I own a different model Garrison and was excited to add another to the collection. Good features include the usual Citizen fit & finish, and the Arabic numerals are highly legible as is desired in a field watch. The supplied leather band is of very good quality, if barely long enough to fit my larger wrist. Accuracy seems extremely good so far, with well under +\- 15s per month. Mine is about -5s per month so far, and as I write this it’s spot-on after last setting it to my AT-synchronized watches about a week ago. Bad features that I wish I’d known about before making a purchase - the window for the date complication is EXTREMELY small, to the point where it is unreadable for me in anything but direct sunlight, or indoor lighting of considerable brightness and directly overhead, as it’s shadowed by the window edges. I’ve actually had to get a flashlight out to read it on occasions. The lume is only applied to the hour & minute hands, nowhere else on the dial. Not a big deal, but given that my other Garrison has it applied to the hour markers I was rather disappointed. The supplied band tapers quite a bit, which wasn’t clear from the images on the site. IMO it makes the watch look out of proportion, with a rather dainty band on a 42mm watch. Since the lugs are 21.5mm, it made finding a longer and wider band a challenge. I ended up putting a one-piece leather NATO-style band and it looks vastly improved with it. Lastly, the green color of the dial is quite dark, to the point where the dark red second hand basically disappears. I bought this model for the bit of color, to contrast from my other Garrison, but unless it’s very bright out you can’t really see it. A lighter shade of green and much brighter second hand would be enormous improvements to the watch. Overall a bit of mixed bag. Quality is excellent, and it looks absolutely fantastic on a vintage-style dark leather NATO strap (which is why I’ll keep and wear it) but some design features (date window, color palette, strap choice) are real head-scratchers.
I own a different model Garrison and was excited to add another to the collection. Good features include the usual Citizen fit & finish, and the Arabic numerals are highly legible as is desired in a field watch. The supplied leather band is of very good quality, if barely long enough to fit my larger wrist. Accuracy seems extremely good so far, with well under +\- 15s per month. Mine is about -5s per month so far, and as I write this it’s spot-on after last setting it to my AT-synchronized watches about a week ago. Bad features that I wish I’d known about before making a purchase - the window for the date complication is EXTREMELY small, to the point where it is unreadable for me in anything but direct sunlight, or indoor lighting of considerable brightness and directly overhead, as it’s shadowed by the window edges. I’ve actually had to get a flashlight out to read it on occasions. The lume is only applied to the hour & minute hands, nowhere else on the dial. Not a big deal, but given that my other Garrison has it applied to the hour markers I was rather disappointed. The supplied band tapers quite a bit, which wasn’t clear from the images on the site. IMO it makes the watch look out of proportion, with a rather dainty band on a 42mm watch. Since the lugs are 21.5mm, it made finding a longer and wider band a challenge. I ended up putting a one-piece leather NATO-style band and it looks vastly improved with it. Lastly, the green color of the dial is quite dark, to the point where the dark red second hand basically disappears. I bought this model for the bit of color, to contrast from my other Garrison, but unless it’s very bright out you can’t really see it. A lighter shade of green and much brighter second hand would be enormous improvements to the watch. Overall a bit of mixed bag. Quality is excellent, and it looks absolutely fantastic on a vintage-style dark leather NATO strap (which is why I’ll keep and wear it) but some design features (date window, color palette, strap choice) are real head-scratchers.
Received as a christmas present 18 yrs ago and it has barely missed a beat. Runs about 30sec fast a month and all I do is pop the stem to let time catch up. Capacitor battery may be showing its age and it got low on charge recently.I think It was just inside too much. I have spent more on bands than it cost in 2005.Crystal is pretty scratched up and I avoid submersing it if I can help it. I think as watches age the waterproof rating diminishes and I find it easier to just not shower or swim with it. And I have a leather band on it also.
Has all the features a great field watch needs except good lume. Nonetheless it's my everyday watch.
Got my first unsolicited comment on it today. Felt great! So far, I love it...
Love this watch. It's simple, elegant, and perfectly weighted. I like wearing this watch.
Gift for son. He loves it! Green color and green energy!
If a watch can't be accurate I prefer it run fast. Sadly this watch looses about two or three seconds a month and I have to manually set the watch fast by about ten seconds and then keep my eye on it until it drops below the correct time. My $35.00 Timex keeps better time. Very disappointing. Citizen says I have to ship it to California for them to evaluate it. The watch looks and feels good. My friends make favorable comments. I can overlook the small date, the small military time numbers, and the fact that only the hands glow in the dark, but having to reset the time so much can't compensate for the battery charging under a lamp.
Great looking watch and I'm looking forward to skipping the battery replacement routine.
It's a well made watch, it looks great, and it keeps the time perfectly. 10/10
Why make the date (which of course changes every day) so small and hard to see, while the hours (which never change and everyone knows what they are based on location) are so large? If it’s just for looks then fine - the watch face does look good!
beautiful / rugged / practical time piece arrived soon after online order. registration online very easy ! bought my first Eco-Drive (20) years ago or so and it is still going fine business - no issues whatsoever. very happy to add this 2nd Eco-Drive as a handsome alternate.
I bought this for my husband. The leather is good quality and the watch face design and size is perfect.
I bought this as a gift for my son. It is very well made . The process of ordering on line was easy to navigate through. It has a great warranty as well.
Citizen Response
I’ve had this watch for three year now and I give it a solid 9-10. The only thing I suggest is to get a more comfy band. Otherwise this is a great addition to my collection, and hope to have it for a long time
I have worn my new watch for the last few days. Love the eco drive, and it seems quite accurate. As expected from the pictures, the watch is pretty with the subtle green face and contrast stitching on the band. Docking one star because the watch is unexpectedly big for this traditional style of field watch. While I like it, some may find the non traditional size slightly jarring. Just be aware.