CITIZEN PROMASTER TOUGH BN0118-55E WATCH REVIEW!!

[@MichaelTravis12c27]

I bought one of the new ones direct from Citizen on sale for $388. It’s quickly become one of my favorite watches. The new model has drilled lugs, a better looking bracelet and a domed crystal that creates some beautiful distortion at the edges. The date window is still terrible and they eliminated that quick adjust clasp. I’m a little mad about the clasp. I just put mine on at NDN Marine National strap and it suits the watch perfectly.

[@thetimebombardier]

Hey Michael, thank you sir and yes drilled lugs on this one is the key missing factor, I've already scratched up the back of the lugs trying to find a good look strap...!!! I've been wearing the watch all week and the clasp issues have come to light, it's doesn't sit flat on the inner wrist for some reason, really odd, never seen this before, so I've had it on dive straps instead, hope the new one is better!!

[@mr.eswatchreviews]

I really like the great big numerals

[@thetimebombardier]

yup so damn clear and easy to read for ageing eyes

[@pertaylor601]

I bought one of these a year and a half ago or more on the black Kevlar strap as I found the bracelet a little too much titanium on show and the Kevlar was cost effective and cool I now figure. Amazing watch I absolutely love

[@thetimebombardier]

cheers Per and welcome to the channel, I've found the clasp on this bracelet to be quite uncomfortable as the clasp does not sit flat... wish I'd bought the kevlar version now...!!

[@RebelRobot01]

I imported the Navy Blue with the Kevlar strap here to me in the U.S. I put it on a Navy Isophrane strap. It wasn’t cheap, but the color matches the dial perfectly and it is extremely comfortable. I also own the BN0211-09X (Green Stainless Steel Tough). After keeping on the stock strap since I bought it in 2018, I recently put it on a Bertucci G-10 Rubber, which I also highly recommend.

[@thetimebombardier]

Hey RR thanks and yes those isofranes are not cheap but I hear so much positive response on them, maybe one day i can pick one up too!! I had the black version of your green BN0211 and wore it for several years, really nice, but i think i prefer this one having the numbers on :)

[@alanberickson]

What do you think between the blue and the green? I like the blue, but they are hard to find and more money.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@alanberickson I think the blue better but it's very personal taste 😎👍

[@NorthenSoul]

This line of watches are exactly my taste, I love tool watches particularly the tough GMT version ,great review.

[@thetimebombardier]

Cheers Brian, thanks and yes it's one of those citizen range that doesn't get that much hype, just wish they could sort the damn date window hahaha

[@choond]

Have the exact model. Never expected this but it's quickly turned into one of my favourite go to watches. Love it 👍

[@thetimebombardier]

Cheers DC, sometimes simple works best 😅😅

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

I still love my old style Tough but this new one looks great. Thanks for sharing!

[@thetimebombardier]

hey SP, long time no hear, hope all is good with you sir, is yours the no numeral version?

[@SuburbanPathfinder]

@@thetimebombardier I know. I spend a lot more time on my other channel nowadays. I need to get back over here and make some new content. Yes. Mine has unnumbered indices. I’m wearing it right now. Probably my most worn watch these days.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@SuburbanPathfinder just subbed to you othrr channel 👍😎 nice content!!

[@jonirwin7316]

A handsome, easy to read watch. Can't beat Citizen for the money! Thanks. 😊

[@thetimebombardier]

cheers Jon, yup agreed, these are so solid!! 😎😎

[@megasoid]

I own this with the kevlar strap. Ride or die timepiece.

[@thetimebombardier]

Awesome thanks dude, thinking i should have got the kevlar version also 😅

[@renatomorais8136]

I have The RM version and it was the watch that killed my collection. I was already on the way out of the watch collecting thing but this are prefect watches IMO and put all the others gathering dust. Slightly too thick when they went from 200m to 300m but very confortable, very easy to work and live with. Pure function over form and none of those nice details that one thinks are lovely during the first month of ownership and then start to become boring. What's the newer model? The BN0241-59W and company?

