7 of Our Favorite Citizen Dive Watches to Buy in 2024

Written by – Updated on February 28, 2024

Citizen is one of the premier watch manufacturers.

Although Timex, Casio, and Apple are current household names, the Japanese brand has been making quality watches for the past 100 years.

Citizen recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its creation of the first-ever titanium watch. [R]

Many divers worldwide are partial to this brand because of its leadership in innovation and Eco-Drive technology. [R]

Let's go over the different diver's watches you should try out.

Citizen Eco-Drive Navihawk Atomic Timekeeping Watch: Top-Rated

If you're looking for high-quality and top-notch performance, the Citizen Eco-Drive Navihawk Atomic Timekeeping Watch is the one you should go for.

It applies Atomic Timekeeping technology to give you the most accurate timestamps regardless of your location. [R]

Speaking of location, it also enables you to synchronize your time based on your current time zone. Synchronized time adjustment can be done in 43 cities worldwide.

You also get the perpetual calendar feature, which allows you to calibrate the different combinations of days, months, and years. [R] Furthermore, you can view the digital display version of time.

The watch's case is made of stainless steel along with an anti-reflective mineral crystal. These provide strong protection and enable easy readability.

This particular Citizen Eco-Drive timekeeping watch has a water resistance depth of up to 660 feet, allowing you to use it for various marine sports and diving activities.

However, one of its main problems is the glass is not made out of sapphire, thus making it prone to scratches and potential damage. Also, its band material uses plastic, which is not as strong as rubber.

If you're willing to pay $479.99, I can say this Citizen dive watch does the job and gives you everything a diving watch is supposed to have.

Benefits

  • Atomic Timekeeping technology
  • Synchronized time adjustment for up to 43 cities
  • Stainless steel with an anti-reflective crystal case
  • Water-resistant of up to 200 meters (660 feet)

Drawbacks

  • Very expensive
  • Plastic band material
  • Glass is not made out of sapphire

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Dive Watch With Date, bj8050-08e: Premium Value

If you want to get a watch that will give you prime value for your money, grab yourself a piece of the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver watch.

Its stainless steel case is almost the size of a hockey puck.

It has a 48-millimeter diameter, 19-millimeter height, and 29-millimeter bandwidth. The large casing enhances its durability, which is a huge advantage for divers and people with big wrists.

It has a water resistance depth of 300 meters (1000 feet). Therefore, this dive watch is suitable for scuba diving. The dive watch also features a smooth rubber strap.

Unfortunately, because of its huge dimensions, the watch face may feel heavy on the wrist.

There have also been some complaints from reviews that the hour hand is sometimes off-skewed. Therefore, the time readings may neither be as accurate nor as precise as other citizen dive timepieces.

It costs $199.99, a much cheaper dive watch compared to other Citizen dive timepieces on the list.

Although it costs you a ton of bucks, know you will be getting the most value for money with this watch.

Benefits

  • Water-resistant (300 meters/1000 feet)
  • Stainless steel case
  • Large dimensions
  • Waterproof rubber strap

Drawbacks

  • Watch face may be too big for small wrists
  • The hour hand is not as accurate compared to other Citizen diving watches.

Citizen Men’s Stainless Steel Japanese Quartz Polyurethane Strap, Black, 22 Casual Watch: Ultimate Saver's Pick

The Citizen Men’s Stainless Steel Japanese Quartz dive watch is my budget pick.

It features a 42 mm stainless steel case with a black dial style. It also applies a Japanese Quartz movement, one of the most accurate and precise methods for tracking time. [R]

The watch's lume (luminous phosphorescent glowing solution) performs very well, especially when it comes to reading time under low light conditions. [R]

Unfortunately, this watch is one of the least water-resistant of all the Citizen dive chronometers on the list.

It has a water resistance depth of only 100 meters or 330 feet. It can be used for swimming and snorkeling, but not for other marine activities such as scuba or deep-sea diving.

It also does not help that the watch band is one of the flimsiest among the other Citizen underwater watches. It's made of plastic, which is a more fragile material compared to rubber or silicone.

It is the only dive watch below $100, with a starting price of $46.79. Despite this, you should consider its limitations and disadvantages compared to other more expensive but high-performing watches for divers.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 3/5

  • Featuring a caliber mil 112 quartz movement, this watch is a cool and useful accessory that keeps accurate time and requires little maintenance.
  • With its stainless steel case and two-tone ionized black color featuring polished militaron black and shiny black finishes, this watch is a durable and robust accessory that will withstand the test of time.
  • Thanks to its water resistance of 100 meters and anti-reflective mineral crystal, this watch is a reliable and accurate timepiece that is perfect for outdoor adventures and everyday wear.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 1/5

  • The two-tone ionized black finishes of the watch's case, including the polished militaron black and shiny black, create a unique and beautiful look that is sure to be noticed.
  • The rubber strap that suits the external style of the watch is firm and secure, adding to the watch's beauty and making it a stunning accessory.
  • The 42 mm size of the watch is the perfect balance between functionality and style, making it a beautiful accessory that can be worn for any occasion.

