Why I Bought the Citizen Promaster Again—30 Years Later

Some gear just sticks with you.

In the early 1990s, while stationed at Camp Lejeune, I picked up a Citizen Promaster Diver at the base PX. I was an Infantry Mortarman running 81s and later deployed with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable).

That watch stayed strapped to my wrist through jungle humidity, saltwater swims, cold-weather field ops, and long nights in the rain.

It never once gave up.

No batteries to change. No special care required. Just a reliable, rugged, no-nonsense dive watch that quietly did its job.

A Brief History of the Promaster Diver

The Citizen Promaster Diver has been earning its reputation since the early ’90s—and not in a marketing department, but in the real world.

Eco-Drive debuted in 1995, although Citizen had been experimenting with solar-powered tech even earlier under other names.

By the mid to late ’90s, Eco-Drive was fully integrated into the Promaster line, including dive watches sold at military PXs around the world.

The version I bought back then was part of Citizen’s original Promaster Marine series—a tool watch built for serious use. It didn’t have fancy digital readouts or a luxury price tag.

What it did have was 200 meters of water resistance, a rotating bezel, and Eco-Drive technology that meant I never had to change a battery—something I didn’t have time for anyway.

Fast forward to today, and Citizen is still producing the BN0150-28E, which carries forward everything that made the original so good. It’s ISO 6425-certified, built with a 44mm stainless steel case, powered by the sun, and ready for whatever you throw at it—whether that’s diving off the coast or digging through the attic.

The design hasn’t changed much. That’s a good thing. Because when something works this well, there’s no need to reinvent it.

So Why Buy It Again Now?

After 30 years, I wanted a dive watch that brought back those memories.

The modern version—Citizen Promaster BN0150-28E—is essentially a refined reissue of the original I wore back in the day. It features:

• 44mm stainless steel case
• Eco-Drive movement (Caliber E168)
• ISO 6425-certified 200m water resistance
• Unidirectional bezel & luminous hands
• Black polyurethane strap
• Screw-down crown

It’s everything I remember—just tuned up for today.

One Amazon Reviewer…

A pool technician with a decade of hands-on experience—called the Promaster Diver “one of the best pieces of work gear I’ve ever invested in.” After five years of daily use in saltwater, chlorine, and tight equipment spaces, the watch still runs flawlessly. The Eco-Drive movement has never needed a battery swap, the lume stays bright after long days in the sun, and the stainless steel case has held up with only minor wear. Despite daily abuse that destroys most other gear, this watch just keeps going. He even swapped the strap for a NATO band for better breathability and retention—and still confidently recommends it to anyone who needs a timepiece that can take a beating and keep looking sharp.

Final Thoughts

Yeah, I’ll admit it—I bought the modern Citizen Promaster Diver partly for nostalgia.

That original watch saw me through some of the most formative years of my life as a young Marine—field ops, deployments, training evolutions, and all the chaos that came with it.

But this isn’t just a sentimental purchase. The new BN0150 isn’t a reissue for collectors—it’s still a legit dive watch built to take a beating. Same solar-powered reliability. Same rugged construction. Same screw-down crown and ISO-rated water resistance. It’s the kind of gear you trust without question—then forget it’s even there, because it just works.

So yeah, it’s a nod to the past. But it’s also a reminder that some things are still built right.

Ready to wear a watch that won’t quit?

Pick up the modern Citizen Promaster Diver and see why it’s still the go-to for those who demand reliability in the real world.

[Shop the Promaster Diver Now]