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In Person: Citizen’s New Chronograph

July 16, 2012 By Joe | Heads up: Buying via our links may result in us getting a commission. Also, we take your privacy rights seriously. Head here to learn more.

Citizen CA033 Chronograph series: Black Dial – $243.75 | White Dial – $225

Citizen has been in a style slump the last couple of years.  A little too much chunk, a bunch of “mneh”, and a drift towards futuristic styling (think Cadillac’s harsh angles) left a lot of guys looking to Timex for a subtle but still eye catching watch before Citizen.  Yes a Timex costs much less, but for awhile there they were also looking, on average, much better.

These might start shifting the momentum back Citizen’s way.

One’s all sport, the other’s all class, and it’s just a matter of changing the color scheme to get the desired effect.  The White Dial will be a little stark to some (would love to see a silver face option at some point) but that contrast gives it a modern meets antique look.  The font looks terrific and resembles a rail-station or old schoolroom clock.  Sub dials are nicely proportioned, and the easy curves at 12 and 6 that make room for them look great.  This thing could look even better if you swapped out the black strap for a brown or even burgundy.  Or, throw a racing style strap on there and you’ve got a dressed up looking dial, subtle chronograph, on a fast looking band.

The black dial isn’t quite a black-out version because the hour, minute, second, and sub-dial hands are white.  It certainly makes it easier to tell what time it is, but not everyone is going to like the look.  They partnered it with a tan strap, which is becoming an awfully familiar color pairing for an ion-plated watch.  Some of the case is matte, some of it has some shine to it.

Equipped with the powered-by-light Eco-Drive movement, they’re a quartz that’s north of $200 but will never need a battery.  Only the staunchest of automatic heads don’t appreciate Citizen’s solar power-plant.  It’s worth the extra cost and the watches are just built well.  Leather straps feel good right out of the box, and the case diameter is a perfect for most 42 mm.  It’s not a tiny field watch, and it’s not some obnoxious saucer either.  Has some good weight to it but it won’t ride too high on your wrist.  Water resistance rating is 100 m.

Part of a group of new releases from Citizen, which feature a busy moon-phase, a thicker perpetual calendar, and an under $200 day-date that looks a lot like these, only it uses a cream (or is it silver?) dial with blue hands.

Thoughts on these and Citizen as a brand?  It all goes in the comments section…

Filed Under: Watches Tagged With: blackout watch, chronograph, Citizen, eco-drive, new citizen watches

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Comments

  1. Guest says

    July 16, 2012 at 4:42 AM

    The white one looks really good

  2. Pablo Retamero says

    July 16, 2012 at 6:36 AM

    I love ecos. And that black one is ace.

  3. Lee Huynh says

    July 16, 2012 at 7:01 AM

    That white would look really good with the tan strap

  4. Josh says

    July 16, 2012 at 7:02 AM

    Put the tan strap on the white face, and mail me one.

  5. Deke says

    July 16, 2012 at 7:13 AM

    The black case/tan strap look is really starting to grow on me. These are some good looking watches. Thanks for the review!

  6. BenR says

    July 16, 2012 at 7:37 AM

    For wha it’s worth… All batteries die, even rechargeable ones (just think of a really old phone or laptop). Eco-Drives are solar rechargeable but eventually the battery will need to be replaced. You will likely need to send it directly to Citizen when that happens.

  7. Joe says

    July 16, 2012 at 8:03 AM

    Agreed. And as stated up there, I think burgundy could look awesome too. Real impressed with these.

  8. rrkf15c says

    July 16, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    Know of a similar watch that does have a burgundy strap? Maybe buying a second strap would be a savy move?

  9. Pdub says

    July 16, 2012 at 9:53 AM

    IWC Portuguese is where this watch gets its looks.

  10. Focuspants says

    July 16, 2012 at 10:12 AM

    I bought the black dial one in ST Thomas on my honeymoon for $150 (no tax). I LOVE it. I have gotten a ton of compliments on it.

  11. Herr_Synnberg says

    July 16, 2012 at 11:14 AM

    Some blue hands on that white face plus a burgundy strap with a clasp and it’d be perfect for the price.

  12. Big D says

    July 16, 2012 at 6:56 PM

    If I hadn’t just bought a new phone today I’d be close to pulling the trigger on that black dial one. I’ve been looking for a new casual watch and the Eco drive watches work great in the TX sun.

  13. Matthew Kent says

    July 17, 2012 at 4:57 PM

    Actually the Citizen Eco-Drive doesn’t use a battery. The solar panels charges a capacitor or cell that will run the watch for several weeks without light. When I bought my first Eco-Drive, the gentleman who did the sizing told me I would need to replace the battery after a year or two (this was about 13-15 years ago. After the first year I took it in to have the battery replaced (as preventative measure) and the guy showed me the schematics he got from Citizen that shows how it works and that there is no battery to replace.

  14. derick says

    July 17, 2012 at 8:48 PM

    Bam!

  15. Nick Roberto says

    July 17, 2012 at 9:57 PM

    Joe you had a write up a little while back with a watch site that sold look alike watches, I think the site started with a P? I’ve searched the site and can’t find it anywhere. Can you help me out please?

  16. Ev-Cakes says

    July 19, 2012 at 8:46 PM

    Good find on the discount – anyone see a solid deal on the black dial?

  17. bltprf502 says

    July 28, 2012 at 10:23 AM

    Actually. It does use a battery.

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Men's Fashion or Affordable Style?

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