Benefits

  • Cheap price
  • High-performance lume (luminous phosphorescent glowing solution)
  • Japanese Quartz movement

Drawbacks

  • Least water-resistant (100 meters/330 feet only)
  • Plastic watch band; easily breakable

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Stainless Steel Watch With Date

The Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Stainless Steel Watch with Date will make you feel like royalty. Its gold, silver, or rose gold color options is what makes the dive watch stand out from the rest in terms of aesthetic appeal.

For starters, its band and case are made of stainless steel, one of the strongest materials for watch bands.

The glass is made of sapphire crystals, giving it maximum protection from scratches, corrosion, and rust.

The watch also has a solid weight that is neither too heavy nor too light on the wrist. The black dial and date window by the 3 'o'clock marker complement the dive watch's gold and silver tones.

One disadvantage is that external lighting, coupled with the watch's black sunray dial, may result in a strong reflective glare.

Consequently, the watch's luminous hands may not be visible when exposed to direct sunlight.

Another disadvantage is its low water resistance levels. It can only reach up to 100 meters (330 feet), which is not suitable if you want to go deep-sea diving.

In terms of cost, it falls in a bracket similar to other premium dive watches with a price of $256.52.

Indeed, it feels like wearing jewelry around your wrist. Just be sure to weigh in the pros and cons before you buy it.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 1/5

  • The eco-friendly BM model is equipped with a low power reserve indicator, allowing me to keep track of its battery life.
  • Thanks to its anti-reflective mineral glass and water resistance of up to 100 meters, I can wear the Citizen with confidence during outdoor activities.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 5/5

  • The elegant dial is captivating, reflecting various tones depending on the light and making it a beautiful accessory to wear.
  • The gold-tone plate and black straps with gold-tone hands and hour indicators on this watch make for a stunning visual display.
  • The two-tone strap has a firm clasp and is designed with two buttons, making it secure and easy to wear.

Benefits

  • Balanced weight; neither too heavy nor too lightweight
  • Stainless steel case and watch band
  • Sapphire crystals, the strongest material against scratches and external damage

Drawbacks

  • Watch hands may not be readable when exposed to direct sunlight or artificial light
  • Low water resistance depth of 100 meters

Citizen Men’s Promaster Professional Diver Watch

This variation of the Citizen Men’s Promaster Professional Diver Watch holds its own with the rest of the pack.

In terms of external features, it separates itself from other Citizen watches.

While most dive watches use black dials and have their date window beside the 3 o'clock marker, this particular Citizen watch features a blue dial with a date window located at the 4 o'clock marker.

Its stainless steel case has a diameter of 48 millimeters. The watch also contains a mineral crystal dial window for added protection from scratches and breakage.

The Citizen dive timepiece applies a Japanese Quartz movement, which is known for its precise and accurate reading of time.

It's the most water-resistant of all the Citizen diving timepieces on the list. It can withstand up to 666 feet, 6 feet more than the top-of-the-line on the list.

Given its high-performing features, it's not without its drawbacks. In one of the reviews, a user reported that after six months of use, the minute hand fell off for no particular reason.

It also does not help that the product description can be misleading at times.

While it's stated that the watch face’s diameter is 48 meters, most user reviews claim the watch's diameter to be 42 meters.

Overall, the Citizen Men’s Promaster Professional Diver Watch is a high-performing product. For $262.50, however, you need to consider the different pros and cons before committing to this dive watch.

Benefits

  • No batteries required (Eco-Drive Technology)
  • Most water-resistant on the list (666 feet)
  • Mineral crystal dial window

Drawbacks

  • The actual diameter is 42 meters, not 48
  • Some minute hands are broken after half a year

Citizen Eco-Drive Titanium Watch With Date

As mentioned earlier, Citizen introduced the first titanium watch 50 years ago.

Since then, it has continued to manufacture titanium-based watches with added technological advancements. One of these is the Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Titanium Watch.

First, it's the most lightweight Citizen Eco-Drive watch among all other watches on the list. Titanium weighs 45% lighter than conventional stainless steel materials.

Second, titanium is one of the few materials that are resistant to corrosion.

Once your titanium-based watch is exposed to oxygen, it forms thin oxide layers. These shield your watch from corroding. [R]

When it comes to design, it is the only watch on the list that contains a honeycomb style at the center of the watch face.

