In the boundless sea of watchmaking, the divers that have truly made history can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Among these, one has left a deep mark, capable of changing forever the relationship between man and the depths of the sea: the Aqualand by Citizen.
It was 1985 when the Japanese company launched a timepiece that revolutionised the category, immediately standing out for its unique shape and technical solutions never seen before. Above all, the presence of an integrated depth sensor at 9 o’clock, an element that made it possible for the first time to measure the depth of a dive in real time.
Alongside this innovation was a timer dedicated to diving, which allowed divers to record and consult their times once they returned to the surface. For enthusiasts of the underwater world, it was a turning point: not just a watch, but a safety and exploration tool, an invisible thread connecting them to the world above during their underwater missions. Behind that icon, however, there was a technical challenge that was anything but simple.
‘We had to ensure absolute water resistance and prevent impurities or residues from interfering with the sensor,’ recalled Tatsuo Nitta, a member of the development team, in an interview. They needed a compact component that could be mass-produced, an LCD display that was clear even underwater and an audible alarm that could be heard in the event of rapid ascent, all integrated into a case that could withstand marine pressures. The result was the Promaster Aqualand, the first chapter in an unbreakable bond between Citizen and the sixth continent. From that experience, the Promaster collection was born in 1989, designed to include instruments not only for the sea, but also for land and sky.
Forty years later, Citizen pays tribute to this reference by presenting the Promaster Aqualand 40th limited edition, a limited edition faithful to the spirit of the original and at the same time projected into the present. The crown at 4 o’clock, the three pushers and the characteristic bulb sensor at 9 o’clock echo the historic design, now enhanced with a rose gold PVD finish.
The matt brushed grey case is illuminated by golden details that add character and celebratory charm. On the technical front, in addition to the time, calendar, alarm and chronograph, the digital display offers depth measurement, dive time calculation and a speed ascent alarm.
The strap, made from BENEBiOL™, a moisture-resistant, environmentally friendly polyurethane of plant origin, confirms the brand’s commitment to sustainability. On the case back, a dedicated engraving with a logo inspired by the original sensor ideally seals these forty years of adventures beneath the surface. A tribute to an icon that, even today, continues to make the hearts of those who live for the sea beat faster.
Matteo Zaccagnino
