Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Weekender Garrison Field Watch

A year or two ago I bought a watch from Amazon when it was on sale for 1/2 price. It was a dandy watch, worked perfect, but it was *huge*, and pretty heavy. It was also pretty flashy, and I'm not. So I wound up only wearing it for "dressy" times, e.g., like church. Finally, the battery died, and I decided I didn't like the watch well enough to go to the expense of buying a new battery and the hassle of putting it in. So I decided I would buy a new watch that (1) wasn't as big, heavy, and flashy as this one, and (2) didn't have a battery - I hate messing with batteries. So I started researching watches, and when the next Amazon watch sale came along, I found a lovely *automatic* (we called it "self-winding" in the "old days") Seiko in the "military-inspired" minimalist style was that I was looking for. I *almost* bought it, but the rating was a flat 4.0/5, and there were enough negative reviews about stopping working and other problems that it gave me pause. In addition, I doubted that a self-winding watch would work reliably for someone like me who doesn't wear a watch all the time. So I did some more research, and discovered that there was a 3rd class of watches - solar-powered!! And the "solar" supposedly means any kind of light. I found this Citizen watch that looked almost exactly like the Seiko that I liked and almost bought. It was about 85 bucks, which seemed reasonable, esp. for a watch that didn't require me to buy a battery or even to walk around...lol I've had this watch for about 32 days now. I love the look, and it is keeping perfect time. I still only wear it when I go out (i.e., not around the house), and I've been leaving it in the kitchen where there is usually natural light during the day, plus bright artificial light on and off. So far it has worked fine. I did have to charge it under bright light for something like 12-15 hours initially, so I just left the kitchen light on overnight. I suppose some would say that cost me maybe a quarter, but I can live with that. The strap is of decent quality, albeit a bit stiff (I'm sure that would have loosened up with wear), but I just didn't like having to futz with securing the strap ever time I put it on (yes, I'm old and set in my ways). This was solved by one of the major life lessons I got from my dad. Along with teaching me how to determine the model year for 50s and 60s Fords and Chevys (back when they *didn't* all look alike, and when unveiling the new model Chevy was an actual event in my small town), and warning me to "never buy a used car, you're just buying somebody else's problems", my dad introduced me to the Spiedel Twist-O-Flex watch band. When he bought me my first watch when I was around 12, the first thing we did was take off the band that came with it and replace it with a brand-new Twist-O-Flex (yes, we had to take out several links to get it to fit my thin young wrist). Heck, I didn't even know you could take the band off a watch, much less change its size !!! This watch has an 18mm aperture (or w/e you call it where the band attaches), and an 18mm Twist-O-Flex fits it perfectly. The only negative would be the dearth of documentation. Other than a little folder with a few lines in about 30 languages, I was referred to a web site for info on charging and setting, etc. This is standard in the 21st century, but it still chaps me a bit. I won't apologize for the length of this review. This is the kind of review I like to find when I am considering buying an item, so this is just "do unto others" for me. Keep it up, Jeff B., you are doing a great job !!! P.S. I added a couple of pics with the new band, mainly to practice with my new Kindle Fire...:)

Regardless of price range, there will always be a seemingly endless amount of watches to choose from. Sometimes it can be daunting, but always fun! This was my very first watch i purchased. I went inexpensive initially in the event watches weren't really my thing. After a good time researching, I pulled the trigger on this little guy after reading the rave reviews. After three years of wearing this watch on and off, hiking in mountains, forests, rocky terrain, water activities, etc., I decided I would give an accurate assessment about this particular little time piece. Brand - I truly believe Citizen is the very best value when it comes to watches under $500.00. One can argue Seiko and Orient. I own all three brands, and feel like my three Citizens are made a bit better. Citizen is well respected among watch enthusiasts, and is a FANTASTIC brand for someone looking to purchase their first timepiece Movement - As you probably know by now, this watch is powered by Citizen's own Eco-Drive Quartz Movement. Needing no battery or servicing, this watch will stay maintenance-free for years on end. And it just charges by light? Amazing cutting edge. Accuracy - No shock here. Being quartz, this watch is supremely accurate. Mine tested out about 1.5 seconds fast a week. No arguments there! Looks - I love the way this watch looks. Everything just works. At 90 dollars, it's important not to try and look like a cheap, ugly homage of another watch. Citizen did a bang up job here with a field inspired look. The dial is a matte black with white font. The indices are not applied, but one cannot expect that at this price point. Fantastically, the dial has day/date windows, and even has the days in Spanish (pretty cool). The second hand is somewhat of a red/orange, but adds a really nice splash on an otherwise black and white dial. And guess what? This watch has pretty darn good lume! Quite impressive at this price point. Many watches don't have any lume at all. The hands and all of the numbers glow with a very pretty turquoise blue. Again, do not expect Seiko divers brightness here. Size - I love it. Now, it won't be for everyone at around 37mm or so, but there is so much dial squeezed into it, that it is always very easy to read the time. The watch is quite thin and light, almost disappearing on your wrist. Guys with really large wrists, may want to avoid. Enclosing, this is a spectacular little watch for the price. For less than $100 dollars you are getting a highly respected watch brand, an eco-drive battery/maintenance free movement, extremely accurate time, minimalist and attractive design, legible night lume, and a traditional sized watch. What a package! Sure, the mineral crystal will take light surface scratches, but that just adds to the character anyway, right? My only real complaint is the lugs are a bit sharp. They need to round them out a bit, but fortunately they do not interfere in anyway while wearing the watch. Watches like this make you contemplate while you are shelling out 100x more money on watches. This could serve you as your everyday companion for the rest of your life. Sure, there will likely come a time where your taste grows and you want higher end pieces, but this BM8180 is all you will ever NEED. Truly exceptional.

Es un poco pequeño pero se ve realmente genial. Es un excelente reloj de alta calidad a un excelente precio.. Muy recomendable, me encanto.

Its a perfect daily beater, great legibility, solar powered, and it goes well with many different straps!!

Me gustó mucho , muy bonito y el precio más barato que en México . El único detalle es que la caja vino rota , pero el reloj está en perfectas condiciones . Enviado desde Alemania hasta México, el reloj se puede configurar en español y en inglés ! .

Amazing watch for price. Does everything I ask of it.

Received the item original as advertised though the box/packaging looks old and a little beat up