Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. Citizen Launches The Smaller, Slimmer Series 8 NB608 Collection
More compact, still mechanical, still with a huger personality.
One of the major watch brands from Japan, and a proper industrial giant producing millions of movements a year through its Miyota manufacture, Citizen covers everything from entry-level watches to high-end models with impressive attention to detail. In between the highly accessible Tsuyosa collection and the luxury The Citizen collection sits the Series 8, a pretty interesting mid-range collection with sharp designs, integrated bracelets, cool textures and, quite often, bold writs presence. But things are changing as Citizen is releasing its NB608 Collection, slim watches featuring “trendy case size” (to quote the brand).
As of now, all watches part of the Citizen Series 8 collection were sized at 40mm or above, with a thickness ranging from about 11mm to over 13mm for the GMT variants. Not particularly big, but not the smallest or thinnest watches on the market. Even the classic time-and-date Series 8 / 831 Mechanical measures around 11.5mm in thickness. With the newest members of the collection, Citizen aims to offer something slightly more comfortable on the wrist and more in tune with the current trend. As such, the new NB608 Collection, a range of 3 permanent models and 1 limited edition, is articulated around a new case design that measures 39.3mm in diameter, with a slender profile of 10.4mm – yes, we’d love to see even thinner cases, but it’s not the easiest in this price range.
Design-wise, the codes of the Series 8 collection are still present, with sharp lines, a contemporary and slightly Japanese take on the concept of the integrated sports watch. The shaped case includes an octagonal under-bezel, topped by a circular element, while the case middle opts for dynamic lines with multiple facets, and a nicely integrated element to frame the crown. The case features an anti-reflective sapphire crystal on top, a see-through caseback and is water-resistant to 100m.
The dial of all three permanent Citizen Series 8 NB608 models retains classic textures for the collection, with a central part featuring a check pattern – a stylised take on Tokyo’s night-time skyline – with a sunray-brushed chapter ring and a snailed minute track. Time is clearly visible thanks to applied markers and faceted hands, both filled with luminous material. A date window sits at 3 o’clock. The collection includes the reference NB6080-51W, in steel with a green dial, the reference NB6084-50A, in steel with yellow gold colour plating on the bezel and crown guards, with a silver dial, and the reference NB6085-57W, combining a light brown dial and a case coloured in yellow gold plating with warm gold (light brown) accents.
In addition, the collection also launches with a limited edition model (1,200 pieces), the reference NB6086-54E. This bodler, sportier version sports a dark grey colour scheme accented with gold-coloured details, and is equipped with a dial made of forged carbon. All models are worn on an H-shaped integrated bracelet with a folding clasp.
Inside the case is the calibre 9051, a slim automatic movement running at a 4Hz frequency and boasting 42h of power reserve. Using the same architecture as the well-known calibre 9015, it adds more magnetic resistance thanks to a different hairspring (rated at 200 gauss) and is rated for a -10 / +20 sec/day accuracy.
With a starting price of EUR 895 in green, the Citizen Series 8 NB608 Collection comes with serious arguments on the market for accessible integrated sports watches (such as the Tissot PRX Powermatic or the Mido Multifort 8 One Crown), thanks to its compact dimensions, huge personality and fair price. For more details, please visit CitizenWatch.eu or CitizenWatch-Global.com.
