Mineral crystals are tempered with chemical and heat treatments these days to make them harder and stronger. They’re a lot more scratch-resistant than acrylic dial protectors, and are more likely to chip rather than shatter, unlike sapphire crystals. This is why on a iso rated Dive watch manufacturers quite often choose mineral glass over sapphire. If you glance your watch on a rock or metal structure underwater you'll be more appreciative of a chip rather than a shatter moment. Sorry I'm a diver hence the lengthy and possibly unneeded over explanation. If you are someone that wants to use this watch for its implied description purpose - stick to the standard mineral glass supplied with the watch rather than upgrading it. good review btw.
Only the entry level diver watches have mineral crystal. The Citizen Pro diver 1000m has sapphire, so all the Fugu models. I'd rather have sapphire than a scratched mineral crystal. How can you bang a watch on a rock hard enough, when underwater the water dampens your movements? When diving or freediving people move slow to consume less oxygen.
Nice review - I bought the BN0150 (black dial/bezel) 2 years ago for $120. Awesome watch! It runs +:05/month, looks great and the lume lasts for hours. You are spot on on the negatives: terrible strap and a mineral crystal that will scratch. Cheers!
I've had the BNO 150 on my wrist for two weeks. It's a killer watch, built like a tank. Going to switch out the rubber band for a bracelet from Long Island watches. It'll dress it up just a bit..
I have been meaning to buy a Promaster for at least a year. Maybe one of the NY models. The dial might look better if “Promaster” replaced “Eco-Drive”. Good review.
I really like Baron Elites Silicon straps, and the Barton hybrid fabric/silicon strap. They are great value for money. If you want something really nice, but pricey go with a Hirsch Robbie or similar.
THE BEST BUDGET DIVER. Full stop, but in black (BN0150)... 😋 Grab and away we go! PS Wait a sec... where is the famous "DO NOT OPEN SERVICE CENTER REPAIR ONLY"??? One of the most teasing things to...open!!!! (oops, saw it, just in smaller fonts now, not the same tease anymore...🤪)
I have both blue and black versions. I may go for a trifecta and get the green/black. The stock rubber strap is fine for me. I like the feel. Not too soft and not too hard. I have a few "CheapestNatoStrap" rubber straps that are 3x more stiff and wear like cardboard. So I'm keeping the stock straps. P.S. the blue rubber ND Limits text wipes off w a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol in abour 30 seconds.
Good review Jason. The facts and only the facts. Well done. I bought this watch in Australia today for A$229 on Starbuy online. A bargain. Can't wait to compare it to my other dive watches being Seiko, Orient and a Citizen Automatic.
Just picked one up for about $150 fantastic watch except for the strap so I'm looking for some nice alternatives a more refined rubber/silicone or a two piece nato, all recommendations are welcome, thx for the video 👍
Nice pick up! I like the Barton Silicone Elite strap! They also make a hybrid one one that is good. If you want something really nice, a Hirsch Robbie will do the trick, but they are pricey!
I have the blue (bn0151) version of watch. I agree with what you are saying about the strap. Its too long and stiff but I think its totaly fine that its not a sapphire glass on it. My biggest complaint is the crown. I think its too rough and unrefined. Other than that its a fantastic beater!
I don't understand why Citizen doesn't put a sapphire crystal on this watch and charge a few bucks more. It's already fairly inexpensive. That would make it a great watch. BTW: The strap can easily be changed. I did that on mine (a blue model, BN0151-09L).
Mineral crystals are tempered with chemical and heat treatments these days to make them harder and stronger. They’re a lot more scratch-resistant than acrylic dial protectors, and are more likely to chip rather than shatter, unlike sapphire crystals. This is why on a iso rated Dive watch manufacturers quite often choose mineral glass over sapphire. If you glance your watch on a rock or metal structure underwater you'll be more appreciative of a chip rather than a shatter moment. Sorry I'm a diver hence the lengthy and possibly unneeded over explanation. If you are someone that wants to use this watch for its implied description purpose - stick to the standard mineral glass supplied with the watch rather than upgrading it. good review btw.
Thank you for the insight. That makes sense!!
I’m not a diver obviously haha
Only the entry level diver watches have mineral crystal. The Citizen Pro diver 1000m has sapphire, so all the Fugu models. I'd rather have sapphire than a scratched mineral crystal. How can you bang a watch on a rock hard enough, when underwater the water dampens your movements? When diving or freediving people move slow to consume less oxygen.
Nice review - I bought the BN0150 (black dial/bezel) 2 years ago for $120. Awesome watch! It runs +:05/month, looks great and the lume lasts for hours. You are spot on on the negatives: terrible strap and a mineral crystal that will scratch. Cheers!
Thanks for reporting in with your results. Great price and amazing accuracy!
I wish they would just increase the price and make it a sapphire crystal. And make the registration better
Agree, sapphire crystal would be worth the price bump!
@@Simon89Jeppesen it seems to be fine on my Planet Ocean and Steinhart Ocean Vintage Military. Admittedly those both have good antireflective.
