This Citizen Divers watch actually has a great history to it, earlier models were used by Military and Police units, most notably being the Italian Marina Millitare‘s go-to watch! And were actually issued to them. They looked very similar but had Marina Militare on the dial and were good for 500m rather than this ones 200m. I like a bit of history, especially some Military history. It also has a neat ND Limits strap on it. In 1985, Citizen introduced a watch that would become a favourite of divers and watch enthusiasts, a watch that made an impact and that is still, today, one of the brand’s most emblematic models, the Aqualand – which is extensively explained in this in-depth article. It was the world’s first watch fitted with an electronic/digital depth gauge, which anticipated what would eventually become the standard equipment for divers: diving computers. But still, when presented, the Aqualand wasn’t yet a Promaster. Protecting the front of the timepiece is a mineral crystal glass. This is commonly found on mid range watches as well as diving timepieces. Mineral crystal glass is specially hardened to offer a good level of both scratch and shatter resistance. The shatter resistance if often a key decider for diving watches as you’d often rather have better shatter resistance than scratch resistance. This is why we don’t see sapphire crystal glass so often. Watch Movement

NY0040-50W Promaster Aqualand Automatic Acciaio Full Lume NY0040-50W Promaster Aqualand Automatic Acciaio Full Lume

All jokes aside, I love that the Panerai designers used lume to draw a watch. Not just any watch, but a Panerai watch. You don’t need anything more than the lume to recognize the iconic appearance of the brand’s Luminor. But do not think for a minute that this is just a spectacular watch in the dark. The PAM01117 is a spectacular watch all around, also during the day. The titanium case, in combination with that stunning dark blue dial, looks amazing. Combined with the Sportech strap, this truly is one of the most spectacular releases we have seen from Panerai recently. But in all honesty, in the dark is where this watch truly shines. As Rob perfectly stated: “If ever there was a watch made for the world of Tron, this is it.”Another great thing about the watch is that you can always change the strap to any bracelet you prefer. If you don’t like the rubber strap or are looking forward to wearing the watch in a more casual or formal setting, this is what you do. The Citizen NY0040 looks good on any strap such as nylon and stainless steel. Price of the Citizen NY0040 We love the watch as much as you’re probably loving it right now! Let’s review the specifications of the watch.

Citizen Promaster NY0040-50W | Ref. NY0040-50W Watches on

Let’s get this out of the way; both the Seiko SKX007 and Citizen NY0040 are good looking watches on the wrist. They are weighty and feel extremely solid. Both have presence but are extremely comfortable due to their median size. Speaking of size, while both are similar on paper, they certainly wear differently. The iconic 1982 Citizen Professional Diver 1300m. To deal with saturation diving, Citizen opted for an ultra-hermetic, rust-resistant titanium case. The first watch on this list had to be the Chronoswiss Timemaster CH 6233LU with a full lume dial. It is the watch that our own Lex wears quite regularly. What I love most about the watch is the clash of styles. The use of lume automatically somehow awakens feelings of the 1980s. Maybe it’s because I grew up in the ’80s, where neon and bright colors played a huge part in defining the decade’s style. Without delving too deep into the psyche of luminescence, the bright dial is the perfect contrasting “modern” element for Chronoswiss’ classical style. This clash of styles looks amazing in real life. Overall, the dial of this watch is clean and well-balanced. It’s basically how a basic dive watch should look and it doesn’t have unnecessary functions or information on it.Got to admit I despise expensive watches unless they are vintage and then the manufactures name really should not start with an ‘R’. This Citizen diver may not be the most iconic dive watch out there, but it does have quite an impressive history, as well as the specs to make it a thoroughbred diver. I can freely admit that this watch was never on my radar. As you might have read in my previous article on the Seiko 7002, it was the Seiko SKX line that firmly held my novice watch collector’s attention. However, being a student at the time the price was not one that I could even think about paying. I did know one thing — I wanted a proper automatic dive watch. The bad: Not too much at this price point. The strap is quite tough, and apparently takes a while to break in. The LHD crown is not built for using on this fat boys wrist. It’s a small screw down crown and it’s very hard to wind or correct something ‘on wrist’. Not a big complaint though.

