The Citizen BN0220 (Retrozilla) Might Already Be My Favorite Watch Of 2022: An In-Depth Review

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

As the owner of this watch for a few months now, I agree with you: This watch is comfortable, has the fun factor, is functional, and it delivers amazing value at its price. Best.

[@thewatchidiot]

Awesome to see you here man! Glad to hear you're enjoying this so much even after a few months of ownership, for me It's so good that I've been really wanting to get the NB6004 but I've held off bc I just know that it wouldnt get enough wrist time with this BN0220 lurking around!

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

@@thewatchidiot I do love the NB6004 because I prefer a bracelet, but my BN0220 stays. It's my only rubber strap watch. Curious to know what you think of the Citizen dress watch 40mm NB6010-81E.

[@thewatchidiot]

@@JeffreyMcMahon Yeah i love bracelets especially titanium ones however i'm a sucker for integrated rubber straps so i keep flip flopping between the two and i have no idea where I'll land lol. Also, how much bigger does the NB6004 wear compared to the retrozilla? Oh man the NB6010-81E is a stunning watch that I've had my eye on ever since it got released! i like that they're offering higher quality pieces that are under the "The Citizen" line to make things a bit more accessible. The design is cool however I simply don't wear time only watches enough to justify buying one. Divers dominate my wrist time but if things ever change I'll know what to buy!

[@JeffreyMcMahon]

@@thewatchidiot the frogzilla is huge compared to the retrozilla, almost cartoonishly thick yet its dial is a splendor to behold.

[@thewatchidiot]

@@JeffreyMcMahon looool frogzilla is a good name but oh man i wasnt expecting to hear that its huge compared to the retrozilla! i think its going to have to be a watch that i try out in person first or at least find a retailer with an awesome return policy. Either way I still really want it!!

[@borispradel1037]

I just bought the watch for its peculiar shape, but then I just started to like it. Difficult to explain, but it grows on you. It’s a pleasure to wear, and it’s easily one of best and readable dials out there.

[@dado380]

It looks so much better in live I was just shocked how good it looks.Kudos to Citizen my still after almost two months of ownership follows the world clock in a second. Citizen at least release something very original.

[@realblackbetty2204]

It wears even smaller on a nylon two strap. Love it

[@contrast1908]

Home run for citizen with this one.

[@Dr_Doe]

As a diver, the design of this watch has so much character and novelty, that i think it deserves an iconic nickname, something like the Turtle. Or at least, it deserves more exposure.

[@fungus70]

I propose Tortoise 🐢

[@grahambeer8179]

While looking for reviews of this watch, I just located this site for the first time. Calling yourself the "watch idiot" is an oxymoron (contradiction in terms). You are one of the wisest, most humble watch reviewers I have yet come across. "Liked" the video. Subscribed to your site. Oh yeah, bought the watch. Congrats on a GREAT site. Looking forward to many more of your reviews.

[@lookatwrist]

Been wanting one of these since release, I love the 1982 original. Finally picked one up at a Citizen store yesterday, it's exactly as you say, like it's made out of stone and sandpaper.

[@thewatchidiot]

Thats awesome congrats on the pick up! looool yes the stone and sand paper look took a while to get used to but I love it even more now😁

[@edshamaham5719]

You said it perfectly, it's a bold watch yet they managed to not go overboard with the design as weird as that sounds to say. I agree that a more subtle dial and bezel insert was the right way to go and actually I've been looking at the blue version for a short while. Good to know that it wears much smaller than 46mm I think I might be making a move on one👍

[@thewatchidiot]

Glad we're on the same page here, and on top of them not going overboard on the smaller design elements, I'm also glad that they kept the design pretty much the same as the 1982 version. it's such a unique watch that a reinterpretation would have most likely fallen flat. Yeah if you want to go for i say do it! its such a ocmfy watch to wear, I've been wearing it everyday since I got it and its going to be getting a lot more wrist time as we're going into the summer!

