The only issue I have with the Chronomaster is the accuracy. So yes, it is 5+ seconds a year. But only under certain conditions. If you read the manual it states "To maintain this timekeeping accuracy, you must use the watch at ambient temperature (between +5°C and +40°C) and carry it with you approximately 12 hours a day." I rotate between 12 watches so sometimes my Chronomaster will not get wrist time for a few weeks to a month. Because of this my Chronomaster is currently 25 seconds fast after 6 months while my two 9f movements are at +0 after 3 years. The only time I had to reset my 9F time was after my battery change.
Funny how experiences differ. I still have a CTQ57 chronomaster and a 9F82 GS. I honestly barely ever wear either watch, but none of them are losing any time and I'm talking not even a second for half a year. Of the two of them I will wear the Citizen a lot more (3x to 4x though), to the point I'm almost considering to sell the GS. It's just because most of the times when I want to wear either of them, the date on the GS will be wrong, since it doesn't have the perpetual calendar. That is made worse by the GS crown, going pretty easily into the second position halting the HAQ time keeping, so when I want to set the date, I will also have to set the time (making me question why I even care about the HAQ at that point). Also you don't have summer time? Because that's two times a year where I'm forced to even reset the Citizen...
Another great presentation! Something I really enjoy about your channel is your unapologetic and independent approach to the madness that is the world of watches where all are expected to bow down, nod in bovine-like praise, subjugate, prostrate, worship, and lick the boots of the Swiss and their famous brands which have been able to skirt some much deserved scrutiny all the while they snicker, sneer, and snobbishly turn their noses up to the rest of the horological world. Contrast that with your approach where you look merely at the facts, history, technology, innovation, price, development, etc. and try to honestly and objectively analyze each brand or watch, whatever the case may be. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your future content, thank you.
@@watchroll3310 The pleasure is all mine. By the way, may I ask what your preferred site(s) is/are for proxy purchases from Japan? Do you ever use ebay? I NEED to get a Cachalot! Thanks.
@@isaacmaccabee Absolutely! I usually check between Seiya Japan, Sakura watches, and Gnomon watches. Lastly I would check it on Amazon if the seller is from Japan. I try to never get them from Ebay but lately they started their authenticity guarantee program which kinda looks like the real thing and if is a reputable Japanese seller then I could see myself purchasing a JDM from eBay in the future. Right now is a great time to buy any JDM because the Japanese currency went down. Last time I saw Cachalots as low as around 800 US$
@@watchroll3310 Awesome! Thanks for the tips and suggestions. Let's hope that the ebay authenticity guarantee is legit. We all could benefit from more competition in the marketplace. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for any deals on a Cachalot given the favorable currency situation. Thank you once again!
Love this. Been drooling over The Citizen lineup. I have smaller wrists, so I definitely would opt for a smaller case size, like this model. The only thing holding me back is the limited dial options with the smaller sizes, I wish some of the paper dials came to the smaller sizes.
Thank you for the nice history of the brand. The Chronomaster line is drastically underrated. I think it's popularity will rise greatly in the next 5 years. I actually have a Chronomaster I'm borrowing to review and it holds it's own with Grand Seiko, and arguably is better with it's perpetual calendar function. I will say, while the Citizen accuracy tolerance is tighter, my GS has run +0 for the last 10 months. Really nice watch, enjoy it :)
The Chronomaster is the ultimate watch geek flex, the anti-Rolex in some ways. The if you know, you know kind of watch. Can’t wait to get mine shipped directly from Japan and put it side by side next to my Grand Seiko SBGN003.
I have AQ1020-54A and it's so far my favorite watch out of all my watches. It's the smaller case (37mm) compared to the AQ4100 but I think it's the same movement. I absolutely love the accuracy, look, finishing, perpetual calendar, quick adjust hour hand, and the fact that it's titanium (I don't think the AQ4100 is). Super underrated watch and better than the quarts grand seikos if not for any reason other than the solar power and 5 SPY vs 10 SPY
Thanks for posting this review. Yours may be the only video in English on RUclips which is crazy to think about. Goes to show how under the radar this brand and model really is. Also, thanks for using high quality video so we can appreciate the watch 👍🏻
I just received this exact model. Most current watch brands issue sunburst dials that are a bit lackluster. This one does not disappoint. The Matisse blue really changes depending on the lighting it is in. This really does rival Grand Seiko on many levels. I'm planning to get several different bands for this so I can wear it in the fall on something other than the bracelet. I have one regret...it is waiting so long to get a Chronomaster. It's much more stunning in person.
