My dad bought a citizen solar chronograph in the early 90s. He took it to 3 continents, to dusty exavatjon sites, deserts, freaking Iceland and than Africa. I once commented that it was not a really pretty watch to look at and he just laughed and said “you don’t buy a citizen because it looks nice, you buy it cause it’s a good watch”. Citizen design has not been of my taste but they are built like a tank.

Finally got my Citizen. I sold my SBDC061 to fund an SLA037. What drew me to the Citizen is the movement, titanium case and vintage vibe. My only gripe is the small crown. The bracelet is great with a functional extension mechanism. The SBDC061 has great build quality and design. Can't go wrong with either.

Citizen you get signed crown, titanium and absolutely gorgeous cut sapphire. Seiko... oh. You just pay more for less... and just hope it all lines up on your one.

One thing that's always bothered me about Seiko (I love Seiko, I have 5) is that the specs are always lower than other similarly priced watches. I understand it's a huge company with a lot of overhead, but you can get a sapphire crystal for like 10 bucks and that's not bulk prices and I'm sure it's not a huge price difference for milled versus pressed clasps. The QA issues don't bother me as much until you start getting into $1,000 but I definitely understand people's gripes with that.

@JulesBrunoJjBaggy

Жыл бұрын

So then why are you commenting this here? Your stated problems are with less expensive Seikos, problems the prospex in this video doesn't have. It sounds like you wanted to complain about nothing, just whining to whine.

@joeg5023

Жыл бұрын

@@JulesBrunoJjBaggy It literally does have that problem, which he states in the video... Which is why I brought it up.

@haping1

Жыл бұрын

I love Seiko with their beautiful shaped cases and dials. This one a little too big for me. It's a shame that their QC is still not in order. And I agree Chris. If you only compare the specs of these watches , the Citizen is the better one ...

@ppadilla8990

11 ай бұрын

​@@JulesBrunoJjBaggy even 1k+ have those problems and an unregulated 6r35/15 at those price is a jokw

@JulesBrunoJjBaggy

11 ай бұрын

@@ppadilla8990 my alpinist is off by less than 8 seconds a day. I have to adjust the time once a week. If that's too hands on for you buy a quartz. If you're gonna complain about having to interact with your watch once a week, you're kinda an impatient loser who is seeking disappointment.

Not a fan of diver watches, but I prefer Citizen. I even have my first Citizen that I bought four decades ago, still going strong. I recently purchased a JDM Promaster Land, which I love.

@christianalessandri5556

Жыл бұрын

Does the radio wave work in the US or did you have to use a Japan emulator

@agent70vids3

Жыл бұрын

4 decades ago wow!

@BGRUBBIN

Жыл бұрын

@@christianalessandri5556 I think is pro master pand doesn't have a AT function. However my Skyhawk does. I pick up a High signal on the East coast. The tower is Colorado.

Thank you for the comparison. For months, I've been focused on the blue Citizen but when I went to my local watch dealer and tried the black dial one with the black strap, I was smitten by it. I think the black dial might be more desirable with a more retro look than the blue version.

@daveLin104

Жыл бұрын

Hi Jeffrey did pick up the black dial Citizen in the end ? How did it compare to the SPB143 Seikos ?

@JeffreyMcMahon

Жыл бұрын

@@daveLin104 No, I didn't. The 143 is superior in my opinion. The Citizen isn't worth the high price.

@inharyu9921

Жыл бұрын

Yep. That's why I go with black dial with rubber strap!

They are both cool watches, but between the two, I’m really really liking the Citizen. Another great video, Chris!

I own this exact MM200 model - put it on the strapcode oyster bracelet, what an amazing dive watch! And a bargain (picked mine up used for about $440 without bracelet) I got lucky with the movement, mine seems to gain or lose a few seconds, but after a couple weeks, seems to stay within a few seconds of the reference time. The rehaut does not align perfectly with the dial, which could be annoying at this price, but doesn't bother me that much.

I like both, I would pick the Citizen because I have a bunch of Seiko’s . Thank you for the awesome review 😊

I love Seiko, their designs and their beautiful dials but I'm done with their erratic and inconsistent 6R movements. They're basically a jazzed-up version of the valiant but low grade 7S26 movements and I think they've been flogged to death by Seiko. They now deserve a much overdue decent burial. I won't pass judgement on the Citizen (which I have on order) until its on my wrist but I do own several microbrands equipped with the 90x high-beat Miyota Citizen movement and find their performance and consistency way above the 6R movements. Oh, and I also dig the history and credibility of the Citizen Challenge and look forward to its lightweight titanium case.

