CITIZEN: BN0100-51E (EXCALIBUR) TODAY’S ANSWER TO THE ROLEX SUB?
imagenes gratisYes, you read the title correctly. But before you send hate mail or hit this site with a D.O.S. attack. Let me state my case and explain what I mean. Back when the Sub first went on sale it was a tool watch. The emphasis was on ruggedness and dependability. Not luxury. It was expensive. But cheap enough to risk doing what it was designed for. A precision instrument that was not afraid to get it’s hands dirty. It did not have a mechanical heart because that’s what people loved and payed top dollar for. It simply used the most advanced type of time keeping mechanism available, that would also fit inside a watertight case small enough to fit on a wrist. And not even the most accurate movement either. But accurate enough for the job it was intended for. Tried and tested. Proven. Rugged and dependable. (See Citizen E168 High Torque eco drive movement. Below)
If you could could travel back to the late 1950’s and show a Citizen Excalibur to a professional diver, they would likely be impressed by the superior quality, fit and Finish of the Citizen. Compared to whatever Swiss diver they were using. The twin button release and milled clasp on the bracelet. The sliding divers extension. Of course it’s mostly thanks to modern computerised production techniques rather than honest craftsmanship. But I swear the quality of the bracelet at least, is higher than the Subs I used to drool over at the jewellers just 10 or so years ago. And it’s certainly superior to my first generation Omega Seamaster Bond, Automatic.
share imageI am an Omega guy through and through. And I would also buy a brand new Sub tomorrow. (If I could find a dealer crazy enough to give me that much credit) But there is just something so irresistible about watches at the Citizens price point. It’s the sweet spot. Or “Goldilocks effect”, as I like to call it. The quality and price is high enough to make them relevant. And not just some through away insignificant thing. Yet low enough that most people would have no problem using for exactly what they were designed for. Basically they are dive watches that really are DIVE watches.
I would not be at all surprised if many of the worlds military’s equip their divers with Citizen Promaster Divers with high torque eco-drive quartz movements. But the same can not be said for the high end Swiss divers of today.
So sadly, I must conclude that if Ian Fleming was alive today and just starting on his first Bond novel. Britain’s finest secret agent would likely be wearing an Excalibur. Or at least some equivalent Citizen Promaster or even Seiko Prospex.
SO Certified Diver: It has passed the independent standards set by ISO for dive watches. This is an important distinction that marks the Excalibur out as a serious and genuine Dive watch. And not just a fashion item. The fact that it also carries Citizen’s own Promaster logo, is further testimony that this is a serious piece of kit. Here is a useful link for those wanting to learn more about the ISO Dive Standard:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Water_Resistant_markHigh Torque quartz eco-drive movement: The Citizen E168 is a High Torque movement that is specially reserved for Citizen’s Sports & Dive watches. The higher torque is used to power the larger diver hands which are weighed down with the extra lume needed for a ISO certified dive watch. It is a tried and tested quartz movement dedicated to purpose. Add the fact that it powers itself by light and should never need a battery change makes it particularly interesting.
Accuracy: It’s quartz
Quality/Fit & Finish: Goldilocks!
Crystal: Mineral glass. Not as scratch resistant as sapphire. But more shatter proof. Which is a more important feature in a genuine Dive/Tool watch.
History: Give it a chance.
Negatives: As you probably guessed, watch is pretty bullet proof. But a couple of minor faults do stick out. Most of all, the lume on the second hand simply isn’t good enough. The reason it’s part of the ISO standard is so a diver deep under water in total darkness, can reassure them self at a glance, that the watch is still running. Should be at least double the size. Likewise (but not as important) The lume at 12 O’clock could be larger. Lastly, the winding crown sticks out a lot and can dig into the wrist. But this should not be a problem for everyone.
It has a nick name! An important tip when buying a watch for a few hundred quid. Pick one that has already been given a nick name by loyal followers in the watch community.
Conclusions: As much as I do like the Excalibur it could never be one of my all time favourite watch’s because being quartz, it has no heart. But as someone who buys and collects lots of mechanical watch’s, I just could not do without having a Citizen eco-drive in my collection. The technology was just too good to ignore. And for me the Excalibur was the obvious choice. Having worn it now for 3 weeks, I have to say I really am impressed by the quality and overall execution of this watch. I really can imagine people wearing these as their one and only watch, for 20-30 years or more. A real legacy in the making. And perhaps, a genuine equivalent to the original and legendary Submariner and Seamaster divers from the 50’s and 60’s.
So whether you are a WIS like me. Or just a regular bloke who simply wants a fuss free buy and forget diver for a great price. You really should give the Excalibur serious consideration.
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http://www.specialwatchservice.com/?page_id=253)
