Can't decide on Citizen chronomaster- need help!

[sashko]

Hi All,

My name's Alex, i've been a lurker for a while now and decided to register and ask your qualifed opinions
on a purchase- i own a 38.5mm Omega AT8500 and would like a quartz watch to compliment it, i've
chosen either the CTQ57-0934 (and SS bracelet from 0932)o t 0932 itself. I know a couple of you have these
and would like to know which you feel looks better, the white or silver/chanpagne dials?
Then maybe i can finally stop bugging Mr Higuchi for prices and order one!

Thanks again

Alex

[ronalddheld]

I would take white or silver, but which one you like the most counts.

[artec]

It's very difficult to advise on colors etc because such choices are really purely subjective as Ronald Held suggests. Personally, I prefer a dark-colored dial for better contrast with the hands, but if I had to choose between silver and champagne, I'd go for silver. I know you didn't ask about steel or titanium, but just to throw another complication at you, I'd seriously consider Ti (like the 0952 or 0953) because it is so much more scuff- and scratch-resistant than steel, at least it has been in my experience. I have two Ti Chronomasters the older of the two having been worn 24/7 for about 18 months and it is virtually unmarked.

I have to admit, though, that steel is a lot easier to refinish than Ti so that's a major point in its favor. The steel is a bit less money, too but Higuchi usually gives pretty good prices.

Anyway, whichever you decide on, I'm sure you'll love it and I wish you the best of luck.

[harris498]

I vote silver, but both are very nice. Great choice regardless.

[everose]

Just to add to your confusion...........


I went through the same dilemma 2 years ago.

I ended up getting the Ti champagne dial version. I was a little worried that the champagne dial may have a look which was slightly "too mature" for me !
It is very frustrating and difficult to decide when you cannot see the pieces side-by-side and up close. However my fears were unfounded and i did not regret my decision at all.
The champagne dial looks different shades in different lighting conditions and has a real depth of quality and finishing. I enjoy the champagne dial very much and i have not tired of it. I have never felt that the dial is difficult to read because of its colouring but others may think otherwise.


I cannot comment on the white dial version as i have never seen one up close.(one aspect of the Eco-Drive dials which i was not so keen on was that they cannot have solid, metal bases which seems to allow for a greater and more detailed repertoire of finishing options.)


The white dial you mentioned has a blued seconds hand. (which i really like !) Both dials you mentioned are 35mm diameter. I am sure you probably know already but i will mention that there are other diameter options available. Also different versions often have subtly different case designs which i was not aware of when i first considered them. (Apologies if i am mentioning info that you are already aware of !)


I also wish i could get hold of the beautiful blue dialed version that Artec has (CTQ57-0954). Gorgeous and superb clarity. They stopped making them a while ago and NOS are increasingly hard to track down unfortunately.




BTW The CTQ57-1021 seems to have an interesting textured "parchment type" dial (It reminds me of the dial texture on the Grand Seiko SBGA011 aka "Snowflake") which the stock photos do not really seem to highlight and i was not aware of when pondering my choices. (This model is 200m WR with a screw down crown and crown guards)


Photo from this WUS HAQ thread: Citizen Chronomaster or Grand Seiko or Grand Seiko Spring Drive?







Congrats on your A/T 8500. They are superb pieces. (BTW what is the dial colour of your A/T ?
How i have wished that Omega would make a HAQ version of the new A/T but unfortunately that will probably not happen.



Best of luck with your final choice and please keep us informed.

[sashko]

Thanks for all your advice guys!- I do know about the other models but the 35mm (35.5?mm) is best for me, as my AT8500 is the 38.5, i'm erring toward the 0934 plus bracelet from the 0932 as the blue second hand woos me!