The SPB077 is an iconic design, harking back to the first Professional Divers from Seiko of the late 60s. That case is so beautiful! MSRP is too high, agreed, as is for most Prospex Divers. Caught my MM200 for 550.- used. At this price, it's an absolute bargain.

I just bought the Citizen for $600 in black. I collect Citizen watches. I don't think I made a mistake buying this. I'm by no means a watch expert, but I am a "pocket knife expert". Material wise, you can't even compare these. Why are watch reviewers never talking about weight? Pocket knife enthusiasts spend well over $500 for quality milled Titanium for weight loss, and over all quality it creates. What am I missing?

@regisbarou4922

27 күн бұрын

You are right Weight is key

Perhaps a comparison could be done with the Seiko Shogun since it's also titanium.

@Sirleopard666

Жыл бұрын

Yea, but the Seiko will cost even more. So more points for the Citizen

I dig both. Chris, would you mind measuring the actual watch face of these watches and in the future? Some bezels are thicker than others. Thanks!

If you can get close to enough selling the Seiko to buy the Citizen’s, I would definitely do it! Thanks for the comparison Chris!

Seiko 4 sure make great watches, without a doubt. But its absolutely clear Citizen wins this battle. Its better materials, a better movement, and clearly better quality. And the iceing on the cake, much better priced. Citizen too often overlooked

I’ve got the original Minerva of that Mont Blanc sitting in front of me right now

I just bought the Citizen, excellent watch. I bought mine from Jomashop. I have no complaints at all. Love the titanium.

単純にセイコーを比較するなら、デザイン細部ではセイコーが勝っていると思います。 しかし値段や、ムーブメント、チタンなど機能面を考えるとその細部のマイナス部分は十分補っていると思います。 セイコーファンでも一本シチズンを持っておきたいとおもったらこのシチズンダイバーズを選ぶと思います。 セイコーのダイバーズは6振動のものがほとんどなので、8振動へのあこがれと、 「citizen」ロゴを一本でももっておこうかという気持ちで購入するかもしれません。

Glad for this comparison. Choosing between these two models for my one and only diver watch. They have both decreased in price which is good. Seiko is actually cheaper now. Also because I am considering the rubber strap versions. I love them both but I feel guilty having more than one watch for the same purpose. 😁 Thank you!

How's the bezel action? Any rotor wobble?

I like the Citizen more on paper, but the Seiko looks better on your wrist and in the dark. I would have loved to have seen how the lume on the Citizen lasted in comparison to the Seiko

I don't really like the Mercedes hands, and the Seiko has much more "cool factor" and uniqueness to its look. But I love titanium watches and ratcheting clasps are great to have for on the go micro-adjust (can't get used to not having one, once used to it!). And the movement in the Citizen seems much better value than what they're charging for the 6R all over the place now, including with the baby marinemaster here now. I would definitely go with the Citizen, and it may in fact be my next watch. I know it's going to grow on me, and that I'll greatly appreciate how much lighter it is on the bracelet compared to the Seiko. The higher beat movement is nice too.

I dont understand why I cant get the blue one in rubber strap…or can I?

Thankyou for these fabulous images. The titanium of the Citizen has obvious advantages, but titanium watches aren’t widely popular. The shortcomings of the Seiko are apparent and have been widely communicated, but the watch is still desired for its appearance. The bezel is more refined in its width, knurling, script and overall clarity. The dial is more aesthetic. The contrast between the quarter hour and hour markers is stronger. Those markers are clear and no larger than necessary, giving the dial an uncrowded appearance. The hands have more presence. The chapter ring makes the hour/minute markers clear from all angles. And the view of these markers is not distorted as it is by the bevel on the crystal of the Citizen. All of these clarity advantages are accentuated in the dark and enhanced by the Seiko’s stronger lume. Your images show the Citizen’s crystal to be more reflective. The Seiko’s crown is better proportioned and more functional.

I like the Citizen more than the Seiko. No objective reason.

Great comparison Chris. It would definitely be the the Citizen for me. If I could get past my Mercedes hand phobia.