[@gavinj01]

Just found your channel looking for a review of this watch and you did a great job. I actually just received this watch from Amazon and I'm a serious collector and like you I absolutely LOVE this watch. Super light and as you said it looks great on my small wrist. Great to wear when I'm working and I know when I take it out all I may ever have to do is change the date. Keep up the great work.

[@ElJibaro718]

My brother has this one and at first I thought "man that's an ugly watch", but he let me try it on and as I wore it for a while it kinda grew on me, i actually started to like it. I can't explain why. I'll be getting my own soon lol.

[@checksix_TC]

Looks like it's hewn from a solid block of concrete. Reminds me of the Tissot rock watch of the 80s

[@zombislasher]

My man just got goosebumps just for wearing the watch, the arm hair says it all lol nice review, I'm getting this monster next week

[@johnnyjohnny7204]

i do have exactly the one you review. it is every bit as wonderful as you so well describe...and this is coming from a 30yrs of mechanicals only watch snob/vintage watch restorer.

[@J0hnny8ravo]

Waiting for mine to arrive in a few days! Nice vid, thank you!

[@davidstjohn7943]

I picked one of these up last year. Jeff McMahon calls it the Retrozilla. I think it's an absolute beauty. A monstrous beauty. I love this watch.

[@thewatchidiot]

Thats great to hear! Good to know that Jeff and I are on the same page in terms of the nickname Retrozilla fits it perfectly. I'm still amazed at how much wrist time this is getting, and it'll be getting a lot more going in to the summer!

[@davidstjohn7943]

@@thewatchidiot Can also vouch for the NB6004. It's a really impressive piece on the wrist, and the movement runs like a dream. Has that same brute beauty as the Retrozilla. Titanium cases on both are holding up really well, and the tone adds another level of otherness to the monster looks.

[@thewatchidiot]

@@davidstjohn7943 Ah nice thats actually the next citizen I have my eye on weirdly enough it was the integrated rubber strap that caught my eye lol! My main concern is about the size though. how does the NB6004 compare to the retrozilla? the dial on the NB6004 looks to be a touch bigger so I'm assuming that the NB6004 wears a bit bigger than the retrozilla? the thickness will play a role of course.

[@valueink]

Man this has similar effect as the Monster. You first think it's the ugliest thing ever, and then you start loving it!

[@havana335]

Loved your video. I just ordered the green one.

[@angelherrera6820]

Great looking Citizen! Definitely one of my favorite brands. I really would like to get this watch. Great review. Cheers!

[@thewatchidiot]

Thanks, happy to hear you enjoyed the video! Citizen makes some awesome watches, especially this one so yeah I say go for it and get it!

[@Alwaysontime-dh1gz]

Absolutely super review, I have ordered one, hopefully will love it as much, will let you know, subscribed

[@thewatchidiot]

Thank you so much glad to hear you enjoyed the video! It's a seriously fun watch and to this day it's such an experience wearing it. Definitely let me know what you think of it and welcome to the channel!

[@Alwaysontime-dh1gz]

@@thewatchidiot Absolutely loved the watch, great quality unfortunately I found the back of the watch was marked by the sticker with serial number, no matter what I used it would not clean off , sounds bit ocd but it just drove me mad , Great channel btw

[@j.vanguard4654]

It's your fault, that I bought this watch! Great review! Cheers, Jack

[@thewatchidiot]

looooool I'm such an enabler😂 Glad to hear you enjoyed the video and how's the watch been for you so far??

[@j.vanguard4654]

@@thewatchidiot The watch is great! From the stock fotos it didn't look that great, but in real life, it looks rough and tough. Great everyday beater watch that you can almost do everything with. It's just not a dress watch. 😉

[@j.vanguard4654]

@@thewatchidiot You are dangerous with your excitement for such watches. 💥

[@germann99]

Got the watch two weeks ago, it ist just perfect!

[@thewatchidiot]

Thats awesome man congrats! Yeah its a serious cool watch, i cant stop looking at it!

