
When it comes to output, Citizen is definitely one of many world’s largest watch producers, and the Japanese model has all the time represented a available providing, the place patrons can get a high quality timepiece for a really cheap worth. Citizen’s monumental economies of scale enable it to supply watches that might in any other case price considerably extra from most different manufacturers, and this has solely turn into much more true since Citizen has expanded its use of Tremendous Titanium throughout its modern assortment. An ideal instance of that is the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A, which is an built-in bracelet sports activities watch crafted solely from Tremendous Titanium that runs on a solar-powered chronograph motion and sells for a really entry-level worth level.
Given the variety of totally different fashions that make up Citizen’s lineup, its varied collections can generally be a bit nebulous, though the Brycen vary consists of casually styled sports activities watches which are meant to simply combine into on a regular basis life. As for the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A, this 2023 launch represents one of many extra refined chronograph fashions from the Brycen sequence, and it embraces a barely retro Seventies aesthetic with its barrel-shaped case and built-in bracelet building. Moreover, for many who are averse to the silver (nearly) “panda dial” look of this explicit mannequin, Citizen additionally affords a black dial model within the type of the Brycen CA7090-52E, which is similar to the watch featured right here, with the one distinction being the end on its dial and palms.
Similar to the names of Citizen’s collections, “Tremendous Titanium” can be considerably of a nebulous time period, because it isn’t restricted to only one particular kind of alloy or end. The grade of titanium used can differ relying on the necessities of the element and its desired end, and the Duratect coating utilized to the floor of the metallic can seem in numerous colours relying on the specified aesthetic of the watch. That mentioned, all of Citizen’s varied flavors of Tremendous Titanium are 40% lighter than chrome steel with surfaces which are 5 instances tougher due to their proprietary Duratect coatings. As for the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A, its Tremendous Titanium case and bracelet function a more-or-less uncolored Duratect end, which implies that they preserve the pure darkish grey hue of the underlying metallic.
The barrel-shaped Tremendous Titanium case of the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A measures 43mm in diameter by 11.6mm thick, with an general lug-to-lug profile of 49.5mm (or roughly 53.7mm when you think about the best way that the middle hyperlinks of the bracelet barely stick out previous the sides of the case). Whereas titanium elements most regularly obtain a brushed or sand-blasted end, the bezel and the bevels operating down each the higher and decrease edges of the case are all high-polished to present the watch a extra refined general look. Equally, the push/pull-style crown and the pushers on the three o’clock aspect of the case additionally obtain a high-polished end, whereas the stable titanium caseback is brushed and screws all the way down to the center case with a view to assist help the watch’s 100 meters of water resistance.
Lots of Citizen’s watches are fitted with mineral glass crystals, and that is very true for fashions which are priced on the extra reasonably priced finish of the spectrum, together with its high-performance Promaster dive watches. That mentioned, Citizen has been ramping up its use of sapphire lately, and relatively than being fitted with a mineral glass crystal, the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A has a flat sapphire crystal defending its dial. Whereas a mineral crystal isn’t a deal-breaker for me personally, I nonetheless firmly want sapphire, and a sapphire crystal on the Brycen CA7090-52A is definitely a welcome function, particularly given {that a} major advantage of this watch’s Tremendous Titanium building is its superior resistance to scratches.
The dial of the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A includes a two-register chronograph structure, however relatively than that includes its pair of sub-dials oriented horizontally like most watches, it opts for a vertical format, with a 60-minute totalizer at 12 o’clock and the operating seconds register for the time positioned on the 6 o’clock location. A tachymeter scale sits alongside a skinny black ring that frames the dial, whereas a round date window sits at 3 o’clock. With that in thoughts, though the date window itself is circle-shaped, the cut-out within the photo voltaic panel layer beneath it’s rectangular, and whereas that is greater than doubtless the inevitable results of the Brycen CA7090-52A utilizing the identical photo voltaic panel element as different Citizen fashions, it does give the date window a novel layered look.
