Citizen Series 8
Discussion
I've just ordered this online to see what its like. One of those that need to be tested on ones wrist before making judgement.
Would love to try one in a store but cant seem to find it anywhere in the high st.
May scratch the itch I have for a decently priced 70s retro without the integrated bracelet.
Anyone have a Series 8 831?
https://www.citizenwatch.co.uk/nb6011-11w.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMYSpbF_N7A
Would love to try one in a store but cant seem to find it anywhere in the high st.
May scratch the itch I have for a decently priced 70s retro without the integrated bracelet.
Anyone have a Series 8 831?
https://www.citizenwatch.co.uk/nb6011-11w.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMYSpbF_N7A
well, a nice sunday morning surprise. Watch was delivered today!
In summary, if I was buying a piece of eye candy/work of art, then this watch fits the bill. It is stunning, however, I'm still un-decided if its a keeper. I'll keep it for a few days and see if I fall for it...
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO BRING UP HIGHER RES VERSION
So to answer the easy question, is it like a Victorinox Inox.... NO! The Inox was like a metal puck, the 831 (Citizen Series 8, 831) in comparison is not a tool watch like the Inox. The 831 is very slim, barely over 10mm and it shows when on the wrist. I would hazard to say iot wears small for a 40mm, as the dial is much smaller that the case.
The dial finish is amazing, on initial apprearances many would say it is like the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time. Sure, the similarity of dial with the lines is apparent but the 831 has curved lines that are more intricate, from deep at the chapter ring fading to near nothing by the time it reaches the cannon pinion.
The applied markers if you look close enough, are floating. They are not attached to the dial itself but to the chapter ring. This 3 dimensional detail just takes the dial up to a different level rarely, if ever, found at this price point.
The case is made up of all straight egdes, not a radius in sight save for the bezel and crown. All linear brushed except for a polished line on the bezel where it meets the case and radius finish on the crown face itself. I would be expecting a signed crown at the price point but I guess it would take away from the design aesthetic of the 831. Moving onto the screwed in crown guard, personally I think the watch would look better without it, making the case symmetrical but that's just my personal taste. With the crown guard the watch definitely gives off the more sport/casual vibe whilst still being able to be worn with a suit. In actual fact, the colour way of this 831 reminds me of the film Lost in Translation, I can just see Bill Murray wearing this 831 in the advert...
Smokey Cigar bar, Single Malt in hand, on a well worn leather armchair, this is what i see when I look at the watch.
In conclusion, this offering from Citizen truly shows up the margins on watches. If this was from a swiss manfufacturer, you would be well into the £2500+ price range. I'm not criticising nor having a rant at the Swiss Manufacturers but if you can take a step back and not just look at branding, there are some stunning pieces out there that don't cost an arm, leg or require selling the Grandmother.
Here's a glimpse of my varied collection and thanks for taking time out to read my first ever watch review!
In summary, if I was buying a piece of eye candy/work of art, then this watch fits the bill. It is stunning, however, I'm still un-decided if its a keeper. I'll keep it for a few days and see if I fall for it...
PLEASE CLICK ON THE IMAGES TO BRING UP HIGHER RES VERSION
So to answer the easy question, is it like a Victorinox Inox.... NO! The Inox was like a metal puck, the 831 (Citizen Series 8, 831) in comparison is not a tool watch like the Inox. The 831 is very slim, barely over 10mm and it shows when on the wrist. I would hazard to say iot wears small for a 40mm, as the dial is much smaller that the case.
The dial finish is amazing, on initial apprearances many would say it is like the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time. Sure, the similarity of dial with the lines is apparent but the 831 has curved lines that are more intricate, from deep at the chapter ring fading to near nothing by the time it reaches the cannon pinion.
The applied markers if you look close enough, are floating. They are not attached to the dial itself but to the chapter ring. This 3 dimensional detail just takes the dial up to a different level rarely, if ever, found at this price point.
