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Every Reason Why the Citizen Promaster Is the Perfect Watch for the Outdoors

Citizen Aqualand watch at sea.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Air. Land. Sea. Space? It’s difficult to find a wristwatch that can seamlessly move between all of those environments, survive the varying conditions, and still offer everything you’d need to get by. Well, beyond keeping track of the time, anyway. And maybe you’ll never find a watch that can handle all of those places — the cold and vacuous reaches of zero gravity are not a likely candidate here — but you can certainly find something durable, stylish, and valuable. That’s precisely the concept behind Citizen’s Promaster watch collection, which has been around for more than 30 years. That’s right, for over 3 decades, Promaster watches have accompanied adventurers and explorers on many thrilling journeys all over the world. Thanks to Citizen’s proprietary, and absolutely fantastic, Eco-Drive technology, the watches are powered merely by light and never need a battery. Imagine never needing to replace a watch battery ever again?

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With a full-charge, Eco-Drive equipped watches can last for months at a time, and there’s no need to replace any batteries or conduct any maintenance, except for maybe cleaning the face — they just work. They can charge with a host of light sources too, not just sunlight. For example, indoor fluorescent lighting, desk lights, lamps, you name it!

Of course, functionality is important in a wristwatch, no argument there, but style is also a huge consideration. All variants of the Promaster series look stunning, with a unique take on form and function. The Promaster Sea collection is designed from the seabed-up for divers. The Promaster Land series is designed from the soil-up for terrain-based explorers. Finally, the Promaster Air series is designed from the clouds-down — but hopefully not all the way down — for aviators and frequent flyers. For each of those collections, there are multiple models available, as well, to showcase your personal style. Praise aside, these watches are fantastic for outdoors folk, who dabble in a variety of activities from hiking to swimming and beyond. We’re going to take a closer look at why some of these models are the best option for resourceful adventurers, like you!

Why Citizen Promaster Watches Are Perfect for the Great Outdoors?

Each model is different, as there are some for racing, others for hiking, and even watches for pilots and flying high in the sky! Ultimately, though, a lot of the Promaster models have similar features that make them so great for outdoor use and adventurers! Some of those features are:

  1. They’re durable with scratch-resistant and tough designs.
  2. Promaster watches are water-resistant.
  3. They include functionality to match the activity like a tachymeter for measuring speed or a depth meter.
  4. With Eco-Drive technology they remain powered indefinitely by ambient light, artificial or natural.
  5. Masterful time-keeping technology and designs like atomic clocks or horizon line-style faces.
  6. Many aesthetically pleasing and feature-rich models so you can find your style!

To get a grasp of just how awesome these watches are, you need to take a closer look at some of the designs Citizen offers.

Citizen Promaster Sea Collection

Citizen Promaster Aqualand BJ2167-03E watch product image.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

There are many places that comparable watches can go, but the deepest depths are not commonly one of them. Even most waterproof watches must stay in the shallows. The Promaster Sea line makes use of Eco-Drive technology to power internal components, eliminating the need to open up the watch, break the seal, and expose it to water leaks. They’re also rated for much deeper depths than other wristwear.

Examples of sea-friendly Promasters include Aqualand, Aqualand 200M Depth Meter, Diver, and GMT.

Spotlight Model: Promaster Aqualand (BJ2167-03E)

One of Citizen’s newest diver-friendly watches, the

Aqualand

is ISO-compliant for water resistance and is safe to use up to a depth of 200-meters — nearly 657-feet. It has a built-in depth meter with a gauge that measures up to 50-meters. Additional features include a sapphire crystal face, screw-down crown, illuminated hands and markers, and Eco-Drive technology.

Citizen Promaster Major Features:

  • 50mm case with 200-meter water-resistance
  • Sapphire crystal watch face
  • Auto-start dive mode with depth display up to 50-meters
  • Screw-down crown and pushers
  • Illuminated hands and markers
  • Eco-Drive technology with power reserve indicator

Citizen Promaster Land Series

Citizen Promaster MX BL5570-01E watch product image.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Meant for those traversing tough terrain, the Promaster Land series is best-suited to mountain climbers, hikers, backpackers, and even racers. They’re made more durable than most comparable devices to withstand the extreme conditions of the outdoors, with scratch-resistant glass, and untreated stainless steel chassis’. Anti-shock, anti-magnetic, and Duretect™ coating treatments vastly improve durability, too.

Promaster Land models worth mentioning include the Altichron, Promaster SST, Tsuno Chrono Racer, and Promaster MX.

Spotlight Model: Promaster MX (BL5570-01E)

While Promaster Land models come with a host of functions,

the MX

has the need for speed, and is the perfect companion for racers. The 1/20-second chronograph measures up to 60-minutes, with a tachymeter to discern speed over distance. Bold red accents mesh with the leather straps reminiscent of motocross styling.

Features:

  • 43mm case with 200-meter water-resistance
  • Sapphire crystal watch face
  • Tachymeter to measure speed over distance with 1/20 second chronograph
  • Perpetual calendar, alarm, and date display
  • Dual time zones with 12/24-hour time display
  • Eco-Drive technology for sustainable power

Citizen Promaster Air Collection

Citizen Promaster Navihawk A-T AT8227-56X watch product image.
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Pilot-inspired, the Promaster Air series are timepieces for those who spend most of their time in the skies, well above the surface of the Earth. Most of the watches also include functionality for air travel, like navigation, multiple time zone displays, related measurements, and so on.

Some notable Promaster Air models including the Navihawk A-T, Nighthawk, Skyhawk A-T, and Blue Angels Skyhawk A-T.

