In the lower end of the market it’s the Japanese brands that dominate, not the Swiss. As such, the world’s largest watchmaker, Citizen, is further expanding their offering in the ~$500 market with their new, smaller 37mm Promaster Divers.
While it’s advertised as a 37mm diver, the Promaster is actually smaller at 36.5mm and only 11.6mm in height and arrives in three colours: blue, black, and pink. Each colour is remarkably casual and given it’s the same thickness as a Tudor Black Bay 58, it should sit very comfortably on any wrist.
That relatively thin stainless steel case may have been achievable through cost-effective means thanks to the Eco-Drive E168 movement. It isn’t a mechanical movement, but it is a remarkable bit of tech. It’s a solar powered watch so it uses light to charge the batteries but you don’t have to leave it in the sun, rather it uses ambient light. A full charge, which only requires a few minutes of light exposure, provides an amazing six months of power. You also won’t need to change the battery for at least a decade. In terms of accuracy, being quartz you’re looking at +/-15 seconds per month.
Other features include a unidirectional bezel, screw down crown, and a polyurethane strap. Ensuring that despite it being likely landlocked, the Promaster Diver has 200m of water resistance.
Citizen is paying attention to the general popularity of dive watches and have followed Tudor and their steady downsizing of their popular Black Bay series from 41mm, to 39mm, to 37mm. It seems that 37mm might be the current ideal watch size for many people. Is that the death knell of the big watch we hear?
For $500 AUD ($375 USD) you’re getting great value here. There’s very little to complain about unless you’re simply not keen on the design. These are available now from Citizen retailers.
