World Oceans Day: The New Promaster Dive E365 and Citizen’s (Under-Appreciated) Undersea Elan
Given that today is World Oceans Day, it seemed like an apt time to explore the under-recognized history of Citizen dive watches, both new and old.
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
In 2008, the United Nations officially designated June 8th as World Oceans Day to recognize the vital role the oceans play in the health of our planet. Indeed, this acute awareness is something divers of all stripes share as we bear witness to the impact humans have on the undersea environment.
This year, Japanese watchmaker Citizen celebrates this special day, as well as the diving community, with its recently released, extremely good-looking Promaster Dive E365.
However, before we get into its specifics, I want to make one point, that should come as no surprise to anybody, very clear: While the brand may not always get the recognition it fully deserves, Citizen has pretty much ALWAYS been right-on-the-money when it comes to knowing what dive watch features, specs, and technical designs real divers need and want.
Heritage Divers
While not a “proper” dive watch per se, the Citizen Parawater, introduced in 1959, was an early breakthrough in modern water resistance by sealing off the dial glass, case covers, crown, and other potential leakage points via the use of special O-ring gaskets. Not only was the Citizen Parawater a breakthrough technology, but it was also the first water-resistant timepiece produced by a Japanese watch brand.
Fun Fact: The Parawater’s special O-ring gaskets were torture-tested by strapping Parawater-equipped watches to floating buoys set adrift in the Pacific’s Kuroshio Current. When one of the buoys was found off the coast of Oregon three years later, all the tested watches retrieved were in perfect working order.
However, it was a watch from 1982 that gave the brand its first “bragging rights” dive watch. And with its notched outer bezel ring, four extruded case screw-down points, and a “no way you’ll miss it” 9 o’clock crown position, this timepiece is technically superb and looks, well, just bad-ass.
Considered by many as a precursor to the popular Citizen Promaster line of dive watches, which debuted in 1989, this quartz-powered “Professional Diver’s” model was designed to withstand 1,300 meters of water pressure (the deepest rating in the world at the time), sported ultra-airtight construction, and was made from titanium.
Speaking of Promasters, I had my own little “oh yeah” memory moment last year when the brand celebrated its 100th Anniversary. At an exhibition of 100 historic Citizen timepieces, I spotted a great-looking 1990s-era Promaster 200 M dive watch with an 8 o’clock crown that I had actually owned, loved, used, and lost track of.
My best guess is that it probably rests on the ocean floor of an undisclosed tropical location. Fortunately, I quickly replaced it with a modern Eco-Drive Promaster with a sunburst orange dial that has since become my go-to dive watch.
That said, do I kind of wish I had waited for the new Promaster Dice E365 we’re about to discuss? Um, yes…
Bold Red in the Deep Blue
Released at the end of May, the new Promaster Dive E365 checks many boxes for divers. First, there is no fear the piece will stop running as the “365” in the moniker refers to the no-fuss year’s worth of power you’ll get from a single full charge of the light-powered Eco-Drive movement.
Next, the chunky 46mm case is crafted in gleaming silver-tone steel to give the piece real wrist presence. Meanwhile, the partially notched dive bezel strikes a perfect balance between bold good looks and bezel-setting practicality.
Lastly, the crown is swept to the 4 o’clock position for better wrist mobility in a wetsuit. Plus, it’s rated to 300 meters of water resistance (that’s over 980 feet of very deep diving) and comes on a modern, eco-conscious, plant-based, salt water-resistant BENEBiOL polyurethane strap.
Besides having all that diving goodness, that gorgeous dial color is worth some serious bonus style points!
The gradient ruby red hue extends from the dial center and up the outer flange of the recessed dial. It will not only make a chic impression at the beach bar after a successful dial, but its darker tone will actually increase the watch’s legibility at depth.
Pricing & Availability
Available at Citizen retailers and via the brand’s website as you read this, the Promaster Dive E365 will cost you $695 to bring home a wearable version of a “red tide.”
Of course, you learn more about this new watch and the brand’s diving heritage via the Citizen website.