@@jeremyowen_ i believe it’s the same watch Same movement, same washi paper dial and same case & bracelet material There may be smaller differences that more knowledgeable people know about
I appreciate the thorough review of this watch. What struck me is thst you must have mentioned the name Grand Seiko at least as often as the brand of this watch on review 😅
The crease on the lugs actually makes sense with the strap you have - lining up nicely with where the strap ends. But with the OEM bracelet, the crease looks off as the bracelet doesn't have a corresponding crease.
This Citizen Chronomaster is an incredible beautiful watch. There's only one downside. It's JDM so you have to send it back to Japan if something needs to be repaired, right?
The chronomaster aq4100 is THE best looking watch of them all. Very similar to the grand Seiko but the eagle emblem makes for perfect symmetry on the dial in comparison to the new grand Seiko 9f having nothing on the bottom half of the dial.
Citizen is proud of that ‘lil chicken. 🐔 I say let it stay. Also acts like a little insider badge- other Citizen aficionados will immediately know what you have.
Love this video , probably the only owner perspective video of this particular model on YT . I had a question/request , could you please measure and let know the size of the sapphire crystal (just to get an idea of the dial size ) and the lug-to-lug? I would be very grateful to you if you could help me out here , thanks !
Great video. I’m torn between the aq4041-54l (Chronomaster on dial) and the aq4100-57l (eagle). There are a couple great videos showing the 4041 color hues and dial color. Do you know if the two models share the EXACT same blue dial. It’s hard to tell from videos. These non lumed versions, in my opinion, are more elegant and classy than lumed models. The titanium bracelet is off the charts incredible!
No lume at all on this watch. But if the indices are anything like a grand Seiko than legibility in dull light will still be very good thanks to the polishing of the indices .
Hello, I am facing the same decision as you. I am also torn between the dial with the eagle and the writing Chronomaster. I think they both have the identical dial except for the little thing with the logo. In a German watch forum it was written that the version with the eagle is newer and the version with the writing is discontinued.
That is correct. I found out from Citizen customer service that they are identical blue colors. The name of the color is Matisse and yes, the Chrono master logo one is discontinued, but the watches are identical as far as bracelets keys titanium everything.
I was also considering the grand Seiko SBGP005 and SBGP013 but I like the vibrant blue color of the Citizen and the titanium bracelet is ridiculously beautiful.
Yeah I wouldn’t say that myself. Because the GS quartz is mostly mechanical, having only one stepper motor. It mechanically jumps hour and quick jumps the date mechanically. It keeps accurate without any electronic crutches. Whereas Chronomaster is getting closer to being a computer on its IC, because it has to compute the date window. Take this further, and we get the quartz chronographs with multiple stepper motors and more computational sophistication. Those are digital watches but with an analogue interface. I don’t begrudge anyone who finds Chronomaster better value than the GS 9Fs, but they ought to know that there’s more to it then sticker price.
I still don't understand why most watch makers still put dates and even days in the high end, fashion/luxury watches.... the watch is supposed to make a statement with luxurious and yet simplest design without any annoyance of unnecessary things. We are in the era of smartphones and if anyone has to check the date/days/calendar, it won't be the watch... watch like this are worn during an occasion, and not a daily watch. therefore, the user is already aware of the date and day. how i wish there are many nice looking affordable luxury watches out there without the day/dates.
If we were talking mechanical watches, I would agree, because resetting the time and date gets old pretty quick. But the model here isn’t going to bother the owner with any of that. It’s a pick-up-and-go. Next to radio-controlled watches, this is the ultimate in convenience watch.
This is a quartz watch, don't compare it to Grand Seiko. Very few people buy GS quartz watches. GS is known for their Spring Drive and Hi-Beat movements, which are both one of a kind mechanical movements.
Not easy to find real reviews on this watch so this was definitely helpful. Good job, dude.
