Microbrand vs. Mainstream: Erebus Ascent vs. JDM Citizen NB1050-59A, Which Would You Choose and Why?

[@AverageBros]

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[@miguelvictoria-boca573]

Hey Mark, a really important remark about not everything being targeted at us. Great vid. Thx

[@seanparks1675]

Great video. Those Erabus hands make it my choice. I would love to see the Ascent vs. Traska Commuter

[@gravynog]

Yes! That would be a great comparison.

[@giusepperocchi2979]

The Traska has that hardening coating that makes it almost scratch proof and puts it on another level imo.

[@seanparks1675]

@ Yes, I agree. None of my other watches have a coating like that. Yes, my Seiko has Diashield, but that is not as durable

[@mauriliimatainen8332]

1st and only video that I've ever seen that showed not just "bright sun" and "total darkness" for lume. Love the fact that you featured the in-between times between those contrasts. Great video. Great camerawork. Hats off to you, Mark, for that! (But yes... the Erebus Ascent Solar - alluded to for 2025 - is my next purchase!)

[@brian4407]

Love videos like these. Keeping it real for the online community

[@PINKFL0YD-s2h]

What an excellent choice for a comparison.. I love Citizen and having the coating I'd pick that... If it wasn't for the bracelet and clasp. To be honest Erabus won this in my opinion. It's a fantastic looking watch

[@chriscon8463]

I’d go with the Erebus. I like a domed crystal, date at 6, & that tool-free adjustable clasp.

[@woodstock480]

I was actually looking at those Citizen JDM models online for a bit, but was turned off primarily by the clasp and male end-links. I didn't want to pay $400 only to find out I couldn't get a good fit and the lug-to-lug (with extended end-link) was too much for my wrist. Otherwise, it looks like the perfect daily for the office. Apart from those deal-brealers, I also would've wanted a 20mm lug width and slightly wider hands, as they look small. (Islander Brookville has a similar style of dial, indices and hands, and has ideal proportions/size.)

[@vorollo]

That is a good review and the last quarter brings in some simple insight so far, that we enthusiasts tend to take brand decisions too personal if features don't match our narrow-minded, oversaturated expectations. We think bottom up, brands develop top down, I haven't really realized this until now. Both approaches have their strengths (targeted market) and weaknesses (not targeted market) 👍 By the way: I own the exact white Ascent on J that you show here and really love it, but I like the Citizen too. As regards the color shade of the Ascent: Actually it is slightly off, not 100% pure white.

[@pk1342]

Regarding the movements. I think seiko realises that people buying their SPB watches aren't going to be keen on servicing costs of higher grade movements. L it's less than £100 to send to seiko to service a 4R/6R and that bodes well for cost effective longevity. I think this is somewhat missed by many enthusiasts that only focus on the entry level cost. If this had a 6L it would need servicing every few years for £300-400. I dont think seiko needs to stuck the 6L in at this price but it could do woth improving the 6R in terms of accuracy and positional variance

[@ekos8487]

Expecting Erebus Ascent GMT with the same enamel white dial & case size, and no lumed second hands

[@watchboxer]

detailed introduction video,great work💯

[@bigwilliearmitage]

Nice comprehensive comparo. Thanks. I prefer the more classic looking Citizen.

[@AdAce21]

They're VERY similar. I just prefer the Ascent's handset (and date placement). Can't go wrong either way

[@CCS676]

I have the Ascent with the green helix dial. Total stunner.

[@dahak972]

I’d have to go with the Citizen all day long. I really don’t like that jubilee bracelet. Those 9k movements are tuned pretty well leaving the factory no matter who is using them, but you can bet Citizen’s will be dialed in a bit more

[@lyndonlouie4108]

You can spec the 3 link bracelet when ordering the Erebus, “O” style

[@EricZ726]

Citizen looks more mature and proportional. Something’s off with the Erebus. The logo and the letter below it is a mishmash with the italic Automatic above the date.

[@bigwilliearmitage]

Add the shimmering opaline dial vs. plain white.

[@Brynn-be9zr]

@@bigwilliearmitageto be fair it’s “plain white” but it’s an enamel dial, so you’re getting that enamel sheen.

