The crystal on the BM8180-03E is a scratch-resistant mineral crystal. This is to be expected on a watch at this price point, so it’s pretty typical. I haven’t scratched up any of my mineral crystals in recent memory, so it’s not a problem. The Chronomaster boasts of its superior quartz technology – a Japanese High Accuracy Quartz watch. The Eco-Drive One is impressive all on its own, not to mention it’s the thinnest solar-powered watch. That being said, the Citizen Chandler might not be to everyone’s tastes. Some of you might not like its dark blue dial, or you may not be fans of its leather strap. For those of you who feel this way, fear not! There are a handful of field watches in the market that are just as affordable, stylish, and reliable. Take a look at three of the best alternatives to the Citizen Chandler that might be just up your alley. 1. Hamilton Khaki Field Ref. H69529933 There aren’t many complaints to levy against the Citizen Chandler, but there are a few design cues that could use some improvement.

Needless to say, large credit is due to Seiko since they invented the quartz movements in itself, which is powered by the solar cell. Seiko Vs. Citizen: Which Is the Better Brand? This entry from Lum-Tec’s highly-rated Combat B series offers an expanded repertoire of features from your standard field watch with its GMT feature. In addition to the GMT functionality, the B45 also comes equipped with excellent MDV luminous technology for top-tier visibility. Of the three, my favorite is the Promaster Diver. Sure, it’s a monster at 45mm, but the finishing is precise and the details make for an impressive looking timepiece. With 200m of water resistance, I’m eager to take this out to my local diving facility and give it a whirl. Clearly, there are much more obvious ways to note whether it’s AM or PM, like, for instance, if there’s a giant glowing ball of gas in the sky blasting you with radiation, but I still think it’s cool.

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Orient’s Defender watch was a surprising entry from the manufacturer into the field watch market. Well, the jury is in, and Orient indeed passed the test with flying colors. So well that we included the upgraded model, Orient Defender 2, in this list. There is indeed a battery, and it will eventually stop taking a charge. When that happens, you’re better off taking it to an authorized watch repair center to replace it, as it’s not as straightforward as a basic quartz movement. Citizen Chandler Dimensions

On that note, Citizen wins this match, not by a landslide, but by a single determining factor. Curious? Read on! The crown on this timepiece has a pleasing shape and has the stainless guards that dive watches are known for. I love the look of the case: plenty of chamfers around the dial and crown to give it a technical, but not too complicated style. If you’re looking for a more affordable yet professional looking watch between either brand, the Citizen brand offers excellent choices and dominates this market range. There’s a rotating hand under the minute, hour, and second hands with a white plane and a yellow plane spinning around. If the white plane is crossing over the 24-hour dial, it’s the AM, and if the yellow plane is passing over, it’s PM. The minimal design of the timepiece gives it a modern and sleek appeal while also being field-ready. The white dial and olive-green strap make the Atacama Field Watch blend nicely with your everyday attire as well as your outdoor gear.In addition, this Citizen Chandler watch also has a water resistance rating of 100 metres. This allows you to bring the Citizen Chandler swimming, snorkelling, or even to a nice bath at the end of the day. These features seamlessly establish the Citizen Chandler’s purpose as an all-around watch. This goes to show how it is perfect for those who are seeking a solid and minimalistic everyday watch. If I have any beef with Citizen, it’s that they use mineral crystals in many of their timepieces—including all three that I’ve reviewed here. Looking for another affordable field watch that nails down a different style than the Timex Expedition Scout series? Any watch will gain or lose time. Quartz watches like the Citizen BM8180-03E are much more accurate than mechanical watches.

First off, the Timex Expedition Scout comes in with a budget-friendly price tag while providing fantastic toughness. We highly recommend this timepiece as an entry-level field watch for those on a tight budget. As one of the primary companies specializing in quartz-powered watches, Citizen did quite well during the quartz crisis. As for its timekeeping capability, know that this watch will offer excellent precision thanks to its use of an automatic movement with its analog dial display. The push-pull crown is nicely oversized as well, giving it a bit of heft as opposed to a small, delicate-feeling crown.Because mineral crystal doesn’t have the same scratch resistance as sapphire or even a sapphire coating, it opens these watches to the possibility of marking up the glass. It’s not a huge issue to me because I’m using these as everyday watches, and not the kind I’ll be busting out for a special occasion. But it’s a worthy consideration if you’re like me and don’t coddle your watches much. Somewhere around the two-year mark, you’ll want to get some polishing compound and shine your crystal up a bit. Just be prepared to shell out a considerable sum! Seiko Vs. Citizen Verdict: Who Is the Best Japanese Watchmaker?