[@thetimebombardier]

cheers dude and welcome to the channel, yup these really impress and many of us share the same view so something is right LOL and yes the BN0241s are the newer versions, some good things on them but I'd like to get them side by side for a comparison :)

[@averyprivategentleman]

Citizen with that usual formula which makes it the decider for me putting my membership in their camp ala battle of Seiko v Citizen etc. What worries me here is the crown Protectors. I cant do the braclet on this piece. The face with that drop rehaut is a classic especially when looking at it in obscure angles. Two spoilers in this is the triangle 12:00 position and the triangle tip on the hour hand. Its a long way off the Rotary Verbier, having said that who cares what I think ? IMO BW Anthony ⌚

[@thetimebombardier]

Cheers Anthony and yes the bracelet has revealed its weakness to me recently, the clasp will not sit flat... just all over the place...

[@steveb4012]

I've just picked up a blue one on kevlar to replace an older version I've had since 2009 and is starting to show signs the capacitor is getting a bit tired. I decided to buy the newer version rather than plough £80 ish into a service as the cosmetics are not serviceable by Citizen. Apparently, case and bezel parts were no longer available. I have a visual disability and these watches are brilliant for people with sight issues ( asides from the date!) Got mine for £279.

[@thetimebombardier]

gdday Steve thanks bud and welcome to the channel!! How does that new version look on wrist and is it as legible as this one?

[@steveb4012]

​@thetimebombardier My wrist is around 6.8 inches these days so size is good, nice and slim. I'm visually disabled hence the appeal for me. The new versions dial is reminiscent of my BM6400 which the the BN018 is replacing. The new versions handset, particularly the hour hand would be nice to have but I really find the lollypop helpful. I don't like how thick the the version is though. Otherwise, Just great watches especially if you compare to Hamilton Khakis. Taking g one of your points, wish they'd ditch the date altogether. These look great on a Bond NATO or a Black Barton silicone.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@steveb4012 thanks Steve and yeah I can see then why this one works for you, my eyes are just ageing from over use of computers...!! Never really got that excited about the hami khakis either, I don't like the size and the way they do the date windows, although they are bigger windows than these ciitzens LOL

[@andreiprio]

Great review! From where can i buy it from?

[@thetimebombardier]

hey Andrei thanks dude and several stores here in the uk still have it for sale including citizen uk but not many left now as they will be pushing the newer version 😎😎

[@efreutel]

I think it beautiful. Not ugly. Pure form follows function.

[@thetimebombardier]

yup totally agreed :)

[@arisalphas274]

Date window aside I think it's the perfect tool watch. Audacious simplicity indeed. Strap suggestions: Junghans titanium mesh bracelet. Bonetto Cinturini rubber strap. This watch knocks the khaka 💩 out of another popular brand of field watch with 50 meters water resistance! 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@thetimebombardier]

cheers Aris and welcome to the channel bud, yeah the bonetto straps have been on my radar for a while so thanks for the prompt, will try to get one in!!

[@arisalphas274]

The Junghans titanium mesh bracelet completely transforms this watch, and is super comfortable and adjustable. I bought it on Amazon for £65 and later discovered it retails for more than double the price.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@arisalphas274 nice buy!!

[@sprocastersprocaster]

Its time for me to buy a citizen eco drive

[@thetimebombardier]

hahaha hope you enjoy dude, I think I kinda prefer promasters to most of the seiko divers, they are just a bit more humble!!

[@jschoenzy9416]

It's a cool eatch for certain but I would consider the citizen pmd56-2951 as well. I think it's better. Big day and date, perpetual calendar, better extended clasp. I see them second hand for as low as $200 Usd. Citizen is the king of quartz field watches, lots of options, all solid beaters.

[@thetimebombardier]

Cheers Schoenzy and welcome to the channel, yup those Asian models look very good but not too easy to get here in eurolandia :)

[@lawman4life1]

I just ordered this exact model. I also own the newer version. I'm going to compare the two side by side and either keep both of them or sell the one that I like the least. Great video.

