this post was submitted on 09 Nov 2023
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Watches

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Basically the title says it all. I picked up one of these brand new off eBay for $120 and I think this is a fantastic tool watch. I ended up with one for work as I'm in healthcare and didn't want to gunk up my nicer GADA watch. It's a great size for my slender wrist, easy to read and so far keeps great time! Yeah it's an eco drive, not automatic but I mean for a watch I just can slip on and head to work I can't think of a better model in ths price range. Definitely a firm recommendation from me for whatever that's worth.

Like some others I wasn't keen on the original strap but I picked up a few from CNS and I'm loving the single pass strap on it!

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Give it time for the power cell to die and you’ll understand

[–] metamucil0@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

They really are fantastic

[–] BoxoMorons@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)
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[–] winterisfav@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Yeah I love this watch, I just hate the mineral crystal. Ew.

[–] RobbersTwo@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Why? Nothing wrong with mineral crystal. It's a sub 150 dollar watch with a purpose. Id rather a watch in this price range scratch than shatter. And truthfully, mineral is fine for most watches. This whole mineral vs sapphire conversation is silly.

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[–] Grundlage@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (6 children)

I love solar quartz watches (I own three!) and am the rare watch enthusiast who prefers them to autos. But I don't own this one because it's a mineral crystal. Why Citizen doesn't offer more sapphire versions of their eco-drive watches is beyond me, I'd happily pay a small premium for that.

[–] lord_of_lafayette@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Funny you say that as the nicer watch I mentioned is a VAER!

[–] magefont1@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

As someone without a lot of background on the subject, what's the concern with a mineral crystal?

[–] trivial_vista@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

scratches faster but heard impact wise it's better

[–] BeeLuv@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Yeah, you always hear how it is less brittle.

[–] Manuag_86@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Are you sure about Seiko? They use mineral glass Hardlex for a lot of models in entry and even some mid level watches.

[–] maninatikihut@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I didn’t know anything’s out this stuff when I bought my version of this watch but I’ve come to love the mineral crystal. Mines best to all hell and it’s given the watch a lot of character that I love.

[–] S0phon@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm a quartz enthusiast too and in general, Citizen watches are just too big for my chicken wrists.

[–] nexx_springs@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I have small wrists and this watch fits great.

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[–] magefont1@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Got this watch on an olive green nato strap. Absolutely love it but man I wish it came bigger than a 37mm for my 7.25" wrist.

[–] Amesb34r@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Same here. If it were 39 or 40, that'd be great. Pair that with a sapphire crystal and you've got a hell of a watch.

[–] Cool_Cartographer_39@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I love mine. Rugged, reliable and so far keeps great time.

[–] best_of_badgers@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

and so far keeps great time.

I sure hope so. A fifty cent quartz movement should be accurate within a few seconds a month.

[–] trivial_vista@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Was actually just looking for one last week as it's an eco-drive and has day-date drawbacks are the large size, small crown, overly busy display and 100m wr had it been a 38 with a larger crown, cleaner display and 200m wr would of had one immediatly ..

[–] u4ea500@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

My first watch!

I really wish Citizen would update this line with some new sizing, colors and materials. I don’t know what they’re thinking. They are way behind the curve. Period. They finally make a smaller pro master and then call it a women’s watch. Hello? Anybody home??

[–] RobbersTwo@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I agree about the size. That is my only knock on citizen and why I opted against purchasing them. I find them oversized. But I absolutely love citizen other than that.

[–] lord_of_lafayette@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I can only speak to this model as it's my first Citizen but for me with a quite slender wrist, the 37mm is perfect!

[–] Itsallgood190@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

This has caught my eye a few times before. Still need an eco-drive but after a few more automatics on my list

[–] Amesb34r@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I have 2 Citizen Eco Drives, one with radio controlled time. They have never let me down and I would definitely recommend picking one up.

[–] dcawvive@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

That is a great looking watch and i even like the band where typically i prefer the bracelet. I love my eco drive. 23 years and still running great. I'd have bought that in a heartbeat.

[–] goofballsadsack@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I've got one of these beauties around 2 years ago. I immediately switched to a black nylon fabric strap and I've worn the watch every day since. Like you say, it's very easy to read. But I agree with everyone complaining about the mineral crystal. I scratched mine in my first week using it, and it pains me every time I look down at my wrist. I'm now saving up for a Junghans Max Bill Mega Solar since they're now sold with a sapphire crystal. But I'd love to get other recommendations for flieger or minimalist solar watches with Arabic numerals that I could upgrade to.

