Underwater Wednesday is a series which focuses solely on diver’s watches. Most guys have at least one divers watch in their collection. No matter how blindingly pale your flesh may appear on the beach after a whole year of urban commuting and dark suiting, it’s still massive fun to slip on a divers watch, slide into some swim fins and go scuba diving.
Many people – and that includes a lot of professional divers – look no further than Citizen Watches for their divers watch. And with good reason, a Citizen divers watch is an excellent choice.
First of all, the range is huge and constantly updated, so there is something to suit everyone.
Secondly, many of the newer models are Citizen Eco-Drive series watches. These are powered by energy derived from a number of light sources. How do they work? The energy that powers the watch is produced by a solar cell. This silicon solar cell directly converts light energy into electrical energy, thereby making replacing batteries an act of the past.
The idea behind Eco-Drive is to prevent the replacement of batteries which contain harmful metals such as mercury, lead and cadmium. There are also harmful products such as Freon used in batteries, which is also avoided with the use of the Eco Drive.
Thirdly, each watch has a distinctly macho appeal and even at the top end of the range you will be spending under £500.
Some of the Citizen divers are more complex than others, but all are made to uncompromisingly high standards and offer reliability, performance and good looks. Even the entry level Citizen divers are water resistant to 200 metres, so they are more than adequate for robust snorkeling or scuba diving.
Here’s a small selection of what’s out there:
Eco-Drive Professional Divers
This is Citizen’s version of the classic Pepsi Diver, so called for the famous Pepsi colours of red and blue on the bezel. Water resistant to 300 metres, the 43mm watch features a reinforced urethane band and extender ratcheted elapsed-time bezel screw-back case and screw-down crown and runs on an Eco-Drive movement. A simple yet graphically strong looking watch with chunky luminous hands and markers. £161.00
Scuba Fin
Citizen Eco-Drive Scuba Fin is a great choice for divers as well as active sports enthusiasts. Features include a one-way rotating elapsed-time bezel, 46mm screw-back case and screw-down crown, 200 metres water resistant, and luminous hands and markers. Shown in black stainless steel with orange/black poly strap with buckle and bold orange accents. £199.00
Titanium Eco-Drive Divers
Model BJ8041-09E or BJ8040-01E, known as the Ecozilla. This is a big 51mm professional divers watch for mixed gas diving. The watch is ISO Certified water resistant to 300 metres. There’s a date feature at 3 o’clock, with a one-way rotating elapsed-time bezel around the dial. The dial features trademark Citizen chunky luminous hands and markers for superior underwater visibility. £233.00
Eco-Drive Air Divers Titanium
Shivery good looking watch, made from durable yet lightweight titanium. This particular model has been discontinued but you can still pick it up on some internet sites. The watch comes with what’s known as a Titanium Duratect case and bracelet, and it runs on the Eco-Drive movement with an independent GMT hand. Around £250.00
Promaster Aqualand Chrono
With sub dials at 12 o’clock, 6 o’ clock and 9 o’clock, and date at 3 o’clock. This macho looking watch runs on a quartz battery rather than the Eco-Drive movement. The chunky orange seconds hand contrasts beautifully against the aqua blue dial. Water resistant to 200 metres. £303.00
Promaster Aqualand Ana Digital
Another great looking watch in the Aqualand series, this one with an Ana Digital read out. Water resistant to 200 metres with a one-way rotating elapsed-time bezel. £347.00
Promaster Depth Meter Chronograph
The ISO-certified metric Depth Metre Chrono is a 50-minute chrono with depth display to 125 feet, max depth memory, power reserve indicator, 12/24 hour time, and 200 metres water resistant. The watch also features a one-way rotating elapsed-time bezel, screw-back case & screw-down crown, with non-reflective crystal, in a satisfyingly imposing 49mm case. Orange accents, poly strap and stainless steel black ion plating complete the look. £469.00
