Creating a new identity for a watch collection, particularly for an already-established brand like Citizen, is a difficult task. While the Japanese watchmaking giant wants to forge new ground with any collection, this desire for newness has to be tempered with a sense of cohesion between models in the new line, along with the need for new products to remain intrinsically and quickly recognizable as Citizen designs. The sporty, elevated Citizen Series8 collection strikes this balance better than perhaps any other watch line released in recent years, combining the brand’s dedication to fully in-house manufacture and clean, attractive design for the masses together with high-performance automatic movements, beautifully intricate multi-piece cases, a rugged, sporty integrated H-link bracelet, and a captivating dial texture that pays homage to Citizen’s Japanese roots. In models like the Citizen Series8 880 GMT, Citizen Series8 870, the Citizen Series8 890, and the Citizen Series8 831, Citizen displays just how compelling and versatile this unique blend of concepts can be.
With a name intended to evoke the endless bond between watch and wearer (the number 8 is the symbol for infinity turned sideways, after all), the Citizen Series8 is the brand’s striking, full-intensity foray into the hotly contested world of integrated bracelet sports watches. Although the collection itself is impressively diverse, each Citizen Series8 watch conforms to four key central concepts.
First, each model in the series is equipped with an in-house automatic movement, offering a slender profile, at least 16,000 A/m of magnetic resistance, and a smooth, constant 28,800 bph frequency. Secondly, every Series8 model uses a different variation on the line’s unique, captivatingly detailed multi-part case construction, featuring a series of brushed and polished facets designed to offer brilliant highlights from any viewing angle. Third, every dial in the Citizen Series8 family sports the line’s ornate, dynamically layered dial texture pattern, combining the stacked, futuristic look of the skyline of Tokyo at night with traditional Japanese motifs for prosperity to bridge the past and future of this proudly Japanese brand. Lastly, regardless of case design, each Citizen Series8 model is rounded out with an attractively faceted, spectacularly finished H-link bracelet, giving each diverse offering in the collection a familiar undercurrent of brand DNA. While these guidelines provide an excellent, recognizable baseline for the collection, the real strength of the Citizen Series8 collection lies in how broad-ranging its interpretation of these core concepts can be.
At the pinnacle of the Citizen Series8 collection stands the Series8 880 GMT, including the limited edition Citizen Series8 880 GMT NB6036-52N shown here. Sporting one of the line’s sharpest, most angular silhouettes, the 41mm wide stainless steel case begins with a balanced-yet-muscular flanged case profile. The Series8 line’s multi-piece case construction is on full display here, with squared-off chamfered case side flanges and raised integrated central lugs contrasting with a trim, ultra-modern main case body. Citizen tops this layered, architectural style with a highly functional, beautifully reflective high-gloss bezel with an easy-to-grip gear-toothed edge and a 24-hour scale for easy tracking of multiple time zones. For the Series8 880 GMT NB6036-52N, Citizen highlights the complexity and nuance of this design even further, using two-tone black and midnight blue ion plating to differentiate different elements of the case. When combined with the split black-and-blue colorway of the bezel, the effect on the wrist is moody, distinctive, and refined, with an unmistakable visual impact even when seen across a room. Citizen equips the Series8 880 with a sapphire display caseback, and rates the watch for a go-anywhere, do-anything 100 meters of water resistance.
The dial of the Citizen Series8 880 GMT NB6036-52N keeps the core spirit of the Series8 collection alive, while adding in new layers of intrigue for this limited edition iteration. The wedge-shaped, elegantly faceted indices and broad, generously lumed dauphine hands instantly anchor this as a Series8 design, but the richly colored, ethereally iridescent blue mother-of-pearl dial surface makes this particular model a standout even in this captivating collection. Citizen complements this shimmering, oceanic dial with a blued, arrow-tipped GMT hand, as well as dark coatings for the rest of the dial hardware. The end result is masculine and sporty, but with a sense of eye-catching refinement.
