Thoughts on the Citizen AI5000-84E?
I like how it looks, but I'm not how much of a value proposition it makes. It's 43mm, has a mineral crystal and comes with a bracelet. It has Citizen's 6520-C0A quartz movement and as I understand that's a Miyota 6S20. I was wondering if a quartz movement with a mineral crystal made sense considering that it's a little under US$200 and I could get an eco-drive (or an entry-level automatic like an Alba) for a similar price or less.
Any thoughts? For more context, my only other watch is a Tissot Le Locle on a bracelet. I also plan to get a Casio MRW200 once they're in stock.
Link: AI5000-84E - Citizen Watches Australia
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If you like that watch you like that watch - that's most important in my opinion 😀
But just some ideas - for $ 200 US you could possibly get these dive (style) watches
I would go for the one I like best, not for the one with the best spec sheet.
A bit big, I have the #citizen AI5008-82X:
I have a thing for #chronographs, #orange, and the 4.30 date window.
As a fellow Aussie, sign up to Shiels email newsletter - they send out coupons every 4-5 weeks. This was listed as $AUD299.⁰⁰ but ended up costing AUD$209 after discounts. Likewise, an #alba #automatic #babytuna set me back about AUD$100:
There are bargins to be had here down under 🇦🇺
What I focus on are comfort and features over specs. See my recent post with my 8 favorite watch tips.
You can get some nice eco drives from $100, just depends what you like. I don't think it matters so much. Changing battery isn't a huge deal and you have to do that with eco drive anyways just a bit later.
This was $125 with a small discount and I like it. Plus 5 for the expanding bracelet.
If you want a spec monster, this is pretty much the best option I know of.
For 160 bucks you get titanium (ultra light and comfy on the skin), solar, sapphire, radio controlled, excellent sizing and ultra wide/flat back for comfort. And digital timers and alarms which are super useful. It even has a great orange LED light which isn't as harsh on the eyes as many other options. Plus really nice finishing quality and a soldier/field watch style with a bit of a sunburst effect on the dial. And it comes in a few versions.
Or if you're fixed on Citizen, check out their other region websites as well. Lots of stuff that's different from your local one. Same goes for Casio. Both their websites are a bit of a mess.
They have some hidden gems like this black one from Japan which has all the specs plus a clasp with a quick size adjustment which is very uncommon and can help a lot with comfort.
The blue one has less features but is maybe better looking. And there are many variations of these.
I'd just say avoid leather because that industry is a bit of a nightmare. Nato and rubber are better anyways.
By the way a lot of the size specs on Citizen sites is wrong. Best to double check in reviews if you need a very specific size.
If you like that watch you like that watch - that's most important in my opinion 😀
But just some ideas - for $ 200 US you could possibly get these dive (style) watches
I would go for the one I like best, not for the one with the best spec sheet.
So true!
Thanks for the suggestions. Unfortunately, all of them are priced ridiculously high here in India. The Seiko 5KX is $300+ with low availability. The Orient Kamasu is $430! And most Promaster line starts at $300-350.
I'm getting the AI5000-84E at a 40% discount thanks to a coupon code 😛 Definitely leaning towards that right now!
A bit big, I have the #citizen AI5008-82X:
I have a thing for #chronographs, #orange, and the 4.30 date window.
As a fellow Aussie, sign up to Shiels email newsletter - they send out coupons every 4-5 weeks. This was listed as $AUD299.⁰⁰ but ended up costing AUD$209 after discounts. Likewise, an #alba #automatic #babytuna set me back about AUD$100:
There are bargins to be had here down under 🇦🇺
Oh, nice! The orange looks spectacular. Works really well with the overall design of the watch. I'm in India, but I used the Citizen AU website as their description was better than the Indian website 🙈 The AI5000 is AUD250 after a 40% discount. The Alba is around AUD200. As much as I like the Alba (more so because it's an automatic), the Citizen feels better value. How has your experience between the two been?
Oh, nice! The orange looks spectacular. Works really well with the overall design of the watch. I'm in India, but I used the Citizen AU website as their description was better than the Indian website 🙈 The AI5000 is AUD250 after a 40% discount. The Alba is around AUD200. As much as I like the Alba (more so because it's an automatic), the Citizen feels better value. How has your experience between the two been?
Oh, the #alba is junk! Or at least the casing is. But I can never pass up a bargain, and it's a #seiko automatic in there so for AUD$100 it really is a bargain.
The #chronograph is my third #citizen and I am really happy with it. I like the #green #color but not the silicone strap it comes on and an #orange watch always makes a statement!
Oh, the #alba is junk! Or at least the casing is. But I can never pass up a bargain, and it's a #seiko automatic in there so for AUD$100 it really is a bargain.
The #chronograph is my third #citizen and I am really happy with it. I like the #green #color but not the silicone strap it comes on and an #orange watch always makes a statement!
True. Alba doesn't discount their products here and they only offer quartz movements below AUD200.
Definitely. Really love the orange. What's your wrist size?
The store I'm thinking of getting it from only has the black and the blue model in stock. The black seems a lot better and versatile even though I have a thing for blue watches. I updated the original post with a couple of pics. Let's see!