WWR #23: Citizen Eco-drive Watch BV1060-07E

Many watch freaks don't like quartz powered watches, they have no life, soul, nothing romantic about the ticking seconds hand and totally boring. But I'm not doing thus do just for crazy collectors like me, but also lots of watch consumers out there who seriously need a watch and not rely everything on the digits on the iphone. Every reasonable ans respectable man must ans I say must have a watch strapped to his wrist. For this week, I am recommending a watch that you can literally and practically say the only watch you will ever need putting aside a collectors or fashionable stance. I'm talking about this simple yet classically designed Eco-drive from Citizen. Look at it, I swear it looks or would want to have an automatic mechanical movement inside it and the small second hand sweeping through with about 6 ticks per second, but no no no. As long as the sun shines,this baby will give you the time as accurate as you will ever need it to be. A true maintenance free watch that you just set it and forget it. Well adjust the date every two months actually and everything is done. From Citizen, this will cost you $199 and that's it, you have a dependable and beautiful watch that will fit in every occasion or attire you desire. 43mm case size with leather strap, date function and classic sub-dial second hand at 6, you can never go wrong.

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WWR #2: Citizen Automatic Dress Watch NP3000-54A

Citizen has been popular these days with offering numerous models of their very successful Eco-Drive watches, which are quartz watches powered by solar technology. But for my Weekly Watch Recom for this week, it's from their mechanical products which is simply stunning as a dress watch with a very reasonable price tag. It's the model number NP3000-54A. This watch has that clean white face dial with small 24 hour time dial on the 9 o'clock position and 3-day view date at the 3 o'clock. Now prior to giving my reason why to get this, here are its features:

Metal : Stainless Steel
Movement : Automatic
Citizen Gents Automatic.
Caliber: 4166 - 21 Jewels
Sapphire crystal.
Made in Japan.
Stainless steel case & crystal caseback.
With matching bracelet with DB buckle.
Water resistant 100m
Lugs width 21mm
Case width including crown: 46mm
Case thickness: 12.5mm







You should get one of these since first, it comes from Citizen, a very reputable watch manufacturer and a true in-house movement. Aside from the lots of quartz watches they have, Citizen long before has been making mechanical watches which are at par with Seiko. And with this dress watch, you get a clean looking white dial, elegant and uncluttered, a reliable made in Japan movement that is decorated to allow a more craftmanship rendition of the view from the caseback. This watch also looks better with a black leather strap, to match your ties and suits. The case width of 46mm may be a bit bigger than the usual dress watches but it doesn't look that big in actual fitting. The movement is also handwindable and hackable, a very usual feature for watch rotation geeks. And one of the best bargains is the price, at around $400-$500, it's a sure winner. A definite win from Citizen.



Pics grabbed from this forum thread:
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f21/citizen-np3000-54a-some-photos-445289.html

Homage slash Rip-offs

I was urged to write this thought upon a chance topic on a watch forum on homages or rip-offs. Totally surprised on the level of design copies these brands do, sacrificing probably their dignity and character just to get heads above water from the competition. But do they really survive? Guess this defines how dumb or smart you are....

Invicta rip-off of Citizen/Seiko

Invicta's 5747 Force Flight and the Citizen Eco-Drive Nighthawk


The most obvious copy of all. Even a WIS like me would look twice to verify. The dual time hands makes the clear distinction with that aero design.

Invicta 2615 Pro Diver and the Seiko SKX781 Orange Monster


The dial colors, Monster like indices and bezel edges will tell you that you bought the wrong Invicta. Good thing those arrow hands were not applied, the hands on that Invicta look horrible. And the no shroud design just makes it a little monster with no muscle.

Invicta Pro Diver and Timex T29781 now takes on Rolex Submariner




I bet your eyes are rolling over like playing a game of spot the difference. But to be fair, the Timex and the Invicta have their share of markets due to the massive price difference. Quality surely pays a lot of gap, but the two will surely hold up to any beating. But back to my case, would you really buy an original brand with a fake design? Expeditions and Ironmans are a better bet.

Timex T22232 inspired by Tag Heuer Monaco




Well yes they have lots of differences, but surely the designer from Timex was probably watching Le Mans or scrambling through magazines with TH ads when he sketched out this design the next day. Both are good on their own levels of class.

I have personally lost respect for Invictas, good thing I never bought one. Timex, almost but not yet, they're there so that the masses can have a respectable one too. I do hope this list won't be added.