Arms-On: Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm EO2020-08E Watch

Smaller watches have been making a comeback, and, as one in all its newest new releases for 2023, Citizen has created a midsize model of its traditional Eco-Drive Promaster Dive watch. Whereas the full-size mannequin has been a cornerstone providing amongst Citizen’s entry-level divers for a lot of years, its 44mm diameter made it a bit too giant for some wrists, and this new midsize version shrinks down this fan-favorite design and presents it in a smaller 37mm case. Citizen’s Promaster sequence consists of purpose-built sport and gear watches, and even at 44mm, the full-size variations have been a number of the most compact and conventional divers in Citizen’s up to date catalog. Nevertheless, with circumstances that signify a major discount in measurement in comparison with the usual fashions, these new 37mm Eco-Drive dive watches are actually the smallest Citizen Promaster watches at the moment obtainable.

The brand new Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm sequence makes its debut look in three totally different colorways, together with black, blue, and a 3rd model that has a rose gold PVD case with a silver dial and a pink strap. Among the many trio, the EO2020-08E (featured right here) is essentially the most conventional, as it’s primarily only a smaller model of the full-size 44mm BN0150-28E, which I personally personal and have incessantly worn for a lot of years. I’m a giant fan of the full-size variations of this watch (you possibly can learn my review of one of the more playful colorways of it right here), though I’ll be the primary to confess that my wrists aren’t the biggest, and I’ve generally wished that the 44mm model was just a bit bit smaller. With that in thoughts, whereas the brand new Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm sequence could be very a lot a smaller model of the 44mm mannequin from an aesthetic standpoint, its proportions are in the end fairly a bit totally different and this outcomes on this new more-compact model being a really totally different wristwatch than its full-size sibling.

From a design, supplies, and performance standpoint, the brand new Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm EO2020-08E is more-or-less equivalent to the full-size model, which signifies that it incorporates a brushed chrome steel case, 60-click unidirectional rotating timing bezel, black anodized aluminum insert, and a flat mineral glass crystal defending its dial. Equally, a strong screw-down chrome steel caseback closes up the reverse aspect of the watch, whereas the signed crown at 4 o’clock additionally screws all the way down to the case to be able to assist create 200 meters of water resistance. Moreover, in a lot the identical method that the bigger full-size mannequin in the end wears fairly a bit smaller than its 44mm case diameter would point out, this new 37mm model additionally feels fairly a bit smaller when you really see it within the metallic and get it strapped all the way down to your wrist.

Whereas this midsize mannequin could also be referred to as the Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm, its true case diameter measures 36.5mm, so the watch really is a tiny bit smaller than its on-paper specs. That mentioned, the already slightly compact profile is additional magnified by the form of its bezel together with a small dial-to-case ratio. For instance, the outside of the center case could measure 36.5mm, however the barely domed outer fringe of the bezel signifies that its higher rim solely is available in at 35mm, and its dial is even smaller, with the crystal having a diameter of roughly 27mm. This dial-to-case ratio is a giant a part of the explanation why a dive watch will typically put on smaller than a costume watch of the identical exterior case dimensions, however this notion of measurement turns into more and more extra noticeable on watches that have already got extra compact circumstances as a result of the truth that the dial itself is definitely getting smaller.

As somebody with smaller wrists who enjoys a extra compact diver, I personally don’t really feel that these new midsize fashions are too small. Nevertheless, if you happen to method the brand new Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm sequence pondering that these watches are going to put on simply barely smaller than one thing like a 38mm Hamilton Khaki Discipline Mechanical, then you’ll undoubtedly be a bit shocked by how compact they put on when you really get them on the wrist. With out studying the specs or having prior expertise with the full-size 44mm fashions, it might be simple to imagine these new “37mm” Citizen Promaster Dive watches have circumstances which might be someplace nearer to the 35mm vary, so that ought to actually be taken into consideration in case you are already on the fence about whether or not or not these midsize fashions is perhaps too small to your wrist.

