Don’t get me wrong these are superb watches, however be aware that they are not the easiest analogue watches to “read at a glance” The minute hand is mostly hollow to allow reading of the digital time and day date windows at the 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock positions on the dial (DUPLEX). Although it might seem this won’t be a problem when you look at pictures of the watch with its bright coloured red edges to the hour and minute hands I find it most certainly is a problem. Maybe it is my eyesight starting to go as I definitely struggle more without my reading glasses. Another fact I discovered after purchase was the watch activates into DIVE MODE when you don’t want it to (and hence draws on the battery). This can occur unwanted for about 10 minutes when….. 1} Worn in the shower 2} Submerged or splashed whilst washing your hands or washing up, and bizarrely….3} Breathed on heavily (don’t ask). The luminosity is not really that great either unless it is boosted under an artificial light and the minute hand luminous paint area is small due to the aforementioned hollow design. A new battery and re seal is currently £45 and a few pence from Citizen UK. Fair enough if you can avoid using the alarm and diving (some divers might oversleep and get bored) or if you can avoid washing up (good excuse attempt to the wife until she tells you to take the watch off and wash up) the battery could last 5 years (my first battery lasted 5 years) however be prepared to have more frequent outlays on battery costs otherwise. In many ways £45 every 2 years is not really that bad. Yes you could get a battery fitted cheaper elsewhere or do it yourself with appropriate case tools but this may then make and expensive watch fail due to lack of seal/pressure test etc. Citizen state in the instruction booklet that the watch battery should last about 2 years with 50 1 hr dives a year and in complete fairness they explain the DIVE MODE activation situation in the booklet as well.

I did give this watch 3 stars so I should explain why it still rates moderately highly. The Citizen Aqualand Duplex is definitely a really good looking watch. The titanium version is very light, beautifully machined and marked and incredibly well constructed. It keeps excellent time and is a pleasure to wear, in fact in certain light usually indoors under desk light or artificial room light the watch seems easier to read because there is a nice reflection on the metal of the hands.

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