Inside the Citizen Series8 880 GMT family beats the fully in-house Caliber 9054 automatic GMT movement. This movement is a relatively new addition to the Citizen lineup, and its cutting-edge performance speaks for itself with a hefty 50 hour power reserve, 16,000 A/m of magnetic resistance, and a gliding 28,800 bph frequency. Best of all, however, the Caliber 9054 offers true GMT functionality, not only tracking a second time zone but also including the coveted quick-adjusting local hours hand for easy time zone shifts while traveling.
The Citizen Series8 880 GMT family brings its own flourishes to the broader Series8 collection’s integrated H-link bracelet design. Here, the real highlights are the raised, prominent center links, which feature broader polished chamfers for a brighter, more reflective look on the wrist. When coupled to the two-tone black and midnight blue ion plating of the Series8 880 GMT NB6036-52N, this combination incorporates both deep shadows and mirror-polished highlights in a show-stopping display.
For a more durable, extreme take on the Citizen Series8’s design philosophy, take a look at the Citizen Series8 890 family. Measuring 42.6mm wide, the stainless steel case of the Citizen Series8 890 NB6060-58L offers a broader, more aggressive stance on the wrist to go along with its punchier, more angular form factor. Its raised, brushed and polished octagonal bezel is instantly iconic, blending nautical themes with an ultra-desirable shape and razor-sharp execution. Likewise, the broad trapezoidal case side guards at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock give the Series8 890 an even more powerful stance on the wrist, while also protecting both the watch’s crowns at 2 o’clock and 3 o’clock. Despite also sporting a sapphire display caseback, the Series8 890 offers double the water resistance of its stablemates, rated for a heavy-duty, scuba-ready 200 meters.
Although the Series8 collection’s dramatic dial texture remains intact for the Citizen Series8 890, the rest of the dial design takes on a more complex, purposeful bent. Traditional diver-style luminous applied indices are paired to wide, generously lumed ladder hands, making this design instantly legible in virtually any environment. In addition, the smoothly rotating, split-tone inner dive bezel allows wearers to accurately time critical intervals without the exposed, potentially knock-prone position of a traditional external rotating bezel. For the Series8 890 NB6060-58L, Citizen dresses this purposeful, function-forward layout in a traditionally elegant, nautical color palette. Here, the skyline-inspired dial is a deep, oceanic navy blue, while bright white accents on the inner bezel give the layout an eye-catching visual pop and highlight this bezel’s nuanced azurage surfacing.
For the Series8 890’s powerplant, Citizen turns to the reliable in-house Caliber 9051 automatic movement. Sturdily built and simple to service, the Caliber 9051’s +20/-10 seconds per day stated accuracy, 42 hour power reserve, 28,800 bph frequency, and hefty 16,000 A/m magnetic resistance should be easy to maintain for many years to come.
To complete the Series8 890, Citizen offers the heaviest, boldest take on the collection’s stainless steel H-link bracelet. With wider links, a far less pronounced taper, and broader, bolder polished chamfers, the Series8 890’s bracelet offers a bold yet comfortable wrist presence to match its striking case. Like the rest of the series, this bracelet comes fitted with a comfortable, secure two-button clasp showcasing a handsome array of finishes.
Next in the Citizen Series8 collection sits the Series8 870, represented here with the Citizen Series8 870 NA1034-51H. Aimed at the crossroads between sporting elegance and everyday wearability, the Series8 870’s 40.8mm wide stainless steel case offers a refined, versatile look that’s equally at home in the boardroom, the nightclub, or on the next far-flung adventure. The flared integrated lugs, with their broad triangular polished chamfers, exude a powerful, muscular feel, while the angular overall form feels sharp and contemporary. The Series8 870’s split two-piece bezel gives this family its own instantly identifiable style on the wrist, with the reference NA1034-51H’s central polished gold-tone segment cutting through the radially brushed steel bezel elements with masculine elegance. For the caseback, Citizen adds a sapphire display window to showcase its high-performance in-house movement. Even with this attractive addition, the Series8 870 provides a robust 100 meters of water resistance, making this an ideal companion for almost any adventure.
