Having already debuted a thoughtful reissue of a pocket watch for its centenary, Citizen is continuing with the commemorative editions with something more affordable: the Series 8 880 100th Anniversary. Featuring a second time zone function and integrated bracelet, the watch has a tone-tone finish of brushed steel and blue-coated steel, matched with a blue mother-of-pearl dial.

Initial thoughts

The Series 8 GMT is most notable for being a “true” GMT – with an independently adjustable hour hand – at an affordable price point. It retails for just under US$2,000, and most GMT watches in this price segment have an add-on GMT function of an adjustable 24-hour hand instead.

While the standard versions of the Series 8 GMT are in familiar GMT colours, including a blue and red “Pepsi” version, this anniversary edition is unusual with the blue case treatment and sky-blue mother-of-pearl dial. For someone who wants an affordable, functional dual time zone that looks different, this is a competitive proposition.

A true-blue GMT

The Series 8 GMT has a two-part case construction that allows for the unusual two-tone finish of grey and blue. A central section that’s coated blue slots into the case middle, giving it the twin blue flanks on either side of the bezel.

Measuring 41 mm in diameter and 13.5 mm high, the case is entirely steel, with the blue components coated to achieve the blue finish. Like the other Series 8 models, this has alternating brushed and polished finishing across the case and bracelet. The bezel is also steel, but covered with a glass insert.

The anniversary edition is the first Series 8 GMT to sport a mother-of-pearl dial. Here it’s been lacquered to give it a graduated blue finish that darkens slightly towards the edges. The design of the dial, however, is identical to the regular production models, which instead have a stamped guilloche dial.

The 24-hour GMT hand is in blue to match the overall palette

Besides the movement, the case back also reveals the two-part construction of the case, with the blue-coated flanks visible on either side of the open back.

The movement is the cal. 9054, an automatic with a true GMT function. This means the local-time hour hand can be adjusted independently in sync with the date, making it easy to set the time when crossing time zones. Together with the bidirectional rotating 24-hour bezel, the watch can display up to three time zones simultaneously.

Besides a 50-hour power reserve, the cal. 9054 also has resistance against the “effects of magnetic fields produced by smartphones and tablets” according to Citizen. The technical details of the magnetism resistance are not specified, but it is mostly likely down to the use of paramagnetic materials for the escapement or hairspring.

Key facts and price

Citizen Series 8 880 Mechanical 100th Anniversary
Ref. NB6036-52N

Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 13.5 mm
Material: Stainless steel with grey and blue colour coating
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m

Movement: Cal. 9054
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, and GMT
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 50 hours

Strap: Matching stainless steel bracelet with grey and blue colour coating

Limited edition: 2,200 pieces
Availability: At Citizen boutiques and retailers starting September 2024
Price: US$1,995

For more, visit Citizenwatch-global.com.

This was brought to you in partnership with Citizen.