Citizen is one of the go-to Japanese brands offering affordable but satisfying tool watches, and those with mechanical movements often create the most excitement. Now, following the release of some Promaster automatic dive watches specifically for Europe, Citizen has announced another regional release focused on South East Asia with six solid new Promaster watches. The rest of the world can only hope that this is a trend that will bring more such models to places like the US soon — because these affordable automatic dive watches are sure to be well received.
The six new variants feature different dial and aluminum bezel insert colors, as well as some options with mixed steel and gold-toned case finishes. New steel bracelet options are an attractive feature for the launch. With 42mm-wide cases water-resistant to 200m, the distinctive Promaster features are the crown’s lefthand-side placement around 8 o’clock and the bezel design, with serrated sections broken up by smooth ones. The brand says this bezel design was inspired by the fugu, which you might also know as the pufferfish, and the solid case back features a motif of the famously spiky and poisonous fish.
The automatic Miyota 8200 series of movements are found in affordable watches from a range of brands, but since Miyota is Citizen’s movement maker, you can consider this Promaster to contain an “in-house movement.” The 8203A is automatic and robust, operating at 3Hz with a power reserve of 45 hours, but it doesn’t have the familiar hacking feature beloved by many (the seconds hand doesn’t stop when you set the time).
Each new model will be limited to 2,000 pieces, except the highlighted model with green dial and bezel, which will be limited to 1,989 pieces, in reference to the year the Promaster line was launched. For now, these watches are only being offered in South East Asian countries, with prices ranging from around $360 to $480.
Gear Patrol also recommends:
Casio Anti Reverse Bezel Dive Watch ($50)
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Dive Watch ($125)
Seiko SKX007J1 200m Dive Watch ($285)
