performance for a mechanical watch.
Meanwhile its hour hand, minute hand, and indexes have a luminescent coating ensuring high visibility when needed.
The bold trapezoid indentations around the edge of the case are both stylish and functional, providing a rugged look and a sure grip when using the bezel.
The 46mm in diameter case has a two-piece structure and uses Super Titanium™ with Citizen’s proprietary surface-hardening technology known as Duratect, making the watch incredibly light for its size.
The rough and tough looks of this model are enhanced by an intricate almost stud-like pyramid pattern on the bezel and the dial with shades that shift depending on the viewing angle.
In addition the dial is covered by a thick domed Sapphire glass with anti-reflective coating. MSRP is 1,050USD.
Thoughts? For all of its ruggedness and toughness, for its high-strength Super Titanium case with ultra-hard Duratect-coating, the watch’s water-resistance is remarkably conservative at just 200m, but it’s ISO compliant which is good enough.
Looks-wise, it’s pretty busy even for a Promaster but it’s so purposeful; I mean just check out the height of that diver’s bezel – it’s begging for the soft embrace of neoprene-clad fingers.
Of the four current variants; I’d have to say, classic black on black rubber AKA ref. NB6004-08E would be my choice all day long, but it’s still no Autozilla and it’s no ref. 1251-215249, either.
Talking of which, also new from Citizen for 2021 was a new model, the Promaster Eco-Drive Diver 200m BN0220-16E, a diluted watch inspired by the above vintage ref.
The Citizen Professional Diver’s 1300m ref. 1251-215249 from 1982 was for its day, the world’s deepest diver’s watch and it will be celebrating its 40th birthday next year.
This year’s watered down offering was perhaps just an appetite wetter, so with any luck we could expect to see a proper 1’300m reissue in 2022 – I wonder if they’ll go auto, Eco or quartz?
What do you think about this new model? And are you also hopeful for a 1982 ref. 1251-215249 reissue?
Btw if there's' a new or interesting model that you'd like to see featured here please just let me know.
Thank you ARB, you are very welcome my friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you. Take good care of yourself. I will keep the articles coming. Cheers, Lex
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