[@grahamekellermeier8280]

Just bought one nice and comfortable to wear love it.

[@mooping9398]

best review on this watch I have seen. TY

[@20reefer]

The watch is great! I got one a week ago and it have take all the wrist time of all my other watches including my Marinemaster 300. Also I'm kinda addicted to the bezel action. 😅

[@thewatchidiot]

Thats awesome to hear! We're on the same page because even when I think of wearing a different watch to change things up, I keep strapping this one on. Yesssss at first i wasnt sure how I felt about the bezel action but i found myself turning the bezel more often than on my other divers just because it feels so different I love it!

[@123Lucuzz]

Do you think this would be too large for a 6.5 inch wrist?

[@thebrownhat1]

Never seen this one before but wow I love it! The funky shape totally works. This just shot to the top of my potential dive watch list

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah before a month ago i had no idea this existed despite it being released last year but yeah the case shape is just weird enoungh to be interesting yet not too crazy somehow. I still cant believe how awesome this watch is so id say whenever youre ready, just go for it!

[@thebrownhat1]

@@thewatchidiot Yeah I think my next watch will be either this or the Bulova A 15

[@thewatchidiot]

@@thebrownhat1 oh man i love the A15, i've been wanting to get it ever since it was released! definitely would love to get one at some point i love that its got two inner rotating bezels, i've never seen anything like that before. Let me know which one you end up getting!

[@thebrownhat1]

@@thewatchidiot Yeah the double inner rotating bezel is super cool and would definitely be unique in my collection. I don't really have a field watch so it would be a check in that category as well.

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah it's a super cool and I love the yellow accents on it as well. Pretty awesome watch to fill in that field watch role!

[@fungus70]

Apart from the design, its legibility is superb !

[@rickfanning5647]

Seems like Citizen’s answer to the Seiko Arnie. Both huge. Both solar (now). The Arnie has both analog and digital. The Citizen is titanium. Both from the 80’s, though the Arnie has the whole Predator and Commando thing going on. Could you get an Arnie and do a comparison? One last thing - to my eyes, the finish on the titanium makes the Citizen look like plastic. Is it like that in person?

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah I can see the similarities with the Arnie and both will wear similarly as well consider the nearly non existent lugs of the Arnie. I like the standard version a lot but the Safarnie seems to be the one that has had my attention since it was released. I'll see what I can do in terms of a comparison video bc it would be an interesting one for sure! As for the finish, it definitely is unlike any other finish I've seen however thankfully it never struck me as plastic. It looks like its made of concrete or stone when its seen in person and when you touch it it has a soft feeling which when paired with the cool touch of metal makes for a really unique experience

[@mohamedbalman5939]

For me, the 12 o'clock mark looks like a manta ray logo ❤

[@choond]

Great review! 👍

[@thewatchidiot]

Glad to hear you enjoyed the video😀

[@harpomarx7777]

I hate fingerprints on my watches' polished cases and crystals. With this watch, I have no problem handling it; fingerprints simply do not show and the watch retains its pristine finish. After installing a single pass zulu strap in olive drab, the watch becomes a divers watch / field watch / military watch multifaceted timepiece. It's my new banger and I love it too.

[@happytravels2480]

Love mine. The case reminds me of a river rock in terms of looks and feel. Something you’d find in the water.

[@infie]

Odd that it has a mineral crystal instead of sapphire. Especially at the price point. My Citizen Promaster Diver GMT has sapphire and it retails for $150 bucks less. That being said, I still like this watch.

[@harveytan7506]

Legibility is king.

[@a.j.e4349]

..... I remember trying the green version only last year in the summer when they first came out. Tbh with you when I put it on I honestly didn't know what to make of it on my wrist it's definatley a different breed of watch and not your run of the mill style? It's a bit like Marmite to be fair? I'm still sat on the fence however! Nice touch regarding the ongoing Ukranian issues by the way pal!

