Titanium Timepiece Perfection: Citizen AQ4091-56L Watch Review

[@h111551]

I think that Citizen is vastly underestimated in the US. High accuracy quartz offered in a fine quality presentation is very practical, particularly in terms of calendar complications. I have had three high accuracy quartz watches: two Grand Seiko 9Fs and one JDM Campanola (Citizen’s studio brand ala Grand Seiko but not offered in the US and something of a secret which may even be discontinued, although It should not be). The Campanola is the winner over and above Grand Seiko in every category that is important to me. Citizen has done tremendous JDM watches which can easily be accessed through sellers like Sakura. The high value of the dollar in relationship to the yen makes buying direct from Japan almost a steal for US citizens.

[@ericfreutel8240]

Shhh! Don’t tell everybody!😊

[@sean550]

L

[@ericfreutel8240]

Level of finishing on the titanium certainly reflects Citizen’s commitment to develop this material. It was Citizen that produced the world’s first titanium watch in 1970.

[@dahak972]

Omg! For two grand I want some micro adjust! Lol. I’m still getting it though. Lol To be fair it’s the same setup as the series 8 Pepsi GMT that I’ve got and it works pretty well with the half links.

[@djapojunior]

Love The Citizen line. It is a bit pricier, but that high end is what they're aiming at and I think they do it well. 👏

[@4oclockcrown882]

I have been looking forward to your review since you posted the unboxing video. This watch has had my attention for some time and will hopefully find its way into my collection soon. Excellent video!

[@BobbyLegs]

Thank you!!!

[@IlluminatingWatches]

This is an absolute beauty. The high precision citizens are so cool

[@efreutel]

Absolutely love how understated this watch is. Want to add that the movement is highly decorated with Tokyo stripes, and a beauty in it’s own right. Citizen watches express engineering integrity at all price levels. This watch worth every dime and then some. Great review, many thanks 🙏🙏🙏😊

[@jamieopulence]

Looks pretty cool! Love that they've made this in Titanium.

[@gregs.8895]

That blue is mesmerizing...

[@WeibenWang]

I have a Citizen Chronomaster AQ4042-01P with the super blingy dial. I think a Chronomaster on a bracelet like you got is the ultimate set it and forget it grab and go GADA. Mine is on a crocodile strap, so it's not that, but I do love the look of it. The the gold Duratect titanium on mine lives up to the claims. After months of wear, it has minimal scratches. It's not quite up to Grand Seiko in fit, finish, or design, but it's close. It is a shame you can't just buy them in the US. The Citizen boutique in New York City does have a few of them, and only a few, but even so, the manager says he has to fight for stock, even though they're a company store.

[@estern001]

I just bought this watch from Citizen on Amazon. I'm so excited!

[@BobbyLegs]

Congrats!!!

[@estern001]

@@BobbyLegs Thank you! I'm looking for a strap (not a bracelet guy). Your video in gorgeous. Would you say the color is true to life? I want to get the strap color right.

[@fgj4990]

A beautiful time piece! The primary objective of a watch should be how well it keeps time. It therefore amazes me that those who believe that quartz is invalid and only the less accurate mechanical watches are collectable! However, I too am fond of mechanical watches and the romance affair with them. This watch is amazing, but I would love the option of a slightly smaller version at 38mm and dials as exciting as Seiko / Grand Seiko. A screw down crown might also be better, although I see it will hardly ever be used. Thanks for the video.

[@Roughdraft214]

I have an AQ4100 which is a blue dial 38mm HAQ. It has a more angular case and a stunning bracelet but no lume. For me I kind of wish I would’ve gotten a 40mm, but I still love the one I’ve got.

[@NeoWahNah]

HAQ is not just a quarts watch. I'll admit, I never considered HAQ until I saw this!

[@thepjbyexperience9629]

Hey folks, looking to buy a The Citizen also . I’ve never owned a Citizen watch nor The Citizen, so just wanna ask you guys does the Citizen facility in Torrance CA repair The Citizen watches ? since these models are not available in the US.

[@lkazanov]

Stumbled across this video, I think this may be my next watch. I have looked at the Longines conquest VHP. I was never a fan boy of brands, rather only huge believer in value. I am split between this and a grand Seiko. Also looking at JDM watches.

[@sealevelbear]

This exact watch is my next watch. Love the blue, love the titanium, size, movement, finishing, etc. Everything is great!

[@efreutel]

absolutely the best and love the understated elegance, how it flies under the radar. 👍👍👍

[@ericfreutel8240]

Terrific review. Gorgeous watch, love the below the radar sophistication and elegance. Thank you 🙏 😊😊❤❤❤

[@underachievingwatchcollect1878]

I’m glad you kept the Chicken 🐔 watch Rob😊!

[@michaelkaliski7651]

Simply the most accurate stand alone watches you can buy at any price! They look classically stylish too. I would pick one over a Grand Seiko for the additional accuracy.

[@efreutel]

and the perpetual calendar plus no battery change hassle…

[@david300m]

So I am not the only knuckle-dragger that smacks the door frame. Great review, thanks for sharing.

