Citizen Out Seiko-ing Seiko?! 🤔
Textured dial, automatic travelers GMT movement, and what looks to be a sapphire bezel insert—The new Citizen Series 8 GMTs look darn good in my book. Obviously they’re taking heavy inspiration from the GMT Master II, but I like the sharp, angular case design (just a bit Genta-y?) the cool alternating indices, and love that dial.
Honestly, a surprisingly exciting release given the sometimes, shall we say “pedestrian” design language at Citizen. (I do love Citizen, super solid watches but only a handful of their designs really elicit a “wow”).
It almost seems like this could, or perhaps should be a Seiko release. A GMT that’s a tier up from the SSK, but still sits well below the GS SBGJ line.
In any case, I dig this collection, and the “Batman” colorway is definitely on my radar for a pre-owned market pickup at some point.
Any thought on this release, Crunchers?
https://oracleoftime.com/citizen-series-8-880-mechanical-gmt/
Just a man with a few too many watches…
Do we have lug to lug measures for that one? I really like it, but I’m afraid the integrated bracelet and the male endlinks won’t make any favours to the small wristed among us, if the watch itself is already 41 mm.
EDIT: I like it, but not enough to pay upwards of 1400€ for it.
If they made the date wheel silver with black font the dial would look more in proportion. Now it looks like something is missing at the 3 o’clock to me 🙈
About time!! But citizen been competing with their dials on the JDM side really…
The citizen and their chrono it’s pretty amazing as well
Looks so damn cool, and the dial is a nice touch!
Do we have lug to lug measures for that one? I really like it, but I’m afraid the integrated bracelet and the male endlinks won’t make any favours to the small wristed among us, if the watch itself is already 41 mm.
EDIT: I like it, but not enough to pay upwards of 1400€ for it.
Agreed. Kind of like the PRX, I think effective L2L is definitely going to be the key to how this one wears.
About time!! But citizen been competing with their dials on the JDM side really…
The citizen and their chrono it’s pretty amazing as well
Beautiful! If you blurred out the logo, I legit would’ve believed that was a Grand Seiko!
If they made the date wheel silver with black font the dial would look more in proportion. Now it looks like something is missing at the 3 o’clock to me 🙈
Good point. I do think the surround helps add visual weight to balance the 9:00 index, though.
About time!! But citizen been competing with their dials on the JDM side really…
The citizen and their chrono it’s pretty amazing as well
Just looked up the price on that Citizen… $700?! I’m even more impressed! My bank account might be in trouble haha 💸💸💸
Just looked up the price on that Citizen… $700?! I’m even more impressed! My bank account might be in trouble haha 💸💸💸
The silver white dial is understated as well and equally mesmerizing…
To me, the watch looks 100% Citizen, particularly with the integrated bracelet.
Citizen have a habit of making integrated bracelet watches, and were doing it long before it became "cool" again. It's actually one of the things that keeps me from buying them quite often, as I hate bracelets.
I imagine it will sell quite well for them, but it isn't for me.
I mean they're nice. But it's a lot of money for a Citizen.
I mean they're nice. But it's a lot of money for a Citizen.
It is a bit steep. I wouldn’t say it’s crazy, especially with Seiko moving upmarket, and the fact it has a “true” GMT movement. But yeah, for me, this may end up being a better value proposition on the secondary market.
Can complain what Seiko has been smoking when they price their new models but Citizen is smoking something more stronger to charge $1700 for this watch when they you can find this GMT movement in their own Bulova GMT for $650. The 9054 is an upgrade from 9075 for the Series 8 but not $1000 more worth of upgrades.
The entry level Series 8 at 40mm is a great watch but not at retail $1200, its still a long way in terms of refinement for the price but a great option instead of the PRX 40mm if you find it for the usual discounted price for around $800.
The 41mm size is not an issue, especially if Citizen has stuck to the good articulating bracelets in Series 8 then it should wear closer to 46mm lug to lug watch. Would be a nice pick up for around $1000 or so but not at retail.
I guess both brands offer amazing quality with and luxurious style in their watches. Its hard to say, which one is better then one another. I have even researched and curated a list of best Citizen and Seiko diver watches.
Check them out from here:
https://www.watchguider.com/best-citizen-dive-watches/
https://www.watchguider.com/best-seiko-dive-watches/