Citizen Men's Eco-Drive Weekender Garrison Field Watch in Stainless Steel with Olive Nylon strap, Black Dial (Model: BM8180-03E)

A year or two ago I bought a watch from Amazon when it was on sale for 1/2 price. It was a dandy watch, worked perfect, but it was *huge*, and pretty heavy. It was also pretty flashy, and I'm not. So I wound up only wearing it for "dressy" times, e.g., like church. Finally, the battery died, and I decided I didn't like the watch well enough to go to the expense of buying a new battery and the hassle of putting it in.So I decided I would buy a new watch that (1) wasn't as big, heavy, and flashy as this one, and (2) didn't have a battery - I hate messing with batteries. So I started researching watches, and when the next Amazon watch sale came along, I found a lovely *automatic* (we called it "self-winding" in the "old days") Seiko in the "military-inspired" minimalist style was that I was looking for. I *almost* bought it, but the rating was a flat 4.0/5, and there were enough negative reviews about stopping working and other problems that it gave me pause. In addition, I doubted that a self-winding watch would work reliably for someone like me who doesn't wear a watch all the time.So I did some more research, and discovered that there was a 3rd class of watches - solar-powered!! And the "solar" supposedly means any kind of light. I found this Citizen watch that looked almost exactly like the Seiko that I liked and almost bought. It was about 85 bucks, which seemed reasonable, esp. for a watch that didn't require me to buy a battery or even to walk around...lolI've had this watch for about 32 days now. I love the look, and it is keeping perfect time. I still only wear it when I go out (i.e., not around the house), and I've been leaving it in the kitchen where there is usually natural light during the day, plus bright artificial light on and off. So far it has worked fine. I did have to charge it under bright light for something like 12-15 hours initially, so I just left the kitchen light on overnight. I suppose some would say that cost me maybe a quarter, but I can live with that.The strap is of decent quality, albeit a bit stiff (I'm sure that would have loosened up with wear), but I just didn't like having to futz with securing the strap ever time I put it on (yes, I'm old and set in my ways). This was solved by one of the major life lessons I got from my dad. Along with teaching me how to determine the model year for 50s and 60s Fords and Chevys (back when they *didn't* all look alike, and when unveiling the new model Chevy was an actual event in my small town), and warning me to "never buy a used car, you're just buying somebody else's problems", my dad introduced me to the Spiedel Twist-O-Flex watch band. When he bought me my first watch when I was around 12, the first thing we did was take off the band that came with it and replace it with a brand-new Twist-O-Flex (yes, we had to take out several links to get it to fit my thin young wrist). Heck, I didn't even know you could take the band off a watch, much less change its size !!! This watch has an 18mm aperture (or w/e you call it where the band attaches), and an 18mm Twist-O-Flex fits it perfectly.The only negative would be the dearth of documentation. Other than a little folder with a few lines in about 30 languages, I was referred to a web site for info on charging and setting, etc. This is standard in the 21st century, but it still chaps me a bit.I won't apologize for the length of this review. This is the kind of review I like to find when I am considering buying an item, so this is just "do unto others" for me.Keep it up, Jeff B., you are doing a great job !!!P.S. I added a couple of pics with the new band, mainly to practice with my new Kindle Fire...:)

