The Citizen Watch Review: Is Citizen Automatic Black Good Enough?

As a businessman, a watch is definitely one thing that I pay attention to. A round shape on my wrist that without me doing anything, a wristwatch perpetuates its own elegance and even completes my overall look. A suit and a nice watch — my way to go to attend formal meetings or just have a leisure discussion with colleagues. And my choice often falls for the charm of Citizen watch that implies its simplicity.

Not necessarily a very high-end watch but I look for the one I like — either the ones produced with an avant-garde style along with its glorious story or a range of watches that pursue the dream to be the best in the industry by making surprising innovations. Citizen has produced dozens of watches that highlight the beauty of simplicity with the main key as its charm. Among watches manufactured by them, I would like to introduce one of my favorites in this Citizen watch review. It’s none other than the Citizen Automatic Black Ref. NB1050-59E.

A glimpse of The Citizen Watch brand

I would like to begin with a short introduction to the Citizen watch brand. For over 100 years, Citizen managed to be one of the leading movement and watch manufacturers from Japan. While still holding the value of traditional watchmaking, Citizen also advanced its craftsmanship with significant innovations — prominent surprises have been made under its belt. Talking about Citizen, the Eco-Drive technology would definitely be the first thing that resembles the brand.

The innovation was created in 1976, making their watches stand out from the rest to be powered by a light source. It uses light and converts it with the help of an inbuilt solar cell as an energy to make the watch work. As such, this is the significant milestone to create Citizen eco watches that shaped the brand’s culture until today.

Further, all of the Citizen’s watch components and movements are entirely in-house in Japan, which I find really cool. All of these things result in timepieces that retain some of their value and offer impressive performance. Citizen produces a true gem while also offering them at a modest price segment.

The Citizen watch review

The bread and butter of the Citizen watches are affordable timepieces with impressive practical functionality. The Citizen Automatic Black Ref. NB1050-59E is the one I consider the most attractive one that I’m pleased to tell you about in this Citizen watch review. It is one of our pick for best watches under $1000.

Read More: 5 Best Eco-Drive Watches: Citizen’s Stylish and Eco-Friendly Lineup

The movement

The movement powering the Citizen Automatic Black is the Caliber 9011 automatic movement — the one that will perform as reliable as its Japan frontier watchmaking company, Seiko. It is supported by 24 jewels to provide an accurate time movement and feature a healthy 42 hours of power reserve. To top it off, this beauty is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback — admiring the intricate parts in all its glory. I enjoy looking at how the movement is decorated in a semi-skeletonized rotor added with Côtes de Genève finishes. Try to look closer at the movement and you’ll realize how intriguing are the decorative features in it, such as the embossed text, perlage polishing, and carefully brushed surfaces.

The dial

In this Citizen watch review, I would say that the dial is the main highlight. A simple watch that radiates elegance and confidence. The dial might look usual as most of the dress watches but the balance that Citizen offers in this watch, resulting in a formal look yet sporty. Underneath, its scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, the deep black dial found its minimalist vibe that looks symmetrically admiring with its applied hour indices and Citizen logo. A perfect well-proportioned and clutter-free style for a dress watch – I’d say – with a date window placed at the 3 o’clock position.

Despite being a dress watch, this Citizen watch is generously treated with luminous on-the-hour indices and hands to create a strong blue glow — making it works well despite the lighting conditions. Add to that raised, the faceted baton hands, clearly sweep the outer track to provide great legibility. I just couldn’t resist admiring the display on this simple dial. Simplicity is, just simply, the key to my happiness.

The case

Moving on to the case, this Citizen watch has a classic, simple, dressy, and sporty look that I would consider an everyday timepiece — good all day and every day. It comes in a 316L stainless steel case at 38mm in diameter, 47mm lug to lug distance, and a slim case with 10.5mm thick. The size would perfectly fit to sit comfortably on the wrist throughout the day. One step further, the case is applied with a Duratect Platinum surface-hardening technology to provide an optimal level of hardness that protects the exquisite finishes and holds its attractive shine. Make it worth a title one of the best Citizen watches.

The finishing is also well done with a remarkably high level of quality — a fine brushing at the top of the lugs and the side of the case. Not to mention, a mirror-like polishing applied on the bezel and the glorious chamfered edge, resulting in a gleaming charm under the light. Overall, the design leans as a dress watch but also falls into the beauty of sports watches. As such, this timepiece would be a good companion either with formal business attire or on casual appearance.

The bracelet

The simplicity of the watch is accompanied by a stainless steel bracelet, resulting in a dress watch imbued with a sporty look. It comes in a 19mm bracelet with a brushed 3-link style, solid end links, and Citizen signed push-button deployment clasp. This bracelet is such a nice perk that adds and straps the overall look of the Citizen Automatic Black watch.

Read More: Citizen vs Seiko: Comparing the Leading Japanese Watch Brands

Final verdict

To end my Citizen watch review I would say the Citizen Automatic Black is truly a perfect fit for my needs. Overall, it matched me as a person who loves everything to be simple yet exudes elegance. It’s not the most flashy and luxurious one but Citizen watches could be your reliable one. Citizen watch is the true gem from the East for a decent price. 

While I believe that we are all into luxury watches, sometimes we just need to step back and appreciate the impressive value of craftsmanship in watches. An in-house automatic with a range of great features for under $600 USD is truly enlightening. You’ll be totally satisfied with what you pay.