2023/08/16
CITIZEN introduces the new NY012 series of diving watches - With design elements taken from and inspired by the rich history of the brand’s diver’s watches of the 1970s and 1980s.
Throughout the history and development of the diving watch, CITIZEN has always been a major contender, introducing many models over the years with various innovations that have been appreciated by all divers whether professional or amateur. Above all, it has been the reliability of CITIZEN diver’s watches, proven through their application and use, that have made them a popular choice for those who choose to venture into the ocean’s depths.
The new NY012 series of diver’s watches has been introduced with this illustrious history in mind, taking inspiration from the many diver’s watches that were produced in the 1970’s and 1980’s. This new series offers a vintage look, with recognizable details from important watches of the past, but also comes with modern performance attributes that will continue to make them useful to any diver today.
Descendants of a storied history seen in the details
The 1970’s and 1980’s were a flourishing time for the diving watch, with technological developments arriving rapidly and in quick succession. CITIZEN was one of the few brands that was at the forefront of diving watch technology, continually introducing new features to improve the functionality and reliability of the diving watch.
In creating the new NY012, CITIZEN looked to a number of key models for inspiration, building its form from various elements seen in the watches from the past. The “three-point” style hour hand for example was first seen in the DV-C60 model from 1975 as well as the DV-C82 from 1977. The NY012 differs slightly from those however with the base of the “three-point” style hour hand being skeletonized - with this being done in order to ensure readability of the “day” window, which the older models did not require.
The bezel from the new NY012 as well takes inspiration from the one used on the model DV-730V from 1980, with similar fonts for the numerals as well as for all the 60-minute markings. These elements, as well as other subtle ones from various other watches were the basis for the new NY012, and the result is a watch with a strong neo-vintage feel which is easily seen and felt when experiencing it in the metal.
Another detail that is immediately striking when looking at the launch variations of the NY012 - the five available colors for the dials that range from the practical to the colourful and come in black, blue, green, yellow and orange.
The choice to offer the NY012 in so many colour variations is a direct tribute to the many coloured dials offered by CITIZEN during the late 1970’s. At the time, quartz technology was rising in popularity and the idea of a watch being a practical tool as well as a fashion accessory became mainstream, with more and more consumers choosing to pair their watch with a suitable outfit.
Many diving watches in the CITIZEN catalogue over this time period feature models with brightly coloured dials, and many examples can be seen - with blue, orange and yellow being the most popular outside of the standard black dial offering.
The new NY012 follows this spirit with the five colour variations. All the dials have as a base, a grained texture upon which their colour is applied. Further to this, all the variants have a graduated colour effect, meaning that the dial colour is brightest in the centre and darkens towards the edge. This is an interesting effect since it references the way that vintage dials fade over time with exposure to the sun. The yellow and orange dial variants are especially striking in the implentation of this effect, and have a very strong retro-vintage vibe.
A true diving tool
True to the storied history of CITIZEN, the NY012 remains an authentic ISO 6425 certified diver's watch with a water resistance to 200 meters, a unidirectional diver's bezel with luminous hour hands and markers as well as a hacking running seconds hand.
It is powered by the in-house Cal.8204, offering a day and date complication as well as approximately 40 hours of power reserve.
All variations come on a black synthetic rubber strap except the green dial version, which instead comes on a green synthetic rubber strap.
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| PROMASTER Mechanical Diver | |||||
| Launch | August 2023 | ||||
| Model | NY0120-01E | NY0129-07L | NY0121-09X | NY0120-01X | NY0120-01Z |
| Retail Price | HK$2,980 | HK$2,980 | HK$2,980 | HK$2,980 | HK$2,980 |
| Case/Band | Stainless Steel / Polyurethane | ||||
| Crystal | Mineral Crystal | ||||
| Dial Colour | Grey | Blue | Green | Yellow | Orange |
| Size | 41.0mm / 13.7mm (design specification only) | ||||
| Movement | Cal.8204 / Automatic / Day & Date Display / Rotating Bezel / 200m water resistance / Luminous (hands + indices + bezel at 12 o’clock) / Approx. 40 hours power reserve | ||||
<About CITIZEN WATCH>
CITIZEN WATCH is a true manufacture d'horlogerie with the capabilities to carry out the entire watch manufacturing process in-house, from creating a watch’s individual components to its final assembly and adjustment. The company operates in more than 140 countries and regions around the world. Since its founding in 1918, CITIZEN has held the belief of “Better Starts Now” — that is, no matter who you are and what you do, it is always possible to make something better, and now is the time to start doing it. Sharing this belief, we began making mechanical watches, invented and improved technologies and explored the future of watches such as our proprietary light-powered Eco-Drive technology.
* Eco-Drive is a registered trademark or trademark of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
* The final design and specifications are subject to change without notice.
* The availability, specifications, and related information, such as the product code for the models featured in this site, may vary by markets. If you would like to know more details, including the availability of these products in your area, please select your local website from our global site.