You know how sometimes you get a watch almost by accident? Well, this one was like that. I had made a couple of half-hearted bids on that auction site, just to see if I could discover what the reserve price was on this particular watch that I'd seen on another site, and which had aroused mild stirrings of interest. My bid made the reserve and I went to bed as the highest bidder, but in the morning I found out I had been sniped in the dying seconds. Oh well, I thought, I didn't really want it anyway, so nothing lost. Or so I thought.

The next day an email arrived from the vendor. Since I had been kind enough to bid on their auction and had reached the reserve, would I be interested in purchasing another one of the same watch at the reserve price? Now I was in a quandry. Did I want it or didn't I? At that price it was a really good buy.... and I would get it cheaper than the b...ard who had sniped me! Almost of its own accord my mouse clicked on the Buy Now button , and I settled in for the wait.

Nine days later this arrived.......don't you just love parcels with the green Customs Declaration form on them?




Delving into the box revealed a clue to what lay inside....




Hmmm, altimeter and depth meter, eh? It must be one of them thar...





...Citizen Promaster Aquamounts! Holy Toledo, Robin—just look at the thickness of that instruction manual!





This is a big watch, but not so big that it won't fit under a shirt sleeve. 49mm across the sensors, 42mm across the bezel, 16.4mm thick. Weighs 195g with all links in the bracelet. I had to remove 2 links (easy to do, it has simple pushpins) to size it to my 7.5" wrist. In the photo above the top window shows digital time, and the bottom shows date and day (perpetual calendar to 2099). The arrow in the top window shows the barometric pressure has been rising gradually(!).




This photo shows the top window set to display barometric pressure (999 hectoPascals), and the bottom one shows ambient temperature. Of course there's a daily alarm (which unfortunately is not very loud), and all the usual dive functions. But best of all there's...





...a sliding diver's extension! No more fiddling with the clasp springbars to cater for 'wrist expansion' or 'wrist contraction' on hot and cold days respectively. Just a simple push of the twin buttons to release the slide.....er, a simple push of the .....(it's a bit stiff at the moment)....ahh, there we are! Instant adjustment!




The caseback is typical 200m WR Promaster—simply but nicely done. No little diver's helmet and air hose like you get on the 300m WR and above—just the usual dire warning about not removing the caseback or else all manner of evils will beset you. The solid-link bracelet is very comfortable, holds the watch in place properly on the wrist, and hasn't pulled any hairs (yet).





Apart from the two large sensors either side of the case for water pressure and air pressure, three pushbuttons and a nicely knurled (and signed) screwdown crown, there's also this little round thingy with what looks like a central copper core (see photo above). No, it's not a helium relief valve. It's actually a water sensor to automatically put the watch into dive mode when it gets wet. Oh, and did someone mention lume?





The Aquamount uses Citizen's 'Natural Light' as a lume source and it's very effective.

Finally, the obligatory wrist shot. I like to think of the lighting as 'artistic', but the reality is all these photos are Q&Ds using what light I had available. The bracelet hadn't been sized when I took this shot so the watch was sliding around all over the place.





It's early days yet but I'm very impressed with the Aquamount. It seems very tough and solid, in the Aqualand tradition. It has more functions than you can poke a stick at—depth meter, dive log, dive alarms, altimeter, barometer, alarm, 24 hr chrono, etc., etc.—you name it, it's got it (apart from countdown timer and backlight). The bezel action is just right. The legibility is outstanding. The minute hand advances each second so there's no 'jump' at 15 or 20 second intervals. (The jump has never bothered me but I know it does some people.) The second hand is dead on the hash marks. (Yay!) Judging by its clarity and the water bead test, I'd say the flat crystal is sapphire, although available information is conflicting about this—some sites say it's sapphire, some say hardened mineral glass. It certainly looks like sapphire to me. The battery is lithium and should last for 2+ years. There is a battery end-of-life indicator.

This model has now been discontinued for some reason, and so can be bought for a fraction of the original asking price. If good looks, size, strength and utility float your boat, I highly recommend you have a look at one—stocks won't last forever!

Cheers,




GLSM IBC, Rep. Bellm.

Some people are like a Slinky - they serve no useful purpose in life but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down stairs.

Les,

Congrats on your latest acquisition, mate! I believe this is the first SCWF post on the JP3040. Had been discussing with Babola regarding this beauty via email for a few weeks. Packaging is very impressive too.

I have a 6.5-6.75" wrist (never really measured, anyway) but it looks a little too large for my liking. The Citizen E210 is the largest that suits me - although my Casio Protrek PRG40T-VDR Triple Sensor dwarfs the JP-3040 anytime.

Thanks for sharing the pics. I had seen the lume pic in one of the eB#y sellers sites and marvelled at the combination of green lumed hands and blue lumed indices.

There's also the titanium matte version - the JP3050 but that's really pricey at this time. May I ask which seller you got your Aquamount from?

Dang it! I should've bid for this instead of the black Promaster E210!

cheers,

StratMan


It's your watch watch collection that tells most about who you are

...if you're comfortable with the E210 (which is a great watch btw, although I wish they'd used more contrasting hands for the white-dialed version), then you'll be OK with the Aquamount. The extra width is largely due to the sensors, but they are cunningly designed not to dig into your wrist.

I've only seen the Ti version on the web, but from the photos I reckon I prefer steel anyway. Whilst the bracelet is all brushed, the case has an interesting (and I think attractive) mix of brushed and bead-blasted finishes, complemented by polished pushbuttons. Sounds horrible but works well in practice.