Traditionally, the dials fitted to photo voltaic watches had been relatively restricted in design as a result of the truth that parts of them should be clear with a view to enable gentle to move by way of their surfaces and attain the photo voltaic panels which are mounted beneath them. That mentioned, Citizen has mastered this know-how through the years, and the dial fitted to the Brycen CA7090-52A is considerably extra detailed and refined in comparison with the dials that you just usually affiliate with solar-powered watches. The key to its design is the truth that its photo voltaic panel sections are restricted to simply its recessed sub-dials, and this leaves the brushed silver central part free to supply the identical kind of detailed end that might usually adorn a normal watch dial.
The utilized hour markers on the dial of the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A are polished to match its baton-style palms, and each components obtain black strains operating down their facilities to assist add distinction and improve visibility. Two small pops of shiny purple seem on the 60 marker of the minutes totalizer and on the tip of the centrally-mounted chronograph seconds hand, whereas the hour and minute palms each obtain small luminous strips with a view to enable the time to be referenced in darkish settings. Whereas the lume on the palms is a lot shiny and emits a stable blue/green-colored glow, the palms are the one luminous components on your complete watch, and just a little little bit of lume on the hour markers would have finally been a welcome addition. That mentioned, the dial continues to be one of many highlights of the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A, and its raised hour markers, recessed registers, and brushed silver floor work collectively to create a stunning quantity of visible depth and an aesthetically pleasing general show.
Contained in the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A is the Eco-Drive B642 photo voltaic quartz chronograph motion, which affords a 60-minute chronograph with the added performance of a date show. Similar to different Citizen Eco-Drive actions, the Cal. B642 can energy itself with both synthetic or pure gentle, and relatively than having each of its seconds palms tick as soon as per second, the centrally-mounted chronograph seconds hand emulates the sleek sweep of a mechanical motion, though it nonetheless has the attribute quartz chronograph reset, the place it should make its approach across the complete dial, relatively than merely snapping again to zero when the decrease pusher is depressed.
The bracelet fitted to the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A affords an general design that’s just like the model that may be discovered on a variety of the model’s different reasonably priced fashions, though it’s crafted solely from Tremendous Titanium to match the remainder of the watch. The bracelet attaches to the case with the ultimate end-links slotting into 10mm large cut-outs within the case, though the primary hyperlink of the bracelet really measures 24mm throughout at its widest level with a view to create an built-in general look. The hyperlinks of the bracelet then shortly taper all the way down to 20mm the place they connect to the clasp, which is a straightforward stamped titanium folding construction that includes a double push-button launch and is signed with the Citizen emblem.
Whereas the clasp itself is solely serviceable and is more-or-less similar to the model that may be discovered on a variety of different Citizen watches, additionally it is arguably the weakest a part of the Brycen CA7090-52A. The stamped elements assist guarantee a skinny and light-weight design, though they’re a far cry from the perlage-adorned double-deployant clasp that’s fitted to extra premium fashions, such because the radio-controlled Citizen PCAT CB5918-02L. In that very same spirit, the detachable hyperlinks are secured by pins as an alternative of single-sided screws, and the clasp solely has two micro-adjustment holes with none kind of built-in extension system. As a result of built-in design of the bracelet, third-party strap choices shall be relatively restricted, and because of this the minor shortcomings of the clasp shall be issues that you’ll (greater than doubtless) have to simply accept as being a part of the watch itself. That mentioned, the bracelet is kind of light-weight and comfy on the wrist, and when you think about the common-or-garden worth level of the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A, the included bracelet is finally a more-than-acceptable possibility.
With an official retail worth of $475 USD, the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A is the least costly chronograph within the model’s present lineup. It’s crafted from Tremendous Titanium and comes on an identical bracelet. Moreover, the premium that accompanies this mannequin versus Citizen’s least costly three-handed equal is a mere fifty bucks, which finally appears extremely cheap given the extra superior performance of its motion. On high of that, since this can be a watch from Citizen, you possibly can usually discover the Brycen CA7090-52A at a reduction with just a little little bit of looking out, together with generally even immediately from the model itself. A pure competitor of this mannequin could be one thing just like the solar-powered Seiko Speedtimer, though when you think about that the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A is crafted from Tremendous Titanium as an alternative of chrome steel just like the Seiko, and but it’s nonetheless by some means priced $200 lower than the Speedtimer, it’s onerous to not admit that the Brycen CA7090-52A is a extremely compelling providing inside Citizen’s present catalog. For extra info on the Citizen Brycen CA7090-52A, please go to the brand’s website.