The case is a bit on the larger side, but wears fine on a smaller wrist given the shorter lug to lug distance. Some people complain that it is "all dial" but again I don't get this criticism. It simply does NOT wear like a huge, clunky watch. If that is what you desire, there are tons of aviation inspired watches out there that are 45+mm which will suit you just fine. For me, finding something 42mm or under that also fit on to a smaller wrist was a chore and I was quite satisfied with how this product sits. The lug width is a standard 22mm, so it can take all of your 22mm NATO and leather straps. If you’re a rebel like me, you’ll put 20mm straps on it as well if they look good. In the first example below (Edge engraved) the caliber is E870 and on the second example (Center Engraved) the caliber is C050

The Nighthawk’s brushed and slightly polished case and lugs give it a sporty look that is suitable for a variety of settings, ranging from a casual work environment to outdoor adventures or even a day at the beach. It is, without a doubt, a versatile timepiece that can handle anything you throw at it. Dial Personally, I simply appreciate the utilitarian appearance of tool watches. Although the lume is just satisfactory, the generously sized hands and markers make reading the time effortlessly. The watch sits comfortably on the wrist and feels great all around, aided by the top-notch bracelet. Conclusion These hands point to a dedicated subdial that’s arranged in a unique orientation; two concentric semicircles: the white going from 0 to 12 (12am to 12pm), and the red going from 12 to 24 (12pm to 12am). These correspond to 24-hour time, or “military time”. There are many watches available in the same price range as the Nighthawk, but few offer as many features. Additionally, the high-quality bracelet is a standout feature that sets it apart from other watches. Many owners find that it requires quite a bit more time to study the dial before discerning what time it is, which is not ideal in a flight situation. Readability in those conditions trumps stealth.

Let’s dig into the specs and reasons why the Citizen Nighthawk is the best tool watch that every man should own.

Meters of water resistance. This watch has been in the ocean and pool at least about 7 times and has had ZERO issues. At the center of the dial is perhaps my favorite aspect of the watch in terms of clever ways to organize information. The GMT index consists of two nested arcs that sweep about 98 degrees, from 6 – 12, one in white and one in red. Closest to the center is the white index, which indicates from 0 – 12 hours. Surrounding that is the red index, which indicates from 12 -24. Both index extend a little past their end time to create an overlap area (hence the about 8 extra degrees). Now, to read this set of arcs you look at the GMT hand, which is a double-sided hand with airplane shaped pointers. On one end the pointer is white, the other red, and you read the arcs depending on which side is currently over them. These indexes break up the symmetry of the dial and condense some of the information on the dial. In doing so, it helps further organize each piece of information on the face, making for an easier at-a-glance read. The little-double headed GMT hand is also just a great design that looks good, serves a purpose and adds a bit of personality.

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The dial looks terrific. It is busy, but remarkably legible. it’s just a beautiful design and extremely unique. Without question, this is the best feature of the timepiece. Comfortable and well balanced. A very masculine and manly watch. Although a pilot watch at the core, this is s no frills, tough as nails tool watch. The watch wears very well. At 41mm it is a comfortable medium-large size, but given its all-dial design, it appears much larger and really stands out on the wrist. The faceted design of the case matched with the information intensive dial give the watch a fairly aggressive demeanor that can be very eye-catching. In fact, this watch has garnered more attention from people around me than most of my watches. Given the masculine lines, good build, 200m water resistance and bold dial, this is a great option for wearing in active situations, but it still maintains a level of refinement making it welcome at the office and other less casual places. The first thing you’ll notice is the striking dial design. You’re instantly met with a sea of information besides just the time.

Speaking of the clasp, it does feel like the cheapest part of the bracelet, but it’s absolutely good to go. On the left hemisphere, you’ve got the most distinctive implementation of a GMT/dual-time analog display. Citizen accomplishes this by using one central hand with two airplane-shaped tips – a red and a white one. This is a sharp looking watch. The dial is "busy" but not distracting like some other aviation inspired designs. The GMT function is well done and also visually appealing. The Nighthawk’s versatility is another reason why it offers great value, as I mentioned earlier. It can serve multiple purposes: as a tool watch that can be dressed up or down. It looks sporty on the bracelet and can have a completely different appearance with various straps.

Case

Some people dislike the metal bracelet, but I don't have a problem with it. The links are solid and polished. Clasp is also nicely done. There are enough links to get it customized easily to a small wrist and even has a micro adjust on the clasp to fine tune it. I ended up having to take out every removable link but I also prefer a more snug fit on my wrist. Your new Eco-Drive timepiece is specially powered by proprietary ECO-DRIVE TECHNOLOGY, which converts any source of light (natural and artificial) into usable energy. The harnessed energy is then s... The biggest is most certainly the mineral crystal. This could be a design feature as mineral crystal is far less shatter proof than Sapphire (and for pilots, this would be critical), but the average person who wears this watch doesn’t fly a plane. Please Citizen, at least make an offering with Sapphire glass. However, if there is one area of criticism, it would be the quality of the lume. In my opinion, it is merely average and could benefit from additional layers of Citizen’s proprietary lume formula. Movement The main feature in common is the case and bracelet – although it does add the increased functionality of a quartz chronograph – useful for measuring elapsed time.

On the other hand, this watch evokes a very “Special Operations” component of air missions, like the famous/secret 160 th SOAR (Special Operations Aviation Regiment) which, among many missions, famously transported Seal Team 6 to the Bin Laden raid. NIGHTHAWK – the name of the watch, accompanied with the distinctive Promaster Logo that looks like a jet flying up in the air One note on the Nighthawk’s slide rule bezel, it doesn’t line up perfectly. When doing calculations, I found that the answer was usually a little off of where it was supposed to be (i.e. in multiplying 30×2, with 30 over the origin, I would find the solution, 60 would be off mark by a hair). While this doesn’t really affect the ways in which I would use the bezel on a daily basis, which would allow for a margin of error, you should be aware that it is there. The dial of the Nighthawk is the primary draw for most consumers, and in this regard, Citizen certainly delivers. The intricate markings on the dial are protected by a flat, mineral crystal that features an anti-reflective coating.The Nighthawk watch features Citizen’s solar-powered movement B877, which is Eco-Drive proprietary technology. This movement can be charged through exposure to natural or artificial light sources, including light bulbs. The slide rule is a cool function. I don't know how useful it would be in day to day use when everyone has a calculator on their personal devices, but makes for a nice conversation piece. Takes a little bit to learn how to use, but after watching a few online videos and doing an exercise or two you can acquire the skills necessary to calculate speed, time, distance, and fuel consumption over the Atlantic without any advanced computing devices necessary. Accuracy is just one aspect I consider when evaluating the performance of a quartz watch. The Nighthawk excels in terms of wearability, making it a versatile, all-purpose timepiece. Whether worn on its bracelet or a strap, it exudes a sporty or rugged vibe, respectively. In addition to its precision, the Eco-Drive movement’s solar power capability is a valuable feature to have in a watch.