The watch that I'd take diving instead of a Seiko ... Citizen Promaster Fugu Review

[@roderickgillies6558]

Having been a seiko lover for years recently bought my first citizen the fuga love it

[@TheCalamorro]

I'm a diver, I also have Citizen and Seiko watches, and I use a Citizen Fugu for diving. 👌🏻😊

[@nextonthewrist]

Awesome, do you have any specific areas that the Seiko performs better on a dive over the Citizen, or Citizen all the way?

[@TheCalamorro]

@nextonthewrist Citizen promaster is the model selected for the divers of the Marina Militare (Italian Navy) and has been tested up to 500 meters. Good legibility and not heavy. When travelling, I chose the Citizen BJ7110-89E because it's both a diver and GMT.

[@OscarOSullivan]

@@TheCalamorroI believe they stopped issuing black dial NY0040’s in the mid to late 2000’s.

[@OscarOSullivan]

Citizen are the real frogman’s watch and their aqualand from the 1980’s shows that they can be innovative watchmakers. I am loving my late model Citizen NY0040-17L and prefer the NY0040 series design. In the 1970’s Seiko divers used lock crowns whereas Citizen used screw down crowns.

[@TheCalamorro]

​@@OscarOSullivankzbin.info/www/bejne/fXjGapx-rbuWpac

[@paulvon2378]

I have the Promaster NY-0085 (Coke Bezel) . I paid $178.00 USD and for that price it's hard to beat even for Seiko which is twice the price or more. I would also mention the blue Lume (green lume on pip) on this watch is near Seiko quality as well. For this price range I would get both.

[@jouwenlee7829]

I had the exact same model. Somehow I feel both of my 15+ years old Seiko Monster and green dial Orient Kamasu has slightly better lume and last longer in the dark enabled easier time reading

[@TheBimmer74]

I choose Seiko for their fantastic designs and great looking dials. I chose several Citizen dive watches for their ecodrive movements. They are solid, dependable and grab and go watches! Great review of this one. I agree with your assessment!

[@nextonthewrist]

Solid and dependable is a perfect summary 👏 cheers for watching 🙂👍

[@OscarOSullivan]

@@nextonthewristI got a late model NY0040-17L for Christmas 2023 not a great fan of the new fugus.

[@nextonthewrist]

@@OscarOSullivan awesome great piece, congrats on the pickup 😎🍻

[@davidyarb5885]

I have a Citizen eco drive promaster blue dial and a Seiko King Turtle Dark Manta. Love them both. (My Seiko does line up).

[@Zotrax1946]

Yeh, I would prefer my Promaster eco drive than any of my Seiko for actual diving. I do wear it when we make our annual wet/rafting trip as a family. Yet, my heart runs on a simple old 7S26🤷🏼‍♂️. It’s like being a true fan of my football team- some things are unchanged. Forever.

[@nextonthewrist]

Great analogy. Thanks for stopping by 🙂🍻

[@mediastarguest]

I recently bought one of these Fugu dive watches from an A.U. in England for 279UKP, reduced sale price. Mine has a stainless steel bracelet. But I'm also a Seiko fan so I was disappointed to find the Citizen's rotating bezel aligns perfectly at the 12 position, as well as at hour positions on the dial, very annoyed that the links do not rattle and furious that the Fugu doesn't cost 900 quid. Citizen must do better.

[@nextonthewrist]

😂😂😂

[@greenjihad3390]

The Citizen hands down. My first dive watch was a Citizen and I have owned Seikos but I agree their QC is not great meaning it can affect taking it under water. Citizen has upped their game with their new "Challenge" diver line and other models they're releasing show the company is starting to target collectors.

[@nextonthewrist]

Definitely - strong signs of Citizen taking a step up recently 🙂

[@Johnny_blu]

The crown is at 8 o'clock for right handed divers. It's the worst when it digs into your wrist.

[@nextonthewrist]

I know that is their reasoning but it isn't mine, as a leftie for me personally I loved it for being on the correct side 😎🙌.... It did not once dig into my wrist or even come close, but I don't wear watches on the knuckle and I am definitely not a deep sea diver 😅👍

[@jf2mad]

If a watch doesn't have a sapphire crystal, I automatically refuse to consider it. "Hardlex" is trash and as much as Seiko charges, they should be ashamed when the don't put sapphire on any watch.

[@nextonthewrist]

I can understand but I've never managed to scratch hardlex and often the bezel sits proud - like in the monster so I'm OK with it. They do put sapphire on their more expensive prospex line offerings but again I do genuinely understand why you'd take issue with it as it does come across as penny pinching considering rivals. Thanks for the comments 🙂🍻

[@MrSilvervw]

Fantastic content 👌 👏 👍

[@nextonthewrist]

Thank you - too kind 🍻

[@theleastsignificantbit4794]

FUGU ME!

[@scottbollinger3641]

What is a “tool “ watch??

[@nextonthewrist]

For me personally - a piece that prioritises the performance of a specific task and reliability in doing so over and above being a great piece of jewellery - like having exceptional finishing techniques or exotic materials. The Marathon GSAR is a great example by my own criteria, or most of the G-Shocks. But that's just my two cents, I'm sure others will have things to add... or a more eloquent description.

[@tomskimcdouglegaming806]

What don't you like about the 8205?

[@nextonthewrist]

I don't have an issue with the newer Miyota 8 series, only the older ones that don't hack - same issues I have with the 7s2 Seiko movements. My issue, and point, is that a watch retailing at just shy of $600 USD with a rubber strap and basic steel case finishing and simple dial and hands could offer a more premium Miyota 9xxx series, with that smoother sweep - it would increase the value proposition albeit not essential in a tool I think they can offer more or should drop the RRP. This movement choice feels like penny pinching. If we're going to have a pop at Seiko and the value for money offering which is rife across the internet, then Citizen isn't getting off the hook here.

[@OscarOSullivan]

@@nextonthewrist The one advantage the 82xx series have is serviceability as the series goes back to 1977

[@nextonthewrist]

@@OscarOSullivan to be honest I'd just swap the movement out for $30 myself if it ever broke, but I don't think it's any more or less serviceable for a skilled watchmaker than other popular movements just because of its age 🙂

[@fike301]

Funny how people are so brand loyal they will buy product will QC issues….imagine the QC issue was with citizen watch? The fan boyz would eat them alive!

[@sheepdog-kp9hb]

Why would anyone buy seiko crap? Knowing they cant even align a dial. Wait a few years and get a fugu for 200$

[@nextonthewrist]

I personally prefer the Seikos offerings, I think the finish is better on each element, and I think I prefer their design... but as mentioned if you don't want to play the QC lottery definitely look no further than the Citizen 👍

[@fiddy_watchguy]

I have the NY0130, just bought it. FUGU black/yellow version. Came on a rubber strap. I put it on an Island Watch bracelet (BRAC-70) and it's amazing. It's got the design on the dial the FUGU makes in the sand when trying to attract a mate. My first ever Citizen and I love it. I got mine for $202 factory refurbished off of eBay. Bracelet was $59. First Citizen and only owned 1 or 2 Seikos. Not a Seiko fan, I just think they all look alike. I prefer this Citizen. I'm looking for my next one. I have been into vintage watches lately, mostly Casios, but I'm looking for a vintage Citizen Aqualand diver.

[@nextonthewrist]

I've seen these in person and I love the dial pattern - but I didn't realise the actual relation of it to the FUGU, that makes it even cooler! I personally prefer more Seiko models but I can really appreciate models from both. You surely can't say a Monster, Tuna and 62mas look much alike? 😜...good luck with the aqualand hunt and cheers for the comments 🙂🍻