The deep graphite gray dial of the Citizen Series8 870 NA1034-51H provides a clean, modern backdrop for the Series8 collection’s intricate, dynamic dial texture. This Tokyo skyline-inspired pattern offers an ever-changing array of peaks and valleys, visual highlights and shadows depending on the viewing angle, and the gold-tone used for the broad, tapering sword hands gives this layout a warm, elevated look on the wrist. The mix of fluted and rectangular hour indices feature both smooth, fine brushing, and polished facets, lending this simple, sporty dial design a sense of depth and refinement.
Citizen powers the Series8 870 family with its innovative in-house Caliber 0950 automatic movement. Combining a stated accuracy of +10/-5 seconds per day with a robust 50-hour power reserve, an impressively tough 16,000 A/m of magnetic resistance, and an elegantly smooth 28,800 bph frequency, the Caliber 0950 is the beating heart of some of Citizen’s most exclusive luxury timepieces and a flagship movement for the Series8 collection. Citizen’s classical striped movement finishing gives this impressive powerplant even more of a visual impact through the display caseback.
The Series8 collection’s defining H-link bracelet design takes on a balanced, athletic look for the Citizen Series8 870, combining a bold, oversized integrated endlink design together with a tapering, streamlined link structure. Handsome, comfortable, and seamlessly unified on the wrist, this fully integrated take on the line’s bracelet design offers one of Citizen’s sportiest, most luxe silhouettes.
For simplicity, purity, and thoughtfully balanced execution, the Citizen Series8 831 family stands above the rest of the Series8 collection. The Citizen Series8 831 NB6050-51W offers the most focused look at this attractive style, beginning with a compellingly nuanced 40mm stainless steel case. The overall case shape here is octagonal, combining strong, directionally brushed main case surfaces with wide, modernist triangular polished lug chamfers and a circular polished bezel for a bright, textured, and geometric look on the wrist. The simple shapes that make up the design work together to create a detailed, layered whole, though, complete with dramatic angles and gemstone-like sparkling light play as the watch moves during wear. The Series8 831 family is more than just a pretty face, though, and behind its sapphire display caseback Citizen rates the watch for a durable, all-purpose 100 meters of water resistance.
The Citizen Series8 831 NB6050-51W’s dial deftly walks a visual tightrope between its crisp, simple shapes and richly detailed execution. This is one of the Series8 collection’s most finely nuanced dial surfaces, with a deep forest green dégradé finish that darkens to near-black at the outer chapter ring. When combined with the collection’s trademark dial texture, this surface offers a seemingly infinite array of green shades that shift with each new viewing angle. Meanwhile, the dauphine hands and wedge-like tapering applied indices offer a more refined, pared-back look than some other models in the collection while still allowing for excellent legibility at a glance. The unique raised outer chapter ring, with its split dual minutes scale, gives this dial a splashy graphic flourish, without upsetting the carefully considered balance of the rest of the Series8 831 design.
Internally, the Citizen Series8 831 uses the same tried-and-true manufacture Caliber 9051 automatic movement as the Series8 890, with identical specifications. However, Citizen charts a substantially different course for the Series8 831 with its stainless steel H-link bracelet. Rather than the fully integrated bracelets of the rest of the collection, the Series8 831 uses narrow, squared-off end links, offering a more old-school look while also allowing wearers to potentially swap straps far more easily. The more slender link design also pairs well with the lighter, more restrained overall design, making the Series8 831 an ideal daily-wear companion.
It’s no easy feat to create a new, distinct identity for a new watch collection while still holding on to the identifiable core values of the overall brand. With the Series8 collection, though, Citizen strikes this tricky chord impeccably, driving the Citizen brand into a new echelon of sporty, refined, and brilliantly executed integrated sports watches. Even more impressively, each sub-family in the Series8 collection offers its own truly unique take on the core formula. All watches in the Citizen Series8 collection are available now through Citizen’s official website. MSRP for the Citizen Series8 870 NA1034-51H stands at $1,595 USD, with the Citizen Series8 890 NB6060-58L and Citizen Series8 831 NB6050-51W priced at $1,395 USD and $1,095 USD, respectively. The limited edition (only 1,000 examples will be made) Citizen Series8 880 GMT NB6036-52N is priced at $1,995 USD. To learn more about the Series 8 collection or Citizen’s other watches, please visit the brand’s website.
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