Showing posts with label citizen. Show all posts
Showing posts with label citizen. Show all posts

8/06/2011

Citizen Men's BL5250-02L Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch Review

Citizen Men's BL5250-02L Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I am what many would call a watch nut and own over 30 ranging from Timex to Rolex. For me to buy a watch there has to be "something there" for me to get excited about. At $240, this is one of the very best buys on a fantastic watch that you can find! I was so impressed with this watch I purchased a second one as a gift for my father in law who by the way, was very impressed with the watch himself.

Before getting into all the things I like about this watch I want to point out one of the other reviewers posted a problem with the buckle on his watch having some "points" on it that dug into his wrist and made the watch uncomfortable to wear. This must be a factory defect as this is not the case with either of the two that I purchased. While the watch strap is not usually covered by warranty I know from 1st hand experience that Citizen has a dedicated and friendly customer service department and I believe if he contacts them he will find a new strap coming to him rather quickly. Also as to the strap, I have been disappointed somewhat in the past when purchasing a watch and the strap that comes with it is not substantial in length. I have a 7.25 inch wrist and this has not caused me a problem but I would readily notice if someone had a larger wrist they would have to go out and purchase a new and larger strap to be able to wear their new watch. The strap that comes with this citizen will allow someone with a larger wrist than mine to be able to wear this watch with the strap that comes on it. This is very good as I believe the supplied strap is very handsome on this watch.

The BL5250-02L is a marvelous little piece of technology at a very good price! At a suggested retail of $400 I have routinely found the watch at local authorized dealers at around $300. My watch was purchased on line for $240 with free shipping and for an additional $5 you could have "next day" shipping.

This watch comes to you very user friendly right out of the box. Along with the user manual also comes a mini disk that when played will have you understanding all the features, time settings and adjustments. You will have your watch set and on your wrist in about 10 minutes. Also, if you lose this information you may go to Citizen's web page and pull up the same info on an interactive video.

The Echo Drive models have a power cell in them that is charged by available light so there is no battery change ever! The perpetual calendar allows you to set the watch once and then it recognizes short months along with leap years so there is no further adjustment for that. Also, there is a duel time zone feature. I use this for setting the second time zone to address the yearly time change of one hour. Doing this with the simple turn of the dial my watch snaps into Daylight savings time mode and then back with another turn when the time comes to go back. It just does not get easier than that.

The rotating bezel certainly may be used for more than just looks. One of the ways I use mine is when I plug a parking meter. I just rotate the bezel so my minute hand moving toward the marker allows me to quickly see when I need to be back at my car. The alarm function works but it is not very noticeable. I have two Seiko's that have a very audible and piercing sound. In this area I have to say Citizen could improve the watch. However, I do notice it if I am awake. I just don't know if it would wake me from a deep sleep.

The finish of the watch is very nice and the strap is very comfortable to wear. The watch while feeling very solid is not as heavy as you may would expect and it wears very nicely on the wrist. The watch is advertised as a "deep blue" face and that is an understatement. For all purposes except in direct sunlight it is black. This does not bother me at all because it looks great and again, in direct sunlight it does have a blue hew that looks good also. Besides great function and price another strong point on this watch is the luminosity of the hands and markers. With over 30 watches my Seiko's seem to have a lock on that area but this citizen comes in a very, very close second. After being outside all day I can read my watch all night long from my darkened bedroom.

Last but not least, this watch comes with a five year warranty and as I stated before, Citizen has great customer service.

I have just touched on the many features of this finely made watch and for you that do not like straps and would prefer a bracelet, Citizen offers the same watch on a bracelet as model number, BL5250-53L. It retails for $500, local price around $400, web price $300.

I rate this watch a solid 4 out of a possible 5 stars. I would have given it 4.5 if the alarm were more noticeable. I am very picky and I did not even rate my Rolex 5 stars. I highly recommend this watch and would but purchase itagain. In fact, I did when I purchased one for my father in law. If this watch appeals to your eye buy it! Price, functions, ease of use, warranty, and customer service is just icing on the cake!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Citizen Men's BL5250-02L Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Watch

Product Description:
The Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar features a titanium case and deep blue dial. The timepiece features a 1/20 second chronograph that measures up to 60 minutes, 12/24 time, dual time, alarm, date indicator, and power saver function. Additional features include an inner calendar, which automatically adjusts to the proper date as well as leap years through the year 2100. Independent hour hand adjustment makes changing time zones simple and precise. The genuine leather strap features attractive white contrast stitching and buckle closure.

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8/05/2011

Citizen Men's BJ7000-52E Eco-Drive Nighthawk Stainless Steel Watch Review

Citizen Men's BJ7000-52E Eco-Drive Nighthawk Stainless Steel Watch
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
Sweet watch, I've been wearing mine for 4 months.

