What We Know
It’s summertime, which means it’s perfect weather to spend some time near, in, or under the water. While I love a good hyper-overbuilt mechanical watch (and definitely want this one), I’ve come to realize that the best dive watches are probably the no-fuss, affordable ones. If I’m flying to the Bahamas and want to go on a quick dive, I’m going to grab a Citizen (oh wait, I did). With a bunch of new Citizen Eco-Drive divers (more like Eco-Dive, am I right?) rated to 200m, I figured it was time to share some great new picks.
While four watches were just launched in Japan, the U.S. is getting three of them. There’s a blue gradient dial with a dark blue stainless steel unidirectional bezel (my personal pick), a black dial with a black bezel, and a white dial with a black bezel and an orange seconds hand (and black printing, of course). That last one feels very James Stacey, if I had to guess. The watches are cased in a super-reasonable 40.6mm by 11.5mm stainless steel case with brushed surfaces and polished chamfers. Inside is the Eco-Drive Caliber E118, which has an accuracy of +/- 15 seconds per month and 12 months of power on a full light-powered charge. The watches are delivered on BENEBiOL straps, a plant-derived biomass urethane.
All three options will be available on the Citizen website in the coming days and weeks as deliveries arrive in their US stock. The retail price is $450, so keep checking their shop to make sure you stay on top of when it’s available.
What We Think
I already have a watch box full of Citizen pieces that fill the same niche, but I don’t have an Eco-Drive diver, which might be a hole in the collection. An Eco-Drive movement is a hugely pain-free thing to have sitting around, and I’ve been wearing a version of “The Citizen” a lot lately. There’s not much to say about the usability and wearability of a watch like this; it’s just solid, as is the price point, and the blue dial looks particularly attractive. And in a diver, that’s basically all you need.
The Basics
Brand: Citizen
Model: Promaster Dive
Reference Number: BN0265-00A, BN0266-07E, BN0267-04L
Diameter: 40.6mm
Thickness: 11.5mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Blue, black, and white
Indexes: Printed
Lume: Unspecified
Water Resistance: 200m
Strap/Bracelet: BENEBiOL, a plant-derived biomass urethane
The Movement
Caliber: Eco-Drive Caliber E118
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power Reserve: Approximately 12 months at full charge
Winding: Eco-Drive light-powered
Chronometer Certified: ±15 seconds per month
Pricing & Availability
Price: $450
Availability: In the coming weeks (mid-July 2026), with colors rolling out at different times.
Limited Edition: No
For more, click here.