[@jonandresen1483]

Nice looking watch. I have two The Citizen watches from the same family including the white washi dial version. I’ve written extensively about them on WUS. I will say FWIW that the precision specs are not met in my experience. The manual states that the specs are guaranteed with regular wear. I have far more watches than is sane so mine are not worn regularly, but they are kept in the light so always charged. Maybe they would meet precision specs if worn regularly but I doubt it. None of my Grand Seiko HAQ watches run out of spec nor does my Breitling Aerospace EVO. I don’t really care but if one did I’m not sure it would matter. I don’t believe that there is a trimmer like in GS watches. That is, there is no way to adjust the timing of the watch. Mine were purchased in Japan so have the 10 year warranty (they won’t honor it from the USA however) but if I go back and wanted to have the watches serviced to meet timing specs it seems they would not be able to do anything. They do look good and wear easily. Other peoples mileage may vary regarding timing precision.

[@Peskarik]

Would you mind telling how precise your watch runs, please? Thank you. Oh, and what quartz GS do you have?

[@watchdogpodcast239]

Really great, thorough review. Beautiful watch

[@BobbyLegs]

Glad you liked it!

[@jeremyowen_]

Is "The Citizen" vs Citizen Chronomaster the same line? Because some called it the same and some told me it's different. Some use the bird logo and some use the "Chronomaster" writing on the dial

[@thepjbyexperience9629]

Hi Bobby Legs, I’m looking to buy a The Citizen also . I’ve never owned a Citizen watch nor The Citizen, so just wanna ask you guys does the Citizen facility in Torrance CA repair The Citizen watches ? since these models are not available in the US.

[@natjes6017]

Great video, nice seeing a review of The Citizen 👍 The reason they don´t go stateside or ROW is that they don´t feel the need to. There was a model that was sold in their store i New York, but that´s it. My watch is 37,5 mm, solar, and it goes +5,8 s/year. So I´m good 😁

[@chungminkyo1538]

Bobby, is it possible to change the bracelet to leather?

[@NeoWahNah]

It is, 20mm lugs

[@brentonh1626]

This is probably my most-desired watch. It looks from the video like the second hands do a good job of hitting their markers exactly. After having it for a few months, is that still true? I'm torn between this and a GS9F, which advertises its second hand accuracy.

[@NeoWahNah]

I'm torn between the blue and the white.... decisions, decisions...

[@efreutel]

The hands always hit the dial indices exactly because they self center (self correct) automatically. Citizen calls this needle correction. The movement also has built-in accelerometers that work like airbag sensors; they detect incoming shock waves and lock down the hands before they can be damaged by shock - of course all this happens in the blink of an eye.

[@ryanstafford8544]

That is a beautiful watch. The crown seems disproportionately small though. Also no micro adjust? Some otherJDM Citizen models under $1000 have micro adjustment. That is a shame.

[@balesjo]

These high end Citizen watches are very nice. However, here in the US, Citizen watches have the same problem as Volkswagens. at least for those of us older than 30. Both had a history of models that were very affordable and dependable for the average Joe or Jane. But like VW, when they tried releasing the luxury level Phaeton here in the early 2000s, people balked at it because of the mind-set that VW only made inexpensive entry-level cars. Citizen watches are like that too. I was used to Citizens being sold in WalMart or similar stores along with Timex. I only discovered in the last year that Citizen has luxury-level watches (and prices) overseas, and when I saw the prices, I said "no way!" But as time has gone on, I've started to loosen up a bit towards Citizens. Plus, I have a Zelos watch that uses a Miyota auto movement, and it's the most accurate automatic watch in my collection. The only thing is, Seiko and Grand Seiko produce such amazing dials that I'd probably turn to them first if I'm going to spend a thousand or more. Citizen would probably do well to open up these watches in the US.

[@BobbyLegs]

Thank you for comment. I like the VW comparison.

[@ashraffaridharis5570]

Bruh thats exactly why citizen would not do well to sell these in the US and in fact do not

[@Peskarik]

Would you mind telling what accuracy you experience in this watch, please? That is, if you still have it, as you wanted to sell it 2 months into ownership, as far as I understand. Big thanks!

[@juniorjohnson5961]

I think American's associates Citizens with cheap watches & would think this is vastly overpriced. Beautiful Watch & nice review 🙏

[@WeibenWang]

It took Grand Seiko a lot of effort and money to get past "just a Seiko." Citizen doesn't seem to be willing to make the investment.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

@@WeibenWang They need another name & use the Eagle logo

[@anthonyonline4740]

Can you show us a short or something with it on leather please? Great video

[@pk464]

Love my Citizen watches.

[@frankschroth4038]

I've got many Citizen watches in my collection and I think that citizen is way better than Seiko ! Maybe not the Grand Seiko , but at least equal .

[@Cortesevasive]

citizen literally has better accuracy and solar than GrandSeiko

[@TSeg-mq6uq]

Interesting no screw down crown. I have the prior year version AQ4090 Chronomaster and it DOES NOT have a signed crown, but does have a screw down crown.