I'm an Environmental Engineering Student and I also currently own an Omega Speedmaster ($2100 graduation gift long ago) and a Titanium Pro-Trek Casio Triple Sensor Watch (Compass, Altimeter & Temperature $295.00) that I used for my previous job as an outdoors wilderness instructor.

Both those watches are extreme (the Casio being too rugged, big and bulky the Omega being very freaking expensive) for everyday use and wanted something that suited my keen personality, short budget and modern taste.

I never liked anything in terms of jewelry or watches from department stores or malls, but when I walked into MACY's during Christmas shopping last december at the local mall I saw these Eco-Drive watches for the first time.

It has always been my opinion that Citizen makesvery old fashioned timepieces, yet the Nighthawk Eco-Drive is very different and far more classy than any other Citizen watch on the shelf. Some of the other newer Eco-Drive watches also look edgy and fresher. But the nighthawk captures a boldness with it's appearancethat is very timeless. Needless to say, I tried it on and was sold.

The features are amazing, apart from all the other "timekeeping-based and solar powered-based features you can read about everywhere else on the internet, the Nighthawk also has a multi-functional Slide Rule. This is not really praised or mentioned anywhere else so I will tell you what it is, what it does and why it makes owning this watch very cool!

With the slide rule you can calculate your car's fuel consumption, average speed/velocity and the time you will arrive at your destination, you can also multiply and divide numbers, calculate ratio's into percentages, integers and decimals, covert liters to gallons, pounds to kilograms as well as other metric conversions. The slide rule also performs a few more complicated calculations that involve airplanes and nautical vessels that are beyond my understanding.

At any rate, these calculations can be done by simply rotating the NightHawk's bezel and matching specific arrows at certain points along the dial. (If you don't believe me, you can download the Nighhawk's PDF manual and read up on it for yourself.)

In fact, it is easier than using a calculator and clears up the big mystery of what people used before computers and electronic calculators were invented; they used the "Slide Rule".

Being a grad student, I've read about the slide rules in a variety of classes but I never thought that I would own one on my next watch. I also would have never guessed that the slide rule is so efficient and easier to use than the graphics calculators we use in school.

The only negatives cocerning the Slide Rule feature on the NightHawk are the numbers on the slide rule dial are small and angled inwards so that they are tricky to read without tilting the watch around to get a good view of the numbers. Also the slide rule only approximates and produces whole numbers for some of the more advanced calculations. Overall, I found that the useful geek-features, outdoorsman durability, everyday comfort and eco-friendliness to be well synthesized in the classy steel body of the Nighthawk Eco-Drive.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Citizen Men's BJ7000-52E Eco-Drive Nighthawk Stainless Steel Watch

Product Description:
A serious timepiece for the serious watch collector, the Citizen BJ7000-52E stainless steel men's watch offers powerful timekeeping functions for your favorite aeronaut. The large round watch case measures approximately 43mm in diameter. It has a thin silver bezel the houses a black dial with a pilot's inner rotating slide rule bezel, which is operated by the secondary crown at 8 o'clock. It has large luminous hands and markers for readability and low-light visibility and dual time (GMT) capability. The triple link bracelet band is composed of brushed silver stainless steel pieces, and it's joined by a push-button folding safety clasp. Other features include a water resistance to 660 feet (200 meters), low-charge indicator window, power saver function, and a scratch-resistant, non-reflective mineral crystal.

Summary of Features:


    Pilot's slide rule inner chapter ring operated by crown at 8 o'clock position
    Non-reflective mineral crystal
    Large luminous markers for easy readability
    Dual time


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7/31/2011

Seiko Men's SNAB65 Alarm Chronograph Leather Strap Watch Review

Seiko Men's SNAB65 Alarm Chronograph Leather Strap Watch
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I own this watch, my first seiko.

This watch has a combination of classic(classy leather strap) and sporty design(Sexy black dial). Looks good with dresses and casuals alike.

I got this watch after looking for this combination for a lot of time. I m happy that I got this one, much cheaper than I expected to pay for a watch like this.

Somehow it looks much better on my wrist than my friends who is fairer.

Hope you will like it too.

Just an update after more than an year of usage! No scratches on the watch, the leather strap as good as new and I wear it everyday! This must say something about the quality!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Seiko Men's SNAB65 Alarm Chronograph Leather Strap Watch

Product Description:
This masculine chronograph has hour, minute and small second hands. The alarm feature can be set on a 12-hour basis. The chronograph measures up to 60 minutes in 1/5 second increments. Alarm hands can be set to indicate the time in a different time zone. The black leather strap with stainless steel case is the perfect compliment to any attire. Black dial with date indicator. 100 meters water resistant.

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7/25/2011

Citizen Men's AT0200-05E Eco-Drive Chronograph Canvas Watch Review

Citizen Men's AT0200-05E Eco-Drive Chronograph Canvas Watch
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I upgraded to the eco-drive from a watch that recharged by wrist motion. So far I'm a lot happier with the eco-drive. It holds a charge a lot longer, so it's not a problem to leave it unworn for a day or two. I didn't like the green military style band on this one, but it was easy to swap for a leather 20mm band. The stock band was a tad small for my wrist. I would expect a lot of men would need to swap it. The numbers look big in the picture, and they're big on the watch. I like the big numbers, others might not.