Spotlight Model: Navihawk A-T (AT8227-56X)

During flight, no matter where you are, you want an accurate time reading, which can be surprisingly tough when you’re crossing time zones. The

Navihawk

offers atomic timekeeping with full synchronization across 26 time zones, so you always know exactly what time it is. It features a horizon line through the center of the dial, with an hourglass shape for the top and bottom sub-dials. This makes the watch face look an awful lot like a runway when landing. A perpetual calendar makes it easier to keep track of what’s happening at all times, too.

Features:

  • 48mm case with 200-meter water-resistance
  • Sapphire crystal watch face with anti-shock design
  • Atomic timekeeping synchronized across 26 time zones
  • Rotating 2-way bezel with navigational compass
  • Tachymeter to measure speed over distance
  • Eco-Drive technology for sustainable power

Briley Kenney
The Manual's resident cigar enthusiast and expert. Branded content writer. Purveyor of all things tech and magical.
Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces Polaris Chronograph in signature ocean grey lacquer
Lacquer mastery: Jaeger-LeCoultre's polaris chronograph features 35-layer ocean grey dial construction
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph

Jaeger-LeCoultre adds a new chronograph to its Polaris collection, featuring the brand’s Ocean Grey lacquer dial. This dial is built with impressive complexity: 35 layers of lacquer are applied by hand, with three different finishes giving it depth and character. The 42mm sports watch continues the approach the collection began in 2018, redefining what a modern, sporty, and chic timepiece can be.
The Polaris collection pays tribute to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s diving watches from the 1960s, taking their athletic spirit and translating it into a refined, contemporary design. The Ocean Grey version keeps the line’s signature elements—straight lines, curved lugs, a thin bezel, a glass box crystal, and a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The large crown and pushers are inspired by the original 1960s model, making them practical and easy to use.
The Ocean Grey dial itself is a showcase of craftsmanship, with a central disc, a middle ring for the hour markers, and an outer ring displaying a tachymeter scale. Sunray brushing on the central disc subtly contrasts with the polished hour ring, while the gradual color shift from light to dark adds visual depth across the dial.
Creating the dial requires meticulous handwork. It starts with a clear varnish base coat, followed by four layers of color and a black layer to create the gradient. Achieving a consistent gradient across the dial’s two main sections is a challenge, and then 30 more transparent lacquer layers are added to create the final sense of depth and richness.
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Inside, the automatic Caliber 761 is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house chronograph movement, combining technical performance with mechanical elegance. Two barrels power the column wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch, offering a 65-hour power reserve. The movement is finely finished, with blued screws, Côtes de Genève decoration, and an open-worked rotor bearing the ‘JL’ logo.
The entire movement is designed, produced, and assembled in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Manufactory in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux, making it a true in-house creation. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the movement and maintains 10-bar water resistance, ready for adventure.
The watch offers versatility with two strap options: a blue-grey canvas and a textured black rubber strap. An interchangeable folding buckle system makes it easy to switch straps, allowing the watch to adapt from casual elegance to active sports use.

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Bremont Supermarine 500M

Bremont updates its Supermarine collection for summer 2025, introducing a new model rated for 500 meters of water resistance. The 43mm watch features a wave-patterned dial and highlights the brand’s focus on practical tool watches under CEO Davide Cerrato, moving away from its traditional pilot watch history.
The new Supermarine incorporates changes first seen in 2024, including the use of 904L steel—a metal prized for its corrosion resistance, scratch durability, and bright finish. The dial’s black surface is shaped to mimic ocean waves, while white Super-LumiNova on the hour markers glows blue in the dark for visibility. Sword-shaped hands, inspired by military designs, ensure the time is easy to read in challenging conditions.
Bremont’s partnership with Tom Bridge, a champion freestyle kite surfer, underscores the collection’s adventurous spirit. Bridge, who grew up on the UK’s south coast, gained international attention for kite surfing in Storm Ciara in 2020, with winds reaching 94 mph. His video “Light Work” showcased his skill during a difficult period for the sport, and his family’s legacy in kite racing adds to his credibility as a brand ambassador.
Functional upgrades include a larger crown for use in cold water and a flat-sided guard to prevent accidental adjustments during demanding activities. The unidirectional ceramic bezel and helium escape valve cater to professional divers, even if the latter is more of a conversation piece for most owners.
The Supermarine 500M starts at $4,700 with a rubber strap, reflecting Cerrato’s vision of Bremont as a maker of purpose-built watches. While the Terra Nova and Martin-Baker aviator models maintain ties to aviation, the Supermarine stands out as the brand’s most dedicated tool watch for the sea, rather than the air.
For more details, visit the official Bremont site: https://www.bremont.com

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Citizen's Marvel watch

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Super Titanium makes the Zenshin five times harder and 40 percent lighter than steel, though it remains a challenging material to work with. Citizen’s decades of titanium expertise, recently showcased in exhibitions, allow for a sophisticated use of this metal that few brands can match.
The deep blue dial features subtle references to each Fantastic Four member: Mister Fantastic, Invisible Woman, Human Torch, and The Thing are marked at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock. A luminous 4 o’clock marker pays tribute to the team’s iconic number and enhances legibility during action.
Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology eliminates the need for battery changes, drawing power from any light source. This aligns with the superhero theme of limitless energy and environmental responsibility, ensuring reliable performance for any mission.
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This partnership demonstrates how entertainment brands can showcase advanced watchmaking, honoring movie history through thoughtful design rather than simple co-branding. The launch coincides with rising excitement for the upcoming Fantastic Four film, cementing the Zenshin’s place in both pop culture and horological history.
At $495, the Zenshin makes Super Titanium accessible to more people, staying true to Citizen’s commitment to innovation and quality.
For more details, visit the official Citizen site: https://www.citizenwatch.com

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