[@thewatchidiot]

The green version is pretty cool! However, I can totally see how the green one would push the marmite effect a bit more considering the wild design is paired with a bold dial/strap. My original version is still going to be a marmite watch but maybe a bit less so since its a bit more subdued. If you're still on the fence then maybe give the standard version a go! Its such a fun watch! Thanks for the note, it just wasn't possible not to recognize what's happening in Ukraine given the nature of our awesome hobby!

[@a.j.e4349]

Hey up pal well I've just received my brand new Citizen BN0220 and OMG! Now I see what you mean in your video! Before trying on the green version last year when they first came out like I said to you I was defo unsure? But this original black silver and gold edition looks completely different to the green model and it's in another league of its own! Keep up the good work and stay safe!

[@thewatchidiot]

That's so great to hear I'm so excited for you! It really is a special watch and I'm glad that the original version worked out better for you. It's got just the right balance of boldness and subtlety. i haven't tried on the green or blue versions but I am very curious about them so I might have to hunt one down to try on. Hope you enjoy it as we're heading into spring and summer and stay safe too!

[@a.j.e4349]

Yeah it's ironic really pal the dimensions sound so big yet on my small wrists it just looks right tbh! And what I like about it the most it's not in your face either it's got a lot of presence but it's not shouting out at you in a "loud" kind of way. 👍👍

[@wadsworth2351]

Will Citizen ever come up with an actual re-creation of the 1300m diver? I mean, this one is close but no cigar. I'd much prefer if it were an exact replica of the original model. Perhaps a limited release?

[@havardflaatten]

I love it. :) Great review

[@thewatchidiot]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed the video! It really is an awesome watch!

[@archibaldstokes]

Great video!!

[@thewatchidiot]

Thank you so much, I'm glad you enjoyed the video!

[@chasekemp4982]

Yep I need the green one. Trying to think of a nickname for it. The Ashtray, The Landmine, The Monstrosity. Not sure.

[@fungus70]

How about Tortoise 🐢 ?

[@yoinkhaha]

I tried this on at the department store... it's really dope. I think if you are thinking you might wanna buy this watch but you're on the fence, you should just buy it. BUT with this information: it feels veerrrrryy toy-like. It's super light, like a child's toy, and the bezel action does not inspire confidence (titanium can sometimes be like this) even though it's probably fine quality. Of course you are expecting a titanium watch to be light, but combine that with the lighter eco drive movement and with almost fragile-feeling bezel action... I am not kidding, when you turn that bezel, this thing feels like it's made of Legos. That's not a problem for me per se, and it isn't as bad as some Timex stainless steel pieces, but I think with the 400 euro price tag, mineral crystal is pretty cheap, even if working with Titanium does add cost. So with that in mind before you order it, if that's alright with you (Legos, I am not kidding), get this watch, it is great and I almost bought it. (I already have a titanium dive watch, the deal killer for me would have probably been the mineral crystal for the price... but honestly I still want it. Maybe if I find a good price.)

[@thewatchidiot]

hmmm idk i guess you might have different tolerance when it comes to titanium bezel feels or maybe the watch you handled was slightly defective? The bezel action on mine definitely feels light like you said but it still feels very solid much like my Omega X-33 bezel (which also feels light). so maybe theres still hope? Either way I'm glad you still think its an awesome watch and you should totally get if youre still on the fence!! check out Iguana Sell, Sakura watches, and the other japanese retail sites they tend to have awesome prices

[@yoinkhaha]

@@thewatchidiot Good tip! Saw a store today here in Germany selling it for 40 euros less, at least that... it seems popular... do you guys also have other colorways? I found this one to be by far the best color way. I don't think the one I handled was defective, but it is true there very well might be different action on the same reference depending on luck of the draw...