[–] batuckan1@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I have their Aqualand series bad ass!

[–] SirGuy11@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Great watch, I’ve bought a couple for myself and more for friends.

The reference is BM8180-03E for those wondering.

For those concerned about its mineral crystal, just put a screen protector on it. I have one on one of mine and you can’t even tell it’s there. I do wish they had screwdown crowns, though. But the rest of the specs work well: 100m is a little unusual in a watch like this, and the lume is surprisingly good (and lasts all night). I’m a fan. 👍

[–] Walksuphills@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I guess the size puts some people off, but I would have guessed it’s one of Citizen’s more popular models.

[–] xeroxenon@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

This is my daily driver! Had it for 10 years and never had a problem. I’ve taken it through oceans, hot tubs, lakes and rivers. It’s lasted longer than three relationships, a failed marriage, and my current marriage. It’s been to the bottom of the Grand Canyon and been present for the birth of my children. I can’t state enough how much I love this watch. I’ve replaced the original strap 3 or 4 times now. Congrats on finding a true gem.

[–] RobbersTwo@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Everybody needs a "quartz grab and go".

A GADA is about design, but a "quartz grab and go" is about simplicity.

Citizen, Timex, and Casio all make great watches in this category.

These aren't beaters. No watch is really a beater unless you are using it as a hammer. It isn't a daily driver. These are watches you simply put on because you are in a hurry and don't want to fiddle around. Trustworthy, reliable, and fits any occasion.

The garrison is a great example of this style of watch.

[–] plk7@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I’ve waffled since I already have more watches that I intended, but that one is so tempting.

[–] islers86@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

What strap is that? I had one of these I paid $90 for it before upgrading. It served its purpose and kick started my watch interest. I ended up selling, upgrading, then started spending thousands on Tudors and rolexes. These are great entry level watches and/or perfect gift watches to get younger folks into watches.

[–] lord_of_lafayette@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

It's a CNS single pass. In this case I think just a simple strap swap makes a world of difference. Not quite to the level of an Explorer on a NATO but this is the first watch I've had where a strap completely changed the way I looked at the watch.

[–] ertapenem@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I recently purchased this exact watch and am totally in love with it!

[–] KeepingMyselfAlive@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

That's actually the watch I want. It's just a little bit over my price range.

[–] nexx_springs@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Keep an eye on Amazon. I got mine for right around $100 on sale.

[–] nexx_springs@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

Keep an eye on Amazon. I got mine for right around $100 on sale.

[–] ManiacFive@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I love this citizen, I’ve had mine probably a decade, it’s currently on an old fossil bund style strap, and it’s just as good as the day I bought it.

Nice strap! Wear it in good health.

[–] CookieDave@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (2 children)

I do like the looks of this, but I’d swap the strap for a rubber one. Depending on the department, I’d want to make sure I can clean the heck out of it, and I don’t know if I’d trust a fabric strap in that situation. One of the few times I’d reach for a G-Shock over an analog one as well, since the timer function and hourly signal could be quite beneficial.

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[–] Stupid_Demon@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

This is my everyday watch and I love it. It keeps great time and is just super reliable. I also switched out the strap for some natos but it looks good on a bonklip that I bought. Wear it in good health for many years to come!

[–] Devildog_627@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

I’ve become a big fan of Eco-Drive. Citizen just makes some fantastic stuff.

[–] fotomoose@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

There a a number of citizen watches I'd wear the balls off if they made smaller versions for my skinny wrists.

[–] BeeLuv@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

This one is 37mm, and looks just fine on my 165mm wrist. I have citizen’s 34mm promaster dive watch, which I recommend if you want to go smaller. Citizen calls it a women’s watch, but there’s nothing in the look of the watch that would make anyone call it a woman’s watch. (EP6050-17E)

[–] Velocitor1729@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

100% agree! This is my beater watch. I see you put a nicer strap on yours.

[–] BrowningLoPower@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

This is one of my all-time favorites, though I have a few nitpicky gripes: the hands should be a bit longer, the lume should be a bit stronger, it should have drilled lugs, and the minute numerals from 20 to 40 should be inverted (unless there's a specific reason for the way they are now).

I love the size, style, legibility, accuracy, the fact that it's solar-powered, and that it has a date AND day complication.

[–] ivanyufen@alien.top 1 points 1 year ago

the best watch at this price point, period. Been wanted to sell this 3 times, always feel doubt and end up liking it again

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