I spent a good three weeks researching various watches to replace the automatic that was failing to keep time. I was looking at the Citizen Calibre line of watches as well as the Seiko Coutura line, but I finally decided that the Citizen Skyhawk A-T was the only watch that had the three features that I really wanted:
- Battery-free operation
- Atomic clock accuracy
- Backlight
Like others, I was a bit concerned about the size and weight, and I did try on the titanium version, which costs $150 more, but I found that it was *too* light. It felt like I was wearing tinfoil. The stainless steel has a "reassuring, solid heft" to it, but it's by no means too heavy. And, the attractive dial is continually attracting comments. Not to mention that the hands and large markers are easy to read against the black dial. It's a very striking watch, and quite noticeable.
Feature-wise, this watch is jammed-pack, which is quite amazing when you consider it's a solar-powered watch: time in 43 cities, countdown timer, chronometer, perpetual calendar, two alarms, and an atomic clock radio receiver??? I was a little concerned about it not getting enough light as I work in an office and wear long-sleeved shirts, but the power gauge never goes below "full charge." Very reassuring, indeed. It was really amazing to pull it out of the box when I first got it, and all the needles starting spinning to put the watch to the correct time.
The only problem I've had was with the daylight saving time feature. As I live in Phoenix, we don't observe DST (who needs an extra hour of 120 degree heat!), and so I set the clock to Denver time and turned the DST off. But, every night, when the watch would receive the signal from the atomic clock in Colorado, I would wake up finding it an hour later than it really was, as the watch would automatically turn DST back on. After pouring through the manual, I found that you had to both turn off DST for the city the watch is set to, as well as turn it off for the atomic signal update. To do this second step, you have to set the sub-dial to RX-S and turn the "SMT" feature to "Ma." This essentially keeps the atomic clock signal from updating the DST feature.
With that figured out, I really found that I enjoy this watch immensely. It is a truly complicated watch--probably one of the most complicated I own, but the instructions are very clear. Also, I hear what other reviewers say about the backlight only showing the date, but you can easily pull out the crown and switch between date and time, so if you put it on "TIME," the backlight will display the time in the LCD. So, generally, I keep the watch on the calendar feature, so I know the date. But if I need to turn on the backlight to see the time, I pull out the crown, turn it one-quarter clockwise to the "TIME" selection, and push the light button. It sounds like a pain, but it really isn't. I find that I could do this quickly and easily, even in a darkened movie theater. The trick is to keep both LCDs on your home time, so that the analog dial and the digital LCD show the same time.
As for the links on the band, I wouldn't recommend trying to remove them yourself. I tried using a thumb tack, as another review suggested, but it seemed that I had to force them out, and it felt like I was damaging the pins. So, I stopped at a local jeweler who sized my watch for $5.
So, in conclusion I've owned many different watches over the years, including a Seiko Kinetic, which I really loved. But this is the first watch that I feel that would actually serve me for many years to come.
Update on May 21, 2011
Just wanted to add that I've worn this watch every day for the past three years and have not had a single problem with it. All features and functions work like new and the batter charge is still constantly pegged at "full." And, apart from some light scratches on the crystal (which you cannot see unless holding up to a light a certain way), the watch still looks pristine and new.
Definitely the best watch I've ever purchased. I don't forsee myself ever purchasing another watch for a long, long time.
Update on Sept 3, 2014
Still running perfectly for six years! I get the feeling that this will be the last watch I ever own.
Update on May 19, 2017
Well, it's been nearly 10 years of non-stop use, and the Skyhawk is still running like a champ. i did replace the crystal once (upgraded to a sapphire), but other than that's, it's been perfect. The power level is always on full. It's pretty amazing in this "disposable world" how well this watch has held up for nearly a decade...
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From the manufacturer
For over 40 years, Citizen's proprietary Eco-Drive technology has served as the prime example of how the brand is dedicated to the world and making its environment a better place. A simple yet revolutionary concept, Eco-Drive harnesses the power of light from any natural or artificial light source and converts it into energy, eliminating the need for any battery replacement. Using renewable energy to keep Citizen Eco-Drive watches running forever.
Videos
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Citizen Men's JY0000-53E "Skyhawk A-T" Eco-Drive Watch
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Atomic Timekeeping Video
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How It Works
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How Atomic Timekeeping Works
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Citizen Eco Drive Video
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Reviews with images
Terrible
When you pay over $500 for a watch that says it's for aviation it should last when that's my job! The face of the watch was scratched within a week. The outside of the face is the real problem. All the paint on the furthest numbers is completely gone and is now just black. The closer number's paint is also extremely scratched and will eventually be unreadable as well. I have only had this watch for a year and absolutely do not recommend this watch to anyone!! Don't waste your money!As a side note: I have never been able to sync the watch up to changing time zones. It has never received signal.
Top reviews from other countries
Northernman
Amazing watch but unusual calendar behaviour
Reviewed in Canada on February 10, 2015
Richard
Follow up to Initial overview.
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 26, 2013