[@thetimebombardier]

Cheers dude 😎 gonna sub to you now to see that comparison 👍😎

[@megasoid]

I own this model as well. The new version is a step down in my opinion. This one is perfect, however a no-date would be even better. Either way this is a keeper. For the money, I'm impressed.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@megasoid cheers Mega- I saw some of the new versions in store recently and it almost seems a little dressy in comparison to these older utility models, cheers

[@jonasvellas4827]

@lawman4life1 So any first impressions you might care about sharing? I'm interested in buying one or the other. Is the 1 extra mm in diameter noticeable in the new model?

[@JimKinkade]

Yea, it looks real tough but it isn’t that big, is it?

[@thetimebombardier]

hey Jim no not that large but it's so clear and legible that it works, really like it's simple no nonsense no step counter no bluetooth approach!!!

[@megasoid]

I own this watch, put it on a Crafter Blue FKM strap and now I'm in business. This reference is totally underrated for something which is one of the best in class at this price point. This could be your one and done tool watch. Not having a bracelet lowers the profile in a good way. Thanks for the review of a not discussed enough watch.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@megasoid cheers Mega appreciate it and yes no need to spend massive bucks to get longevity and solid quality 👍😎 have you looked at the newer versions?

[@megasoid]

​@thetimebombardier Yes I have and they are inferior. Less water resistance with a thicker case.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@megasoid the dial seemed a bit more classy on the new versions also so I like these better :)

[@jamessher6956]

Is lug width 20 ? I’ve seen spec as 22. Thanks, trying to compare this with promaster Land 39mm 20mm lug width.

[@thetimebombardier]

hey James thanks dude and yup defo 20mils on this model, cheers

[@jamessher6956]

@@thetimebombardier Thanks for the reply

[@thetimebombardier]

@@jamessher6956 no worries dude, which srtaps are you looking at?

[@jamessher6956]

@@thetimebombardier Probably an FKM rubber strap or a rugged canvas. I own so many straps it makes my watch obsession look reasonable.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@jamessher6956 hahaha yeah good to have that balance!!

[@efreutel]

The watch has a soft iron inner core. The small date window is part of the faraday cage antimagnetic design. Small to avoid magnetic eddy intrusion.

[@thetimebombardier]

ah ok didn't know that, thank you!

[@cecilm3720]

Nice comparison between old and new (I prefer the new one) and for mentioning that the crown might not be centered. That would bug the heck out of me - definitely not something to order online where I live.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@cecilm3720 hey Cecil thanks bud and welcome to the channel 😎 yup I really like these and yes the dodgy crown is something I hope they fix on the new one 👍

[@JackShopping-r9r]

which dealer did you buy from?

[@thetimebombardier]

@@JackShopping-r9r from Jura 👍

[@basker7657]

What's the name of the watch in the middle of the upper row?

[@thetimebombardier]

Hi Basker thanks and that's a gshock 5000U, cheers

[@basker7657]

@@thetimebombardier Thank U~ so much!!!

[@thetimebombardier]

@@basker7657 no worries and welcome to the channel 😎

[@stavros_katsopr]

Like you, the old one is a bit more me (in order of colours too)... and i really like this watch. Along with Zodiac Olympos, this is grail for me, in the Cinquecento category (500 that is😉). PS New logo, you sexy ugly??? 😜 Just one thing though... did you get this? If so, honestly enjoy mate! and keep it for me, i'll ask for it... someday! For sure!!!

[@thetimebombardier]

brother Stav, thanks dude and hot damn dog - I've been looking at the zodiac olympos for a while just thinking it's the best damn dress watch i've seen in ages, good to know I'm not the only nutter thinking that way hahaaha and yeah no worries I'm gonna wear this tough with no repsect and can then give it to you when we meet on your island!! cheers TB

[@stavros_katsopr]

@@thetimebombardier Picture this: we meet at Olympos, the mountain itself(!). Just to put this watch on a tough test, against all the gods up there!!! Then we head down. Eat, drink, chat, like living gods... Lastly, we jump on a Zodiac (sea boat😜) and away we go to conquer all the Aegean, untill down to Crete!!!!!!! (Cm'on, i know you love the idea😋, as i do our similar tastes😉. Be well bro, honestly enjoy this beauty!)

