Citizen’s Newest Nighthawk Continues their Tradition of Robust, Aviation Inspired Timekeepers

Citizen has announced an update to their popular Nighthawk range of stealthy, aviation inspired, military tool watches. The Nighthawk has long been an enthusiast favorite for its modern, tactical appearance and the overall robust quality of the watch, and the new 2020 iteration certainly follows that same formula. Powered by an Eco-Drive movement that never needs a battery, the Nighthawk is still a great weekend-warrior option for watch lovers who need a grab-and-go beater, or an inexpensive daily wearer that can stand up to some abuse. Let’s take a closer look at the newest watches in the Nighthawk line.

Citizen Nighthawk 

• Case Material: Stainless steel
• Dial: Black
• Dimensions: 42mm
• Crown: Push/pull              
• Movement: Cal. B877
• Strap/bracelet: Black or green leather
• Price: $495
• Reference Number: BJ7135-02E, BJ7138-04E
• Expected Release: Fall 2020 

As you’d expect in a Nighthawk, the watches we see here were inspired by military aviation. In this case, stealthy helicopter missions were the template on which the new Nighthawks were built. These watches feature a sliding scale function (controlled by the crown at 2:00) that can be used to calculate air speed and fuel consumption, as well as a dual time display. Legibility is naturally a priority for a watch inspired by military service, and the Nighthawk doesn’t disappoint, with large, lume-filled hands, and big Arabic numerals and hour markers arranged around the outside of the dial. Aviation watches with slide-rule bezels can sometimes become tough to read (that’s perhaps part of their charm) but the Nighthawk makes it easy to determine the time at a quick glance, even if more attention is needed to make a complex calculation or factor in a second time zone. 

The new Nighthawk is 42mm in diameter, which is a good and appropriate modern size for an aviation inspired tool watch, and allows Citizen to put a much needed premium on legibility and functionality. Two variants will be available when the Nighthawk makes its way to stores in the fall: one with a black dial and blacked out case, and another with a black dial and brushed and polished case, paired with a drab green strap to give it an authentic military vibe.

At $495, the Nighthawk remains an enticing value proposition for anyone in search of a durable, well made quartz timekeeper, particularly if benefits of a solar powered watch are appealing to you. This is the kind of watch that can easily live in a drawer or a watch box for weeks or months at a time, but will always be ready to go when called upon. Citizen