High Praise for the Hand-Made Citizen Signature Series

 

 

This Watch Zone UK article compares the Citizen Signature Series to watches that cost several thousand dollars. I like the Citizen Grand Touring, the Citizen BL1259 shown here, and the BL1250. A lot of watch for the money, it appears.

Comments

[jonnybardo]

As you know, Jeff, I own the chronograph version of this and love it. I've considered buying the blue dial version, the BL1259, but have others on the queue before it. But I went through a phase of wearing it exclusively for over a week earlier in the month, which is unusual for me. It single-handedly got me re-interested in chronographs.

Anyhow, I've compared it to the Seiko Sumo and see it as of similar quality, but with a better bracelet which makes it seem more expensive. It reminds me of a Tag Heuer.

[herculodge]

I seem to drawn to the non-chrono versions, the dark blue, black, copper, and gray dials. I'm in trouble. I think I even saw a reddish dial.

[jonnybardo]

Here's the black dial version for $499 OBO:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/CITIZEN-SIGNATURE-MENS-PERPETUAL-CALENDAR-ECO-DRIVE-WATCH-BL1250-55E-New-in-Box-/191008544912

And here's one starting at $300 or $475 Buy It Now:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/BRAND-NEW-CITIZEN-PERPETUAL-CALENDAR-ECO-DRIVE-WATCH-BL1250-55E-WITH-WARRANTY-/161181892926

The bezel is 43mm across, but it feels a tad bigger than that due to the width of the bracelet. It looks and feels a tad bigger than the Black Monster, but a tad smaller than the Sumo.

[Angelo]

And here I am---strongly considering treating myself to an "Aeromatic" Christmas gift (from me!), even though I overspent and broke the bank on my 9 year old. But I've wanted an Aeromatic (or Tauchmeister) with multiple large crowns for quite a while now---and think I might have found what I'm looking for. If I get it, I'll send pix.

[jonnybardo]

Treat yourself, Angelo - you deserve it. Ha ha.

[Angelo]

I did just that, Jonny! Here is a photo of the one I bought, the Aeromatic A1327.

http://www.watchxl.nl/media/catalog/product/cache/11/image/265x265/99f345ac8348d58dcca71ac9b6677285/a/e/aeromatic_a1327-1.jpg

The one I've been more focused on is the A1328. I like the more subtle white and silver on black of the 1328 better than the orange on black of the one I bought---but my 1327 will have FOUR protective crowns instead of "only" three! Also, while I like the chronograph function of the 1328---I think it makes the face look a little busy---my 1327 has larger numerals (and I have many other chronos in general, including some in the Tauchmeister/Aeromatic family). But really, it was the price that was the determining factor. I found a deal "too good to pass up" on the 1327. I was able to get it for about $100.00 less than I would have paid for the 1328 (which never seems to go on sale). Here is a picture of the one I passed on----but hey, maybe it'll be in my future.

http://item.shopping.c.yimg.jp/i/j/ks-facter0101_a1328

[Angelo]

Oh, and I said the numerals on the 1327 are orange...but I think they call it "warm red."