[@thewatchidiot]

@@yoinkhaha Yeah thats a good point, luck of the draw is definitely very possible! for some reason through the official citizen site in the US only the green camo dial is available, but then through amazon this original version was available. At one point i was tempted by the blue dial version however i just liked this original version too much! Now that I like the watch so much theres a chance that i might add the blue dial one too once i sell some watches lol

[@guidine7]

I am an automatic guy. But i think about purchase for months, esspecially because of its iconic historic unique design

[@thewatchidiot]

Oh man if you've been thinking about it for months I think it's time to go for it!! I'm still surprised by how much I love wearing it and seeing it on my wrist!

[@guidine7]

@@thewatchidiot thanks a lot for your opinion 🙂

[@thewatchidiot]

@@guidine7 sure thing let me know what you think about it if you end up getting it!

[@skyry101]

Looks like something Bruce Wayne would wear while spending time in his Batcave.

[@thewatchidiot]

looool youre so right, and i imagine that the bezel is used as a hole saw drill bit or something😂

[@fakenewsisthenews3542]

It looks like a turtle. Once you see it, you can't get it out of your head. The crown is the head, and the bezel corners are the feet.

[@fungus70]

Or tortoise 🐢

[@gigatronicdeth]

I wonder if it’s turtle enough for the turtle club? 🐢

[@huckinator]

Awesome video breaking this down and your presentation! Also, what’s wrong with being from the south?! 😂 Tennesseean here 😂 jk

[@thewatchidiot]

Thank you so much as always dahuckinator, glad you enjoyed the video! loooooool not wrong with it, especially since it seems like my Southern alter ego unexpectedly popped out for a second there 😂😂

[@FrankLavoy]

Happy that you like this great B-Day gift! Happy belated birthday! 😃👍🏼 Enjoy this one as much as you can b/c, like you so eloquently indicated in your pinned comment about the Ukraine invasion, we live in a privileged life to be able to share our passion for watches and, in some regions, they simply can't. We never know what is looming ahead (sickness, tragic events, etc.) so we should enjoy what we have. Hope you enjoy this one.

[@thewatchidiot]

Thank you so much for the Birthday wishes! It really is a great watch for the occasion. You're absolutely right, although many of us aren't going to under the immediate threat of war, sickness and life changing events can happen to us at anytime. All the more reason to do good work while we can and to just enjoy the hobby!

[@kitsutiri]

Alas, my perfectionist screams when the second hand doesn't fit in the index marks!

[@marvinmartinez2637]

I'm waity they got a new blue color coming out I'm wait

[@gigatronicdeth]

I got the blue dial it’s much nicer looking than this plain black one.

[@zulyhaskins2097]

Wow que reloj 👍

[@manuelbarrera4696]

Is that Fred Flintstone’s watch? 😂

[@Emilmarch]

Aaand it misses the indices 😖…

[@thewatchidiot]

loool no it hits the minute marks pretty much perfectly! It does look a bit off because of the parallax effect that comes from the watch not being perfectly lined up straight with the camera

[@ExtremeSquared]

"little nub things" Crenellations. Somewhere someone decided that the English language needed a word for exactly this form. Sort of like "defenestration".

[@thewatchidiot]

I learned something new today! Although i gotta say that crenellations doesnt have the feel as "little nub things"😂 And as for defenestration I only remember it for the Defenestration of Prague! Not sure its ever been used since lol!

[@ExtremeSquared]

@@thewatchidiot For what it's worth, I bought this watch partly because of your good 360 videos of the crenelations. I can't wear a watch where the glass sits high and exposed -- I have broken several crystals of this style, but never on a g-shock style where the case sits higher than the crystal.

[@talhahabib339]

these big dial watches are not comfortable when your sleeves have a grip,like when wearing a jacket ,its annoying to wear them.

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah sometimes it can be a bit tough to pass it through but thankfully it's not going to be a problem in the summer! The wrist time numbers are going to keep on climbing!

[@talhahabib339]

@@thewatchidiot yah,for summers they are fine.

[@Gundal66]

this type of watch.. it's like.. ugly.. but cool at the same time... like some Gshocks or the Arnie...

