Citizen Promaster Aqualand
The Everyman Dive Watch
(4)
The Citizen Promaster Aqualand is the everyman dive watch. It’s cool to lust after a Breitling Superocean, a Blancpain 500 Fathoms, or even an Oris TT1 Carlos Costa LE, but it’s way cool to get a watch like this and keep it real, too.
The Citizen Promaster Aqualand, complete with two-tone gold and silver colored bezel, looks like the dive watch the hard cases in the navy would wear. It’s the one on that guy, when you buy your soy latte, who you swear is military. Maybe even paramilitary. The Citizen Promaster Aqualand will probably trump the Luminox Navy Seal as a classic, one day.
It’s packed with features and looks the business for under 500 large (that means 500 dollars, right?- sorry, I’m Australian). It’s got an analog-digi display, digital calender, depth meter, and digital chrono. An extra long rubber strap will wrap your wetsuit, but if your wrists aren’t burly-military enough grab yourself a NATO and maybe undersize it so you feel closer to Bond.
This is the kind of watch the guy who doesn’t collect timepieces - but thinks he knows a thing or two about quality - would rate as pure quality. The Japanese quartz movement won’t bother you with the accuracy anxieties of its price point ETA cousins, and, after all, it’s a Citizen, so, like your Toyota, its long lifespan is as good as guaranteed.
This is the watch your twelve year-old son pictures when he imagines that his dad was actually in the SAS. There’s no sapphire crystal, but heck it’s meant to get scratched (it’s the everyman dive watch, after all). Keep an eye on the buttons too, because their sexy obtrusiveness unfortunately means they tend to get unintentionally pressed.
Get one, chuck it in your drawer, and crack it out next time you’re feeling no-nonsense, no fuss, no worries.
Cost: $230
You see more Aqualands on dive boats and the wrists of divemasters than anything else. Aside from their affordability and practicality, they're just plain cool. Citizen invented the electronic depth sensor dive watch back in the '80s and they still sell the original Aqualand version in Japan. I managed to snag one a few months ago. Now you' ve made me want to pull it out of the drawer and put it on. Nice review and photos!
Thanks Jason!
Pull out your Citizen and froth on it I say. I’m getting right into the Japanese watches at the moment- they’re such good quality and so affordable. Currently on my wish list is an Orient Star. Have you seen the stuff you can get for a few hundred dollars? I saw them in the flesh in Japan and they look real nice. Anyone got one and can comment on the quality?
Cheers
Having trouble finding the exact watch in the picture online anywhere for purchase. Any hints?
I posted a reply to Jason but it seems to have disappeared.
I basically said thanks for your comments and I'm super excited by Japanese watches at the moment… and an Orient Star is next on my wish list!
Rick: I got mine from ebay Australia. Try a search for CITIZEN PROMASTER AQUALAND II DIVERS WATCH JP1014-09E. Also, try SuperChrono or http://www.higuchi-inc.com. I totally recommend the latter: have purchased from Higuchi san and is reliable and quick and a cool dude.
Roger
By the way, Momentum, a Canadian watch company, sells a dive watch called the Nereos, that is virtually identical to this Aqualand Duplex..
By jove you're right Jason: those Momentum's are almost replicas of some Citizens. The Atlas too (it's just like a Promaster I have from a while back). Thanks for the tip… might get myself one.
I've been looking for a new diving / general physical activity watch - thanks from a fellow Aussie! I've got my eye on one on Ebay, as well as a black and grey NATO strap.
Good on ya Joe. The black and grey NATO will look rad.
Man I thought I had a secret with this watch! I've had mine for about five years but the metal link version. It's great casual or dress and take a beating. They quit making these I think about 7 years ago so they are getting kinda rare to see out in the wild. I saw one yesterday at a pawn shop for $125.