Which watch?
August 11, 2010 10:15 AM Subscribe
Can someone please tell me the pros/ cons/ differences between the Citizen 8700 and 2100 series men's watches? Do you have one or know someone who does? I have 3 specific models I am looking at.
I am planning on buying one very soon as a gift, but I think I just overwhelmed myself with data in researching which one was better and now I can not decide.
I was originally going to go with the Citizen Men's BL8097-52E Eco-Drive Calibre 8700 Black Ion-Plated Stainless Steel Watch, but after looking at other models, I am not sure. My fiance always notices watches with black bands, so that was my original idea.
After reading reviews for too many hours I am now also looking at the Citizen Men's AV0021-52H Eco-Drive Titanium Calibre 2100 Watch. I know titanium is lighter, so he might like that one.
Then I found this one Citizen Men's BL8000-54A Eco-Drive Calibre 8700 Watch. The face is really cool looking because it reminds me of an old antique pocket watch and he always loved this old pocket watch that his grandfather used to have.
I figure if I will be spending this much on a nice watch I want to make sure it isn't one that will go out of fashion, will look good both dressy & casual, and be one he really enjoys. I am definitely going with the Citizen Eco-Drive because I know he will just love it (he is really taken by kinetic watches and since this takes it even further he will think it is cool). Any input?
I am planning on buying one very soon as a gift, but I think I just overwhelmed myself with data in researching which one was better and now I can not decide.
I was originally going to go with the Citizen Men's BL8097-52E Eco-Drive Calibre 8700 Black Ion-Plated Stainless Steel Watch, but after looking at other models, I am not sure. My fiance always notices watches with black bands, so that was my original idea.
After reading reviews for too many hours I am now also looking at the Citizen Men's AV0021-52H Eco-Drive Titanium Calibre 2100 Watch. I know titanium is lighter, so he might like that one.
Then I found this one Citizen Men's BL8000-54A Eco-Drive Calibre 8700 Watch. The face is really cool looking because it reminds me of an old antique pocket watch and he always loved this old pocket watch that his grandfather used to have.
I figure if I will be spending this much on a nice watch I want to make sure it isn't one that will go out of fashion, will look good both dressy & casual, and be one he really enjoys. I am definitely going with the Citizen Eco-Drive because I know he will just love it (he is really taken by kinetic watches and since this takes it even further he will think it is cool). Any input?
Response by poster: Not sure why the links are not showing up. Sorry.
posted by MayNicholas at 10:32 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 10:32 AM on August 11, 2010
I am female so can't answer directly re the specific men's watches at issue, but I can tell you I wear a Citizens Eco Drive watch daily, and I love it. It keeps perfect time and never needs "charging" as ambient light keeps it rolling. Looks like this.
posted by bearwife at 10:41 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by bearwife at 10:41 AM on August 11, 2010
Also, I think this is the black watch you mean, this is the titanium one, and this is the antique-looking one.
And I vote for the black one, which is really sharp looking.
posted by bearwife at 10:44 AM on August 11, 2010
And I vote for the black one, which is really sharp looking.
posted by bearwife at 10:44 AM on August 11, 2010
Response by poster: Yes, yes, and yes! Thank you for posting those for me! Nice watch by the way!
posted by MayNicholas at 10:46 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 10:46 AM on August 11, 2010
Response by poster: Any men care to contribute their opinion on these watches?
posted by MayNicholas at 10:59 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 10:59 AM on August 11, 2010
I like my Ecodrive watch, but a few things to note. Setting the time, date, alarm is extremely frustrating and slow. (can take a good 10 minutes). Thank god you rarely have to do it, but it makes the alarm pretty much useless.
posted by wongcorgi at 11:01 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by wongcorgi at 11:01 AM on August 11, 2010
Response by poster: Good to know! He uses his phone as his alarm, so that should be fine.
posted by MayNicholas at 11:06 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 11:06 AM on August 11, 2010
There really isn't a "better" watch, it comes down to preference. All three watches come from the same reputable mid-tier manufacturer, and two of them have the same movement (8700) which means they just look different but operate in exactly the same way.
I have a Citizen with the 2100 movement and I would pick it over the watches with the 8700 movement. The 8700 movement has two subdials dedicated to features I don't particularly care for (day of week, calendar, alternate time zone) and has only one subdial dedicated to chronograph functions. They are also harder to read. I believe the other functions are accessed by turning the crown.
To make your decision even harder, this is the watch I have:
Citizen Promaster Titanium Eco Drive Chronograph AV0020-55A
I think it looks better than the 2100 you linked to, but again all of this is in the eye of the beholder.
posted by meowzilla at 11:14 AM on August 11, 2010
I have a Citizen with the 2100 movement and I would pick it over the watches with the 8700 movement. The 8700 movement has two subdials dedicated to features I don't particularly care for (day of week, calendar, alternate time zone) and has only one subdial dedicated to chronograph functions. They are also harder to read. I believe the other functions are accessed by turning the crown.
