Citizen BM6400-00E

One of the watches that’s really held it’s appeal to me is the Citizen PMT56-2711. Unfortunately, it’s out of production and hard to find, so when a reader recently asked me for alternatives, I wasn’t able to help. Since then, I’ve found the Citizen BM6400-00E. There’s also a version with a bracelet, the BM6400-51E, although that doesn’t seem to be sold in the US.

Specifications:

• Water resistant to 200m (660ft).
• 40mm by 11mm.
• Anti-reflective mineral crystal.
• Stainless steel case.
• Screw-down crown.
• Screwed caseback.
• Blue lume.
• E711 Eco-Drive quartz movement.
• Canvas strap (the bracelet is available from Citizen parts for $65 or so, part number 59-S02596).
• Best of all, a list price of $195, and a street price of $120!

More information after the break.

As you can see from the picture, it looks a lot like the PMT56 — case shape, dial, crown, bezel. The main visual difference is the addition of an arrowhead hour hand. The reduced price is due to loss of features:

• Stainless steel instead of titanium.
• Mineral crystal instead of sapphire.
• Normal vs perpetual calendar.

On the plus side, it should be easier to set (an analog-only perpetual calendar can easily take 15 minutes to configure) and at the price is unbeatable. Even if you add the bracelet, it’s under $200.

I think this is a killer watch for those pragmatic types who “just want a watch.” It’ll take a beating, be readable at night, never need batteries, and be readable at a glance. In watch terminology, this is a ‘beater,’ meaning the watch you wear when you don’t want to worry about your more expensive pieces.

I’m thinking we need to get one of these for a full review and comparison.

By Paul Hubbard