When you think of dive watches, especially through a historical lens, Citizen may not be the first (or even the second) company that comes to mind. Obscured by all of the glamour and marketing magic employed by the brands that you did think of, Citizen has been making rugged dive tools since 1959, when the Parawater was introduced. In the decades after that, Citizen expanded and built upon its prior experience, ultimately leading to the debut of the Promaster line in 1989. This series of no-nonsense tool watches was so successful that the same design language found in the original ref. NY004 (the prototypical Promaster) is still present today. In fact, this influence is obvious throughout the octet of Promaster Automatic Divers just announced.

There are certain staple features in the Promaster Diver series that remain unchanged for decades, and for good reason. The 8 o’clock crown, for example, borders on a “destro” designation, but it ensures that the crown stays comfortably out of the way. Another calling card of the model is the generous application of lume, both in the large hands and in the lume plots. Like any successful recipe, tweaks have been made to ultimately improve the final product.

All eight references of the new Promaster Diver now feature a sapphire crystal. This scratch-resistant material has become the standard among modern timepieces, and its use on the Promaster just signals that Citizen is keen on ensuring these divers are up to spec. Another dive-centric tweak can be found with the bezel, which is now 120-clicks, double what it has been in past iterations. The increased number of bezel clicks makes for more accurate timing, whether above or below sea level. The case size is 44mm, a contemporary footprint that ensures maximum legibility and generous wrist presence.

Among the eight different models, cases range from standard stainless steel and two-tone to a fully blacked-out case and bracelet. A multitude of different dial and bezel color combinations are available, including green, blue, black, and white — but the most spectacular of all is the fully lumed dial. Though the introduction of the fully lumed dial can be traced back to the 1980s, it is about time for a comeback, and in this regard, Citizen is leading the charge. To stand out against the luminous face, the indices have been blacked out to match the full case and bracelet treatment, making this a prime candidate for night diving.

Each Promaster diver is powered by Citizen’s cal.8204 automatic movement, which is good for 42 hours of run time when fully wound. The 200m water resistance is backed by ISO certification, making this a serious piece of equipment that can handle day-to-day wear with ease. For generations, untold numbers of thrill-seekers have entered the watery world of recreational diving with a Citizen strapped to their wrist. With the introduction of these new references, this is a trend that will almost certainly continue. Price ranges from $550-$695 USD. Visit www.citizenwatch.com for more information.