Citizen Promaster "Fugu" Review: The Best Affordable Automatic Dive Watch?

There's a Swell Coming

For years, Citizen has been a cornerstone in the world of timepieces, often associated with accessible, mass-market designs that, while reliable, sometimes missed the intricate nuances sought by ardent collectors. However, a new wave is upon us, and with it, Citizen has truly hit its stride. Today, we're diving deep into a particularly striking piece from their Promaster Automatic collection: the Citizen Promaster 44MM Automatic NY0137-09A, specifically the white dial model on its vibrant blue polyurethane strap. This isn't just another addition; it's Citizen finally listening to the enthusiast community, bringing back one of their most desirable and enthusiast-friendly automatic Dive Watches. The question isn't just if it's a good watch, but if it offers unparalleled value for its price point, and whether its unique charm resonates with seasoned collectors and newcomers alike.

The Unmistakable "Fugu" Design and Deceptive Wearability

One of the first things that captures your eye with the NY0137-09A is its incredibly distinctive design, affectionately nicknamed "Fugu" after the Japanese pufferfish. This moniker stems from the serrated bezel, which, with its alternating curved and sharp edges, supposedly mimics the pufferfish's defensive stance. On this particular model, the deep navy blue bezel insert, sometimes appears shiny depending on the viewing angle, however it contributes to its sporty aesthetic. But the true star of the show here is the fully lumed white dial. Inspired by the intricate sand patterns created by male pufferfish during mating season, this dial features a subtly ribbed radiating texture. When the lights go out, this dial transforms into an impressive light show.

Despite its listed 44mm diameter, this Dive Watch wears remarkably well, feeling closer to a 41mm or 42mm piece on the wrist. Citizen achieves this clever trick through several design choices: the dramatically rounded case side undercut, the high visual beltline, short, gently curving lugs, and a relatively large bezel-to-dial ratio. The black ion-plated stainless steel case also plays a role, visually minimizing its size. Then there's the truly unique eight o'clock screw-down crown. While unorthodox and potentially making winding a bit more of a chore than a traditional three o'clock crown, its placement is a stroke of genius for comfort, preventing it from digging into your wrist during sporty activities or actual diving scenarios. This commitment to practical wearability makes the Fugu surprisingly comfortable, even on smaller wrists.

Legitimate Functionality and Core Features

Beyond its captivating looks, the Citizen Fugu is a serious tool. It's an ISO 6425 compliant dive watch, signifying its adherence to rigorous standards for professional diving. With a robust 200 meters of water resistance and a screw-down crown, it’s built to perform where it counts. For actual divers, the uni-directional 120-click bezel offers excellent resistance with little to no play, allowing for precise timing of dive intervals. The flat sapphire crystal, a significant upgrade from mineral crystals often found in this price segment, ensures superior scratch resistance and legibility even at extreme underwater angles.

Powering the NY0137-09A is Citizen's workhorse Miyota 8204 automatic movement. While not cutting edge, this caliber boasts a powerful reputation for being reliable and durable. Crucially, it includes both hand-winding and hacking functionality, features highly valued by enthusiasts that were absent in earlier models. In terms of accuracy, performance is around +8 seconds per day, which is solid, though Miyota's quoted range is wider (-20 to +40 seconds a day), meaning some variation can be expected between individual examples. The day-date indicator at the three o'clock position offers practical utility, though its simple, unframed cutout design might be a point of contention for some who prefer a more integrated look. The blue polyurethane strap itself is supple, and a nice step up from previous Citizen straps, and offers impressive versatility for swapping with other 20mm straps.

The Unbeatable "Fugu" Value Proposition

So, what does all this boil down to for the buyer? The Citizen Promaster Fugu NY0137-09A represents an extraordinary Value proposition in the affordable automatic Dive Watch market. Priced at an MSRP around $650-675, with street prices often considerably lower, it’s hard to beat for the price. Compared to competitors like Seiko's entry-level Prospex models, the Fugu often comes with sapphire crystal as standard, a feature sometimes lacking in similarly priced alternatives.

For new collectors, this watch offers a genuine, robust, and characterful mechanical dive watch experience without breaking the bank. For seasoned enthusiasts, it's a welcome return of an iconic design, now updated with critical modern features like sapphire and hacking that elevate its appeal. While its finishing and crown placement, may not be the best, these are minor concessions when weighed against the overall package. The Fugu isn't trying to be a luxury showpiece; it's a dependable, highly capable tool watch that offers immense satisfaction and a unique personality. It even comes in an exclusive collector's dive tank box, adding to the unboxing experience.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, the Citizen Promaster 44MM Automatic NY0137-09A, with its striking lumed dial and comfortable blue strap, is more than just an affordable automatic dive watch; it's a statement of intent from Citizen. It embodies exceptional Value by combining legitimate diving credentials, a distinctive design, and essential modern features at a price point that makes it accessible to a wide range of collectors. If you're looking for a robust, reliable, and genuinely fun mechanical Dive Watch that can handle real-world adventures and turn heads, the Citizen Promaster "Fugu" should undoubtedly be near the top of your list. So, would you "Fugu"? I certainly would.

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