Since its founding in 1918, Citizen has been challenging itself with watch development. The result of this is the "Promaster" brand, a watch for professionals on land, sea, and air. This time, we will introduce the "air" pilot's watch.
About Citizen Watches' Promaster
The Promaster series is sold by the Japanese watch manufacturer Citizen Watch.
The brand was established in 1989 as a professional sports watch that focuses on functionality, durability, and safety. Its high performance in all fields of "sea, land, and air" has captivated watch enthusiasts.
A watch for enjoying sea, land and air
Citizen's Promaster watches are tough enough to withstand the harsh environments of sea, land, and air, and have the functionality required in each specialized field.
For example, diver's watches for the ocean are available with water resistance ranging from 200m to 1000m for saturation diving, and some models even come equipped with a depth gauge. Field watches for land use are equipped with altimeters, compasses, and can withstand temperatures down to -20°C, making them ideal for adventurers. And pilot's watches for the skies are equipped with aviation slide rules and world time functions.
The technology behind pilot watches
Citizen's pilot watches use proprietary technology, and even now, more than 30 years after the Promaster was introduced, development is still ongoing. Here we will introduce the latest technology as of 2024.
Super Titanium™
Titanium is a difficult material to process, but Citizen Watch has used its proprietary surface hardening technology, Duratect, to develop Super Titanium™, which is more than five times harder than stainless steel. Furthermore, the company's many years of experience in processing technology have been utilized to give the case a beautiful, sharp surface.
Titanium is a material that combines the advantages of being lightweight, rust-resistant, and gentle on the skin with the added benefit of being scratch-resistant.
The best way to get rid of the virus
Citizen's unique "shock detection function" prevents the hands from shifting when the watch is subjected to an impact. When an impact is received, an electrical signal is sent to the motor, instantly locking the rotor, and the hands begin moving again after approximately 1/1,000 of a second.
This function, similar to that of a car's airbag, ensures that you always know the correct time even in harsh environments.
Eco-Drive
Almost all Promaster watches are powered by light. Citizen Watch's proprietary Eco-Drive light-powered technology converts sunlight, as well as even the faintest light indoors, into electricity, and once fully charged, they can continue to run for over six months without light (although some models are not eligible).
It also strives to be energy-efficient so that it can handle high-spec functions, so it will continue to operate in any environment as long as there is light.
What types of pilot watches does Citizen have?
As of June 2025, Citizen Promaster pilot watches are available in a wide variety of styles.
Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled Watch Direct Flight Geo Trekker
The Geo Trekker is a new addition to the collection in 2024, the 35th anniversary of the birth of the Promaster. It is equipped with the newly developed movement Cal. H864. It is a light-powered Eco-Drive (Cal. H864). It runs for approximately 2.5 years on a full charge (with power save activated). Stainless steel case (diameter 46.0mm, thickness 11.5mm). It is water resistant to 20 bar. It is priced at 11 yen (tax included).
Eco-Drive radio-controlled watches are marketed as high-performance pilot watches. In addition to pilot-friendly features like luminous finishes and aviation slide rules, they also feature a Direct Flight function that quickly switches to the time in 24 cities around the world, making them a great choice for jet-setters. They receive standard time signals and automatically adjust to the correct time. The Eco-Drive technology eliminates the need for battery changes. Shock-resistant, they prevent the watch's hands from misaligning, allowing you to check the correct time at any time.
This model is the Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled Watch Direct Flight Geo Trekker, newly added in 2024, marking the 35th anniversary of the birth of the Citizen Promaster.
A major feature of this new collection is that it is equipped with Citizen's newly developed movement, Cal. H864. The subdial at 6 o'clock features a UTC disc hand with a depiction of the Northern Hemisphere, which rotates once every 86400 seconds (24 hours). By aligning the names of countries around the world with the scale on the ring, you can check the approximate time in the Northern Hemisphere.
While retaining the Promaster's design, which evokes the multifunctionality of professional use, it is also noteworthy that the city names and scale on the disc are written in fonts commonly seen on old maps and aeronautical charts, a detail reminiscent of the 1600s, a time of global development.
