My Eastern Watch Collection: Citizen Series 8 890 Mechanical NB6060-58L (similar to NB6069-53H and NB6066-51W) - It is Reliable as it is Beautiful, A Review (plus Video)

Citizen is ramping up their mechanical watch game. A new sub-series under the brand Series 8 line was launched in March 2024. The 890 is the fifth sub-series to be launch (the other sub-series are the 830, 831, 870 and the 880). I am fortunate to have in the collection the formal 831 NB6010-81E and the adventure GMT 880 NB6031-53E.

For the last decade I seldom took the time to explore Citizen’s offerings. Then, Citizen was more incline to promote their Eco-Drive technology. With the success of Seiko and other brands that focused on mechanical movements in terms of sales and brand awareness, Citizen has started to explore this market space. As a fully integrated manufacturer, this should not be a problem for them. The renewed focus on mechanical watches has produced a number of interesting timepieces. The Series 8 is one such line dedicated solely to mechanical movement.

The 890 is the first dive watch range under the Series 8 line. It is interesting to note that Citizen’s designers chose an internal bezel design to kickstart their dive series. I suppose they wanted something different from the more recent 880 design which has a typical external bezel.

THE IMAGE BELOW IS THE LINK TO MY AFFILIATE STORE

The Series

The Series 8 line has a number of sub-groupings. Citizen first unveiled their Series 8 collection based on their Japan-only release back in 2008. In 2024, the brand released the latest sub-grouping, the 890, a series of sporty automatic watches with a unique feature not seen in other sub-groupings before. The internal bezel is a feature unique to the 890. There are three models to choose from.

NB6060-58L
Texture blue dial
Standard edition
Brushed surface
MSRP: RM6,670

NB6069-53H
Texture grey dial
Standard edition
Rose gold PVD
MSRP: RM7,190

NB6066-51W
Texture salmon dial
Limited edition #1700
Brushed surface
MSRP: RM6,670

I chose the blue dial version as it is the most 'contemporary' looking of the three.

The Watch

The Citizen Series 8 890 NB6060-58L is made out of stainless steel. The hairline brushed surfaces of the casing and the integrated bracelet expresses the sportiness and the ruggedness of the series. With a diameter of 40.5 mm and a thickness of 11.7 mm, the watch is properly sized to fit most people. Keeping to a lug-to-lug length of just 46.6 mm, the watch sits well on most wrists.

The three-piece construction of the watch casing highlights the overall case form with its solid five-piece construction. Made from separate parts attached to the case sides, the symmetrical crown guards feature flat surfaces with a range of complex finishes. The strong edges accentuate the iconic case design, a Series 8 style signature, elevating it to another level.

The dial on the watch as a beautiful blue checkered pattern dial. At different angles, the texturing on the dial reflects light differently which is very mesmerizing. Citizen's designers took an abstract take on the night skyline of contemporary Tokyo layered onto a traditional Japanese checkerboard motif connoting prosperity. This distinctive dial pattern is a signature element of Series 8’s design.

At the edge of the dial is a sloping chapter ring. The surface is painted blue and printed with minute markers similar to a dive bezel. This chapter ring is movable and is controlled by the 2:00 crown. The chapter ring is bi-directional.

The applied hour markers are beautifully executed. Coupled with the white minute markers at the peripheral of the dial as well as the four lines of text, also in white, the dial has a nice contrast for the eyes. A date aperture has been provided at 3:00 with a white date wheel. The edge of the aperture is protected by a polished metal faceted frame. The broadsword-style handset is also well suited for the dial. Both the handset as well as the hour markers are luminous-filled. To top off the dial, a flat piece of sapphire glass coated with anti-reflecting treatment is set. Note that the edge of the crystal is beveled to minimize damage if hit on the side.

The designers also incorporated a octagon fixed stainless steel bezel to provide additional protection to the front of the watch. Meanwhile, at 3:00 is a sterile main crown that has a disc-like design. The crown uses a simple push-in/pull-out system. As a dive watch, not utilising a screw-down crown shows how good the design when it comes to protecting the watch from water ingress. The gaskets used on the watch is first class.

Do note the second crown (at 2:00) that controls the internal bezel has a different design to ensure one does not get confused between the two. As for protection, there is a separate metal piece screwed against the watch casing that provide some level of shielding for the main crown. A similar shaped plate is also attached on the opposite side of the watch casing to balance the watch.

Powering the watch is the Citizen's in-house Caliber 9051 automatic movement. The 24-jewel movement is also designed to operate in a magnetic field strength of up to 16,000 A/m. Operating at a frequency of 28,800 BPH, the caliber has a power reserve of 42 hours. Despite not having screw-down crowns, the casing design has an effective water resistance rating of 200 meters.

The subtly tapered integrated bracelet with its rough hairline finishes achieves a good balance between luxury and sporty. Measuring 24.5 mm closest to the casing, the bracelet tapers down to 20.0 mm at the clasp. The signed clasp uses a simple two-button locking mechanism but does not come with any micro-adjustment points. Nonetheless, the bracelet does come with a few half-links to facilitate resizing.

The illumination on the watch is acceptable. I would have wished it was brighter.

The Wearing Experience

The Citizen Series 8 890 is a timepiece that embodies the perfect blend of Japanese craftsmanship and contemporary design, delivering a watch that is both aesthetically pleasing and functionally superior. As a longtime watch enthusiast and collector, I found the Series 8 890 to be a refreshing addition to Citizen's lineup, showcasing their commitment to innovation and quality.

In terms of value, the Citizen Series 8 890 offers an exceptional package. Priced competitively, it delivers a level of craftsmanship, reliability, and design that rivals more expensive Swiss counterparts. Citizen has successfully created a watch that appeals to both seasoned collectors and newcomers to the hobby, providing a versatile and stylish option that doesn't compromise on quality.

Overall, the Citizen Series 8 890 is a testament to Citizen’s prowess in watchmaking. It combines timeless design with modern technology, resulting in a watch that is as reliable as it is beautiful. Whether you are looking for a daily wearer or a standout piece for your collection, the Series 8 890 is certainly worth considering. It represents a perfect harmony of form and function, making it a standout model in Citizen's impressive lineup. Below is a video of the watch on my wrist.