Celebrating Earth Day with Citizen’s New Promaster Eco-Drive Combination Watches

In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainable development as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” Two years later, Citizen introduced the Promaster line of sports watches, created to meet the demands of professionals active in the most challenging environments of the land, sea, and sky.

This year, the Promaster family is celebrating its 35th birthday and marking the milestone with two new combination watch models featuring the newly developed Calibre U822 movement. So, where does the brand stand on sustainability in 2024?

As society’s attitudes have shifted from attempting to conquer nature to trying to live more harmoniously with it, so too has the Promaster collection evolved. And since Citizen has always been devoted to reducing waste (think Eco-Drive), it’s no surprise that these latest Promaster Combination watches aim to make timekeeping even more planet-friendly.

Sustainability means different things to different people. And, of course, one watch purchase won’t save or destroy the world. But if you are shopping for a new sports watch, why not keep long-term goals – like purchasing products that have a longer lifespan so you can consume less – in mind?

That is where these Promaster Eco-Drive Combination watches come in; by design, Promaster models are meant to be simple, affordable, reliable, and rugged.
 

This is why Promasters are easy to read in virtually any situation, and it’s why they’re priced so reasonably; Citizen didn’t want them to be so expensive that they’d sit unused in a safe. And, boy, are they built to last! We’ve seen plenty of 35-year-old Citizens out in the wild.

But Citizen is committed to innovating for future generations. That is why these new Promaster Eco-Drive Combination watches, scheduled to launch later this year, are classic ana-digi (analog-digital) timepieces with a Memory-in-Pixel (MIP) display.
 

An upgrade from previous models’ use of LCD, MIP is much easier to read outdoors. The MIP display also allows the Promaster Eco-Drive Combination to provide more information.

Other functional upgrades include the ability to set multiple alarms for different times on different days. Moreover, a light level indicator showing the power generated by the light-powered Eco-Drive technology can display up to seven days of power generation history. Lastly, power reserve details are indicated on the digital portion of the dial to let you know when it’s time to recharge.

As we know, buying well-built, longer-lasting items is one of the best ways to reduce your climate impact. That is why the 2024 Promaster Eco-Drive Combination models offer improved functionality via the newly developed Calibre U822 movement, featuring an accuracy of ±15 seconds per month, a three-year power reserve on a full charge (in power save mode), and a water resistance of 20 BAR.

Being able to rely on power and accuracy is a boon when you’re in the great outdoors, but readability is just as crucial.
 

The analog part of this 43.9mm timepiece features large, legible hands combined with Arabic numerals and bar indices. The matte finish on the dial reduces glare and ensures that the analog display is always clearly visible. The inner ring can be rotated using the crown at the 8 o’clock position to use the watch as a compass.

The materials used in making these watches have also received an earth-conscious update. For instance, recycled materials are used for dial components, and the polyurethane band now contains BENEBiOL, a biomass-based raw material that improves durability.
 

Available in either a dark gray- or silver-colored stainless steel case with a green or dark gray dial, respectively, the Promaster Eco-Drive Combination is scheduled for release in Autumn/Winter 2024, and the suggested retail price will be between $750 and $800. For more information, check out Citizen’s website.