Horologii

Citizen Promaster Eco Drive Professional Diver 1000m Watch Review

Easily one of the most impressive releases at Baselworld 2017, the brand new Citizen Promaster Eco Drive Professional Diver 1000m watch has both serious divers and casual watch fanatics in awe. Claiming to be the world’s first light powered watch to have a water resistance of 1,000 metres, this impressive diving instrument boasts a large, light weight case with some extraordinary technologies embedded within.

Let’s start off with the exterior design of the Citizen Promaster Eco Drive Professional Diver 1000m watch. The aesthetic was based on the turban shell, or also known as the horned turban, which is a large and robust sea snail shell with an almost impenetrable brick like structure. As well as adapting the natural shape of the watch case exterior, the Japanese watch manufacturer also included a ridged bezel. The irregular shape of the unidirectional bezel makes it easy to adjust even with gloved hands, allowing for optimal safety and reducing risk to the diver.

The case of the Citizen Promaster Eco Drive Professional Diver 1000m watch is nothing short of bold, measuring at 52.5mm wide and 21.4mm thick. But for those with smaller wrists, don’t let this put you off as its lugless design and impressive functionality make up for the size.  The case is constructed from titanium, the perfect material for a diving timepiece since it is lightweight, resistant to rust and still showcases a beautiful mirror finish. Citizen have also combined their surface hardening technology Duratect over the top to ensure the watch not only withstands the water pressure but also provides a much more tougher and scratch resistant case.

One of the most impressive features of the divers watch is that it is completely airtight to helium, a worlds first for a light powered watch. Helium is one of the toughest obstacles when it comes to designing a light powered watch since helium gas modules are so small they can easily penetrate a water resistant case. This can cause serious damage to the interior of the case, causing pressure to the glass and the movement. Nevertheless, the Citizen Promaster Eco Drive Professional Diver 1000m watch has been exhaustively performance tested to become both water resistant and mixed gas resistant, making it completely airtight to helium.

The dial of the Citizen Promaster Eco Drive Professional Diver 1000m boasts photo luminescent markings across the hands, index and bezel marker at 12 o clock for easy legibility even in the darkest depths of the ocean. A power reserve indicator can also be found at the 9 o clock position to display the charge time left in the rechargeable battery. Thanks to the incredible minds at Citizen, Eco Drive watches can last months without needing to recharging, with the Citizen Promaster Eco Drive Professional Diver 1000m watch promising to last up to one and a half years.

The Citizen Promaster Eco Drive Professional Diver 1000m watch is expected to be released this summer, but you can pre order it in advance here. The piece retails at £1,695.

Specifications: Citizen Promaster Eco Drive Professional Diver 1000m Watch –  BN7020-17E

Case Size: 52.5mm wide, 21.4mm thick

Case Material: Super Titanium (Duratect DLC+MRK+TIC)

Glass: Sapphire crystal

Bezel: Unidirectional

Crown: Screw down

Movement: Light powered, calibre no. J210

Power Reserve: 1.5 years

Water Resistance: 1,000 metres

Strap Material: Polyurethane

Release Date: Summer 2017

RRP: £1,695