The Citizen Promaster is the series of watches from the brand designed for sports and the outdoors. Under this series there is a sub-series that has the designation of "Tough" which has the capacity to absorb even more rough usage. I already have in the collection the the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough Black Dial Bracelet Watch BN0211-50E and the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Tough Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch CA0720-54H. Today, I was able to add another member of the 'Tough' family into the collection; the Citizen Promaster Tough Super Titaniun Eco-Drive Green BN0241-59W.
I must say that this new model is a true titanium watch. Although the previous two are also deemed to be made out of 'Super Titanium', in truth, the base material is stainless steel with a thin covering of titanium alloy. Hence, their weight does not reflect a watch that is titanium based.
I got this watch from my trusty dealer, Aiman. Through his sources, he was able to not only procure one from the brand but also offered it to me with a good discount.
The Series
The series was launched on 21 August 2023. At this current point of this review, the series consist of two model. Both are identical in every aspects except for the dial colour. The one I have is the green BN0241-59W while the other option is the dark grey dial BN0241-59H. I suspect Citizen will expand the series with more dial colour and straps options in 2024. Below are the two watches. Both watches have a MSRP of RM3,300.
At this juncture I would like to give a critical feedback to Citizen regarding its offering in Malaysia (and the rest of this region I suspect). Why does Citizen discriminate in the offering to different markets? For a start, this particular model only comes with three (3) years limited warranty but if you get the model in Europe or North America, the owners get five (5) years. The second is the packaging. In those two regions, the watch comes in this:
In Malaysia it came in this:
This is quite discriminatory and disrespectful to the fans of the brand. We can accept differences in MSRPs between the regions but we expect to get the same product regardless where we buy it. Whatever justification Citizen's marketing department has in deciding on this path, let me tell you categorically, this is WRONG. We are your customers and thus please respect us as such.
I therefore strongly urge readers, if you feel as strong as I do in this, to express your dissatisfaction to https://www.citizen.co.jp/global/support.
The Watch
The watch is made out of 'Super Titanium', a unique titanium alloy made by the brand's proprietary technology has a surface hardening that is 500% harder and 40%
lighter than stainless steel. Moreover, the material is hypoallergenic, scratch-resistant and rust-resistant. It has a diameter of 41.0 mm with a height of 14.0 mm. Rather tall for a 3-hand watch but the height can be mostly attributed to tall fixed bezel as well as the dome crystal. Lug-to-lug length measures 46.5 mm while the lug width is 22.0 mm. Coupled with the bracelet, also made out of 'Super Titanium', the watch weights in at approximately 100 gm.
The dial has a dark hue of green that also extends to the sloping chapter ring. White painted line markers are provided on the chapter ring for the minutes and hours. The primary hour markers are applied directly on the dial in a combination of Arabic numerals, obelisk, rectangle and triangle shapes. All the markers are then painted with luminous paint to guide the user in the dark.
There are five lines of texts and logo painted on the dial. The brand is located on the upper quadrant while the logo, the words 'Eco-Drive', 'TITANIUM' and a series of manufacturing quotes are located in the bottom quadrant.
The watch comes with a date function located at 3:00. The hour marker in that position is truncated slightly. The aperture that is cut from the dial is rectangular with curved corners. It is framed by white line which may not be necessary in my view.
The hours and minutes hands are broad and easily distinguishable from one another. These hands are painted with luminous paint. Only the seconds hand is thin and polished without any luminous paint.
The whole casing is rounded. The inward curving lugs reduces the length of the watch and helps sit the watch firmly on the wrist. Note also the pass-through lug holes on the lugs. This will easily facilitate strap replacement.
The call-to-fame of this model is the monocoque (or unibody) watch casing. These are watches that have only one main entry into the watch (excluding the crown stem tunnel) unlike most typical watches that have one entry via the front and another via the back. For this Promaster Tough, there inner workings of the watch can only be accessed via the front, hence the clean and solid back of the watch.
The watch is powered by the E168 Eco-Drive solar powered module. This caliber has an accuracy of between +15 seconds per month and -15 seconds per month. It has a power reserve of 6 months with low-power indicator to warn users (the second hands start to jump a few seconds repeatedly).
The bracelet and clasps are made out of the same titanium alloy. The clasps is signed and it has push-button and safety latch locking mechanisms. The clasps also provides three micro-adjustment points to better resizing.
I appreciate the fact that Citizen added its name on the safety latch instead of the large clasps surface. If you want to give it away as a gift and also have a short message engraved on the watch, this is a perfect model to get. The space is more than sufficient to engrave a note and not hidden from view.
A good sports watch must come with good illumination in the dark. In this regard, the Promaster Tough does not disappoint.
The Wearing Experience
This Citizen Promaster Tough is a good candidate as the ultimate universal watch. It wears well in practically all occasions. Its lightness and inertness from any skin irritations allow it to be worn for extended periods of time. Below is a video of the watch on my wrist. For reference, my wrist has a 6.75 inch circumference.
Overall, a good buy.
Specifications
Model: BN0241-59W
Case Material: Silver-tone Super Titanium
Case Diameter: 41.0 mm
Case Length: 46.5 mm
Case Height: 14.0 mm
Lug Width: 22.0 mm
Weight: Approximately 117 gm
Dial: Green with luminous hands and markers
Crystal: Anti-Reflective spherical sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Band Type: Bracelet made out of Super Titanium
Clasp: Safety fold-over-clasp with push buttons
Water-Resistance: 200 m /20 Bar /666 ft
Functions: 3-hand and date
Movement: E168 Eco-Drive
Launch Date: 21 August 2023
MSRP: USD575; RM3,300
Purchase Date: 9 January 2024
Purchase Price: RM2,475
Vendor: AWG, mid Valley
Warranty: Three (3) years
Serial Number: E168-004V301 382031640
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