Introducing: The Citizen Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition
What We Know
Earlier this year, I wrote about a lume-dialed version of the Citizen Aqualand that now sits in my collection – one of the most unusual ani-digi watches on the market with a storied history, with a 40-year history, in fact. And in the comments, a reader named “beernye” said this:
“Would love to see the titanium, black coated C026/-027/-028/029 make a comeback for the 40th anniversary. Heck, even the two-tone version would be rad.” Well, Mr. Beernye, this one is for you. For the 40th anniversary of the model, Citizen has brought back the two-tone matte grey and gold version of Citizen Aqualand, and boy, are a lot of people going to be very excited.
The new Citizen Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary is limited to 5,800 pieces – not hyper-limited, admittedly – and hits the high notes of one of the more coveted versions of the “Pingo” model that people search for on the vintage market. The watch is listed at 50.7mm wide (due to the protruding depth sensor), but in a practical setting, it is only 44mm across minus that sensor. Still cased in stainless steel, the watch is 14.8mm thick, with a 24mm lug width, and 200m of water resistance.
If you want to check that depth rating for yourself, you’ve got the features of the Aqualand at your fingertips. In addition to the time, calendar, alarm, and chronograph functions that can be cycled through on the digital display, 9 o’clock protrusion is a depth sensor that can give you a depth measurement, dive time tracking in dive mode, and set off ascent rate alarm function if you make too quick of an ascent from your dive.
Unlike that very bright lume dial I wrote about before, this version has a black sunray finish to the dial, gold accents on the hands and printed indices, and gold plating on the unidirectional bezel, depth sensor, crown, and pushers for the various functions on the case. The caseback also features a 40th anniversary engraving with the depth sensor illustrated in the center of the zero for “40.” The price is solid and reasonable, as you can expect from Citizen – $595 – and you can pick them up starting in July.
What We Think
Wooo buddy, this is a good one. I’m obviously a fan of the Promaster—I love the weird look, different variants, and the fact that it’s paradoxically both futuristic and anachronistically “80s” at the same time. When I reached out to Citizen about reviewing the last Promaster with the luminous dial, I got a call that told me that something cool would be coming, and that maybe I would want to wait. Look, sometimes too much of one watch or brand at one time can burn folks out. But I took a guess that this was coming, was told I was right, and confidently said that many of you (the real ones) would love both.
To me, this strikes a good balance of being a bare-bones dive computer (from an era largely preceding dive computers) and an analog display watch for the nostalgic among us. The touches of gold plating just add to the 1980s vibe in the best possible way. Do I need two Aqualands? No. Am I about to have two Aqualands? Probably.
The Basics
Brand: Citizen
Model: Promaster Aqualand 40th Anniversary Limited Edition
Reference Number: JP2008-06E
Diameter: 50.7mm (due to the depth sensor)
Thickness: 14.8mm
Case Material: Stainless steel (Grey matte finish and yellow gold plating)
Dial Color: Black with sunray finish
Indexes: Printed gold tone, matching hour hand
Lume: Hands and Indices
Water Resistance: 200m
Strap/Bracelet: Biomass-based polyurethane (BENEBiOL™); includes strap extension
The Movement
Caliber: Cal.C520
Functions: Time, calendar, alarm, and chronograph functions, depth measurement, dive time tracking in dive mode, ascent rate alarm function
Winding: Battery-powered quartz
Chronometer Certified: Cal.C520/Accuracy of ±20 seconds per month
Additional Details: Unidirectional dive bezel, screw-down crown
Pricing & Availability
Price: $595
Availability: July 2025 via citizenwatch.com and Citizen retailers
Limited Edition: Yes, 5,800 pieces
For more, click here.
Hodinkee