The only issue I have with the Chronomaster is the accuracy. So yes, it is 5+ seconds a year. But only under certain conditions. If you read the manual it states "To maintain this timekeeping accuracy, you must use the watch at ambient temperature (between +5°C and +40°C) and carry it with you approximately 12 hours a day." I rotate between 12 watches so sometimes my Chronomaster will not get wrist time for a few weeks to a month. Because of this my Chronomaster is currently 25 seconds fast after 6 months while my two 9f movements are at +0 after 3 years. The only time I had to reset my 9F time was after my battery change.
Funny how experiences differ. I still have a CTQ57 chronomaster and a 9F82 GS. I honestly barely ever wear either watch, but none of them are losing any time and I'm talking not even a second for half a year.
Of the two of them I will wear the Citizen a lot more (3x to 4x though), to the point I'm almost considering to sell the GS. It's just because most of the times when I want to wear either of them, the date on the GS will be wrong, since it doesn't have the perpetual calendar. That is made worse by the GS crown, going pretty easily into the second position halting the HAQ time keeping, so when I want to set the date, I will also have to set the time (making me question why I even care about the HAQ at that point).
Also you don't have summer time? Because that's two times a year where I'm forced to even reset the Citizen...
Indeed.
Your ability to clearly explain the history of the brand was truly enlightening.❤️
👏👏👏
Another great presentation! Something I really enjoy about your channel is your unapologetic and independent approach to the madness that is the world of watches where all are expected to bow down, nod in bovine-like praise, subjugate, prostrate, worship, and lick the boots of the Swiss and their famous brands which have been able to skirt some much deserved scrutiny all the while they snicker, sneer, and snobbishly turn their noses up to the rest of the horological world. Contrast that with your approach where you look merely at the facts, history, technology, innovation, price, development, etc. and try to honestly and objectively analyze each brand or watch, whatever the case may be. Keep up the good work and I look forward to your future content, thank you.
Woah! I totally get it and truly appreciate the comment.
@@watchroll3310 The pleasure is all mine. By the way, may I ask what your preferred site(s) is/are for proxy purchases from Japan? Do you ever use ebay? I NEED to get a Cachalot! Thanks.
@@isaacmaccabee Absolutely! I usually check between Seiya Japan, Sakura watches, and Gnomon watches. Lastly I would check it on Amazon if the seller is from Japan.
I try to never get them from Ebay but lately they started their authenticity guarantee program which kinda looks like the real thing and if is a reputable Japanese seller then I could see myself purchasing a JDM from eBay in the future.
Right now is a great time to buy any JDM because the Japanese currency went down. Last time I saw Cachalots as low as around 800 US$
@@watchroll3310 Awesome! Thanks for the tips and suggestions. Let's hope that the ebay authenticity guarantee is legit. We all could benefit from more competition in the marketplace. I'll be sure to keep an eye out for any deals on a Cachalot given the favorable currency situation. Thank you once again!
@@isaacmaccabee Thanks to you Isaac. Yes if that eBay guarantee is legit that could be a big help in the market.
Love this. Been drooling over The Citizen lineup. I have smaller wrists, so I definitely would opt for a smaller case size, like this model. The only thing holding me back is the limited dial options with the smaller sizes, I wish some of the paper dials came to the smaller sizes.
Thank you for the nice history of the brand. The Chronomaster line is drastically underrated. I think it's popularity will rise greatly in the next 5 years. I actually have a Chronomaster I'm borrowing to review and it holds it's own with Grand Seiko, and arguably is better with it's perpetual calendar function. I will say, while the Citizen accuracy tolerance is tighter, my GS has run +0 for the last 10 months. Really nice watch, enjoy it :)
Thats impressive. Thank you so much!
+0 for 10 months is crazy accurate
The Chronomaster is the ultimate watch geek flex, the anti-Rolex in some ways. The if you know, you know kind of watch. Can’t wait to get mine shipped directly from Japan and put it side by side next to my Grand Seiko SBGN003.
