Best Budget ISO Rated Diver? Promaster NY0120-52X

Best Budget ISO Rated Diver?
Citizen Promaster NY0120-52X
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The Citizen Promaster has been around since the mid nineties and is arguably the best budget true diver you can get...whether in ECO-Drive form or in the more traditional Automatic Mechanical form.
The NY0040 or Lefty is widely recognised.
Last year Citizen were busy and produced a slew of new releases including a new Eco-Drive Midsize at 37mm and the legendary Heritage Diver among others.
The Heritage Diver had a great back story and you should read up on the Citizen Barnacle!
This release, the Citizen Promaster NY0120-52X pays homage to its more expensive brother with a great choice of colours and a robust Miyota 8204 movement but...
...is it truly the new Budget ISO Dive Watch King?
You can buy it here (non affiliate):
www.chrono24.co.uk/citizen/re...
My Promaster vs Seiko SKX Video:
• Citizen Promaster NY00...
My Promaster vs Orient Kamasu Video:
• Citizen Promaster NY00...

[@markmahood3093]

I just can't put my finger on it but there is something about this that just leaves me cold. Would definitely go for the leftie. Great review!

[@johnnemo6509]

yep NY0040 is still king

[@tozzifan]

Thanks for this review, it is deep and insightful. I completely agree with your conclusions. This Promaster was high in my list for summer watches, so I tried it a few weeks ago. The yellow dial is fantastic, but I'm sized out. On my 6.5 inch wrist the main issue is that the body stands too tall and straight, leaving gaps below at both sides. My impression was that the lugs curve "too late".

[@WATCHingJames]

Great to see this one in a bit more detail

[@marknielsen8977]

Terrific review format along with quality production, well done.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thank you sir 🙏🤗

[@E_D_43]

Nice review. Love the dial.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks for watching!

[@1968jpy]

I own the NY0129-58LE blue dial , blue bezel. Owning many Seiko Prospex divers this new Citizens diver is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I also own the Citizens NY0086 Pepsi diver on bracelet. My two Citizens divers are definitely giving my Seiko/Orient collection serious competition 👍🏻

[@johnswatchjoint]

Nice...thanks for sharing !

[@markstanton63]

Probably my favorite purchase from 2023 ...... There's literally nothing I don't like about it & the mineral crystal/60-click aluminum bezel insert was the right choice in my book. Wears fine on my 6.75" wrist too .... I find the definite heft reassuring somehow, it feels like a proper divers watch that just happens to have an aesthetically gorgeous dial. Great review John

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thank you. Glad you enjoyed it :)

[@felo6035]

Fantastic review John. I love the dial, like that's ISO rated, and don't mind the mineral crystal. Movement is ok. Beyond this, the effective lug-to-lug kills it for me and my 6.75in wrist. That's too bad because I absolutely love the vintage like dial, reminds me of the 1970s 😂

[@johnswatchjoint]

I agree 🤗

[@stefpix]

I have the NY0129 in blue and a few NY0040. Yes the 0040 bezel is grippy, the 0129 bezel is slippery too high. I liked the NY0129 at first a lot, but it made me appreciate the 0040 more. the older one is more legible, hugs the wrist better, it can be dressed up or down with tropic or military straps. the newer NY012x, being chunkier looks good on rubber and metal bracelets, but 20mm tropic and military straps look a bit too thin on it. The NY012x should have been 2mm smaller, like the Fujitsubo, have a less tall and more grippy bezel. I like it for the summer. It could have been better. I bet with wet fingers its bezel will be even less grippy

[@dragonballfan1909]

Vintage Homage either goes for paper thin quartz or a chunky but funky automatic ❤ and this reps the chunky funky i have the black dial version and very happy with it :) great review

[@yukishredder]

I owe you a beer, I’m gutted that dial is 🥰.I was going to buy this blind. Thanks to another fantastic review I’ll be leaving this well alone,

[@johnswatchjoint]

Glad I helped you clear up some matters :)

[@johnnemo6509]

