It’s safe to say I’ve been slacking on reviews over the last year or so, and I’ve had the fantastic opportunity to try so many watches since my previous review (the Zenea ULA Diver, from what I remember) in August of 2022. Fast forward a month, and I would be gifted the Citizen Promaster Diver from my dad as a birthday gift. The Promaster Diver was one of the first watches I loved due to its unique design, and it was highly regarded as a fantastic budget-friendly option.
Having the watch on my wrist for almost a year now, I’ve had a chance to learn about its quirks and capabilities, and all I can say is, wow. The Citizen Promaster Diver is comfortable, rugged and stands out amongst the dive watch crowd, even though it shares case design similarities with the Seiko Tuna.
The amount of good things I can say about the Promaster Diver is absurd, and narrowing the pros down so this article wasn't multiple pages was difficult. Before I get into the review, I want to state that there are no cons to the Promaster Diver. While the movement inside is quartz, and in some aspects, quartz is strongly frowned upon, the Promaster Diver is the perfect option for those looking for a beautiful and convenient watch. The convenience comes from the reliable Citizen Eco-Drive E168 Solar Quartz.
The Promaster Diver is a slightly oversized watch at 43mm, based on the spec sheet. However, due to the 11.5mm case thickness paired with the short 48mm lug-to-lug, the Promaster Diver is relatively compact, sits flat on the wrist, and paired with the 20mm lug width, the 20mm OEM rubber strap adds structure, allowing for even more comfort.
The show's true star isn't visible unless you remove the case back, but bringing the Promaster to life is Citizen's in-house Eco-Drive Solar ref. E168. Certain audiences in watch collecting look down on quartz. Still, quartz is a fantastic option for those looking for a watch without worrying about power reserve or setting it after a couple of days if they haven't wound their mechanical watch. The Eco-Drive is much more than your standard quartz movement. The movement recharges through solar and carries a six-month power reserve on a full charge with an accuracy of +/- 15 seconds per month.
The perfect workhorse watches for collectors at all stages of their journey; the Promaster Diver is fantastic for daily wear or when the road gets tough and dirty. Keep it clean or put it through hell; the watch will keep ticking. For those who are curious, you can find this brand-new retail for $300. Thank you for taking the time to read my review of the Citizen Promaster Diver! Until next time, cheers.
