The Solid Citizen - Basic Citizen Watches for Men

When it comes to watches for men, sometimes basic models are best.  They have a simple, functionality, that can be refreshing.  The trend towards basic models that sometimes invoke the classic watches of the 1960s and 1970s, has been called the classical revival.  I just think basic watches are good for readability, reliability, and focus on the essential task of telling the time.  I recently spotted two excellent examples of basic watches from Citizen at my local Belk department store.

Citizen Men's Silver-Tone Stainless Steel Watch

The first watch I sighted is this Citizen Silver-Tone Stainless Steel Watch (Model BF0580-57L).  It has a brilliant blue dial, a stainless steel band, and a pair of classic Citizen batons at 12 o'clock.  It has a 40 millimeter diameter case, and a day and date window in the 3 o'clock position.  It's the kind of no nonsense wristwatch that lets potential employers know that you are ready for business.  The crown is protected with bump-outs from the case.  Water resistance is only 30 meters so you'll have to leave it in your shoes when you go to the beach.

Citizen Stainless Steel Watch

Watches like this Citizen Stainless Watch go on sale regularly and can bring customers into a department store.  Updating this post in July of 2025, the price of these watches on Amazon is still quite reasonable.  Here is the similar Citizen (Model BF0580-06E). As of this update in 2025, it is 29% off and comes in at just less than $100. You can see this watch here on Amazon.

Citizen Quartz Day-Date Watch (Model BF0580-06E)

Citizen Men's Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch

This Citizen Men's Stainless Steel Bracelet Watch (Model BI1030-53A) is another no-nonsense watch that is perfect for job interviews.  It has a 42 millimeter diameter case with a date window at the 6 o'clock position.

Citizen Silver Tone Three Hand Watch (Basic)

In 2016, Belk called this watch the Silver Tone Three Hand Watch (Basic) and sold it for around $90.  It was a good deal. In 2025, you can still find similar watches (the Citizen BI5010-059E) with a price of around $140.  However, it is now available in black and, as of July 2025, was selling at 29% off.  With that 2025 deal price, you can find it here on Amazon for less than $100.  

Citizen Quartz Watch (BI5010-59E)

As simple as these watches seem, it's tempting to simply buy a generic watch.  There are plenty of them around.  However, you notice the fit, finish, and quality of materials simply aren't up to the levels set by the mainstream powerhouse brands like Citizen, Seiko, or Pulsar.  It's worth it to get into the respected brands.  Otherwise, a watch might get noticed for all the wrong reasons.

[This post was updated in July 2025 to provide new comparison watches and links.]

Wristwatch Review: Citizen's Stainless Steel Eco-Drive Dress Watch

For Christmas in 2015, my wife got me a very nice Citizen Eco-Drive dress watch.  It goes by the catchy name - Model BM7193-07B.  It's a great addition to my watch collection and will never need batteries.

Citizen Eco-Drive Dress watch

Style.  This men's Citizen Eco-Drive is a beautiful watch with classic retro-styling.  If you search vintage men's watch or vintage Citizen watch and look for images, it won't be long before you come across watches that look much like this one.  Vintage Citizen dress watches typically had the double baton at 12 o'clock and regular batons to denote the hours.  The cursive script on the classics was typically centered below the hands at 6 o'clock and described the number of jewels in the mechanical movement.  A vintage Citizen typically has a date window surrounded by a gold tone box and this Eco-Drive as well.  This watch even has a domed crystal.  The dial is white, but I'd almost call it an off-white or parchment white.  It's not a bright white.  At a contemporary 40 millimeters, the case diameter is probably a little larger than the classics.  It is dress watch thin at 10 millimeters thick.  I find the size just right for a dress watch.  Even though this watch is thoroughly futuristic on the inside, it is still connected to a long line of great Citizen watches.  For that, I give extra style points.

The strap is crocodile-embossed leather and long enough to fit my wrists comfortably.  At first, it was a little stiff, but it is comfortable and looks pretty good.  I like the Citizen label on the buckle to help differentiate this watch from lesser brands.  In this price category, these little touches are expected.  If I was the designer of this watch, I think I would also put some sort of inscription (perhaps a 'C') on the crown.

Construction.  This watch has a gold-tone stainless steel case, stainless caseback, and a scratch-resistant mineral crystal.  The watch is water resistant to 99 feet if you stumble into a pool or water feature while texting about important business matters.  Overall, this watch seems pretty well constructed.

Movement.  This watch has a Japanese quartz movement and is powered by Citizen Eco-Drive technology.  After a day of charging, it can keep time for a very, very, long time.  (See my post The Citizen Eco-Drive and the Sock Drawer). After a full day of charging, this watch should keep time for six months.  Despite the high tech power, this watch does not have any design features that appear to be a solar cell at all.  It is perhaps the most subtle of sun-powered watches.

Overall, I really like this Citizen Eco-Drive dress watch.  It is perfect for the office and other events.  The brown band and rose gold-tone are the perfect style for such settings.  It's not a big watch that beats you over the head with pizazz.  Instead, it's a refined, cultured, design that fits into a long line of great Citizen watches.  Perhaps, this business-like watch is a solid Citizen.