If I understand correctly in the Continental Hotel the currency of obligation is a gold coin...in JWJ I believe it's the glass of fine Scotch Whiskey (or a "Gold Watch" in the rhyming slang of my old home town) 😂...I'm sure there is a conversion factor for Beers to Whiskey ....probably a sliding scale ...as in sliding onto the bar room floor. say 2:1 between a can of Tennents' super and a Bells "afore ye go" and something in exponential notation between the old purple can and a glass of 18yr old Bowmore....Though I'm sure all contributions in any currency accepted.....Cat treats also welcome I imagine👍

[@johnswatchjoint]

Haha. I appreciate that my friend 😊

[@H0kram]

Superb dial, I've seen it in person, it is a smart choice of texture and color, as a bold color can get boring over time. So it's a nice adjustment. A bit too chunky for me but I can see the appeal, especially on a strap or a different bracelet.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Couldn't agree more!

[@alexprendido2023]

Lovely minute hand

[@zulyhaskins2097]

El buen hacer de citizen en sus últimos modelos y precios accesibles una muy alta calidad y durabilidad me encanta citizen 👌👍

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks for watching 🤗😺

[@photobeijing6682]

Apart from the underpants at the 12 the oldy wins for me hans down. No slab sides, love the retro bracelet. much nicer bezel. It oozes quality. I do like the Honey Whisky but for me, a fellow Scot it would have to be the orange or as I would describe it Ginger Minge, every time. 😘😁😛 Thanks John another great review.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Haha. Not underpants by the way. Football shirt !

[@springbay1]

Great review. Mine was sold with a rubber strap, and I would probably have opted for the rubber strap even given the option. It is a tool watch with a sensational dial after all

[@johnswatchjoint]

Nice one. Enjoy it 😊

[@AllenReinecke]

I just picked up the 2024 Phoibos Leviathan with the yellow dial. That watch is in your face, especially on a yellow strap. This one is subtle with that dial gradient. Nice.

[@yoyex2009]

Are they good?. Thinking to buy one

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks for sharing Allen ☺️

[@AllenReinecke]

​​@@yoyex2009The bezel is a little stiff to rotate and the segmented knurling makes the grip difficult. I don't use the bezel, so it's okay. It's a looker and stands out on the wrist. A great deal at the introductory price of $252. Not sure I'd pay the full price. The lume is amazing and lasts more than all night!

[@Skurtle]

I feel like this new one is a big watch trying to come off a small watch, and failing as such. If the diameter would’ve been 1-2 mm larger, it would be more in line with the L2L. Thickness is definitely a weird one… I’m not arguing about the Mercedes hand, but the minute hand is undersized, should reach the middle of the minute markers… Are you sure about the C3 lume? I thought citizen uses their own proprietary lume?

[@johnswatchjoint]

It is proprietary but in this case it looks more like C3 rather than the usual teal we see. I was trying to get that across :)

[@adk7962]

It’s a great watch. I guess great minds think alike. I thought the whole time, “how about the Kamasu?” I have a Kamasu with the round indices with a gray gradient dial, and I’m literally wearing it today. Looking forward to the comparison. Thanks for the great review as always.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi Albert. I have left a link to the Kamasu comparison to the NY0040 in the description.

[@adk7962]

@@johnswatchjoint Ah. My bad. I must have misheard. I thought you were going to do one. I’ll now have to go back and rewatch the comparison since I’ve watched every single video. 👍🏼

[@johnswatchjoint]

Haha. Sorry buddy.

[@bastianmartingarcia9841]

I like the thickness in this one , and the efect on the sphere really cool citizen watch . Keep going John . Cheers

[@johnswatchjoint]

Thanks 👍

[@c.s2001]

I tend to not buy Divers also due to size/weight. I tend to buy Field watches for these reasons as well as the great visibility. The Baltanys are a case in point.

[@sheepdog-kp9hb]

Good video very informative.. hey can i ask where you got the steel band for the ny0040?