I bought my Aquamount from Tri-Collectibles, a Singapore-based vendor. The price was good as was the communication, shipping cost was reasonable, the watch was well and securely packed, and all in all it was a very smooth transaction and I would gladly deal with them again. The promised 'gift box' was a generic Citizen box and not the aluminium case I had seen on some websites, and there were no freebies such as an extra rubber strap, but at the price I paid I'm not complaining. All I need to do now is find time to wade through the massive instruction manual......

Cheers,







GLSM IBC, Rep. Bellm.

Some people are like a Slinky - they serve no useful purpose in life but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down stairs.

.

GLSM IBC, Rep. Bellm.

Some people are like a Slinky - they serve no useful purpose in life but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down stairs.

k

Hopefully I can get around to a mini-review with better pics in the near future—when I find out everything it can do!



GLSM IBC, Rep. Bellm.

Some people are like a Slinky - they serve no useful purpose in life but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down stairs.

o

I'm not such a ana-digi fan but in this case it looks very nice.

Congrats with your new arrival, wear it in good health.

..

.....don't fret. Even though it's thick, you won't have much reading to do. Citizen makes their owners manual in about 12 different languages. Only about 8% of it is in your language.

GWB

As you say, the manual is multi-lingual and caters for 7 different languages. However, there's 640 pages in all of which 92 are in English, so I reckon I'm in for quite a bit of bedtime reading!

Cheers,



GLSM IBC, Rep. Bellm.

Some people are like a Slinky - they serve no useful purpose in life but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down stairs.

Congratulations!

-- DIY Watch Wiki

http://www.diystompboxes.com/watches/

details senoir- I need details

Person1: "Excuse me Sir, is that Seiko?"

Me: "Why yes, it is."


Person1: "That's BITCHEN"

I think you may have started a stampede as well ;>)

Singapore few days ago, so it should be here (NZ) any time soon.
It was a toss between S/S (JP3040) or it's dearer (much dearer !) Ti counterpart (JP3050), but in my case a total weight played a big part in my final decision.

I owned S/S Aqualand JP1010, and now own JP1030-53E (full Ti) and the difference it made in weight made me choose Ti Aquamount over S/S. It's got a slightly subdued overall look due to it's "bead-blasted" Ti case/bracelet finish, but it also comes with an interesting dark grey dial, that IMO fits the rest of the watch perfectly. The only other subtle dial difference is the Promaster logo, which in Ti version is placed right underneath the Citizen logo.

These also carry a bit of a 'military' look with numbers on dial instead standard diver luminous dots. The chapter ring is wide and easy to read (Aqualand II chapter ring is almost invisible if you look at it straight top down)

To me, these watches epitomise the "swiss-tools" of outdoor watches, with as you pointed out 'more features than you could shake your stick at', the C900 movt has been around for 9 years now, proven and never heard of one failing so far. As for the writing on the case back - I agree, who cares, I believe these use something similar to Varta CR2025 battery, so the replacement won't be much of a problem. I don't intend to take this one diving, but will definitely use it for my outdoor explorations of beautiful NZ forests and mountains.

The watch is big, as a matter of fact it's a monster compared to standard diver watches (having a 20mm bracelet makes it even bigger looking) but not THAT big, and as you said I should be able to comfortably slip it under my shirt sleeve. Citizen definitelly made an effort (again) to not make a thick watch. We only need to look ad a side profile of MA, 4X4 and Aquuamount JP3020 to see how "low" these watches are compared to other manufacturers watches in the similar class.

Will keep you posted once I receive my Aquamount, can't wait !!!

cheers,
babola

I have the JP3020, and babola and I have been discussing it's pros and cons.

I agree Les, I think this watch is great bang for your buck, in fact I've been wearing mine way too much and the others are getting jealous. It's got a great design, is easy to use, has fantastic finish and the TI version is very light and a nice dull grey as is the dial. The skeletal hands are a really nice touch, but I think that are hard to read at night, and the lume on the older versions isn't as good as yours. it would be interesting to see how long yours lumes over the older models.

The reason why I didn't go for the model you bought Les was becuase of the military numbers. I really don't like having numbers on the dial. But all in all these are merely cosmetic issues and I think the watches are a great addition to any collection, I'd suggest to anyone thinking about this watch to seriously consider it, size isn't an issue with the TI models being so light.

Down Under Divers©

instead of the black Citizen Promaster E210!

Well, what's done is done I guess. Share with us pics of your forthcoming JP3050, Babola!

cheers,

StratMan


It's your watch watch collection that tells most about who you are

Yeah, what can I say, I just couldn't resist the urge any more

I didn't know you went for the black e210 as well ! Good on ya' Stratman, that's for sure one fine watch.

I'm definitely starting to feel 'the Citizen Promaster' vibe slowly coming the way of this forum

Looks like my Aqualand Ti will be getting its 'Mount Ti sibling soon.

chers,
babola

Congratulations!!!

I like Citizens more and more these days. Great write up, photos and watch.

I have a question about the ambient temperature feature.

Does it change if you are wearing it vs. when the watch is on the table?

Thanks,
Fernie
To email me:
timeNOJUNKfare(at)KM8OUTyahoo.com
remove “NOJUNK”, replace (at) with “@”, and remove “KM8OUT”

The temperature sensor is inside the watch, and Citizen recommend taking the watch off for an hour to let it acclimatise to ambient temperature. I've found in practice that 15-20 minutes is usually enough.

As an example, and after leaving the watch on the bedside table overnight, the temperature in my bedroom this morning (it's cold here at the moment!) was 13.3°C. After wearing the watch for about 30 minutes, the indicated temp. rose to 27.0°. Oh, and by the way, the barometric pressure is 998 hPa!

Cheers,



GLSM IBC, Rep. Bellm.

Some people are like a Slinky - they serve no useful purpose in life but they bring a smile to your face when you push them down stairs.