You can get that SBDC061 new for $900 all day. Used for under $600.

Breaking $1000 with an unsigned crown is a perfect microcosm of what Seiko is doing these days: trying to move upmarket with cut corners. I love the Seikos I have, but I just don’t understand what they’re doing right now.

@seabiscuit726142

Жыл бұрын

The SLA057 doesn't have a signed crown either! And it costs $5,000 or more!

@mudson7380

Жыл бұрын

@@seabiscuit726142 Yup. They want the money, but don't want to put in the work. Don't get me wrong, I don't think that signed crowns are the end-all be-all, but its a detail. At certain price points, one would expect the details to be appropriately tended to.

@seabiscuit726142

Жыл бұрын

@@mudson7380 And the frosted X on the MM300 (SLA021) wears off over time. Ask me how I know...lol. It's not even engraved!

I like both but I don't think the seiko is a 1200 dollar watch. I could say the same about the citizen, not 990 for sure, but there s the legacy and stuff. The citizen at 700 and the Seiko at 550 makes more sense to me but seiko has gone nuts with their prices so.. I like both, lean towards the citizen more but I love the hands on the Seiko a lot..

Will be more interesting to compare the citizen seiko62 more close size and movement

Nice comparison! Citizen doesn’t get enough respect from watch geeks. Citizen’s Super Titanium is amazing. Citizen wins this one hands down in my humble opinion! The clasp in the Citizen is cool!

Tough. Hard choice. I think the Citizen wins, not by much. And I am a Seiko mega fan..yet it is better priced, made from titanium, looks a bit better on your wrist, I personally prefer the blue color- so yep🤷🏼‍♂️

I have the titanium citizen you have been talking about and a king turtle I find that for the money the citizen is better finished even though it’s half the price and also being in the trade unless you spend plus £1000 on a seiko the citizen just seem to be finished higher I also have the. Alpinist on bracelet and again it’s no match for my bullhead titanium eco for similar money as far as finishing and alignment

Citizen for me. FYI: the Seiko is listed for $671 and the Citizen for €586 (at the time of writing) with a popular JDM seller. Both no longer available there, of course. But even with competing JDM sellers, prices vary, be careful. But shop around!

I prefer the Citizen diver watch

I have a few Seiko watches, an SKX013, and a Seiko "Arnnie." I want a citizen watch due to better quality control.

@WatchChris

3 ай бұрын

Thanks for the comment

I love my Seikos, I have 5, but I just would not pay that much for one. The most expensive I have is the SRPE05 (king turtle grenade) but thats the cut off. As for saphire, if I wanted a good value diver with saphire, I'd just wear my Kamasu which was less than a quarter of that Citizen. The increasing trend of, what were ostensibly, low/budget cost watch makers charging increasing amounts for no real improvement is worrying and they're just encouraging more people to towards microbrand/aliexpress knockoffs.

@TheCcmarine

Жыл бұрын

I agree and I would choose a few micro brands over these even though I do like them both. I would rather get the new titanium Baltic on the rubber strap.

@jakeeleebattos9942

Жыл бұрын

I hear u on that.i own the same turtle u mentioned and like a few more king turtles..you should look up long island watch Co..marc makes a damn good diver and more..he takes the discontinued SKX dimensions and throws that into his dive watches along with sapphire crystals and ceremic bezels on all his divers.and he does lume very well even on the bezels.he also uses screws to size all his watches that come on a bracelet instead of the pain in the ass pin and collar like seiko..he does everything and more that seiko does for less money..i highly recommend long island watch Co.

The dial of the Citizen is very clasic but the deep blue makes it really beautiful, at least to me 😍

I would prefer the Citizen watch

so hilarious...if you freeze frame the opening to your video you can see the 'famous' seiko misalignment between dial markers and chapter ring on the '6' and '12'. haven't been in your video more than several seconds and see the quality differences...and the seiko costs twice what the citizen does. i would never buy another seiko...they're not at all the brand they once were. also, i do now own that citizen 'challenge' reedition...it's incredible.

pretty sure you can find that seiko for 800 usd. I bought mine for that few months ago.

Citizen for the win! What a beautiful watch.