It's complemented by luminous hands, a date window display by the 3 o'clock marker, and a cerulean blue dial.

The watch uses a Japanese Quartz movement and is accompanied by a titanium link bracelet with a fold-over push-button clasp closure.

One disadvantage of the watch is it can only withstand up to 100 meters (330 feet).

In short, you can only use your watch while swimming and snorkeling, but not while scuba diving. Some reviews also claim that its highly touted titanium casing is still prone to scratches.

Despite its disadvantages, you still reap the benefits of its high performance. Indeed, you will be getting a solid pick-up for $227.21.

Benefits

  • 45% lighter compared to stainless steel
  • Strong corrosion-resistance
  • Japanese Quartz movement

Drawbacks

  • Least water-resistant (100 meters only)
  • Prone to scratches
  • Watch face may be too big for small wrists

Citizen Men’s Limited Edition Promaster Skyhawk Watch

The Promaster Skyhawk Watch by Citizen is another high-end product composed of titanium material. Because of this, you're guaranteed high-quality construction and the most optimized results in terms of durability.

This particular Citizen watch uses Atomic Timekeeping movement that gives you the most precise and accurate time.

An anti-reflective sapphire crystal surrounds the stainless steel case and black dial window style. Therefore, you won't have to worry about readability problems.

Unlike most watches with a date window, this watch features a UTC (Universal Time Coordinated) display. It allows you to set the time according to your current location or time zone. [R]

It's also water-resistant up to 660 feet. You can use it for skin diving and snorkeling.

One major drawback is it can get uncomfortable after multiple uses. The bracelet links have sharp edges, which can cause skin abrasions. Some user reviews also claim the battery takes a while to charge to full capacity.

It's one of the more expensive watches on the list, with a starting price of $520. If you're willing to pay that much for a high-end watch that yields results, then go for it by all means.

NanaDC Badass Rating: 5/5

  • The watch has a sapphire crystal and is solar-powered with atomic timekeeping. It's extremely accurate and low-maintenance, making it perfect for those who want a reliable timepiece.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 0/5

  • This watch is made entirely of titanium, making it incredibly lightweight at only 3.9 ounces. It's perfect for anyone who wants a durable and robust watch that won't weigh them down.
  • The watch has an exceptional loom, with C3 Super-Luminova on the indices and hands that glow brightly in the dark. It's both functional and beautiful, making it the perfect watch for pilots or anyone who needs to tell the time in low-light conditions.
  • The bracelet is very comfortable and has articulating links that move with your wrist. It's adjustable with two micro-adjust holes and full-size links, making it easy to fit a wide range of wrist sizes.

Benefits

  • UTC display beside luminous hands
  • Water resistance of up to 200 meters (660 feet)
  • Anti-reflective sapphire crystals surround the watch case for easy readability

Drawbacks

  • Expensive price tag
  • Can cause discomfort on your wrist
  • Long charging time

How Does Citizen Eco-Drive Technology Work?

For almost four decades, Citizen has hit the mark when incorporating renewable energy into their watches.

Its Eco-Drive technology enables Citizen watches to perform at the highest level while saving the environment. Here is how Citizen Eco-Drive Technology works.

Your Citizen watch traps both natural sunlight and artificial light for storage purposes.

The stored energy is then transferred to a power cell that always recharges continuously. As a result, your watch will keep functioning forever. All this without needing a battery change.

Indeed, you can't go wrong with investing in an environmentally friendly product.

Should I Buy Citizen Diver's Watches?

It's crucial to note that the most amazing Citizen watches have gone through extensive testing from laboratories and extreme conditions.

These watches have been submerged underwater for extended hours to test their resistance levels.

It is no secret as to why many professional divers all over the globe go for Citizen watches.

These watches were specifically designed for diving. Moreover, they were built to last for at least 15 to 20 years.

If you are a recreational diver, I still highly suggest buying it. Citizen watches can also be used as fashion statements and functional timekeeping accessories.

Are Citizen Dive Timepieces a Scam?

It is important to note that many third-party sites and unlicensed shops sell fake and defective second-hand Citizen Eco-Drive watches.

Although I do not believe that Citizen watches are a scam, you have to be wary of false advertisers or counterfeit sellers.

The last thing you want is to spend hundreds of dollars, only to get ripped off at the end of the day.

Wrap Up

Citizen has a knack for manufacturing some of the most stunning watches in the breadth of its storied timeline. It may be an underrated brand, but it never fails to raise the bar in producing high-quality watches.

It also provides excellent customer service care. If your watch has defects, it takes pride in getting your watch fixed right away.

All in all, Citizen should be regarded as a highly respected brand name, and the watches I reviewed are proof of that claim.