[@thetimebombardier]

@@stavros_katsopr mate i'm there with you on that one, just one extra detail... we need to be dressed as Spartans for that adventure 😅😅

[@timclifton5951]

I have the BNE0118-55E, but the bracelet on the one called "new version', Time Marker 8:42, looks better. What is the model number of that watch?

[@timclifton5951]

Good News! I found it, BN0211-50E. Bad news: It's steel, not Titanium. The bandwidth is 22mm vs the BNE0118-55E's 20mm.... and it's discontinued.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@timclifton5951 hey Tim thanks and welcome to the channel 😎👍 the newer one is the BN0241-59H and should be titanium also 👍

[@gregsmith7821]

No date, radio would make this perfect.

[@thetimebombardier]

Hey Greg do you mean radio signal time?

[@gregsmith7821]

@@thetimebombardier yes.

[@thetimebombardier]

@@gregsmith7821 roger that and yes would make a big difference 😎👍

[@renatomorais8136]

They do exist with radio and they are slimmer and nicer. Add a day to the date though. JDM only and with radio for Japanese towers only but those phone apps do work and you can set them that way. The models are AT6080-53L, PMD56-2951 or PMD56-2952.

[@mattc1704]

Have just ordered this model 👍🏻 😍

[@thetimebombardier]

cheers Matt - let us know what you think when you got it on wrist :)

[@mattc1704]

@@thetimebombardier will do. I’ve held & tried on the green dial version. I’m pretty impressed to be honest! I’ve gone for the black dial. Are you still happy with the watch? Any negatives?

[@thetimebombardier]

@@mattc1704 only neg is the clasp on the bracelet, I found it very uncomfortable for some reason 😬

[@mattc1704]

@@thetimebombardier Dear Sir, I would very much appreciate your thoughts on a couple of my watches. Would it be possible to contact you via email or WhatsApp? Many thanks, Matt

[@thetimebombardier]

@@mattc1704 hey Matt sure thing, my email is [e-mail] cheers

[@johanvandersandt8904]

Too bad these are like R14 000 in South Africa. They are really nice!

[@thetimebombardier]

Ouch they adding on a lot of taxes 🤮😬

[@johanvandersandt8904]

@@thetimebombardier Probably! 🙄 Have a great day!

[@thetimebombardier]

@@johanvandersandt8904 cheers bud 😎👍

[@johanvandersandt8904]

@@thetimebombardier Have a great weekend!

[@Paffi135]

Looks like it stops working no earlier than in your grave due to the lack of light.

[@thetimebombardier]

hahaa I'll be very happy to take it with me to valhalla 😎😎

[@AleksandrsMakarovs-i3i]

Why boxes is different in USA and UK😡?

[@thetimebombardier]

hey Alex errrm guess you might wanna ask the brands :) they often release different watches in different markets also,

[@efreutel]

Entirely different models. Older much better.

[@FT__Cool_Stuff______-of5pi]

I feel like the numbers on the dial are perhaps too big.. WHY ARE THEY SO BIG???? OMG. The width of the number lines is more than the hour or minute hands and I think that is a design mistake.

[@thetimebombardier]

Hey dude yup they are enlarged and it's to help with legibility which works well, perhaps the compromise would be a slightly larger dial face and then smaller digits 😁

[@thetimebombardier]

They've sort of made those changes I just mentioned on the newer version 😊😊

[@mmal253625]

Newest version is better in my opinion. Hands are thicker and love the watch!

[@thetimebombardier]

@@mmal253625 cheers Al, if I can I'll get the newer one in for comparison 😜

[@FT__Cool_Stuff______-of5pi]

@@thetimebombardier Looks like the Japanese version with the automic time updating has verrrry slightly smaller numbers - and a typeface that makes them stand out less. And yeah I think the wider hands on the newer version match better with the thick numbers