They both look nice, but the Citzen is a bit of a bargain. I hear the movement is rather good, super accurate and sweeps at 28800 bpm for Rolex smoothness. The lightness will appeal to me. I have an SPB053 which is similar in proportions, case detail and quality to your Seiko and I love it. I have a 7.5 inch wrist like yours and it fits and feels great. I have seen the black version of the Citizen with silicon strap and it looks great, althought the Citizen bracelet seems good, I think the centre links look too wide unlike an oyster. I'm really keen on getting the black version and have it, pretty much, as a one watch collection with rubber and Nato straps, the lightness really does intrigue me. Thanks for the great review. It's a 'poor' man's Pelagos 39mm, maybe?

So Chris,tell us which one of these two are you going to let go?the Citizen or Seiko.

I'm not really a fan of watches without crown guards. Having said that, I'd love the Seiko case and hands with the Citizen's dial and bezel insert. Definitely sucks when you have two watches that can create a better looking baby. 😂

Citizen is my pick hands down.

They are both cool watches but I prefer Citizen. 💯✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️✌️

The spb321 is my choice of seiko

That Seiko is not $1200, maybe list but not street. it's $1050 at Hodinkee and ~$700 at online Japanese retailers. Also, the Citizen is cased in China, where labor is cheaper. The Seiko is made in Japan. This should be mentioned, if the Citizen was made in Japan, it would cost more. In reality, both are priced quite fairly, and not too differently.

My bet for the 28800 on the Citizen

Both good brands raising their prices. There are even better brands that lower their prices.

Lo único que me gusta del seiko el Lumen por diseño y materiales de construcción y movimiento me gusta el citizen "ah y también por precio $$"

Citizen is the new Seiko my vote goes to citizen it has a story meanwhile Seiko it has alot of complaints

I was excited when I saw the Citizen press photos. However, in the hand it looks quite cheap (based on videos).

This Seiko is also Zaratsu Polished

I,m a Seiko guy and the Citizen takes this one.better bracelet,a high beat superior movement albeit 42hr reserve.beveled Xstal.and it's nice in Ti.only downsize is that smaller crown,screw up the symmetry of the watch.

Seiko is beat hands down. Forgot to mention the high beat onthe Citizen

Since Seiko is winding down production of this watch in favour of the MM reduced, i would have rather seen that comparison with the Citzn.

Is the Seiko a fake? Because theres no chapter ring misalignment spotted in the video lol...Seiko knows of this issue and chooses not to address the problem. Heck even their SLA017, one of their highest end model has the same issue. I got turned off by it and sold it off. You dont see Swiss brands with the same price point having such troubling issue.

Citizen all the way

The Citizen really needs AR coating.Nice watch

👍👍👍 Nice Watch 👍👍👍

The sbdc051/053 may have been a closer comparison

@WatchChris

Жыл бұрын

Yeah I agree. I tried to get one but my friend couldn't get it to me in time. Unfortunately I have to send back the citizen. Maybe I can do that comparison in the future

@jh-il5sb

Жыл бұрын

@@WatchChris when I bought my 051 several years ago, i was deliberating between the 051 and the 061. I remember seeing your video on the 061 and how much you liked that watch....glad to see you still have it. I have been contemplating getting one now that the price has come down.

Come on Seiko… what is up with the chapter ring at the six o’clock position being misaligned too.

Citizen 🎉definitly

I own the citizen. Has anyone told you that you sound like Kermit the Frog 🐸 Great video, thanks.

I've owned a number of each brand and while I think Citizen has less QC issues, they just don't stick around in my collection. I'm a Seikopath all the way and that will always be my preference

Citizen is better because citizen diver has a Logo on the crown.

#teamcitizen

The Citizen has one more over the Seiko - Magnetic resistance: 16000 A/m.

@iXus78

Жыл бұрын

Seiko magnetic resistance for their 6R movement only 4800 A/m. The Seiko 6R only beats at 21,600 bph (Citizen 9xxx series mechanical beats at 28,800 bph) and 6R also hv some reported accuracy issues. The only plus for the 6R35 is the P.R. of 70 hours.

Why the hell can't Seiko get bezels to align anymore???? Doesn't inspire confidence in longevity simple quality control seems to have gone down the pan. Citizen would have preferred it if they had done markers all around the bezel. From my own experience with both makes would opt for the Citizen..

Citizen is hands down better looking

The design of the Seiko looks much classier and minimal. That alone would make me gravitate towards it.

