Citizen Chandler: The Reliable Field Watch For All

Citizen is a Japanese watch company that focuses on producing affordable timepieces with exceptional watch movements. In particular, it is famous for its solar-powered Eco-Drive movement. It is an accomplished, historical watch brand whose movements have been used by other watchmakers such as Bulova, Alpina, Miyota, and Frederique Constant. With such a promising background, it is no surprise that Citizen has developed a wide range of exceptional wristwatches adored by everyone. One of its most notable models in its catalog is the Citizen Chandler.

The Citizen Chandler is a field watch that is inspired by military watches used way back in World War II. It provides a straightforward form of timekeeping that champions simplicity and comfort. The Citizen Chandler may not be the most stylish watch out there, but it has a particular charm that makes it a great watch to wear every day. In this write-up, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Citizen Chandler to determine what makes it such a great and reliable field watch.

A Closer Look at the Citizen Chandler

Specifications

Field watches are known to have simple designs that highlight their timekeeping capabilities, forgoing any overly flamboyant designs. Of course, that does not mean that the Citizen Chandler is lacking in style. Rather, Citizen chose to stay true to the original blueprint of a field watch, with only a few changes made to make the Citizen Chandler stand out better. As such, this gives the Chandler a certain understated and minimalistic charm. If you are a fan of quintessential timepieces, you are sure to enjoy the Citizen Chandler.

To give you a better idea of what we mean, let us go over the detailed specifications of the Citizen Chandler. In particular, we will be taking a look at the Citizen Chandler Ref. BM8471-01E.

Image courtesy of Citizen

Case and Crown

The case of the Citizen Chandler Ref. BM8471-01E is quite a straightforward one. It has a 42mm round black case made from stainless steel. This case is also ion-plated, which bolsters its durability. As a military-inspired wristwatch, the durability of this watch is exceptional. Indeed, it can withstand any harsh surroundings, be it bad weather or external physical forces.

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.

Moving on to the crown of the Citizen Chandler, it has a very rugged outer layer to provide a better grip when adjusting the time. Since this watch does not have an automatic movement, winding the watch has no other merit besides adjusting the time, day, and date. The ruggedness and large size of the crown also serve to boost the Citizen Chandler’s overall style.

Strap

The Citizen Chandler Ref. BM8471-01E uses a dark brown leather strap with white stitches on the sides for contrast. It boasts a particular rustic look that complements the dark blue dial and the black ion-plated stainless steel case. Although this Citizen Chandler piece is marketed mainly as a field watch, the brown strap adds a degree of class and versatility. It gives the Citizen Chandler a smidge of elegance, making it suitable for formal parties and dressier occasions too.

Dial

The Citizen Chandler Ref. BM8471-01E boasts a dark blue dial that complements the black stainless steel case. This combination of solid colours adds sophistication to the overall design of the Citizen Chandler. The dial itself consists of Arabic numeral markers, sword-shaped hour and minute hands, and a day-date aperture at the 3 o’clock position. The hands and hour markers are all coated with luminous material, giving this watch a vibrant, bright blue glow in the dark.

The layout of the Citizen Chandler’s dial is very straightforward, focusing on the simple hours, minutes, and seconds functions. The dial is clean and uncluttered and does not have any complicated features like chronograph sub-dials or a moon phase display. This is a watch focused on telling the time well. This understated, rustic design gives the Citizen Chandler a certain appeal.

Movement

This Citizen Chandler timepiece is powered by Citizen’s Eco-Drive quartz movement. This calibre is widely used due to its reliability and longevity. As a quartz piece, it also provides excellent accuracy, better than most mechanical movements.

In addition, the Eco-Drive quartz movement is also fitted with a solar-powered cell. This cell is strategically placed behind the dial, to ensure it absorbs the most light it possibly can in order to better charge the Citizen Chandler. The dial itself is thin enough to allow light to pass through, directly entering the power cell. The Eco-Drive technology’s ability to charge a watch using any light source is undoubtedly a big step forward for Citizen. Its use in the Citizen Chandler also makes this a very eco-friendly timepiece indeed.

Price

The Citizen Chandler Ref. BM8478-01L is offered at a very affordable price. Retailing at just $275 USD, this Citizen Chandler piece is compact, durable, accurate, and offers longevity with its solar-charging capability. Truly, with a price this budget-friendly, it is difficult to shrug off such a good bargain.

3 Alternative Watches for the Citizen Chandler

The Citizen Chandler Ref. BM8478-01L is a solid example of a field watch that stays true to its roots. Although there were some small changes made to its blueprint, it strongly embodies the valiant concept of a field or soldier’s 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

The Hamilton Khaki Field Ref. H69529933 is a great alternative to the Citizen Chandler as it is an affordable field watch too. It is a bit more expensive than the Citizen Chandler watch, but the extra few dollars are absolutely worth shelling out.

This Hamilton Khaki Field watch has a 42mm stainless steel case that is paired with a green textile strap for a more vintage style. The dial uses a faded grey backdrop to further establish its rustic, old-school theme. This watch also has sword-shaped hands and a 24-hour layout, with white Arabic numeral markers. It is equipped with the H-50 automatic calibre, which has an 80-hour power reserve. This is a reliable movement that prioritizes precision and lasting power. Hamilton went all-out in crafting this piece, making it a great alternative to the Citizen Chandler. You can get this rustic-looking watch for only $480 USD.

2. Luminox Atacama Field Automatic Ref. XL.1901

The Luminox Atacama Field Ref. XL.1901 is a 44mm automatic watch that boasts a durable 316L stainless steel case.  This is paired with a black leather strap and a matching double-layered black dial, with white borderlines and vibrant red accents. The dial is fitted with tritium gas tubes in its hands and hour markers, giving this Luminox watch maximal legibility in the dark. You can also find a rectangular day-date aperture at 3 o’clock.

This Luminox timepiece is equipped with the SW220-1 automatic calibre movement. It is a very competent watch movement, with a 38-hour power reserve. The Luminox Atacama Field Ref. XL.1901 has a retail price of $990 USD.

3. Victorinox FieldForce Classic Chrono Ref. 241928

Victorinox is yet another watch brand that primarily manufactures utility watches with useful features and classy designs. One outstanding field watch by the brand is the Victorinox FieldForce Classic Chrono Ref. 241928. It is a new take on the classic field watch since this timepiece comes with three chronograph sub-dials. This serves to give the watch more functionality and utility, especially when it comes to sports and other outdoor activities.

This Victorinox Fieldforce timepiece has a 42mm stainless steel case and a black bezel that doubles as a tachymeter scale. The black dial provides excellent readability since each silver hour marker and hand is generously coated with SuperLuminova. This watch is equipped with a quartz chronograph movement to ensure optimal precision. You can purchase this Victorinox piece for $450 USD.

Final Thoughts

The Citizen Chandler is a great field watch that is perfect for those who want a cheap and exceptional timepiece. The minimalistic design of this watch may not be to everyone’s taste, but its durable structure, versatility, and top-notch accuracy are what makes it such a well-rounded watch. With its straightforward timekeeping layout and sturdy build that can withstand all sorts of harsh environments, the Citizen Chandler stays true to its field watch heritage.

All images courtesy of The Watch Company, unless stated otherwise. Featured image courtesy of Citizen.

If you are still undecided, check out our in-depth review on the Luminox Atacama Field watches!