After looking at almost 100 watches on Amazon, and closely at 6, I chose the Citizen Eco-Drive BM8180 because it met, and exceeded, the adjectives I applied to it in this review's title. I closely considered the similar Eco-Drive field chronograph, 2 Seikos (both 'field' styled, and both automatics), a Bulova, a Stuhrling, and an Invicta. It is the Citizen BM8180 for me (I have had the BM8180 for almost two months now), for these reasons, and in despite the one caveat:*Traditional materials & old-fashioned proven design. A solid steel case and back, and glass/mineral crystal, along with the 'plain' black dial and simple numerals. Details like the crown guards and a claw-screw back emphasize a handsome, well-made timepiece. Also carries a 5-year parts & labor warranty (and a 20-year warranty on the 'power cell').*Eco-Drive: no batteries, no 'winding' dependent on how active I am (and automatics all deviate at least 1 minute plus per month below the $400 and up range). Solar-powered quartz movement, so just "set it & forget it." I am a bit nocturnal, so to be on the safe side I set the watch on the windowsill for an hour of mostly direct sun once a week, which should keep it fully topped off at all times. Any source of artificial light is also fine (incandescent, fluorescent, halogen, even a REALLY large candelabra will do it!).*Feels great and very substantial in my hand, on my wrist, and when setting.*A very good, known maker, and at a price so low I want to tell people I paid MORE (I paid $81US, March 2010)!*And more than a little: a remarkably high & consistent rating on Amazon. It is indeed very rare to see any item on Amazon receive such high marks and comments, with so few negatives, over such a long period of time. I have been an Amazon customer since 1998 and bought watches, cameras, computer equipment, pens, books, CDs, DVDs, audio equipment, flashlights, small hand tools, luggage, and who knows what else, and I can't remember another item that so nearly universally gave it's purchasers here such a strong positive experience.*Setting the watch is easy, straightforward, and mostly intuitive, except for the warning not to set day/date between 9pm and 4am, which has to do with mechanical workings internally, and is not any inconvenience. A few people have not read either the Amazon product page or any of Citizen documentation, and have damaged their timepieces. So just don't be an impatient dope.*The only caveat or negative I'd offer I don't find an issue, myself. The band is tightly-woven OD green canvas with a sewn black leather backing (another mark of quality old-school manufacture). The solid steel grommets are large. It is stiff at first. After 2 weeks it loosened and lengthened about 3mm. I have pretty thick wrists and I am on hole 2, even 3 on some days. It is a good looking, substantial band. I like it.*All the other things: it keeps good time, losing just slightly more than 1 second in 9 weeks, which makes it 5-6 seconds deviant a YEAR. There is no backlight, but the hands glow legibly for 30 minutes or more after lights out. It is perfectly silent, even pressed tightly to my ear. The day function reads out alternatively in spanish, if you like or need it to. The requirements for light recharge are modest and will be easy to meet or exceeded by nearly everyone who wears this watch. 100 meter water resistance, which will be retained, unlike watches that must be opened every 2-3 years to replace the battery, thus ruining their real water resistance unless repacked by a pro for $$. The Citizen docs are clear, easy to read, and extensive.All in all, I give this watch an unreserved strong recommendation, a 5-star item for certain. I was prepared to hate the band and replace it right away, and the BM8180 would still have been a 4+ star. So for a handsome, solid, dependable, and inexpensive watch, you can't go wrong here.

I am a huge fan of Citizen for their exception value. Don't let the 36mm case size fool you, this watch is exceptionally easy to read. The white hour markers contrasts extremely well with it's jet black dial. The red seconds hand is a very nice touch. Being a Eco-Drive Solar Quartz movement, this thing is virtually maintenance free. This piece comes with an excellent warranty from the manufacturer.Now being a Quartz watch, many potential buyers fear the dreaded misaligned seconds hand. And unfortunately I did experience this. HOWEVER, Citizen's amazing warranty covers the repairs! Post purchase service/maintenance is a huge factor for me and Citizen's repair facility being only 45 mins away from my home is a HUGE plus.The only shortcoming of this daily/field watch is that the lume is really weak and the strap is not the most comfortable. However, this piece only costed me $118.00 + tax (March 18, 2024) !!!If you want a reliable, easy to read, budget friendly, daily watch in a classic case size (36mm), look no further!!!**Note**The blue watch is the Citizen Promaster Dive QuartzREF : BN0151-09L / 44mm case size

Excelente, o único ponto negativo foi o tamanho de 37mm. Combina com pessoas baixas(mulheres), ou abaixo de 1,60cm. Eu que tenho 1,80 não ficou legal

Just love the simpleness in the design yet gives the watch a handsome look.It's one year and running great. No issues.

Received the item original as advertised though the box/packaging looks old and a little beat up

Llego un poco tarde por que amazon se tardo en enviarlo.Funciona a la perfeccion y con un precio excelente.No lo recomiendo para muñecas muy grandes por que es un poco pequeño.El unico defecto que le he visto es que la correa tiene agujeros muy grandes y por esa razón queda muy ajustada o muy floja