Some Thoughts on the Citizen "Stiletto"

I  had yet to take the plunge with Citizen watches when I came across this one from the Stiletto series.  How could anyone resist a watch with a name like that? So I picked this one up at my jeweler's shop as an impulse buy, and now, after the better part of four weeks of almost continual wear, I'm ready to share my thoughts on this watch.



Here's the manufacturer's 'yadda-yadda':
Brand:  Citizen
Collection: Stiletto
Model Number: G820-S037328
Case: 36mm Wide X 4mm Thick (!)
Crystal: Sapphire
Movement: Quartz with Eco-Drive
Power Reserve: 180 days (!)
Clasp: Dual Deployant
MSRP: $375. USD
Misc: Powered by light, inside & out; stainless steel case & bracelet; water resistant.



I suppose it could be argued that this is just another plain, boring dress watch, but take a really good look at it, and you realize that it's a genuinely attractive piece. Its simplicity of design is one of the most impressive things about it; the very lightly textured cream colored dial, the classic gold baton hour markers and matching hour/minute hands, and even the Citizen Eco-Drive signature (in black) below the 12 o'clock marker is both understated and well-placed. This dial is framed by a simple bezel that steps down to a second level where the bracelet's solid end link joins the case. The unsigned crown is a bit on the small side, but it works without hassle.  Flip it over, and there's a nicely plated gold caseback, a nice touch from a company known for its quality and performance. Besides, it looks way cool...



(Need a closer look...?)



(Sorry about that...just my weird sense of humor at work...)

It could also be argued that the bracelet is a bit 'busy' when compared to the case and dial, but I see it differently; to my way of thinking, the details on the bracelet actually complement the watch as a whole. At first glance, it looks like each link is comprised of nine segments, five brushed and four polished. Such a bracelet would be difficult - even 'nightmarish' - to size and maintain, much like the nine-piece 'rice bud' bracelet on my late father's Omega Seamaster.




The good news is that each link is of single piece construction, though the excellent mixed finishes on each give the bracelet the look of a real multi-piece bracelet without having to worry about the inevitable (trust me) ‘link explosion’ that working on a true nine-piece bracelet gets you.




In the end, the mix of these two remarkable elements - the simple-but-classic case and the flawless details on the bracelet - put this watch into the 'near-perfect' category, IMHO. Near-perfect?  What's wrong with this watch?

The answer is nothing.  Okay, there's no lume to be found on the dial.  No quick glances in a darkened car for Conjurer. Mort has to watch the chick flick without any of those discreet-as-a-fart-in-church glances at his watch. Nonetheless, this isn't really much of an issue for me, given that this is a dress watch. After all, we're talking about a watch that has a 180-day power reserve and a wafer-thin 4mm case thickness.




Still, I thought I'd mention the whole "lume thing" in passing.



In the end, this watch has certainly made me a true fan of the Stiletto series, and a budding fan of the Citizen brand.  There's not much more to say than I'm looking forward to my next Citizen...

AJC wrote: Mort, is that your first Citizen? They're like Pringles, they are, they are!"

Indeed...

As I was getting ready to wrap up this review, damned if I didn't come across this little beauty:





I guess all you have to do is re-read at the above review and 'think square.' Oh, yeah, the 'yadda-yadda' changes a bit, though not much:
Model Number: GB20-S039908
Case: 38mm Long X 28mm Wide X 4mm Thick
MSRP: $345. USD



So what started off as a review of one watch grew into two, though admittedly, it was pretty easy to add in the second one since the difference is pretty much their respective case shapes. Both are a genuine pleasure to wear, and that's something I've been doing a lot these days.



In writing these reviews, I tend to go out of my way to find any flaws and report them as honestly and impartially as possible, irrespective of any personal feelings about a given watch I may have.  Try as I might with these Citizens,  I just can’t seem to find the proverbial “booger hangin’ out da nose” on them, unless you're a 'lume uber alles' type of watch wearer.  Again, not an issue with this particular dead guy.  As already mentioned, we’re talking about a watch with a 180-day power reserve and a case thickness of only 4mm...

Hell, even my confirmed “autos or death” friend, Codguy, might like these...stranger things have happened, and hope does spring eternal.



Or not...



As always, many thanks for looking.  Oh, and please accept my apologies for the worse-than-usual photos accompanying this review...

Very good review Mort. I like them both.

Mahalo, Big K!

Now those two...those are good old-school dress watches right there.  

The case size is 36MM?  That would make them perfect for a business suit worn at the boardroom table. For those of you who call that a unisex or ladies' size...well, I want to keep this friendly, so I'll let that alone.

Thanks for sharing.  ;o)

@Mortuus - thank you for your kind words. I suspect the trend away from discreet men's watches is a part of the whole 'supersize me' trend we've been seeing lately. But that's a rant for another time.