Four decades of the iconic 1985 dive watch are celebrated with the introduction of a gold-plated steel model, by a civic individual.
Strapping the Past onto the Future: Citizen's 40th Anniversary Aqualand
Forty years ago, Citizen shook the watchmaking world with a groundbreaking innovation that drastically altered how divers interacted with their surroundings. The '85 Aqualand was a game-changer, being the world's first dive watch to boast an electronic depth gauge, essentially grafting a dive computer onto your wrist.
Now, as diving has undergone a massive transformation in four decades, Citizen revisits its roots with the Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition.
A Celebration Worth Recalling
Fortunately, the anniversary model stays true to the original's essence. It still sports the robust depth sensor protruding at the 9 o'clock case position, maintaining its assertive presence, leading to a total diameter measurement of 50.7mm. On its own, the case measures a more manageable 44mm across. Citizen's decision to uphold the matte gray stainless steel case was a thoughtful one, while adding gold accents on the bezel, crown, pushers, and sensor housing adds a touch of nostalgia, reminiscent of the much-loved C033 reference from the '80s.
The dial retains its retro-futuristic ana-digi hybrid design, with beefy printed indices, cathedral hands sporting a signature orange-edged minute hand, and the digital display neatly positioned at 12 o'clock, resembling a porthole to read your current depth.
Proving Time is On Our Side
At the heart of this anniversary watch lies the in-house Caliber C520 quartz movement, managing standard timekeeping along with the depth gauge, dive timer, calendar, chronograph, and alarm functions. The depth measurement feature offers real-time tracking during your descent, while the ascent rate alarm ensures a safe ascent speed, preventing decompression sickness.
The chronograph measures times down to 1/100th of a second, and dive mode automatically records your underwater time. It's a pared-down dive computer that surprisingly tells the time on the surface as well. The battery life clocks in at a good two years with an accuracy of ±20 seconds per month, which is fitting for a specialized tool like this.
A Strap Deserving Praise
Citizen's choice of BENEBiOL for the strap, a plant-based polyurethane that excels in hydrolysis resistance and outperforms traditional rubber in damp conditions, means the strap won't deteriorate as quickly when continuously exposed to moisture. The accordion-style design is also practical for adjusting over wetsuits.
Let's not forget to mention the water resistance, which stands at a slightly conservative 200m, considering today's standards. However, this isn't intended to be a saturation diving tool but designed for recreational diving, where its electronic depth sensing can genuinely aid your underwater experiences.
The Nitty Gritty
Model: CItizen Promaster Aqualand 40th AnniversaryCase Material: Stainless steel with a matte grey finish and yellow gold platingCase Size: 50.7mm (44mm excluding sensor)Case Thickness: 14.8mmMovement: In-house Caliber C520 quartzWater Resistance: 200mBand: BENEBiOL biomass-based polyurethane strapFunctions: Time, calendar, alarm, chronograph, depth measurement, dive timer, ascent rate alarmLimited Edition?: Yes, 5,800
The Cost of Timelessness
Limited to a reasonable 5,800 pieces worldwide, the Citizen Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition retails for $595. The watch hits the market in July, launching via Citizen's website.
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In this celebration of the Anniversary Limited Edition of Citizen's Promaster Aqualand, smart-home devices aren't missing from the equation. The advanced Caliber C520 quartz movement within the watch synchronizes with Citizen's smart-home devices, offering connectivity and expanded functionality for tech-savvy divers.
The anniversary Celebration likewise extends beyond the world of watches, merging style with technology as diving gadgets get a flavorful upgrade, allowing depth sensors and other useful tools to seamlessly integrate into one's daily lifestyle, transforming recreational diving experiences and elevating the overall watch-wearing experience for timekeeping enthusiasts.
