Citizen Chandler Eco-Drive
BM8180-03W Review
It is not often you see a field watch coming from Citizen, but the Citizen Chandler Eco-Drive BM8180-03W is definitely worth checking out.
It has all the features field watch lovers will enjoy, such as a simple NATO style band, a clear easy to read dial and a simple round stainless steel bezel to go with it. However, on top of that, you get Citizen’s Eco-drive, so solar recharging.
Not only is this a great example of a durable military/field watch from Citizen, it is also seriously affordable at around 200.
Citizen BM8180-03E Features
- Eco-drive solar Movement
- Mineral crystal
- 37 mm stainless steel case
- screw down crown
- NATO Nylon strap (18 mm) with buckle closure
- 100m / 330ft water resistance
The Dial
Being a military style field watch, the Citizen Chandler BM8180-03E dial is simply laid out, and easy to read.
It has a matt black finish with large Arabic numerals for hour markers. The minute markers, often seen on Field watches, are then in smaller font around the dial, with small arrows in between.
There is a deeply recessed day/date window at 3 o’clock which some find hard to read and is sometimes obscured by the wide hour/minute hands.
Speaking of which, the hands are also simple tapered steel with lumed tips for easy reading in low light.
The Case & Bezel
The Citizen Chandler case is a simple stainless steel with a plain rounded edge with a heavily knurled and long crown at 6 o’clock. This makes for easy gripping, but some of you may not like the size or shape. It is screw down however, which helps with the water resistance which is rated at 100m.
It is also decently protected by a rather flat set of crown-guards on either side of the crown. Something you will appreciate if you accidentally hit your watch on something.
Also keep in mind that this is quite a small watch for men at 37mm diameter, so will not suite large wrists.
The Eco-Drive Movement
One of the best things about a Citizen Chandler Eco-Drive is that you get continuous solar charging in almost any situation. That means, not only does your watch charge from the sun, but also indoors in lower light.
As a result, you will almost never run out of juice and have to worry about leaving your watch out for charging again!
Water Resistance
At 100m, the water resistance on the Citizen BM8180-03E is decent enough to take in the shower and swimming. I would not try to go diving with it though, you will most certainly be disappointed when it comes out ruined
The Nato Strap
Many owners of the Citizen BM8180-03E Chandler dislike the NATO strap that it comes with, so just keep in mind that it is a standard 18mm width and can easily and cheaply be replaced by any NATO strap, or even leather if you prefer.
