Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. A new Bold & Gold Edition of the Citizen Series 8 Mechanical GMT 880
Two tones of gold, black dial and green accents result in a watch with character.
When it was presented in 2021 in Europe, the Citizen Series 8 collection made quite an impression on us, with its combination of sharp lines, bold designs and fair prices. The little sister of the high-end The Citizen range (a truly important step in the brand’s history), it marked the brand’s commitment to seriously look back at mechanical movements. Since then, we have seen the Series 830 and 870, the 890 Sports watch and a fairly attractive GMT watch, the Series 880. This distinctive traveller’s watch is now back in a striking edition mixing gold tones, black dial and green accents.
First presented in 2023, the Citizen Series 8 880 Mechanical GMT was a sharply designed and affordable take on the traveller’s watch – and yes, despite its fair price, it is a true GMT watch. At launch, it was offered in two classic steel models – black with blue accents, and blue with red-blue bezel – as well as a yellow-and-rose-gold-coated limited edition with a special pattern on the dial. Recently we have also discovered a truly striking model with a black-and-blue coated case and a blue MoP dial. But now that the two-gold LE is gone, it’s being replaced by a new version from the permanent collection using the same case and bracelet style but with new coloured accents and a different dial.
This new Series 8 Mechanical GMT 880 reference NB6033-51E (not the most attractive name, objectively… we should vote for this collection to get nicknames) remains true to the design and specifications set when the model was launched 2 years ago. This means an angular and “luxury sports watch” design, a tonneau-shaped case with a nicely integrated bracelet that follows the lines of the case. Dimensions are reasonable on paper, with a 41mm diameter and a thickness of 13.5mm, but the watch has great presence on the wrist – as seen here. For this new edition, the case is gold-coated, but with yellow gold and rose gold parts. For instance, the lugs, external links of the bracelet and crown are done in yellow gold tones, while the bezel, mid-links and middle case are coated in rose gold. It’s a fairly surprising choice that you don’t see often.
New to this model, the bezel, with a classic 24-hour scale, received a new black and green insert – the dark green zone marking daytime. The watch is protected by a sapphire crystal on top and features a see-through caseback. Despite the absence of a screw-down crown, water-resistance is rated at a comfortable 100m. The bracelet, an important element of the design of all watches from the Series 8 collection, is here made from sharp H-shaped links, is mostly brushed and features a folding clasp.
The dial is the main difference with the now-discontinued gold-coated limited edition, as this new model retains the same pattern as steel versions. It is here done in black with a pattern inspired by the Tokyo skyline and the windows of its skyscrapers. The hands and applied markers, all filled with lume, are done in matching gold tones, with dark gold accents on the GMT mention and hand.
Inside the case is the calibre 9054, an automatic movement that’s also a true GMT engine – a rare feature in this price range. It means that, with the crown, you can adjust the local hour hand by one-hour increments when crossing time zones. The movement runs at a rate of 28,800vph, uses 24 jewels and has a power reserve of about 50 hours, with a claimed minimum accuracy of -10 / +20 seconds per day.
Now available from the brand and its retailers, this new NB6033-51E Citizen Series 8 Mechanical GMT 880 is priced at EUR 1,295 or USD 1,595 – there’s always a huge difference in price between Europe and the US… For more details, please visit CitizenWatch-Global.com.
