Aqualand is the most specialized dive-style watch from the Japanese watch company within its extensive collection of dive watches. The distinguishing feature of the Promaster Aqualand as a diver's watch is the built-in depth gauge, which automatically displays the current depth up to 50 meters. Citizen has been producing Aqualand watches since the late 1980s, and although the appearance and functionality have evolved over time, their primary purpose as a reliable tool for divers, suitable for daily wear, remains unchanged.
It's quite fascinating to observe the various design directions Citizen has taken with the Promaster Aqualand models, ranging from somewhat retro to extremely futuristic. So, what remains from the current generation of Citizen Promaster Aqualand, which are new for 2021? Although there are several color versions, the model under review is the Citizen Promaster Aqualand reference BJ2169-88E, featuring shades of blue combined with some red accents on the dial - particularly on the minute hand.
The Aqualand BJ2169-88E is also a limited edition model for this year (and comes with a multi-tool in the form of a diver's knife), while the non-limited 2021 Aqualand Promaster versions include the black-red bezel BJ2167-03E and the black-green bezel BJ2168-01E. Apart from color variations (and the addition of the LIFELINE tool with a knife in the limited edition), different versions of the current generation Aqualand function similarly.
My experience with Aqualand models has shown that despite their more whimsical shape, they are always comfortable to wear on the wrist. Citizen typically pays great attention to ergonomics, which makes sense, but comfort isn't something many might immediately think of when looking at the bold sizes and interesting shapes of these specialized sport watches.
Citizen faced a significant challenge in developing the Aqualand models, as it was necessary to incorporate all the timekeeping technology inside the case while also including a system for determining dive depth. The largest part is the membrane system, which determines the current dive depth based on water pressure measurement. On the left side of the case is a circular structure with small round perforations. Water must enter the case through these to interact with the membrane. In this generation of Aqualand, Citizen aimed to make the case as round as possible. This involves some visual tricks since the in-house module within the watch isn't perfectly round. In this case, Citizen created a sort of half-cover around the water intake system, which, along with other protruding elements, gives the case a more or less round shape, measuring 46 mm wide (by Citizen standards). With the crown, the steel case is about 52 mm wide and has a similar length from lug to lug.
The case is water-resistant up to 200 meters and is about 17 mm thick, although it appears thinner due to the tapered design of the back case. Above the dial is a flat sapphire crystal with an AR coating, and around the dial is a unidirectional rotating diver-style bezel with an anodized aluminum insert (and actually recessed markers, which is very nice).
Indeed, the Promaster Aqualand is designed for deeper dives than its depth gauge can measure. Citizen developed Aqualand as a serious diving tool, but by its design, it will be more limited in the actual performance of an underwater computer. If you're diving to shallow depths (30 meters or less, like most people), such a watch is a very acceptable substitute for an underwater computer. Remember, the watch is designed to measure depth up to 50 meters (or about 125 feet). If you're diving deeper and need to track more variables, especially decompression time, you'll need a full-featured underwater computer in addition to a watch like the Citizen Promaster Aqualand.
Inside the watch is the Citizen Eco-Drive caliber B740.1 quartz movement. The Eco-Drive model features a dial that lets light through to a photovoltaic cell, charging the battery. The watch also comes with an accessible power reserve indicator, which is actually quite important for a diving instrument. In short, you wouldn't want to dive with a watch that won't show the correct time while you're underwater - as in many cases, people use dive time (how long they've been underwater) to more or less know how much oxygen they have left. Indeed, you can monitor oxygen levels using the gauge on your BCD, but planned dives requiring swimmers to return to a certain place at the right time and with enough oxygen often involve proper dive time planning. In other words, this is why the Aqualand watch allows you to check the battery reserve before entering the water, even though a fully charged Eco-Drive mechanism can operate for several months.
Once underwater, the Aqualand automatically switches to dive mode, using the central red hand to indicate the current depth. As soon as summer arrives, I will test this feature in a pool, but I've already seen it in action on other Citizen Aqualand models. In dive mode (i.e., the sensor is wet), the central second hand transitions from indicating battery charge (denoted as “level”) to a dynamic depth indicator, which uses a 0-50 meter scale on the periphery of the dial. A smaller sub-dial under the “12 o'clock” position is used to indicate maximum depth. Although the watch is equipped with a chronograph, it cannot be used simultaneously with the dive mode. Therefore, to measure dive duration (up to 60 minutes), the rotating diver's timing bezel should be used.
The chronograph mode (which uses the main second hand and the upper sub-dial) allows the Aqualand to be used as a 50-minute chronograph - but again, it cannot be used in diving watch mode. To switch the hands on the dial to chronograph mode, you need to press the lower button on the side of the case and hold it for three seconds. I prefer the visual perception of this mode, as in it the central second hand aligns with the 12 o'clock position (more symmetrically) than the slightly skewed hand position in power reserve indication mode. It's also a bit odd to me that you can't keep the watch in chronograph mode, as it returns to depth gauge mode after a few minutes of not using the chronograph. This is because the buttons (and the crown) have screw-down systems that prevent water from entering the case underwater. It also serves as a reminder that these buttons (and their functions) should not be used while the watch is underwater. Other features of the Eco-Drive mechanism on the dial include a date indicator window and a synchronized 24-hour hand, which is used as an AM/PM indicator.
Despite the overall look and design of the 2021 generation Citizen Promaster Aqualand being more in line with modern style, the dial has a slight retro hint reminiscent of the 1980s, which was the golden age of Japanese dive watches. It was then that many modern design trends, such as contemporary wide hands and hour markers, became popular. I also really like the elegant design of the auxiliary second sub-dial (above the “6 o'clock” mark on the dial), which looks like a miniature radar or an instrument display from a military submarine.
In this generation of Citizen Promaster Aqualand watches, a new style of polyurethane strap is also used, which feels nicer (and less “sticky”) than most silicone straps but is cheaper to produce than natural rubber straps. Citizen also includes an additional strap segment that can be used to extend the strap if you need to wear the Aqualand over a wetsuit.
The BJ2169-88E Promaster Aqualand is quite a sophisticated watch with tools that will appeal to those who like large technical-style watches. These watches may appeal to those who plan to take them underwater at least occasionally. Otherwise, there will be too many features on the case and dial that you'll always look at but not use. For this reason, and considering that Citizen also has many other dive-style watches, the Citizen Promaster Aqualand remains a popular niche model within a very popular brand. I also like that (for some reason) Citizen Aqualand watches appear on the wrists of movie heroes from different generations. This means that the combination of style, functionality, and price has allowed representatives of pop culture to appreciate Aqualand as highly as diving enthusiasts do. It's nice to see Citizen continuously adding new models to the collection, and, of course, I look forward to seeing how Citizen continues to refine these “iconic classic” tool watches in the future.
The price of the limited edition of 1,000 pieces of the Citizen Promaster Aqualand BJ2169-88E is 1,095 USD. The price of the non-limited edition is 795 USD.