The case is made up of all straight egdes, not a radius in sight save for the bezel and crown. All linear brushed except for a polished line on the bezel where it meets the case and radius finish on the crown face itself. I would be expecting a signed crown at the price point but I guess it would take away from the design aesthetic of the 831. Moving onto the screwed in crown guard, personally I think the watch would look better without it, making the case symmetrical but that's just my personal taste. With the crown guard the watch definitely gives off the more sport/casual vibe whilst still being able to be worn with a suit. In actual fact, the colour way of this 831 reminds me of the film Lost in Translation, I can just see Bill Murray wearing this 831 in the advert...
Smokey Cigar bar, Single Malt in hand, on a well worn leather armchair, this is what i see when I look at the watch.
In conclusion, this offering from Citizen truly shows up the margins on watches. If this was from a swiss manfufacturer, you would be well into the £2500+ price range. I'm not criticising nor having a rant at the Swiss Manufacturers but if you can take a step back and not just look at branding, there are some stunning pieces out there that don't cost an arm, leg or require selling the Grandmother.
Here's a glimpse of my varied collection and thanks for taking time out to read my first ever watch review!
Edited by Ninjin on Sunday 5th February 11:59
eccles said:
That's a really nice looking watch. It gives off an air of being well made and a quality item.
I have a 'relatively' high end Casio Oceanus that is extremely well finished for it's price, and that too has floating indices that are part of the chapter ring.
Thanks for sharing and adding to my knowledge of watches! I know of the Casio Oceanus brand but nothing in depth, great to learn a bit about one of their watches. I have a 'relatively' high end Casio Oceanus that is extremely well finished for it's price, and that too has floating indices that are part of the chapter ring.
eccles said:
That's a really nice looking watch. It gives off an air of being well made and a quality item.
I have a 'relatively' high end Casio Oceanus that is extremely well finished for it's price, and that too has floating indices that are part of the chapter ring.
That's really nice too. I have a 'relatively' high end Casio Oceanus that is extremely well finished for it's price, and that too has floating indices that are part of the chapter ring.
Thanks for all the replies, it is something very different to my collection!
Here's an update on this watch and some thoughts after a few days ownership.
The watch wears very comfortably with the thickness being only 10mm. Compared to my other watches, it is tiny.
Stuck it on the timegrapher and face up it's zero beat error with 2secs loss a day, well within specs.
The brown dial version I got is meant to be limited edition but nowhere can I find more info on what this actually means. Is not numbered so however limited, the numbers made must be huge. It is available worldwide so it's not a location based limited edition.
One thing that is could be... From the googling I've done since ownership, I've noticed the other editions, have polished lug faces and sides. My whole watch is linear brushed. So the brown dial version is the only one I've seen with this. Maybe this is what it means my limited edition?
Doesn't really matter limited or not, it's a great watch and tis growing on me day by day. The more I look at it, the more details I pick up, like the chapter ring which houses the floating hour markers, has a polished edge where it sits on the dial.
Have a great weekend!
Here's an update on this watch and some thoughts after a few days ownership.
The watch wears very comfortably with the thickness being only 10mm. Compared to my other watches, it is tiny.
Stuck it on the timegrapher and face up it's zero beat error with 2secs loss a day, well within specs.
The brown dial version I got is meant to be limited edition but nowhere can I find more info on what this actually means. Is not numbered so however limited, the numbers made must be huge. It is available worldwide so it's not a location based limited edition.
One thing that is could be... From the googling I've done since ownership, I've noticed the other editions, have polished lug faces and sides. My whole watch is linear brushed. So the brown dial version is the only one I've seen with this. Maybe this is what it means my limited edition?
Doesn't really matter limited or not, it's a great watch and tis growing on me day by day. The more I look at it, the more details I pick up, like the chapter ring which houses the floating hour markers, has a polished edge where it sits on the dial.
Have a great weekend!
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