[@johnswatchjoint]

Hi there. Sorry I am on holiday and cell signal is sporadic. I have answered this before but here is a link...non affiliated! www.strapcode.com/products/metal-ss-bcl20-b112

[@sheepdog-kp9hb]

@johnswatchjoint thank you sir I appreciate it

[@johnswatchjoint]

No problem 🤗

[@GalorOffroad]

I am not a fan of mercedes hands with this design and the watch case is a bit too large for my taste/wrist, but the dial is superb ! And this movement is reliable, it is good alternative to a Seiko NH36 (day - date).

[@younusimam-thesalamproject6340]

Love thicker watches. Plus love that a similar watch was used by the Pakistani Air Force

[@dunderhay9169]

Great review 👍. I would have to choose the old model particularly due to the thickness. I wonder why they don't use the 9015, that would reduce the thickness and be a good upgrade.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I suppose they are just adding a bigger watch to the budget range, which is good to see since Seiko just abandoned it!

[@dunderhay9169]

@@johnswatchjoint Yes, it is shame as there is lots to like, particularly the dial 👍

[@952651869]

Nice honey glenmorangie whisky dial John! Far too chunky for my taste this watch

[@johnswatchjoint]

Aye. Makes my wrist look even smaller 🫤

[@davidsparling3505]

Nice production…I had the blue/bracelet version through a special invite from Amazon for $200. I liked it, but didn’t love it, so returned it. That was a huge mistake for the price paid. It’s currently $356.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Oh no...bummer 😔

[@kennethcullen1208]

Nice video John.. I like the lefty, but this not so much. Given there are so many divers around, this one does not stand out, except for the dial. Back to Steeldive et al for me.

[@johnswatchjoint]

:)

[@tedblack2415]

I want to like it but there's as much about it i don't like as i do , i'd still go for the 0040 there's too much on the other i'm not to keen on.

[@johncoote5134]

Pin and collar…. Omg why? I’ve almost bought this a few times Looks like it’ll stay that way I have a leftie in titanium which I paid a little more for from a friendly EU outlet who sorted it so it was a “sample” if that makes sense 😊

[@johnswatchjoint]

Nice 🙂

[@AlexanderB.]

Beautiful looking watch, love the honey whisky colour. Shame about the crystal. Citizen failed to create a true competitor for the Orient Kamasu and, the minute and the second hand are a tad short.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Oooh....no I have to disagree on this one Alex. The Kamasu for me is a very poor watch. Yes is has a sapphire crystal but it's not ISO rated, has a very poor bracelet and an awful bezel that is impossible to turn in the wet. Don't get me started on the horrid movement either. I have owned the Ray 2 , Mako 2 and the Kamasu ...including the latest iteration. I am genuinely not impressed. However , each to their own. We will not agree on this one buddy. Thanks for watching as always :)

[@AlexanderB.]

@@johnswatchjoint I do own an Orient Mako, modded to a sapphire crystal. The bezel action is very nice and the movement performs better than most Seiko NH movements.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I did like my Mako 2 until the movement just stopped after 18 months. It always felt gritty and every subsequent Orient has felt the same but I find they usually run well outside the norm which I find annoying but hey...everyone's mileage varies :)

[@stefpix]

@@AlexanderB. I had the Orient Mako. Turning the bezel with wet fingers or in the water was almost impossible.

[@jamesrosenkrantz180]

“Chunky Diver” sounds like an ice cream flavor. Like the colors, but the original still wins. Also Citizen changing the new model to the triangle marker at 12 versus the short sleeved T or men’s briefs is a big no.

[@johnnemo6509]

You sir....Have a cleaner mind than me...or a greater affinity for ice cream...one of the two

[@usetherudders]

Prefer the original John new one although nice looks to Seiko

[@stefpix]

PS the hands on the newer one look small, with such a large dial. look at 10:48 in this video. The leftie's hands are not big either, but do not look lost in a large empty space like they do in the NY0120. I like also the NY0120, but Citizen never really managed to improve the original NY0040. It could be improved with the hands, brushed flat caseback and crown of the Fugu but NY0040 has better dimensions and proportions than later models, it has nicer, smaller branding and text size than later models. I wish Citizen would make a new NY0040. Same dimensions, sapphire, knurled crown, flat caseback, fugu/BN0150 style hands. But Citizen seems to always take a step back when it takes 2 steps forward.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I hear what you are saying. The full Lume dial was actually my gateway watch back into the hobby. Over the last eight years I have always had an NY0040 in my collection. At one time I had the full Lume, black, blue and the full Lume Fugu. I just love them and will only sell when I fancy a different colour. The blue is definitely the most versatile and I used to get compliments when I wore it in the office at meetings with a high quality shark mesh on it. :)