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah i totally agree theres something cool/brave about bizarre designs although the line between ugly-cool and ugly-ugly is a thin one loooool😂

[@anthonystevens8683]

Another great video TWI!. This is a watch that I've not seen before and it's interesting to say the least. That case design almost resembles an old European castle complete with the four towers surrounding the keep complete with the castellation. You can almost imagine a bunch of tiny archers lurking inside (they are actually inside working the hands 🙂) . The dial finish almost resembles a small tub of iron filings (a great indicator of proximity to magnetism LOL) but obviously not. I like it, it's unusual design and from my experience a great, accurate and reliable movement from Citizen. I wouldn't choose it over my Pelagos but would make an interesting companion watch for it. One slight downside that tends to be a Citizen Eco-Drive thing is the sunken date window but it never bothered me that much on my now aging Citizen watches.

[@thewatchidiot]

Thank you so much Anthony! It's a breath of fresh air for me and I cant stop wearing it! looool it definitely looks like a very fortified case and now that you mention the little archers I can see them here too😂. I can see the resemblance to iron filings for sure and actually I think you might have stumbled upon a new "magnetism indicator" complication lol! But in actuality a magnetism indicator would really be a useful thing to have on a mechanical watch maybe on the movement side of the watch. You're spot on, its an awesome companion piece to the Pelagos and I think both are going to be getting a lot of wrist time this summer! Yeah the sunken date window never really bothered me bc I always view it the date window being subtle i suppose. But the deep date window is a good bunker for those little archers so it does come in handy😂

[@anthonystevens8683]

@@thewatchidiot I have to agree with a magnetism indicator on a mechanical watch. Some old divers had an indicator on the dial to indicate water ingress that is also very useful but doesn't help the aesthetic. Yet another useful indicator would be an over shock indicator for precision timing use (think NASA or military use) for any analog watch mechanical or quartz to indicate possible hand shift.

[@thewatchidiot]

@@anthonystevens8683 Yeah a complication like that would be cool if it ends up looking like the ones on the old blancpain fifty fathoms'! if there some how is a limited pelagos or BB58 with that sort of indicator (water or shock) it would be mega!

[@albertoalvarez1924]

The GTI is better than the watch…😉👍🏻

[@thewatchidiot]

looooooool as much as i love this watch I love my GTI more so I'm all good😂 thats a good catch btw, I'm guessing it was the red line on the grille that gave it away lol!

[@albertoalvarez1924]

@@thewatchidiot the watch and the car form a great couple, very good taste with the gti, an eternal classic. I work at Vw in Spain and it is my favorite. greetings from Spain

[@thewatchidiot]

@@albertoalvarez1924 Yeah they make a good duo for sure! I've had this GTI from new in 2011 and it'll always stay with me bc its a part of me now and I've been a vw group guy ever since! Awesome to hear from someone working at VW and in Spain for that matter, I'm glad you found the channel!

[@dspserpico]

It’s ugly, but in a good way.

[@thewatchidiot]

yesssss i feel the same and now it cant take it off my wrist!

[@lonewolfemcquade8133]

I can't into Citizen always gravitated towards Seiko Tuna Marine master,Seiko Capitan Willard and the Seiko Alpinist

[@thewatchidiot]

Yeah it took me a while to get into Citizen I love Seiko and own too many of them lol! However, i just grew to really liking Citizen's design language on some of their watches and it was a nice change of pace from my seikos!

[@lonewolfemcquade8133]

@@thewatchidiot Alpina has nice watches I startimer pilot watch

[@thewatchidiot]

yeah the startimer is really cool I love that they changed up the indices just enough to make it stand out!

[@lonewolfemcquade8133]

@@thewatchidiot Agreed 👍 yes the Startimer pilot monopusher heritage they have is very kool

[@reyderelojes2481]

👍🏾📺👍🏾⏳‼️📌

[@thewatchidiot]

😁👍

[@marcushd5776]

Only drawback is the date, completely useless

[@TopSecretVid]

whoa?? some BS ukraine crap in a watch review view/…wf.