In this series, three editorial staff members from Chronos Japan share their impressions of popular models and discuss them. This time, Deputy Editor-in-Chief Yukiya Suzuki, Hosoyan (aka Yuto Hosoda), and newcomer Yasunori Doi share their thoughts and opinions on the Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver 200m.
Photographs by Masanori Yoshie
Text by Yoshiko Agata
Text by Yoshiko Agata
Article published on December 30, 2021
This mechanical diver features a new in-house movement that has passed Class 2 antimagnetic testing. Despite its striking design that emphasizes three-dimensionality, the Super Titanium™ makes it incredibly light to wear. Automatic winding (Cal. 9051). 24 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Super Titanium™ (diameter 46mm, thickness 15.3mm). 200m diving water resistance. Price: 132,000 yen (tax included).
A diver's watch equipped with a new in-house mechanical movement
Hosoda
The Promaster is Citizen's professional watch. The collection is divided into three categories: Marine, Land, and Sky. This time, we will review the new Mechanical Diver 200m model equipped with the automatic movement Cal. 9051.
(I.e.
This is a diver's watch, so it has excellent visibility, and above all, the design is cool.
Doi
I was also very impressed at first glance. The bezel has a completely new design. The sides and numbers are three-dimensional, with an elaborate finish.
(I.e.It's well made. It's made of titanium and is light, so you can wear it around town.
HosodaIt's 15.3mm thick, but surprisingly light.
(I.e.Yes. The thickness is unavoidable, but the weight didn't bother me at all.
DoiOne negative point is that the numbers on the bezel are a little hard to read, as they are three-dimensional but not colored.
HosodaThat's right. The luminous markers allow you to see the starting point, but can you read the numbers clearly underwater? When diving, you'll also be wearing gloves, so you won't be able to trace the numbers.
(I.e.The three-dimensional effect is less apparent underwater than on land, so there is certainly room for improvement in the bezel display. However, since colors are also less discernible underwater, perhaps they chose not to add color.
HosodaIt would probably be easier to read if the numbers were coated with luminescent paint, but maybe they'll actually be readable if I go underwater, so I'll go underwater next time and check (lol).
The urethane strap is also ingenious
HosodaBy the way, where did you all wear it? The case is thick, but I guess you just wear it on your cuff or over your sleeve.
DoiI wore it during the lingering heat of summer, so I wore it directly over short sleeves.
(I.e.I also wore it normally.
HosodaI tried wearing it while climbing a mountain, and it was convenient to wear over long sleeves. It's shock-resistant in case something happens, and the unidirectional rotating bezel was useful for measuring how many minutes I'd climbed from the rest stop. It's the exact opposite of its intended use, but it was a great mountain climbing watch (lol).
(I.e.Its specs as a diver are serious, but it's also well-balanced for everyday use as a hill diver.
HosodaHowever, there was one thing that bothered me about the strap. The end of the strap is thick for safety, but when I tried to wrap it over my sleeve, it was quite difficult because the length was just right. I think it's good in the sense that it won't come off once you put it on, though.
(I.e.I think it would be easier to put on if the strap had more bellows and was more stretchy. Oh, but it seems like an extension strap is included. It would probably be better to change to this when wearing it over a wetsuit.