SKY Series Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled Watch (World Time Function)
This model features a wine red bezel inspired by the color of a morning glow. The dial, case, and bracelet are all dark tones, making the color stand out. It features a solar-powered Eco-Drive system. It lasts for 3 years (when power save is activated). Stainless steel (diameter 45.9mm, thickness 13.7mm). Water resistant to 20 bar. Price: 99,000 yen (tax included).
As the industry continues to diversify its color palette, three models inspired by the colors of the sky will be released: Warein Red, the color of the morning glow; Aurora Green; and Deep Blue, the color of midnight.
All of the watches have attractive deep colors, but the wine red CB5009-55E is particularly lustrous. The gray plating on the case and bracelet makes the wine red color stand out.
Blue Angels Model Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled Watch (World Time Function)
This is a collaboration model with the Blue Angels, an aerobatic squadron belonging to the US Navy. It features the blue and yellow colors of the aircraft soaring through the sky. It is a solar-powered Eco-Drive watch. It operates for approximately 3.5 years (when power save is activated). It has a stainless steel case (diameter 45.4mm, thickness 14.5mm). It is water resistant to 20 bar. It is priced at 11 yen (tax included).
The lineup also includes a collaboration model with the US Navy's acrobatic team, the Blue Angels. The dial features the aircraft's color and name, and the unit's emblem on the case back.
In addition to an aviation slide rule and a world time function with 43 time zone differences, it also features a unique technology called "Perfex Multi 3000" that can receive radio waves from multiple stations in four regions around the world (Japan, China, the US, and Europe). Three models are currently on sale in this line, including bracelet and leather strap models.
Mechanical GMT
This mechanical GMT model is equipped with the Cal. 9054 mechanical movement. The red GMT hand is eye-catching. Automatic (Cal. 9054). 24 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve: approximately 50 hours. Stainless steel case (diameter 44.5mm, thickness 12.7mm). Water resistant to 20 bar. Price: 148,500 yen (tax included).
Citizen is known for its quartz movements, including Eco-Drive light-powered watches, but has been expanding its collection to include mechanical movements since 2021. The Citizen Promaster also introduced a "Mechanical GMT" model in January 2024.
The Cal. 9054 movement is the same one used in the Citizen Series Eight 880 Mechanical, which was released the previous year. The GMT hand can be used to display the current location as well as a second time zone. It also features Class 2 magnetic resistance, making it highly practical even in today's magnetically infested society.
Combined with the highly visible dial and sturdy case that are characteristic of Citizen Promaster, this is a pilot watch that will stimulate your purchasing desire.
エコ・ドライブ コンビネーションウオッチ
The Eco-Drive Combination Watch was born to mark the 35th anniversary of the Citizen Promaster. Three models were released, and this is one of them, dressed in khaki. The strap is made of a durable Cordura® band. It features a solar-powered Eco-Drive system. It operates for approximately three years (when power save is activated). Stainless steel case (43.9mm diameter, 14mm thick). Water resistant to 20 bar. Priced at 126,500 yen (tax included).
Citizen Promaster will celebrate its 35th anniversary in 2024. To mark this milestone, the Eco-Drive Combination Watch will be released, featuring the newly developed Cal. U822 movement, which combines analog and digital displays.
In addition to the analog display, which displays the time with powerful hour and minute hands and an index that combines Arabic numerals and bars, this model also features an LCD display at the 12 o'clock position. Compared to previous models, the display has been upgraded from a segment LCD to an MIP (Memory In Pixel) LCD, resulting in a higher resolution display with improved visibility and expressiveness. It also features an alarm function that can be set for multiple areas or any day of the week, and a light level indicator that visualizes the amount of power generated by Eco-Drive. This function allows you to check the power generation history for up to one week.
Not only does it have a unique appearance, but it also offers the versatility that is characteristic of the Citizen Promaster.
Choose a Citizen Pilot's Watch
Many brands offer a wide range of pilot watches, but Citizen's pilot watches are equipped with reliable and unique features such as Super Titanium™, shock detection, and Eco-Drive.
The range of affordable models makes this a good choice for your first pilot's watch.
