The Promaster is to Citizen what the Prospex is to Seiko — it is Citizen’s collection of professional tool watches. And this year marks the 30th anniversary of the Promaster. To commemorate this milestone, Citizen has just released not one, but three limited-edition Promaster watches at Baselworld 2019 that celebrate the air, land, and sea. Meet the new 30th anniversary Promaster Limited-Edition watches.
Specifications
Brand: Citizen
Model: Promaster 30th Anniversary Limited Edition
Dimensions: 47mm (Air) / 46.1mm (Land) / 46.1mm (Sea)
Water Resistance: 200 meters
Case Material: Super Titanium (Air & Land) / stainless steel (Sea)
Crystal/Lens: Sapphire (Air & Land) / Mineral (Sea)
Movement: Cal F.990 (Air) / Cal. J280 (Land) / Cl. J250 (Sea)
Frequency: N/A
Power Reserve: 11 months on full charge
Strap/Bracelet: Titanium (Air) / Nylon + Urethane (Land) / Urethane (Sea)
Price & Availability: $2,500, August (Air) / $975, August (Land) / $775, June (Sea)
Analysis
I have always admired Citizen’s Promaster watches. Unlike most brands, Citizen is not afraid to use the very latest in modern technology to increase the functionality and effectiveness of its watches, even if it means eschewing mechanical movements. Yes, these are all quartz watches, but their complex functionality increases the overall appeal of the watches, in my opinion.
For instance, the Air model, the Eco-Drive Satellite Wave GPS Promaster 30th Anniversary Limited watch, uses the caliber 990, which is solar-powered and features a built-in GPS that can automatically adjust the time according to the wearer’s location. It also uses the built-in GPS to sync to an atomic clock, thereby ensuring spot-on timekeeping. For a frequent traveler, it’s a very useful feature to have. It’s rugged too, featuring a titanium case and 200 meters of water resistance. All in all, it is a very tough traveler’s watch.
The Land model, the Eco-Drive Altichron Promaster 30th Anniversary Limited watch, is equally impressive. It doesn’t have a built-in GPS but it does have a built-in altimeter that measures 300 meters below sea level to 10,000 meters above — enough to cover the deepest valleys and highest mountains. It also has a titanium case and a water resistance of 200 meters and is also solar-powered. Basically, it’s a field watch par excellence.
Not to be outdone, the Sea model, the Eco-Drive Aqualand 200m Promaster 30th Anniversary Limited watch, features a built-in depth gauge. This allows it to play the backup role to a dive computer. It features large hands filled with luminescent material and uses two colors for easy reading — green for the time, and blue for the depth indicators. It’s also solar-powered, but unlike the Air and Land models, this has a stainless steel case. Water resistance is 200 meters. Overall, it’s a very functional dive watch.
Conclusion
These three limited-edition watches hold true to the Promaster ethos. They are rugged and have complications and features that are useful for their intended purposes. Obviously, the styling and size might not be to everyone’s tastes (these are big watches), but I think anyone can get behind their functional purity, and the amount of value on offer here.
Pricing is as follows: The Eco-Drive Satellite Wave GPS Promaster 30th Anniversary Limited for the air is limited to 1,989 pieces and is priced at $2,500. The Eco-Drive Altichron Promaster 30th Anniversary Limited for the land is also limited to 1,989 pieces and is priced at $975. Finally, the Eco-Drive Aqualand 200m Promaster 30th Anniversary Limited for the sea is limited to 6,000 pieces and is priced at $775. Go to citizenwatch-global.com to learn more.