To make your decision even harder, this is the watch I have:
Citizen Promaster Titanium Eco Drive Chronograph AV0020-55A
I think it looks better than the 2100 you linked to, but again all of this is in the eye of the beholder.
posted by meowzilla at 11:14 AM on August 11, 2010
Response by poster: Yes he does like all those dials. At least, every watch I have seen him interested in has all those dials.
posted by MayNicholas at 11:14 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 11:14 AM on August 11, 2010
The only thing to think about with black metal bands is that it's possible to scratch the black coating especially on the sharp edges, and then they don't look as sharp. It just takes away a little from the timelessness of an expensive watch.
(And if we're suggesting Eco-Drive watches, I have the Citizen Nighthawk. Very sharp looking although the slide-rule is a bit gimmicky.)
posted by smackfu at 11:22 AM on August 11, 2010
(And if we're suggesting Eco-Drive watches, I have the Citizen Nighthawk. Very sharp looking although the slide-rule is a bit gimmicky.)
posted by smackfu at 11:22 AM on August 11, 2010
That's nor ordinary slide rule. It's a flight computer! Every flight instructor I've ever met has one.
posted by KevCed at 11:27 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by KevCed at 11:27 AM on August 11, 2010
Response by poster: That was one of the things I was worried about in choosing a black band. I looked at the Skyhawks, but didn't think all that extra stuff for flying was worth it.
posted by MayNicholas at 11:27 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 11:27 AM on August 11, 2010
wongcorgi is correct about adjustments taking forever, but the alarm is functional. The best function is the "local time" function, which allows you to adjust the time to a different timezone easily during travel. It still takes the hands several seconds to change, but it's a nice feature. It doesn't look like the second "titanium" watch has that function, so I would opt for one of the other two. I personally find the aesthetics of the "antique" one more appealing.
I assume you have explored eBay and other avenues for obtaining said watches. Citizen markets very different models in different countries, with their Japanese-only models typically being the most impressive. The Attesa models (except for the one linked below), for instance, typically can be synchronized with an atomic clock (alleviating much of the issue wongcorgi raised). Some non-US models also come with a sapphire crystal.
I have these two models: tonneau (with a black face) and Attesa (non-atomic) (with a yellow face), both of which are titanium, and both of which are fantastic.
posted by dilettanti at 11:32 AM on August 11, 2010
I assume you have explored eBay and other avenues for obtaining said watches. Citizen markets very different models in different countries, with their Japanese-only models typically being the most impressive. The Attesa models (except for the one linked below), for instance, typically can be synchronized with an atomic clock (alleviating much of the issue wongcorgi raised). Some non-US models also come with a sapphire crystal.
I have these two models: tonneau (with a black face) and Attesa (non-atomic) (with a yellow face), both of which are titanium, and both of which are fantastic.
posted by dilettanti at 11:32 AM on August 11, 2010
I really like dilettanti's suggestions, though I'd prefer both models with a black face.
posted by bearwife at 11:39 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by bearwife at 11:39 AM on August 11, 2010
Response by poster: The tonneau looks fantastic! I really like that one, but it isn't for me.... I have never seen him look at a watch that shape before. I looked at atomic ones too- I know he would get a kick out of that!
posted by MayNicholas at 11:42 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 11:42 AM on August 11, 2010
I own the Eco-Drive Calibre 8700 (aka the third one). I absolutely love it and wear it everywhere. It is a wonderful watch. The small 24 hour dial is great. Also, if you happen to forget days easily it helps out all the time.
I find it particularly useful really, but then again I am ADHD.
I love it, but yeah there really is no "better" it's mostly just personal preference at that point...
posted by lizarrd at 11:53 AM on August 11, 2010
I find it particularly useful really, but then again I am ADHD.
I love it, but yeah there really is no "better" it's mostly just personal preference at that point...
posted by lizarrd at 11:53 AM on August 11, 2010
Response by poster: This is going to be so hard! Any additional input and recommendations are welcome!
posted by MayNicholas at 11:58 AM on August 11, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 11:58 AM on August 11, 2010
Response by poster: Perhaps I will pop over to a local retailer to see these watches in person. That might help with the final decision. I really want him to love it!
posted by MayNicholas at 12:24 PM on August 11, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 12:24 PM on August 11, 2010
Response by poster: So I went to a couple of store today to look at the watches. In the end I went with my first choice: The black ion plated Caliber 8700. I didn't like the bands on the other two and the face on the titanium one was really large. Hopefully he will like it- and hopefully I can wait until our anniversary to give it to him!
posted by MayNicholas at 2:10 PM on August 12, 2010
posted by MayNicholas at 2:10 PM on August 12, 2010
This thread is closed to new comments.
Black strap one
Titanium one
Antique looking face
posted by MayNicholas at 10:27 AM on August 11, 2010