Is this Citizen the answer to Seiko’s SKX?

Describing the Citizen Promaster NY0040 range of watches as the SKX killer is a disservice to these Citizen watches that are loved by many, me included.

I’ve never had the privilege to own a Seiko SKX, not because I don’t like the look of them, I do, but the prices they are demanding are a little too rich for my blood. The only other watch that fits the bill and is on par with the SKX is the NY0040 models from Citizen.

Of course I didn’t want to settle for any NY0040 watch, it had to be the full dial lume one, the Citizen Promaster NY0040-09W.

The Citizen Promaster NY0040-09W is a cult model so I knew it would be difficult to find one. My hunt for this Citizen led me to Amazon in Germany where an AD had new old stock of these watches, and all at a reasonable price (sub AUD$400).

When the Promaster NY0040-09W was delivered it was an instant attraction – I loved the packaging (who doesn’t love a faux oxygen tank!) and the beautiful light fluro lime dial, and also the underpants marker at 12 o’clock!

The only thing that letdown the watch was the stiff rubber band, which turned out to be ok, but nowhere near the comfort level of the Seiko Prospex Tunas I am used to wearing. Having a spare Uncle Straps Razor-Wire straight end bracelet, I knew exactly the watch I was going to put it on.

One very interesting tidbit with this particular watch, even though the dial has the movement referenced as the non-hacking Miyota 8203, the caseback has the reference to the newer (hacking) 8204 movement – which then led me to investigate further!

Chatting to another watch addict (hey Marcaise!), I was pleasantly surprised to learn that Citizen had updated the NY0040 range with the improved 8204 movement and added a stronger lume on the indices and hands some 18+ months ago. The way to tell if your NY0040 is a newer model (with the 8204 movement), is to check the round lume pip at the 60 minute mark on the bezel – if it is convex shaped, then you have a newer model watch. For the record, the older NY0040 models have a concave pip.

So is there anything I dislike about this watch? You bet there is, but it’s not enough to detract from its many many positives. First and foremost is the rubber band – it’s just too stiff out of the box and requires lots of wearing in before it conforms to your wrist and starts feeling comfortable. The next thing is the bezel – it has some freeplay and feels a tad flimsy, but I can forgive Citizen for it. What I can’t forgive Citizen about is the use of a black day/date wheel – it’s just so hard to read – what the heck were they thinking?! If they only used white, then this watch would have been perfect!

Will this watch remain in the collection? For now, the answer is an emphatic YOU BET!