May 2008 Update:
I still like this watch as much as the day it arrived! It works perfectly, never runs out of battery and looks good. For those of you who haven't paid for a decent watch, you might not realize you're missing out on a good quality glass / crystal face. Mine still is scratch free. The watch looks pretty much brand new, even though I wear it every day.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Citizen Men's AT0200-05E Eco-Drive Chronograph Canvas Watch

Product Description:
Keep time with military precision while adding a unique edge to your wardrobe with the Citizen Eco-Drive Men's Chronograph Canvas Watch. Featuring the clean look and the rugged dependability of a stainless steel case and bezel, this timepiece relies on the unique Citizen Eco-Drive movement system, so you never need to replace its battery. Eco-Drive is an advanced, technical system that uses a thin solar panel under the dial to convert light energy from any source into electrical energy used to run your watch. Also playing a key role in this unique system is a special energy storage cell that greatly increases the efficiency and dependability of using light as a power source. As an added benefit, Eco-Drive power doesn't utilize the harmful chemicals contained in traditional batteries, so it's an excellent environmental choice as well.
The watch features a black dial with easy-to-read Arabic numerals in white, a convenient date window at four o'clock, a slim second tracker on the outer dial, and three subdials that provide chronograph functionality along with the ability to track hours on a 24-hour scale. The dial is further offset with luminescent minute and hour hands and a sweeping red seconds hand. Even the cool canvas band on this watch offers ultra-detailed construction. In addition to featuring a sturdy buckle clasp that relies on steel-reinforced eyelets, the band is backed with leather, which provides added durability and results in a pleasant feel against your wrist. This versatile men's watch is water resistant to 330 feet.


*Charging information: Functions of this watch may not work correctly if the watch is not charged, or charged properly. Please see the full Technical Information. To set the time *(refer to full-setting instructions here: Manual ):

    Pull the crown out to the time correction position when the second hand has reached the 0 seconds position.
    Turn the crown to set the time. The 24-hour hand moves in conjunction with the hour hand. Pay attention to AM and PM when setting the time.
    Securely return the crown to the normal position in synchronization with a telephone or other time service.


To set the date:

    Pull the crown out to the date correction position.
    Turn the crown to the right to set the date. The crown turns freely and the date does not change if the crown is turned to the left.
    If the date is set while the time on the watch is between the hours of about 9:00 PM and 1:00 AM, the date may not change on the following day. If this happens, set the date after temporarily moving the hands to a time other than between the above times.


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5/21/2011

Citizen Men's BM8180-03E Eco-Drive Canvas Strap Watch Review

Citizen Men's BM8180-03E Eco-Drive Canvas Strap Watch
Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)
I ordered this watch from Amazon and it arrived before the estimated delivery date. I love the watch, and it looks much better in person than in pictures on the web. Quality is very good and the hands line up perfectly. The luminova is evenly applied and lasts longer, actually all the way through the night, which I didn't think would be the case. The only feature I don't like is the canvas band, which I found uncomfortable.I'm sure it's fine for others, but still a black leather band for less than (...)(any jewelry store or online store) compliments the watch very well, and it no longer looks like a 'weekend watch'.One small point about the Eco-drive that some other reviews I've read overlooked: Citizen Eco-drive models DO have a battery.The solar cell stores energy in a rechargeable mangenese-titanium battery.The battery should last a very long time according to Citizen engineers who project that even after 20 years the battery should retain 80% of recharge capacity (on their website), but only time will tell... no pun intended.Speaking of time, the watch is pretty accurate.I've had the watch for one month and during that time it has lost less than one second when compared to the US national time (www.nist.gov).In sum: this is a very well constructed watch that I feel is worth the money.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Citizen Men's BM8180-03E Eco-Drive Canvas Strap Watch

Product Description:
You will never run late with this men's sporty, Eco-Drive timepiece. From the stainless steel case, green canvas strap and 12/24 hour time indicator, the bold details never end. Additional features include a day/date indicator and water resistance to 100 meters.

To set the time *(refer to full-setting instructions here: Manual ):

    Stop the second hand by pulling the crown out to the 2nd click (time setting position).
    Turn the crown to set the time.
    The watch will start after the crown is firmly pushed back into its normal position
To set the Calendar*:

    Pull the crown out to the first click (calendar setting position).
    Set the desired date by turning the crown counterclockwise.
    Set the desired day of the week by turning the crown clockwise.
    After you have set the calendar, be sure to press the crown back to its normal position
*Do not adjust the calendar when the watch is reading between 9:00 pm and 4:00 am, otherwise the movement may become damaged and the calendar may not change correctly



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