I wish they put that band on all of them. It looks good. Thanks for the video.
Yes, for sure. Thanks for watching and the comment :)
I’ve had this piece a year now, and quite happy with it. The only gripe I have is the date window. It’s recessed in the case and difficult to read.
Thanks for reporting in on your long term experience. The date window is hard to read for sure!
Another great review. Love the black coating on the edge of the bezel. Separates it well. Theres just something solid looking about this watch.
It is a nice one. Would be a great one watch to have, if I wasn't addicted to watches :P
i think a red or orange outlined minute hand would have looked nice on this time piece .. nice review
Thanks for watching. Yes, an orange hand would have been stellar!
I've had the BNO 150 on my wrist for two weeks.
It's a killer watch, built like a tank.
Going to switch out the rubber band for a bracelet from Long Island watches. It'll dress it up just a bit..
These are great watches. Didn’t know LIW had a bracelet for this one - that’s awesome
I have been meaning to buy a Promaster for at least a year. Maybe one of the NY models. The dial might look better if “Promaster” replaced “Eco-Drive”.
Good review.
Yes, I would actually like it to better with that text change.
just picked up the same watch today. Love it except for the band. Can you recommend a softer, silicon/ rubber replacement band?
I really like Baron Elites Silicon straps, and the Barton hybrid fabric/silicon strap. They are great value for money. If you want something really nice, but pricey go with a Hirsch Robbie or similar.
THE BEST BUDGET DIVER. Full stop, but in black (BN0150)... 😋 Grab and away we go!
PS Wait a sec... where is the famous "DO NOT OPEN SERVICE CENTER REPAIR ONLY"??? One of the most teasing things to...open!!!! (oops, saw it, just in smaller fonts now, not the same tease anymore...🤪)
Oh did they use to print that bigger? Interesting! I think that is sort of funny, but I guess they really don't want you to open it :P
I noticed that the world logo with Eco Drive around it was completely missing in the middle of the case back of the watch.
great review thanks for posting. I just bought the BN01050 and love it.
Congrats on the pickup!
I have both blue and black versions. I may go for a trifecta and get the green/black. The stock rubber strap is fine for me. I like the feel. Not too soft and not too hard. I have a few "CheapestNatoStrap" rubber straps that are 3x more stiff and wear like cardboard. So I'm keeping the stock straps. P.S. the blue rubber ND Limits text wipes off w a Q-Tip and rubbing alcohol in abour 30 seconds.
They are great watches! I think the strap would be fine if it was a touch shorter for me. Thanks for the comment and the tips!
Good review Jason. The facts and only the facts. Well done. I bought this watch in Australia today for A$229 on Starbuy online. A bargain. Can't wait to compare it to my other dive watches being Seiko, Orient and a Citizen Automatic.
You are welcome :) I think you will like it, Citizen is underrated imho,
Nice review. Been thinking about picking this model up. This or the gold tone version.
It is a great watch. I wish more watches had 60 click bezels.
I have the full green one (bn0158) with a very cool bracelet. The quality is outstanding, citizen should be more praised.
Agree, Citizen is underrated!!
Just picked one up for about $150 fantastic watch except for the strap so I'm looking for some nice alternatives a more refined rubber/silicone or a two piece nato, all recommendations are welcome, thx for the video 👍
Nice pick up! I like the Barton Silicone Elite strap! They also make a hybrid one one that is good. If you want something really nice, a Hirsch Robbie will do the trick, but they are pricey!
I have the blue (bn0151) version of watch. I agree with what you are saying about the strap. Its too long and stiff but I think its totaly fine that its not a sapphire glass on it. My biggest complaint is the crown. I think its too rough and unrefined. Other than that its a fantastic beater!
Sapphire would be great, but definitely a great beater!
A very handsome timepiece Jason! . Would look really good on a decent strap with a deployant clasp. Very much like the forest green bezel insert.
Thank you! Agree on the strap, thanks for watching and the comment :)
I think that citizen is starting to give seiko a run for its money. Most definitely!
We really need a new value king. Citizen and Orient do a great job!
I don't understand why Citizen doesn't put a sapphire crystal on this watch and charge a few bucks more. It's already fairly inexpensive. That would make it a great watch. BTW: The strap can easily be changed. I did that on mine (a blue model, BN0151-09L).
Yes, I would love to see sapphire on these!
Wow. Now confused which one to buy, This one or the one with both green bezel and dial?
Can't go wrong with either! I think the black and green might be slightly more versatile though!
I notice that the strap on yours does not have the ND table printed on it . Did you remove it?
No, I didn't take it off, but I also go this second hand, so I guess there is a chance the rubber strap was switched?
Hi. Does it come in diving o2 bottle box?
I bought this off a friend and it was just the watch so I'm not sure. I know some of them do!
how much your wirst? please. Thanks
6 and 3/4 inches
ugh, for some reason this color variant is too expensive & hard to find... like almost 50% more expensive than the standard silver/black one...
Yeah, frustrating when only one colorway is more expensive
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