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Want a watch that tells you your altitude and which way you’re heading, and never needs a battery? That’s the Citizen Promaster Altichron.
I loved my old Altichron on a ski trip, so when Citizen came out with this new BN5058-07E, I got it. Here’s a true unboxing, the compass and altimeter demo, and what’s changed.
- Solar powered, so no battery to die in the wilderness
- Compass and altimeter worked well in my test
- More everyday, diver-like style than the old Altichron
- Great hard-sided case
- Rotating bezel is loose with no clicks
- Mineral crystal, while a pricier model uses sapphire
- Large watch (I guessed 46-47 mm)
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
Why I love the Altichron
On my ski trip it was awesome to know my altitude and direction. On a mountain you don’t know if you’re heading north or south, or if you’re higher than the next lift.
They’re also water resistant, so I could wear it in the hot tub or run in rain and snow.
Unboxing
This box is way nicer than the old Altichron’s paper tube. It’s a hard-sided, Pelican-style case with an O-ring and Promaster on the front, and a rubber insert with an embossed Citizen logo.
The tag said $550, but the street price was around $400. I paid about $410.
Strap, case and bezel
The rubber strap has a curve molded in, so it doesn’t have to be super soft to fit your wrist. It has thick ribbing, Promaster printed on top, and a massive brushed buckle with Citizen on it.
The case is brushed with polished edges. This one has a more traditional, diver-like look than the old Altichron, so you could wear it to work or on vacation. The bezel rotates loosely with no clicks, because it’s for orienteering, not diving.
Compass test
The top pusher is the compass. Press it, and the smaller arrow hand swings around to point north. When I turned the watch, it adjusted and kept finding north. Pretty clever.
Altimeter test
The bottom pusher is the altimeter, and the sensor is on the side of the case. The red inner ring is in feet, and a sub-dial counts 10,000s, so the scale goes up to 30,000 feet.
In my test it read about 850 feet, which sounds right; I knew we were under 1,000 feet. That sub-dial also works as a power reserve indicator, and mine showed about 60%.
Solar power and setting the time
Eco-Drive makes a ton of sense for an outdoor watch. If you leave it in the box, the hands stop to save power, but a little time in the light fires it back up.
The crown isn’t screw-down. First stop sets the date, second stop sets the time.
FAQ
Is the Citizen Altichron solar?
Yes, it’s Eco-Drive solar powered.
How accurate is the altimeter?
In my test it read about 850 feet, which matched what I expected for my location.
Which button is the compass?
On mine, the top pusher; the bottom pusher is the altimeter.
Is it water resistant?
Yes, 200 meters.
What crystal does it use?
Mineral.
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