[@darkknightsds]

I have 2 Citizens and love both of them. I am considering getting one of these high end versions. Nice review. But please get a manicure before your next video 😂

[@hughming]

It is a little bit large for a dress watch. Definitely an excellent sport watch and a good dress watch. Excellent edc watch.

[@jakubklein]

amazing piece. I've been eyeing Japanese market Citizen watch myself, it's automatic beauty called NB1060-12L, a bit more pricy around USD 700, would love your take, Bobby :)

[@gg.komorebi]

What a beautiful watch ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

[@TonezzUK]

Very cool. I like the NC0200-90E and NC0206-18E as well.

[@alaththar819]

Beautiful watch. But couldn't afford it. So I'll stick to the cheaper version. The Citizen Reguno.

[@ericfreutel8240]

One high-end dealer on You Tube predicts that Citizen lavishes so much time and effort on each of these that they are certainly losing money on each one. A statement watch.😊

[@remus2001]

The watch doesn’t get any of its light through the dial. The solar panel is annular, under the slanted rehaut.

[@Valvey789]

How long could you go theoretically without having to reset it? Probably as long as the lifespan of the solar battery, whatever that is.

[@BobbyLegs]

good question. I know the battery has a 7 month charge. not sure if it has any mechanism (reserves remaining power) in place to keep the calendar set when it powers down. most of the literature on this watch that i found is in Japanese.

[@xiotion]

It has a discharge protection. when low battery, the seconds hand advances every 2 seconds as warning and requires immediate charging.

[@dazjackson1972]

Wow that Citizen is absolutely stunning - wish I could afford it . I have to stick with the ones in the £200 to £300 bracket, fortunately they also have many attractive options at that level. A very fine watchmaker.

[@87ers]

So is there already a video where you set the date on this watch?

[@BobbyLegs]

I did not film this. However, I believe my friend Amin did so in this video… kzbin.info/www/bejne/bpLUd6F8g7Jkd9E

[@icthys2024]

they probably think americans wouldnt buy a $2000 citizen but i think thats changing, lots of us have caught on to the luxury quartz market, i just got a GS 9f quartz and its a great watch, every bit as nice as my seamaster 300, which i sold.

[@Tonyplat98]

It's a beautiful piece

[@ericfreutel8240]

The date changes EXACTLY at midnight: 00.00.00 !!!!! Amazing to observe.

[@arncht6507]

It would be great if they would do radio/solar version of this watch (quality). I know it is not really needed because of the accuracy, but in this case you do not have to set anything. And no real advantage, if you can sync your watch daily.

[@TheCitizen23]

How large is your wrist in cm?

[@BobbyLegs]

17cm

[@xiotion]

I've had my eyes on one of these for several months but they have few variants that have made a tough decision to make.

[@xiotion]

Just went for an older AQ4054-01E (Black eagle). Although I love the titanium and duratect covering I already have a satellite wave with those specs. So went for the looks of this black eagle. Also I left aside the washi paper but I'll buy another one in the future with it.

[@chazfromtheburg]

A beauty

[@empir3289]

Did u have to pay import fees?

[@BobbyLegs]

I purchased through eBay. I paid sales tax only.

[@ThisIsDavesGarage]

No lume shot? :(

[@ju2705s]

12:37

[@larryfromwisconsin9970]

I have a Citizen Eagle 7 automatic from the 1980s. It is a Gold plated Datejust style watch. It actually keeps the best time of all my mechanical watches. Because it is Gold plated I wear it sparingly to preserve it's appearance. It's very dressy on a burgundy lizard strap. This watch looks nice but I think my next watch will be the Casio ani-digi Titanium. That is solar, atomic time, sapphire crystal, and under $200. And available in the USA.

[@scatterbrain9490]

I love solar

[@Ayztee23]

once you go titanium you dont go back.

[@BobbyLegs]

so true

[@grimmer2005]

That crown is too small. Looks super weird.

[@PeepingTime]

👀

[@sean550]

Cant buy this model in Europe...

[@BobbyLegs]

Can’t in the US either as far as I know. Found it on eBay from a Japanese seller.

[@sean550]

@@BobbyLegs Yes correct even on Chrono coming from Japan...I rang my local citizen ireland they never even heard of the model.....sean

[@kenohanrahan4745]

Unexpectedly, I saw this for sale in Paris, yesterday. But the RRP was €3600 ....

[@richardvanfrank8114]

I really don't like the chicken above the 6.

[@sacredclown4179]

Your vioce is so banal!!! champ take an upper thank goodness for double speed!

[@BobbyLegs]

You should see how I talk when I’m not on uppers. 5x speed please!!!

[@casanova9227]

wtf stupid word dressy and sporty ?

[@skioet]

3000 USD down to 2300USD for a quartz movement?

[@brentonh1626]

There are a lot of $2,300 quartz watches. Rolex, Omega, The Citizen, Grand Seiko, Tag H, and more. I don't own any, but it isn't at all unusual.

[@toughguy2186]

$23000 ???????? Come on dude, really????

[@BobbyLegs]

$2,300