Citizen Promaster Fujitsubo

From its humble beginnings in 1918 as the Shokosha Watch Research Institute to its present-day status as a global watchmaking powerhouse, Citizen has consistently pushed the boundaries of innovation, precision, and style. It is with this rich history in mind that we delve into the captivating story of the new Citizen Promaster Fujitsubo, a timepiece that pays homage to the brand's pioneering spirit while embracing the latest advancements in watchmaking technology.

Before we embark on our exploration of the Promaster Fujitsubo, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate the brand's storied past. Citizen's journey began over a century ago, driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence and a commitment to making quality timepieces accessible to all. This philosophy led to a series of groundbreaking achievements, including the development of the world's first light-powered analog quartz watch in 1976, a testament to Citizen's dedication to harnessing the power of light to create sustainable and reliable timekeeping solutions.



Citizen's innovative spirit extended beyond solar-powered technology. The brand also pioneered the use of titanium in watchmaking, recognizing the metal's exceptional strength, lightness, and hypoallergenic properties. This commitment to material innovation laid the foundation for the creation of the Promaster collection, a line of professional-grade watches designed to withstand the rigors of the most demanding environments.

Launched in 1989, the Promaster series quickly gained a reputation for its ruggedness, reliability, and cutting-edge technology. From the depths of the ocean to the heights of the sky, Promaster watches have accompanied explorers, athletes, and adventurers on their most daring exploits. The series encompasses three distinct categories: Sea, Land, and Sky, each designed to meet the specific needs of its respective environment.

The Promaster Sea collection, to which the Fujitsubo belongs, has been a mainstay for divers and marine enthusiasts for over three decades. These watches are engineered to withstand the immense pressures of the underwater world, boasting impressive water resistance ratings, robust construction, and features like unidirectional rotating bezels for precise dive time tracking.



The Citizen Promaster Fujitsubo is more than just a new addition to the Promaster Sea collection; it's a celebration of the brand's enduring legacy and a testament to its unwavering commitment to innovation. The watch's name, "Fujitsubo," meaning "barnacle" in Japanese, is a nod to a remarkable piece of Citizen history.

In 1977, a Citizen Challenge Diver watch was lost at sea off the coast of Australia. Six years later, in 1983, it was miraculously discovered on a beach, encrusted with barnacles but still ticking. This extraordinary tale of resilience and durability became a legendary part of Citizen lore, inspiring the creation of the modern Promaster Mechanical Diver and, ultimately, the Fujitsubo.

The Fujitsubo seamlessly blends vintage-inspired design elements with contemporary watchmaking technology. Its 41mm Super Titanium™ case, treated with a platinum DLC coating, exudes a sense of understated elegance while offering exceptional scratch resistance and lightness. The marine blue dial and unidirectional bezel evoke the depths of the ocean, while the embossed hands and classic green luminous markers add a touch of retro charm.

Beneath its striking exterior lies a powerful automatic movement, the Caliber 9051. This advanced movement boasts enhanced magnetic resistance, ensuring that the watch remains accurate even in the presence of everyday electronic devices. With a 42-hour power reserve, the Fujitsubo is ready for action whenever you are.



The Fujitsubo's case is crafted from Citizen's proprietary Super Titanium™, a material that's 40% lighter than stainless steel and five times more scratch-resistant. This makes the watch incredibly comfortable to wear, even for extended periods, while also ensuring that it can withstand the rigors of daily use and adventurous pursuits. The addition of a platinum DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating further enhances the case's durability and gives it a sleek, sophisticated finish.

The Fujitsubo's marine blue dial is more than just a pretty face; it's a functional and aesthetically pleasing canvas that tells the story of the watch's heritage. The embossed hands and indices, along with the classic green luminous material, create a vintage-inspired look that harkens back to the original Challenge Diver that inspired this modern masterpiece. The date window at 3 o'clock adds a touch of practicality without disrupting the overall design harmony.

The unidirectional rotating bezel, another nod to the watch's diving heritage, is crafted from the same Super Titanium™ as the case and features a matching platinum DLC coating. The bezel's 60-minute scale is clearly marked and easy to read, even in low-light conditions, thanks to the luminous pip at 12 o'clock.



Powering the Fujitsubo is Citizen's in-house Caliber 9051 automatic movement. This robust and reliable movement beats at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, ensuring accurate timekeeping. It also boasts a 42-hour power reserve, so you can take the watch off for a day or two without having to worry about resetting the time when you put it back on. One of the standout features of the Caliber 9051 is its enhanced magnetic resistance. With the increasing prevalence of electronic devices in our daily lives, magnetic fields can wreak havoc on the accuracy of mechanical watches. The Fujitsubo's movement is designed to withstand magnetic fields of up to 16,000 A/m, ensuring that it remains unaffected by the gadgets that surround us.

The Fujitsubo's triple-link bracelet is also crafted from Super Titanium™ and features a platinum DLC coating, creating a cohesive and visually striking aesthetic. The bracelet's brushed and polished finishes add a touch of refinement, while the safety fold-over clasp with push buttons ensures a secure and comfortable fit.

As a true diver's watch, the Fujitsubo is water-resistant to 200 meters, making it suitable for recreational scuba diving and other water sports. The screw-down crown and case back further enhance the watch's water resistance, ensuring that it can handle even the most demanding underwater environments.

With a production run of just 4,500 pieces worldwide, the Citizen Promaster Fujitsubo is a limited edition timepiece that's sure to become a sought-after collector's item. Its combination of vintage-inspired design, cutting-edge technology, and exceptional craftsmanship makes it a watch that will appeal to both seasoned enthusiasts and newcomers to the world of horology.



At a retail price of $1,195, the Fujitsubo offers exceptional value for a limited edition watch with such impressive specifications and features. Its 41mm case size strikes a perfect balance between sportiness and wearability, making it suitable for a wide range of wrist sizes and styles. Whether you're dressing up for a special occasion or heading out for a weekend adventure, the Fujitsubo is a watch that will always look and feel right at home.

The Citizen Promaster Fujitsubo is more than just a collection of gears and springs; it's a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration and the human desire to push boundaries. It's a watch that tells a story, not just of its own heritage, but of the wearer's own adventures and accomplishments. So whether you're exploring the depths of the ocean, conquering a mountain peak, or simply navigating the challenges of everyday life, the Fujitsubo is a reliable and stylish companion that will be with you every step of the way.