[@stefpix]

@@johnswatchjoint I have the blue, the black, the full lume and the coke. Just got the Italian limited edition NY0108-82X full lume, which has the hands like the BN0150, is titanium and gunmetal PVD with sapphire. Although I wish it wasn't PVD. It is way more legible than the regular 040 full lume as it has more substantial hands, and thicker outline on the hands and hour marker at 12. I wish Citizen would do an eco drive version of the NY0040 without messing up the design. I put the blue on a dark grey RAF strap (i like RAF straps much better than double pass NATOs, they are classier and more streamlined, no bunching on the side of the wrist, but still as secure). I had the full lume Fugu, refurbished, but I definitely like the NY0108-82X a lot better, because of the smaller proportions, titanium. Although the Fugu has the nice crown.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Oh dear...just like me , you got the Promaster bug bad ;)

[@hflyer82]

What is the lug size ?

[@johnswatchjoint]

It's in the video. 20mm

[@Crotch_Goblin1]

​@@johnswatchjointwhich video?

[@ragnarone5409]

I real like the dial, but why Citizen ...why is this watch so chunky? 40/48/12,5 mm would be perfekt.

[@johnswatchjoint]

I agree 👍

[@ExhumedTornado]

New. I dont like the polished bezel. Old. I dont like the lume spot (useless imo, why is it not on the top?) on the seconds marker.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Send them a note and ask?

[@frankgregory8891]

Poor lume!

[@johnswatchjoint]

A. You watched the wrong video or B. A Seiko Fan

[@joshsher6327]

You have to be a lefty to appreciate the NY0040. While I like dive watches, scuba divers use dive computers nowadays. They don't use dive watches anymore.

[@johnswatchjoint]

Sorry Josh. I don't agree on either count. It's my favourite watch and has been for years and I am not a lefty like many who also believe this thumped the SKX. A couple of my mates use them to surfboard and scuba dive in the summer off the coast here.

[@joshsher6327]

No worries. To each his own. I'm on my 48th watch. And I dive. I've had friends die diving due to inaccurate information. So, safety is crucial. A dive computer measures depth, time, air supply and decompression limits. Moreover, I'm right handed and would find setting a crown on the left side of the case annoying. I did buy the NY0120-52X though. Just not for the type of diving we do. As for thumping the SKX, not so sure about that. The SKX is an iconic watch in the watch community. Well, at least in the US and Asia. You are also comparing a watch released in 1996 (SKX) to one released in 2021 (NY0040) that's a 25-year difference in technology. ;) @@johnswatchjoint

[@johnswatchjoint]

Really sorry but the NY0040 was produced around the same time as the SKX. The Marina Miltare used it on missions for years from 1996 on....

[@Mr_Memer.876]

Too long, too thick, too under spec'ed.

[@johncoote5134]

Too negative

[@wermissam1239]

(its a diver)

[@johnswatchjoint]

Haha ....A Seiko fan boy!

[@balazshajdu3018]

Too picky

[@Horology_Horsepower]

How is it under spec'ed? Lol

[@rodiow369]

Not really a move forward for Citizen is it John?, Bloaty and mineral and I don't like the Mercedes hand, Ok pretty dial but that's about it,

[@kieranpyne3271]

Not a nice looking watch! Mineral crystal a drawback!

[@Fausto_Fauquer]

John, where did you purchase that metal bracelet you have on the Citizen lefty....it looks great on that watch and I would like to purchase one myself.

[@johnswatchjoint]

It's a Strapcode Razor 20mm from Strapcode

[@Fausto_Fauquer]

@@johnswatchjoint Thanks.

[@staydilatedTV]

i jsut wish it has a sapphire crystal