I have AQ1020-54A and it's so far my favorite watch out of all my watches. It's the smaller case (37mm) compared to the AQ4100 but I think it's the same movement. I absolutely love the accuracy, look, finishing, perpetual calendar, quick adjust hour hand, and the fact that it's titanium (I don't think the AQ4100 is). Super underrated watch and better than the quarts grand seikos if not for any reason other than the solar power and 5 SPY vs 10 SPY
Very thorough review and discussion. I'd choose the Citizen over the Seiko due to eco-drive, the perpetual calendar, and titanium.
Absolutely stunning watch! You structure your videos in a very interesting way! I'm a fan. Keep up the good work!
I appreciate it, indeed is a stunning watch.
Thanks for posting this review. Yours may be the only video in English on RUclips which is crazy to think about. Goes to show how under the radar this brand and model really is. Also, thanks for using high quality video so we can appreciate the watch 👍🏻
I just received this exact model. Most current watch brands issue sunburst dials that are a bit lackluster. This one does not disappoint. The Matisse blue really changes depending on the lighting it is in.
This really does rival Grand Seiko on many levels. I'm planning to get several different bands for this so I can wear it in the fall on something other than the bracelet.
I have one regret...it is waiting so long to get a Chronomaster. It's much more stunning in person.
Very, very elegant and precise, And it's less expensive than GS. What's not to like? True Grand Seiko killer!
That's insane. Citizen truly flies under the radar.
I love the Chronomaster line. I don’t like to have a chicken on the dial so I have the one with Chronomaster printed on it. It’s more balanced.
A chicken 💀 😭
And the Citizen eagle reminds me of the German eagle from the the 1930’s-1940’s- I can’t unsee it
Please change it Citizen
I actually like the chicken logo 😂
Whats the difference between the Chicken logo with Chronomaster branding? Is it the same watch? Or different item?
@@jeremyowen_ i believe it’s the same watch
Same movement, same washi paper dial and same case & bracelet material
There may be smaller differences that more knowledgeable people know about
Great review and history, thanks.
I appreciate the thorough review of this watch. What struck me is thst you must have mentioned the name Grand Seiko at least as often as the brand of this watch on review 😅
Superb review, best I’ve seen. Many thanks 🙏
The crease on the lugs actually makes sense with the strap you have - lining up nicely with where the strap ends. But with the OEM bracelet, the crease looks off as the bracelet doesn't have a corresponding crease.
This Citizen Chronomaster is an incredible beautiful watch. There's only one downside. It's JDM so you have to send it back to Japan if something needs to be repaired, right?
I hope not
@@peters9793 do you own one?
Just reviewed a grand seiko on my channel I’d be curious to have this in hand to see how they compare myself. Good video
The chronomaster aq4100 is THE best looking watch of them all. Very similar to the grand Seiko but the eagle emblem makes for perfect symmetry on the dial in comparison to the new grand Seiko 9f having nothing on the bottom half of the dial.
It would be best looking without the chicken on the dial.
Citizen is proud of that ‘lil chicken. 🐔 I say let it stay. Also acts like a little insider badge- other Citizen aficionados will immediately know what you have.
I’d give my eye teeth for a well laid out Citizen coffee table book with a complete history of this brand and it’s manufacture. 😍😍😍
Love this video , probably the only owner perspective video of this particular model on YT . I had a question/request , could you please measure and let know the size of the sapphire crystal (just to get an idea of the dial size ) and the lug-to-lug? I would be very grateful to you if you could help me out here , thanks !
Thank's for that!
Sure, The saphire is 32 mm
@@watchroll3310 Thanks ! Sorry for disturbing you again but i had also asked for the lug-to-lug .
@@siddhant46s54 Sorry I missed that, it is 45mm lug to lug.
@@watchroll3310 no worries, thank you so much for taking the time to reply to my queries!
Yes yes 🙌
They should have put the at bird emblem in their tsuyosa looked and I know without a doubt it would be always sold out.
Great video. I’m torn between the aq4041-54l (Chronomaster on dial) and the aq4100-57l (eagle). There are a couple great videos showing the 4041 color hues and dial color. Do you know if the two models share the EXACT same blue dial. It’s hard to tell from videos. These non lumed versions, in my opinion, are more elegant and classy than lumed models. The titanium bracelet is off the charts incredible!