[@johnrb9397]

Citizen FTW 🙌

[@ginocolella6373]

Both very good watches, down side is the clasp of the Citizen, but recently a saw Citizens Attesas glide clasp, that’s a master piece 😇👌🏻👌🏻..

[@mariog7213]

Which citizen is that? I googled it and nothing

[@ginocolella6373]

@ kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnnQqJ6LabdmqM0si=C4HuHGVvtC1CX14S

[@ginocolella6373]

@@mariog7213 Citizen Attesa CB3030-76e

[@ginocolella6373]

Citizen Attesa CB3030-76e

[@idhamaljaroo4708]

I love the dome and the Jubilee, so I would take that 2 and plant it on the Citizen as a mod if I have to.😅

[@cesarespinozaspain]

I have the Erebus and It hits way above its price. I get Grand Seiko vibes from it and that alone is Super high praise. I do like the Citizen and it gives off 1960's vibes bit the Erebus is the better watch. Also the bracelet has quick release, and is available in two styles. I have the other bracelet style that resembles the Citizen. I wear my Ascent on a brown leather strap. 20mm is way better than 19mm. another bonus to the Erebus. I also pre ordered my Ascent so the price was cheaper than now.

[@holgermuller3597]

The winning points for the Erbus are: Dial, hands, bracelet, clasp and lume. The citizen had no real chance

[@RandallSlick]

I'd have the Erebus in a shot. Those hands, the 6 o'clock date, the thought that went into it. I like Citizens but they still leave me somewhat cold. Like a fridge.

[@martintanz9098]

Tye Erebus looks a lot like my CW C63 Sealander white dial.

[@yootchoobe]

The Erebus looks like an Aqua terra GS mashup..if the branding was different, I suspect people would be putting it in the Chinese homage watch category.. not certain but I think I've read they're made by San Martin? 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@bigwilliearmitage]

That's fair, I think.

[@oweng7987]

Having bought 2 Erebus Ascents, I can’t vote the other way 😂

[@yoda-px6nt]

Erebus should make a version without a chapter ring. It looks a bit cartoonish on this watch. Keep it simple like the Citizen with a rehaut and flat sapphire, or maybe an engraved Erebus rehaut. ❤ the display caseback of the Citizen but wish the dial was whiter. Lume is less, but these kinda watches aren't really supposed to have lume anyway.

[@thezeroconditional2287]

Dig the GS you're wearing, what model is that?

[@AverageBros]

@@thezeroconditional2287 kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3-xpGlufaqnZtEsi=COcV6ogZAbaQuRTB

[@user-iz9co4qf6z]

The Citizen looks a lot more refined but they've had a lot longer to get to this point than Erebus

[@ronb4115]

Erebus by far. Citizen showing why these microbrands are killers without all the overhead.

[@watchalot919]

The Erebus is surely a nicer watch, albeit I'm sure there are other options for a similar price

[@johnvandeven2188]

You never mentioned that Erebus has a screw down crown thus making it water resistant to 100 metres, Citizen has none of this. Also, the date on the Erebus has larger numerals compared to the Citizen making it a lot easier to see. I am, however, a Citizen fan. They are larger than Seiko and many of their latest releases are well designed and beautiful to the eye. They definitely have a large range of business brands and I am hoping that they fix Bulova with their many design flaws after all that 272khz movement is sensational. I would like to see Citizen adopt that movement into their Citizen watch line up.

[@fergfour]

Everyone knows it’s not simply the fact that a crown is screw down that gives a watch its water resistance. Case in point, this Citizen is also 100 meters and it’s push pull. There is a “safety” aspect to a screw down crown in that it can’t pop out if you hit it against something while under water, but for this type of watch it’s not that important.

[@bigwilliearmitage]

"You never mentioned that Erebus has a screw down crown thus making it water resistant to 100 metres" Many watches rated to 10bar -- as the Citizen is -- do not need a SD crown. A SD crown does not by itself insure better WR; the primary purpose of a SD crown is to prevent the crown from coming open accidently while under water. Not likely a lot of diving being done with this Citizen. The PP crown is entirely sufficient here.