Think I will leave both and buy the new trident from Christopher Ward

Citizen fot this time

I believe titanium is a softer metal Than stainless steel...I'm almost 100% sure. It's lightweight but soft

@ufukbayraktar5091

4 ай бұрын

Kesinlikle öyle. En güzel saat malzemesi paslanmaz çeliktir.

Citizen all the way. Also it’s titanium, lighter and tougher than steel.

On your wrist the Seiko looked better, but off your wrist the Citizen looked better. If that makes any sense.

Citizen and Seiko. Citizen was acquired by Seiko a few years back.

@iXus78

Жыл бұрын

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

I have this Seiko, the Twilight Blue edition. Seiko nailed it with this design. Itvwears smaller, looks better, it can be dressier. I know rolex guys drooling over them.. and this black edition is so right in everything

Like the look of the citizen better (first time ever)

Citizen all day long. Just better all round, Seiko send me to sleep and are way too expensive for what they are.

seiko mercedes benz and citizen is lexus

is like honda vs toyota😆🤣🥳🤩😁😹👹🤑🤑🤑🤑

Just can't get with the design choices of citizen, they do make a nice watch and I've had an eco-drive chronograph of theirs for years and years now. Still would have to go with the seiko, it's for sure over-priced and too big, but it just looks miles better in style and design.

I would definitely choose the seiko. Seiko Finnish crystal and lume are better. Seiko design and brand heritage win imo.

Seiko may not be the best at QC, and may well be over priced, but they produce watches with their own unique design. Citizen don't have this for me. Their design language is behind Seiko and is often let down by poor choices. For me despite all the reasons not to buy a Seiko I would still pick it over the Citizen .

I like the Seiko more

As soon as I saw the Mercedes hand i said no just makes it look weird to me , I'm not a fan of Mercedes hands even on Rolex.

The Seiko just looks better

Many microbrand or small independents make better watches for the same or less $$. Zelos is just one. Seiko does nothing for me. I do own a couple Citizen solar models but I don't wear them often. I no longer buy watches without saphire crystal. My wrist hangs ay door knob level. Makes for crystal scratches.

Mercedes hands. In 2022. Why?

@squinkygordon1322

Жыл бұрын

The Citizen Challenge Diver from the 70s, also had Mercedes hands. The design is virtually identical but the case is slightly larger on the new one.

@Bob.martens

Жыл бұрын

@@squinkygordon1322 I did not know that. Thanks. I do understand where the design historically comes from, but I just can't get to like the look of it. Large areas of lume in hands have been done better for a long time now:) It's personal.

@squinkygordon1322

Жыл бұрын

@@Bob.martens I understand completely! Mercedes hands have been played out, especially with all the sub homages that are out there. The only reason I can even stomach them on this Citizen is because of the historical precedence of them having been on the original model from the 70s. Citizen is finally jumping on the retro reissue bandwagon, but they're a little late to the party. I'm kind of bummed that there isn't a JDM version with "Made in Japan" on the dial.

If you absolutely have to unload one of them; let the Citizen go. If they were mine, that's what I'd do. 1) Case size & shape to Seiko. 2) Case material to Citizen. 3) Crown size to Seiko. 4) Crown location to Seiko. 5) Bezel overall to Seiko. **Better detailed, takes less real estate and still super easy to read. 6) Bezel alignment to Citizen. 7) Lume to Seiko. 8) Handset to Seiko. ***Despise the Mercedes handset as it immediately makes me think of Rolex and homages to Rolex. 9) Bracelet to Seiko. 10) Price to Citizen.

@TheBlondygirl69

Жыл бұрын

Guy,the Citizen has a much better movement and bracelet.Citizen for the win.

@a_z.tazzzfan8497

Жыл бұрын

@@TheBlondygirl69 For me, the movements are a wash. The overall finish on the Seiko is more to my liking. However, hands down the clasp goes to the Citizen. Another point to Seiko that I overlooked earlier - the drilled through lugs. I researched parts of the video. I also like the crystal on the Citizen over the Seiko. On a side note; if both watches had Solar movements I'd be in your corner 100% about the Citizen having the better movement. Bottom line - They're both nice pieces, each having their own advantages & disadvantages and in the end it's up to the individual making the purchase which is better for him or her. 👌😎⌚🤙

Seiko Gud