I know the watch has no lume. So what are the white highlights on the applied hour markers? It doesnt seem to be brushed.
What a beautiful watch, both in form and function. I'd love to get one, but the Japanese hoard these watches amongst themselves!
Hello, is there a lum on this watch ? Thank you
No lume at all on this watch. But if the indices are anything like a grand Seiko than legibility in dull light will still be very good thanks to the polishing of the indices .
A very beautiful watch. Can you please tell me the diameter of the glass?
great detailed review.
The world isn't ready for The Citizen!
Can you measure the crystal size please?
32mm
Great video. Thanks
Wooow 🎉✨🌷☀️
Great video!
Nice . Maybe someday for me too .
Mine gussl The new watch is great! I've praised its realism many times. I really recommend checking out their selection.
How does the lume works? Or does it even have lume?
No lume
Thanks for hurting my comment but there was a question in there lol. Do you know if the two watches that I referenced share the exact same blue dial?
Hearting not hurting lol
Hello, I am facing the same decision as you. I am also torn between the dial with the eagle and the writing Chronomaster. I think they both have the identical dial except for the little thing with the logo. In a German watch forum it was written that the version with the eagle is newer and the version with the writing is discontinued.
That is correct. I found out from Citizen customer service that they are identical blue colors. The name of the color is Matisse and yes, the Chrono master logo one is discontinued, but the watches are identical as far as bracelets keys titanium everything.
Case*
I was also considering the grand Seiko SBGP005 and SBGP013 but I like the vibrant blue color of the Citizen and the titanium bracelet is ridiculously beautiful.
What is the rubber strap? Thanks!
Is an FKM tropic from Miltat
@@watchroll3310 that is one nice good looking match strap
😍😍😍😍😍😍
Definitely this is better thant GS Quartz
Yeah I wouldn’t say that myself. Because the GS quartz is mostly mechanical, having only one stepper motor. It mechanically jumps hour and quick jumps the date mechanically. It keeps accurate without any electronic crutches. Whereas Chronomaster is getting closer to being a computer on its IC, because it has to compute the date window. Take this further, and we get the quartz chronographs with multiple stepper motors and more computational sophistication. Those are digital watches but with an analogue interface.
I don’t begrudge anyone who finds Chronomaster better value than the GS 9Fs, but they ought to know that there’s more to it then sticker price.
Breath taking watch. What do they cost?
MSRP is around 360000¥
The washi dials are around 3600 US $
This model depends on where you get them but around 2.5k us $
I have a The CITIZEN AQ1010-54A. It's $ 1700 + ...No pictures do it justice
I still don't understand why most watch makers still put dates and even days in the high end, fashion/luxury watches.... the watch is supposed to make a statement with luxurious and yet simplest design without any annoyance of unnecessary things. We are in the era of smartphones and if anyone has to check the date/days/calendar, it won't be the watch... watch like this are worn during an occasion, and not a daily watch. therefore, the user is already aware of the date and day. how i wish there are many nice looking affordable luxury watches out there without the day/dates.
Agreed. I personally prefer no date and if it has a date window at least make it to be accurate. Other than that, a date window throws the symmetry.
If we were talking mechanical watches, I would agree, because resetting the time and date gets old pretty quick. But the model here isn’t going to bother the owner with any of that. It’s a pick-up-and-go. Next to radio-controlled watches, this is the ultimate in convenience watch.
Thay have to ditch the logo, it looks like one of Godzilla's enemies.
I don't like the chicken on the dial. In fact, I detest it.
I would detest it as well if it was a chicken. Gladly it is not.
In fact I would also detest the house cat on the Grand Seiko.
But the house cat is not on the dial. I have no problem with the chicken on the back of the case.
@@richardvanfrank8114 yes, except for the detail that it's not a house cat and is not a chicken.
This is a quartz watch, don't compare it to Grand Seiko. Very few people buy GS quartz watches. GS is known for their Spring Drive and Hi-Beat movements, which are both one of a kind mechanical movements.
he’s comparing it to a GS 9F, keep up. 👌
@@alanbowles1985my bad, I didn't watch the full video.
Таких часов - вагон и маленькая тележка. Сотни одинакоых моделей, меняется только название.