Citizen Promaster Tough Watch

An excellent outdoor timepiece, built to be worn, not displayed.

I bought the Promaster, as my battery-operated watches all seemed to be getting old together—just as the price of batteries was going up but quality declining. I thought I'd get something akin to a military field watch: rugged simplicity, rather than a lot of extra functionality, which I probably wouldn't use. 

This one has a front loading titanium case, a famously accurate and reliable movement and a six-year guarantee. It's water resistant to 300 metres, shock resistant, anti-magnetic, will tolerate a temperature range between -10 and +60 degrees, and has a sapphire crystal face, which is much more scratch averse than the timepieces I'm used to. All in all, it's built to be unobtrusive and ultra reliable. 

The movement doesn't require bright sunlight to keep working—just don't leave it in a drawer for six months. I like the faux canvas strap, but that's a minor personal preference. They sell this watch with a titanium bracelet, if you prefer or you might be accustomed to the NATO type fastener.

I'm very fond of this watch after wearing it four or five times a week for a year.  I don't subject it to the wood shed but it's been in and out of the sea and the river, under the car, up some local hills, and on many less challenging walks.  It's not the most luminous face I've ever used in low light conditions, but it's not bad. It's totally unmarked—which is unusual; most of my watches get scratches and gouges, almost immediately. The display is bold and easy to read. I don't miss a stopwatch, a bezel, or all those functions that remind you of the world you're trying to forget exists. The date window is a bit tiny, though... they could lose that in any redesign I reckon.

It's sold as a men's item but many women would find it comfortable and functional. The 40mm case size isn't excessive and the weight is negligible.  

£300 is a lot for me...when I've used plenty of excellent watches for proportionately a lot less money over the years. I was drawn to the stark simplicity and obvious quality of design and components. If you would normally spend a lot more for a watch, don't look past this beautifully engineered option without giving it a proper inspection.  You may be surprised.   

The Promaster really is tough, as well as unobtrusive, accurate, and confidence inspiring. I like to throw my telephone in a pack and forget it when I'm out in the mountains or down at the seashore. I want to know the time at a glance and be sure that I'm not going to miss that bus, or appointment. If I'm checking the time on stage—or at a tedious meeting—I don't want that to appear pointed and/or rude.

If you like the look and the concept behind the design you may too think it's an investment worth considering. If colour is a deciding factor for you? This also comes in a lovely shade of mid blue.

Background

I've had three solar-powered watches: one from the same company. I've owned this one for a year.