[@richardbently7236]

I like the Erebus in black and gold with a fully brushed j-bracelet but when I mentioned it to my wife for christmas she wouldnt buy it for me after she searched for it. Apparently Erebus is the god of darkness, a place you stop on your way to hell, I was not aware. I wonder how Jody picked the name. Did your j-style bracelet come with the centered polished from Erebus?

[@clivebroadhead4857]

Erebus is also the name the name of a volcano in Antarctica and a name synonymous with disaster in aviation. Definitely an odd choice.

[@ajmarion]

He mentioned it once in an earlier video, it had to do with the mythology stuff he said

[@richardbently7236]

@@clivebroadhead4857 @clivebroadhead4857 I assumed it was just a made up name. With knowing what it means now, rather it be a god of darkness that you see on your way to hell or an aviation disaster, "Descent" seems like a more appropriate name for the watch lol.

[@richardbently7236]

@@clivebroadhead4857 I reached out to the contact on the Erebus website and they replied "Steven and Jody were inspired by Orphic Theogony - in this, Erebus is the son of Chronos, also known as Time." That makes a little more sense.

[@bryanbeckett869]

I will say there’s been 2 times where I’ve had to explain what Erebus is, and it was kind of awkward to explain it’s a watch made by some dude on KZbin. With watch enthusiasts it’s been fine, of course.

[@smitty03281964]

The Erebus date looks so crammed in that window and it only has 1 digit. If it had 2 digits, it probably would've bothered my eyes.

[@Neverokful]

Just be aware that the Jubilee isn't very comfortable due to the sharp edges, along with the protruding pins on the quick release spring bars and the sharp edges on the logo on the case back. I have a 7" wrist and it was almost unwearable in the end, day to day. Lots of other design positives but, poor finishing in my opinion and I would get rid of the quick release pins. You have to actually wear these watches for some time to see how they are, a nice cozy review and online specs don't inform you enough. Lastly, date window is tight on double digits.

[@ajmarion]

The spring bars on the back of the Ascent really nip my hairs, there are a few stuck in there that I cannot get out. Case finishing is okay, hand and indices finishing is the best part of the watch 😂. Bracelet is okay, but the clasp can be hard to close sometimes

[@KabobHope]

I have this particular Citizen and am not a fan AT ALL. It wears big and bulky because of the male endlinks. It will be sold or more likely relegated to a bottom drawer someplace.

[@jaydub9509]

I appreciate Citizen as a brand (I own two), and I'm a fan of Jody. Both watches seems to represent good value, but I think the overall design of the Erebus is slightly more interesting than this very generic-looking Citizen. All that said, I probably wouldn't purchase either as they're both too vanilla for my taste (pun intended).

[@jezzamatic]

The finish on the Erebus is way above the Citizen in fact I would say it's not even in the same league. Look at the hands and hour markers along with the dial quality. The Erebus is for people who know what they are looking at where the Citizen is a average joe off the street watch, it's like comparing steak and a burger.

[@diemes5463]

Darn good burger though ...

[@bigwilliearmitage]

"The finish on the Erebus is way above the Citizen" Never held either, but the video certainly doesn't indicate that to me.

[@pinakde3824]

Erebus ascent wins imo

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

Team Erebus. The hands and proportions on the Citizen are janky.

[@musik4u343]

The citizen is actually way better other than maybe the male and link. And you can find them for less than the Erebus

[@vorollo]

What is "better" with the Citizen?

[@musik4u343]

@vorollo what is better with the erebus?

[@vorollo]

@@musik4u343 Nothing. I didn't claim it.

[@Pounderino]

@@vorolloAnswer got him like………….. 3 days later.

[@vorollo]

@@Pounderino 🤣

[@bostongmw2851]

The Citizen can be purchased for $200. No contest with price that low.

[@brettmeikle]

Where? They're $700aud here, more than an Erebus. Link me and I'll buy one.

[@alexwatchserbia9960]

Yes I couldn't find even used one under 300USD ?

[@bigwilliearmitage]

$350 on Chrono24 /eBay was the best I found. Still, $100USD cheaper. No contest imo.