Comparing two dive watches, advice requested

[Cole A.]

Hello forum,

As the thread title suggests, I am quite torn between two dive watches:

(1) Citizen BN0000-04H (eco-drive tech)
(2) Precista PRS 18Q (battery life ~10 years)

Both have long-lasting "quartz" batteries, and are similar in size. I realize this comparison may venture into the realm of the uninteresting since neither of the above are automatics and thus there can be no significant comparison of movements. However, I am actively seeking a quartz watch rather than a mechanical for its "grab and go" convenience, and slightly greater durability.

My interest lies primarily in how these watches wear. I have a thin, bony wrist (~6 in), and was drawn to these watches initially due to their relatively small diameters (at least, compared to the behemoths offered by Deep Blue and such). Would anyone with prior experience with one of these watches tell me if it wears comfortably, whether it is excessively bulky, and/or the most comfortable straps to use with dive watches? (Sorry for my ignorance, and thanks for your time.) If it helps, the watch I wear currently is a Hamilton Khaki King, and at about 40mm in diameter (excluding crown), that approximate size is really as large as I am comfortable wearing.

Also, I'd welcome any recommendations for smaller dive watches, i.e. with diameters (excluding crown) <40mm.

[CitizenM]

Just because a watch is quartz doesn't mean there's not a significant difference in quality of movements. In my opinion, Citizen is consistently the most advanced producer of quartz movements in the world, and while I can't speak to anything but their super high end movements, they've earned my trust throughout the range. Aside from that, they have excellent quality and dial work for the money and use well above average blue lume on most their watches. So Citizen would get it for me.

[Cole A.]

Fair point. I phrased what I was trying to say poorly; I only meant that, as I've heard nothing but good things about the reliability of both Citizen and Precista watches, and because the two models above will last for roughly the same amount of time before they die, the movements are non-issues for me.

[CitizenM]

well, speaking subjectively, I do like how the precista looks more, but I think I'd take a Citizen Eco-drive over either personally. Sorry I can't say more about how they actually wear though.

[Michael the Psycho]

Eco drive, applied indices, textured dial, better looks, and well-known quartz know-how. Citizen for me.

[ljb187]

I came across this 37mm quartz Hamilton Frogman "canteen" style dive watch a few days ago:

(crown unscrewed in this shot)






It's an homage to the BUSHIPS dive watches of World War ll and is somewhat more modern looking than Hamilton's 40mm automatic version of the same concept. "Only" rated to 100 meters but unless you're planning on actually diving it might be an interesting option for you. Places like Ashford have it listed for less than $370 at the moment.

[mcfr]

I,ve got the citizen eco-drive and it wears great. Got some bigger ivers too, but this one always goed with me on hollidays and now with the warm weather it's very nice too.
One piece case, 300 meters water proof and you can wear it on rubber, nato or mesh or whatever you want.

[Jeep99dad]

nothing wrong with the Citizen at all but I much prefer the Precista. You can't go wrong with either so take whichever one you like best

[davec]

The Precista 18Q, Eddie from Time Factors turns out some of the best bang for the buck watches out there.

[maxegb]

i have been bashing the hell out of a prs-18A ( automatic ) for some years now, it's one of my "go to work" watches and i do work with a wrench in my hands. It still looks like new,i guess the quartz movement will make it even more sturdy.
It has a very tool watch appearance, all sharp angles, and definitely it's not japanese in it's styling...it has more in common with a sinn, if you get my idea. it wears smaller than it actually is, so even with a small wrist it should not be a problem.

I have a 6.7 inches wrist. wouldyou like mo to shoot a couple of pictures?