Customer Reviews

Citizen Men's BJ8040-01E Eco-Drive 300 Meter Professional Diver Watch

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The Amazon Product Description and Picture has some errors. This watch "DOES NOT" have a Helium Gas Release (the more expensive 1000M version does). The picture that Amazon is using looks more like the stainless steel version of this watch. The scallops between the numbers on the rotating bezel are smooth semi-circles, not the sculptured cuts shown in the picture. The watch has a satin finish and is a gray color. I wish that they had shown a side view of this watch. It is quite tall.

I got my watch in the mail today. So far I am very pleased with it. It is the opposite of the Bling-Bling that a lot of watches this size go for. It is not flashy, but like an expensive luxury car, it definitely rewards second and third looks. The satin finish is beautiful. The way the watch band comes out of the case is clever. The band tapers from about 33mm at the case to about 20mm at the clasp. The only negative is that the date window is very tiny. Otherwise the watch face is very readable and the tick marks on the bezel line up perfectly with those on the face. There is a generous amount of florescent paint on the hour marks and hands, so it is easy to read in the dark.

Lets not kid ourselves. This is labeled as a watch but it is truely a diving instrument. The size is correct, measuring approx 51mm, but doesn't seem so wide due to it's extreme width; approx 21mm. I personally like the height as this is a divers watch and anyone who buys a "true" diving watch should be expected to wear a rather large timepiece. I'll rate the attributes,1(bad)to 5(good), to help you out, the rest is up to you. Size is a 5, it's a diver's watch! An Omega or Rolex may be water resistant, but not practical when diving. This watch screams business. Lume is a 4. I like the blue, and the fact that it glows for a long time, but just not a bright as some other models that I've experienced. Accuracy is a 5. Eco-drive is great, with little/no maintenance(a lot better than the fluctuations from a spring balance).Ledgeability is a 4. You can tell what time it is from across the room. In fact, the minute hand, with contrasting orange flouresence seems 3-D and seems to jump out of the watch. The date is the minus here, as it is a very small window and easily obstructed by the hands(even the second hand?) Construction is a 4. I have the Ti version with the rubber strap, which is light, but would have liked a quick-clasp rather than a "large" buckle. I think the bracelet version would have been a real issue since the lug width is approx 31mm, and would look big on anyone's wrist. I love the watch, and it receives a lot of feedback when worn. Again, the more accurate description of this item should be a "diving instrument" rather than a watch, hence it's nickname "eco-zila". The Mineral crystal left me questioning at first, but you'll find that it is extremely protected by the castlated bezel. The bezel has little gutters to let the water drain from the crystal? Sapphire is alway the choice, but should not be an issue for this watch as the mineral version seems very protected. Hope this helps you. This is a great addition to any collection, or someone with an inferiority complex. Cheers!

This is an excellent watch, and matches the quality of watches costing much more. As the other reviewer stated, this watch does NOT have a helium release as the discription says. However, I do not know what model he does have because the bevel IS "sculpted"[which, by the way, makes it easy to turn] Pay close attetion to the specifics, because the watch is big, heavy, and thick. Overall, this watch looks good and performs well at exactly what it is made for. I highly recommend this watch.

This watch, and it's steel brother, are commonly known as the Eco-Zilla's. I prefer the titanium version because of it's light weight. The watch is built like a tank. The rubber band doesn't just use spring bars to attach. Each end of the band fits into a machined openings and then then there is a metal ring that screws into the back of the case that secures the band. You aren't going to loose the watch due to a broken spring bar. 5 stars as a tank diving watch.

I consider this to be the ultimate tool/dive watch. Here is why:

Movement is as robust as they come. It's very specise, gaining about 3 seconds in the last 3 month. Crystal is 5mm Thick. Lume is very bright.

The bezel can be removed and cleaned and the rubber strpa as well. There are 3rd party adapters available for this watch to let you wear it on any strap or bracelet you like. Just google zilla adapters.

I have worn much more expensive watches and not only those watches require EXPENSIVE maintenance, they do not provide anything that this watch doesn't do.

Listen ... this looks like an awesome watch, and I've been looking for one with this type of toughness built in, but it seems like all the top retailers including Amazon.com have it at EXACTLY the SAME PRICE. We know all about "SUGGESTED RETAIL," but it bothers me that in this tough economy it might hint at PRICE FIXING that all these retailers have the watch at $446.25. Remember about ten years ago when many record company labels had to settle a class action lawsuit for price fixing MUSIC CDs??? Just a thought!