Citizens have updated one of the most popular Promaster Eco-Drive Diver models. BN0150-10E is now BN1024-01E and has been updated in almost all fields. It is bigger, deeper, stronger, longer lasting, and is now suitable for professional use. Let’s dive into the details!
For over 35 years, the Promaster has withstanded functionality and professional use. The latest promaster models for citizens are the BN1024-01E, the Eco-Drive Professional Diver 300 meters. Equipped with an in-house quartz caliber E365, which is light driven by citizens. This fully charged caliber has a 365-day power reserve. The new Eco-drive Promaster returns to many of its design elements of its ancestor, BN0150-10E. There are also some additional features from other models in Citizen’s Promaster Diver Collection. The BN1024-01E is designed as a saturated diving watch, and is equipped with a helium valve. As a result, its water resistance has increased to 300 meters.
Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Professional Diver BN1024-01E
This practical review covers BN1024-01E. However, Citizen’s new Eco-Drive Professional Diver is available in two dial variations. Inspired by the dark hues of the deep sea, one of the things we review is a gray black dial. It transitions from gray to deeper shades at 6 o’clock. Other models with reference BN1024-01Z have dark red gradient dials. In my opinion, the red is attractive, but the black dial version is a way to go to a professional diving instrument. Both models lack a fine orange hand, as is common in other promaster models, such as the BN0150, the ancestor of BN1024. This is a feature that I think is effective in distinguishing tiny hands from time hand, especially when wearing cloudy diving goggles. As expected from civic promasters, the hands and indicators are well drawn for readability in low light conditions.
Sapphire crystal
I have already distributed some important specifications, but what is the most notable additional element of BN1024-01E? Start with a new dial and an all-white glass that protects your hands. As a result of an increase in depth rating of 300 meters, the BN1024-01 is equipped with a 4 mm thick anti-reflective sapphire crystal. Sapphire is a huge plus for diving watches. Their glass can often be exposed to abrasive elements during tough developments. The thickness of the sapphire crystal can easily withstand a depth rating of 300 meters (tested to 375 meters as specified by ISO 6425), but is also guaranteed not to break on hits. The ancestors of BN1024 had mineral glass, so sapphire is a great upgrade.
Stainless steel bezel and insertion
It’s a small step from a sapphire crystal to a one-way rotating 120-click dive bezel. The first thing I noticed about this bezel was the fine embedded tracks. The 5-minute cardinal indicator is on the flat top of the bezel, but the minute points are slightly embedded inside. This is a neat solution for quick reading of rough indications while also allowing you to perform more accurate measurements.
On the outside of the bezel is a very slippery serrated shape that is applied to designs familiar to Promaster models. According to the Citizen’s Watch Services Department, the bezel inlays are printed in stainless steel. I was expecting a ceramic or aluminum here, or at least a PVD or DLC coating, but perhaps there are benefits to using printed stainless steel. When exposed to salt water, I think stainless steel is more resistant to aluminum and does not tend to be easily ground on impact (one of the most important defects in ceramics).
365 Days of Eco Drive
The new E365 caliber for citizens, introduced in early 2023, represents a major advancement in eco-drive technology for citizens. The E365 offers a 365-day power reserve on a fully charged battery. This expansion was achieved by improving power generation efficiency and reducing energy consumption compared to previous eco-drive apertures. This enhanced power reserve is now available for the first time in Promaster Divers.
According to ISO 6425, when using a quartz movement in a diving watch, this movement must have signs of end of life. The E365 has this feature. When the energy stored in the rechargeable cell decreases, the clock shows this by moving the second hand at two seconds intervals rather than the usual one-second step. This double tic motion serves as a visual cues that the watch needs to be charged via exposure to light. Citizens promise 15 seconds of negative movement accuracy per month. On the other hand, most eco-drive caliburs are commonly known to perform better than certain specifications.
Size and wear
With a diameter of 46.0 mm and a thickness of 16.3 mm, the BN1024-01E is by no means a small watch. My wrist size, which is nearly 18 cm in diameter, is at most medium size. So this seems we’re heading towards a bad combination. But we cannot go far from the truth. There is a risk of starting another “but this watch is much smaller” story, so we have to admit that this is it. And it’s partly easy to explain based on the article I wrote about this.
The case does not have lugs, so none of the 46.0 mm watch case protrudes outside. However, the BN1024-01 differs slightly from the tuna due to the shape of the strap. I’ll go in later. First, I would like to point out that the real reason for the excessive presence of a watch on your wrist is its thickness, not its diameter. It is extremely comfortable to wear on medium wrists. But its thickness makes it questionable as a daily wearer.
Benebiol™ Strap
For the BN1024-01E strap, citizens chose Benebiol, the only plant-based polycarbonate diol material in the Mitsubishi Chemical Group. This is hydrolysis resistant* and has less environmental impact than regular Citizen Promaster rubber straps. The material is soft and flexible, comfortable and comfortable to wear. The shape of the final strap that fits in the case is particularly noticeable. This shape increases comfort for wearing, while also preventing the strap from bending straight out of the case. So its fit is different from a laggless case, for example, in the Seiko tuna. I would also like to mention the convenient magnification of the strap at the long end.
*Theoretically, hydrolysis is the process of breaking down a compound that involves splitting the bond and adding water to the resulting molecular fragment. More actually, if a material such as Beneviol is hydrolyzable, it can withstand exposure to humidity and heat for a long time without disintegration.
Professional diving
Whether it is commonly used or not, upgrading from a regular scuba diver watch to a professional saturated diver watch is a serious reinforcement. To achieve this, the depth rating was expanded from 200 to 300 meters, and a helium escape valve was added. Additionally, saturated diver watches must comply with Annex A, an additional set of ISO 6425 requirements. We are confident that 99% of our readers and potential buyers of this civic Promaster professional diver will never be in saturated diving situations. However, it is encouraging and fun to know that a clock can fly to the moon, just like any other watch.
Conclusion and pricing
The new Promaster Eco-Drive Professional BN1024-01E is updated in almost every field compared to its ancestors. It has a movement with higher pressure ratings, sapphire crystal, helium escape valves, refined Benevior straps and better power reserves. Therefore, it is easy to understand that it is preferred over BN0150-10E. But is that effective for everyone? Perhaps not, these are two reasons. The new Promaster Eco-Drive diver has a larger diameter and much thicker diameter due to the enhanced specifications. Not everyone likes this. It can distinguish between watches that are suitable for everyday use and those that are not. If you don’t wear the same watch every day, that’s not a big deal, but otherwise you can.
Another point that can support the BN0150-10E over the new BN1024-01E is its price. The list price for the new diver is 499 euros, including taxes. Their ancestor’s continued prices are less than half that. Still, I think the new BN1024-01E offers a lot of value to your money. What do you think about the Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Professional Diver BN1024-01E? What are their advantages and what are their weaknesses? Let us know in the comments below!
