 |
| ||||||||||||
 | |||||||||||||
 Citizen Men's BM8180-03E Eco-Drive Canvas Strap Watch By: Citizen Average Rating: 4.5 Total Reviews: 242 More Information Great watch!  On: 2010-03-04Just recieved this watch, so this is first impressions only! The watch seems very well made, like the classic military watches of the WWII era. Thin, light, tough, and a simple design. Pros: Well made, simple layout, easy to read, Solar powered!, thin profile, accurate (it seems). Improvements: The band.. reading reviews, you like it or hate it. I prefer a 22mm band width... I took of the 18mm canvas strap and put this watch on a the band velcro band that was actually 22mm, but that is worn and fits fine. That allows me to use this watch on a wider, more comfortable, velcro band. Also, my seconds hands do not line up with the tick marks. This seems like a common problem among about 1/2 the reviews. I know some very high end watches even have this problem, but it still bugs me. I have ordered another one, just to see if I get one that is perfect. Other suggestion, is the watch is pretty small in diameter. I prefer bigger watches and I think this watch would be great in a larger diameter.. but I cant hold that against it. If you have a smaller wrist and want a tough watch, this would fit the bill! Overall, a very nice watch, especially for the price! I like the look and feel On: 2010-03-01I had the Citizen Eco-Drive Canvas Strap Watch for four months. A simple watch was what I wanted to easily read the time and date. I thought about getting a fancy chronograph or slide rule but I figured I would seldom use them so all that extra clutter would take up space most of the time. The numbers are larger than what Im used to but I have gotten used to them. It is silent so those clock ticking sound lovers should take note of it. The second hand doesnt always align with the lines perfectly but its not enough to make me complain. The date needs to be adjusted every month or two. The instructions says to only change the date within a certain period of the day so the moving parts inside would not be damage. If I am in between 9pm and 4am and being impatient, what I do is change the time to be outside of the damage range, change the date, and then change the time back. Just remember that if you move back the time far enough, it may change the date by one day so youd have to redo it again. I bumped my watch on many hard surfaces and no cracks or scratches. I cant say its without any blemishes but youd have to be examine close enough to spot them. I dont remember the last time I adjusted the time. Maybe a month ago? I usually try to time it with the atomic clock online. Its about thirty seconds off since I last adjusted it. I could have been lazy the last time and not use the atomic clock. But now that its the end of the month, Id have to change the date and just re-sync the time after that. I also like the illumination. Even in an area where its not brightly lit but still have adequate lighting, the hands will glow. Useful in the dark but I havent timed how long it lasts before it loses the glow. Last thing I will talk about is the infamous strap. It does have a leather lining on the inside so its comfortable to wear. It was stiff at first but after a few days, the strap became more flexible. The stiffness wasnt really a big problem to begin with. Ive read complaints about the odor. I sweat in it all the time and got it wet from the rain and sink and it doesnt smell. However, there are no hot summer days here to test the full out sweat-fest. The metal grommets are a problem though. I dont mind the appearance. One is a tad loose and the other is tight. Over time, I notice the timepiece is sliding more to the side of my wrist. My wrist is already thin. Either my wrist is getting skinnier or the strap somehow stretched. I may have to move the watch back to the center of my wrist a few times a day. It can be inconvenient if Im holding on to something and cant twist my wrist far enough to read the time. I still love my watch though. Im not worried if it doesnt match with what Im wearing. Im satisfied of its lower price than other Citizen watches and I dont want to change multiple batteries over the years so I hope this canvas watch will be functional for a long time with its Eco-Drive technology. Nice medium-sized watch  On: 2010-02-28Great value in a mid-sized watch. Very, very legible, easy to read at a glance with mediocre eyes. Attractive simple face. Good lume. At 37mm, this is not a large watch. It is relatively thin, it stays out of the way and easily slides under my sleeve. Leather backing on band may be annoying in warm weather. Band is shortish - second hole on my 7 1/4" wrist. 18 mm lugs limit aftermarket band choices - Maratac Mil spec. works well. 3 Month Review On: 2010-02-28Ive owned the watch for 3 months and worn it every day. Just today I swapped out the band for a 4$ WalMart black 1-piece (similar to the maratac ones). Im glad I switched bands. I tried to live with it after reading all the negative reviews, but it was sort of getting on my nerves. As youve probably read before, the metal grommets are too large, so 1 eyelet will be too loose, leading to the watch "leaning" away from the center of your wrist. And the next one will be too tight. The watch has been very accurate. Its comfortable for being a metal piece. The illumination is awesome. I am someone who has always worn Casio or Timexs, and this glow is so much better. Just stepping outside for a minute in cloudy weather is enough to make it glow pretty bright. Another great thing is that it is completely silent. You cant hear the ticking at all. The only cons I can see with this watch is you have to occasionally readjust the date; and of course the band. Perfect watch for my tiny wrist. On: 2010-02-24I was looking for a cool watch to wear at all times. I got looking for the perfect one, didnt want to buy one that it was too bigger - in dial and wristband, and didnt want to buy one which was too heavy. The watch is very light, basically you dont feel youre wearing him, and I didnt wear a watch since 2000. Im very happy I decided to buy this watch and since I dont have to worry myself about batteries, this is a very faulty-proof watch. |