Measuring 43mm across, it’s a modern-sized watch. 12.3mm thick, 49.2 lug to lug. Oddly, the lugs are 23mm, an unusual size that makes it harder to find replacement straps. Weight including strap is 87g.
If you look at the date window, you get a peek at the complex structure of the dial – printing layered on top of the photovoltaics. Citizen has advanced to the point that there’s no visible sign a dial is Eco-Drive.
Citizen AT8020, dial closeup
The polished sub dial surrounds look like aircraft instruments, which is pretty darn cool. The sub dial at six is showing the day of the week – it’s a neat retrograde indicator that I like. It lets the spatial side of your brain see “where” in the week you are, just as the 24-hour dial at nine shows where in the day you are.
Citizen AT8020, caseback and strap
The Blue Angels’ colors are blue and yellow, in case that wasn’t obvious already. I quite like how Citizen used the yellow as a subtle bit of panache: the strap backing is normally hidden, and the yellow stripe inset into the side of the bezel is only visible from off-axis.
Citizen AT8020, side view
From the top, just shades of blue.
Citizen AT8020 on wrist
It’s also available on a bracelet. The strap is excellent. Leather, layered with a woven middle section and what feels like sailcloth on the back. Nicely made buckle, too. Two keepers, one fixed, one floating.
Citizen AT8020, strap and buckle
Lume is blue-green, and decent. I do wish they had either a LED or better lume.
Citizen AT8020, lume
I’ve worn it cycling, playing volleyball and ultimate, and the 87g weight is easy to forget. At 12.3mm thick, it’s very shirt-friendly and goes easily under cuffs.
Citizen AT8020, case detail
The case is well made, with a brushed finish and ergonomic curved lugs. There’s just a bit of polished highlight on the top edge.
Citizen AT8020 on wrist, profile
I like the ion-plated blue bezel. That, and the yellow highlights give the watch just a bit of character and emphasis.
Citizen AT8020 on wrist, angle
With a very unusual 200m-rated case, this is a great watch for “wear it everywhere and never worry.” No battery to change, never need to set the time; just no hassle. I think this is a great “nice watch” for anyone who doesn’t want to be a watch geek. It works great for travelers, is low-key enough for business wear, and tough enough to leave on when you jump in the pool. List price is $575, which all things considered I find quite reasonable. citzenwatch.com
Necessary Data
Brand: Citizen
Model: AT8020-03L
Price: $575
Would reviewer personally wear it: Yes. It’s an upgrade from my older model, and I still wear that one.
Worst characteristic of watch: Busy dial
Best characteristic of watch: A great watch for almost any situation.