NY0040 history info needed - is it vintage Citizen NY0040 history info needed - is it vintage

The Citizen Promaster NY0040 is often overshadowed when it comes to diving watches by the likes of the Seiko SKX007 or the Seiko SKX009 which there’s no denying, are impressive watches. I just think when it comes to ISO certified diving watches, the Promaster NY0040 deserves a little more credit. Seiko and Citizen are two Japanese watch companies that have been duking it out for decades. Both offer watches at all sorts of price ranges but really bring in revenue through production of moderately inexpensive, yet high quality, timepieces. Impressively, each company manufactures in-house movements and most of its own parts. Due to economic pressures, both now utilize factories throughout Asia instead of solely relying on Japan, but I’ve never been able to tell the difference quality-wise no matter where the pieces are made. Seiko and Citizen are famous in many sub-genres of watches, but both have really done well when it comes to their divers. Here again, the two make dive watches with a wide range of pricing and functionality and are revered by both professional and recreational divers. The strap of the NY0040 comes with the words “N.D limits” written on it. This means it has “No Decompression Limits”. To explain, this refers to the maximum amount of time that the watch can spend at certain depths before absorbing too much nitrogen before returning to the surface. As indicated by the strap, it doesn’t have that. So, it can stay at a certain depth at any given time. Chronoswiss produced more than one lume-inspired model in the early 2000s. Lex’ CH6233LU is a 44mm manual winding beast that pops off the wrist. Chronoswiss also produced a 40mm automatic version and a 40mm chronograph that is also stunning. If you are looking for something a bit more modest, those could be an option. But the overall proportions of the 44mm version look better.

Final Thoughts

As Dave explained: “The dial pattern comprises 2,650 individual trapezoids of varying opacity, each created with a linear diffraction pattern. They are etched with a high-power femtosecond laser (one femtosecond being a quadrillionth of a second), on three different levels within the sapphire crystal dial.” In low light conditions, the HyCeram in the sapphire dial will reflect off the Mosaic and result in a soft and almost ghostly glow. The sapphire hands are also coated with HyCeram, and the brand also uses it for the luminous indices and on the sapphire dial. The results are simply spectacular. Different gradations of light ensure that your focus will be on nothing else but the watch when it gets dark outside. This is using lume on a different level, and I love it. The NY004’s unique crown position at 8:00 has been preserved in the Fugu, although the crown itself is now knurled rather than grooved- in my opinion a great upgrade, as knurling is low profile, has a tidy presentation and is unparalleled for good grip. The unusual location is kind of divisive among dive watch enthusiasts; for me, I love it! It prevents the crown from digging into the top of the wrist at all, and really sets this watch apart from any other diver. The crown is also signed with the Citizen Promaster logo. I’m sure many people would be well aware having already seen the ISO diving certification but it’s worth mentioning that the Citizen NY0040 does have a screw down crown function. If you haven’t used a screw down crown before I’d have a read of this useful forum thread. Right off the bat, the case of Citizen NY0040 stands out for many reasons. Sure, it comes in your typical stainless steel design and it also has a satin finish, but it also has polished sides so it’s an impressionable watch. That alone already enhances the quality of the watch, making it look high-end.

Watches With The Most Spectacular Lume Dials The Seven Watches With The Most Spectacular Lume Dials

For those interested in a bracelet for this watch, anything with endlinks that fit the NY004 or the newer NY009 will fit this watch as well. I bought an inexpensive oyster style bracelet with solid links and folded endlinks for mine, and I love the way it wears. I’ve also worn this watch on a polished Milanese mesh, another great look. Final Thoughts There’s no denying it’s a well made Japanese watch that’s ideal for diving with the ISO certification and high visibility display. Plus it’s what I’d class as an affordable watch which is something I love featuring on this watch blog.

Let there be light! Lume is often referred to because of its functional properties. But there is something magical about it. Not too long ago, I was researching the best Heuer/TAG Heuer watches from the 1980s. During that quest, I was reminded of the brilliance of the brand’s full lume dial diving watches from the 1980s. On top of that, our Fratello master of lume Lex wears his Chronoswiss Timemaster with a full lume dial regularly. It triggered me to find out more about the brilliance of lume dials and put the spotlight on some of the best lume watches. Fiat lux! I got a Casio Promaster 8203-824393 Y GN-4-S. As far as I know it’s called the “Japan” version. For me it is the “Yellow” version which means it has a yellow dial and a yellow rubber dive strap. It has been used for all sorts of outdoor activities summer and winter for years. Dived with it in Tobago and the Grenadines plus NE. Compared it with the diving computer and the depth gauge was reliable down to 32 meters – i trusted it.