The lug-to-lug distance of the brand new Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm sequence has been diminished all the way down to 43mm (in comparison with the 49.5mm profile of the full-size mannequin), and the width between the lugs has additionally been decreased from 20mm all the way down to 18mm. Nevertheless, one dimension that has not modified in any respect is the thickness of the watch, and these new midsize fashions measure the identical 11.6mm thick as their full-size 44mm siblings. This case thickness is probably going a requirement to be able to obtain the required ranges of water resistance, however the skinny and flat profile of the full-size mannequin is arguably one in all my favourite options about it, and whereas the brand new midsize model technically has the identical on-paper thickness, the totally different diameter-to-height ratio in the end makes it a really totally different watch when it comes to its total proportions and on-wrist expertise.

The dial and fingers fitted to the brand new Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm EO2020-08E are primarily simply smaller variations of what may be discovered on the black mannequin from the full-size sequence, with a number of minor updates to mirror the extra compact sizing of the watch. The matte black dial options white textual content, polished raised surrounds for the hour markers, a date window at 4 o’clock, and a minute monitor printed alongside an angled chapter ring. Nevertheless, as a result of smaller case measurement, the date window seems barely nearer to the outer fringe of the dial, and whereas that is merely as a result of the truth that the midsize model is powered by the identical inside motion, the revised date window placement additionally creates an arguably higher sense of visible stability for the dial.

The handset fitted to the brand new Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm EO2020-08E follows the identical form and ending because the fashion discovered on the full-size model, though the hour hand and minute hand each characteristic one fewer assist for the luminous materials, which is solely a results of their smaller measurement. Ending on the fingers stays the identical, with a elegant hour hand, white seconds hand, and a big arrow-shaped minute hand that’s painted vivid orange with a matte black middle part. Moreover, similar to the full-size mannequin, the luminous materials on the dial and fingers glows blue, whereas green-emission lume is used for the zero marker on the bezel. Nevertheless, slightly than having an precise marker subsequent to the date window at 4 o’clock, the brand new midsize model simply options an additional thick border for the outermost aspect of the date window, and it will get completed with a strip of blue-glowing luminous materials so all 12 hour markers can be seen at the hours of darkness.

Powering the brand new Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm sequence is the model’s Eco-Drive Cal. E168 motion, which is the very same caliber that may be discovered contained in the full-size 44mm variations of this specific Promaster Dive mannequin (therefore the marginally up to date placement of the date window). That mentioned, the Caliber E168 can be one in all Citizen’s go-to actions on the subject of Eco-Drive calibers with a three-handed format, and it will also be discovered inside fairly a number of different time-and-date Citizen watches. Able to powering itself by utilizing both pure or synthetic gentle and providing quickset adjustability for the date show, the Citizen Eco-Drive Caliber E168 affords confirmed efficiency, and apart from remembering to regulate the date on the finish of the month every time wanted, the Eco-Drive Cal. E168 affords a real set-it-and-forget-it possession expertise.

Fitted to the 18mm lugs of the Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm EO2020-08E is a black polyurethane ventilated strap, which is basically only a smaller model of what may be discovered on the full-size 44mm mannequin. The 2-piece rubber strap barely flares out previous the lugs earlier than shortly tapering all the way down to 16mm the place it connects to the easy unsigned chrome steel pin buckle, and the black polyurethane materials itself feels barely softer and extra supple than what I bear in mind being fitted to my very own instance of the full-size mannequin again once I bought it a lot of years in the past. Whereas the strap itself is actually greater than serviceable, it’s a bit chunky relative to the compact measurement of the watch, though with commonplace 18mm lugs, a just about infinite listing of third-party choices may even be appropriate.

Provided that the brand new Promaster Dive 37mm sequence is basically only a extra compact model of the full-size vary and is even powered by the identical Eco-Drive motion, the brand new smaller watches price the very same as their bigger counterparts, and the Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm EO2020-08E is accompanied by an official retail value of $375 USD. Whereas there are actually some people who really feel that the full-size model of this mannequin is just a bit bit too giant for his or her wrists, I’m positive there may even be some individuals on the market who really feel that this considerably extra compact model is a bit too small. That mentioned, slightly than simply being smaller variations of the full-size fashions, the brand new midsize Promaster Dive watches have noticeably totally different proportions, and this in the end makes them really feel like very totally different timepieces when you really expertise them within the metallic and check out one in your wrist. For extra data on the Citizen Promaster Dive 37mm assortment, please go to the brand’s website.