Your Summer Watch Is Here: Four New Citizen ME Series Models
Last August, I showed you the new Citizen NJ0150 watches that were, till then, only available in Asia. Following a successful introduction in Europe, the reception of these Citizen watches has been very good. Today, Citizen announces four new ME series models that will appear outside of the brand’s home continent this summer. And yes, “Tiffany” blue is still a thing!
The Citizen ME series — four new models
Officially, these new Citizen NJ0151 and NJ0153 models belong to the ME series. Each one is a stainless steel watch with an integrated bracelet that features both brushed and polished finishing. The dimensions (40mm wide, 11.7mm thick, and 49mm long) are still the same as the previous NJ0150 series. This is a very wearable size for my 18.5cm (~7.25″) wrist, and I’ve seen that it also works on smaller wrists for sure. Starting at €299, the price is incredibly friendly, and there’s hardly a reason not to consider one of these watches for the summer!
New dials
Four new (additional) models are debuting here. Three are in standard stainless steel with dials in dark blue, light blue, and teal. The final red-dial model features a gold PVD finish and has a slightly higher retail price of €349. The dark (gradient) blue version is my favorite from this lot, although it is perhaps the one with the least summery vibe. I also could have done without a date (or magnifier), but it is convenient. I am also not really complaining at this price point.
Caliber 8210
Just like the first series that came to Europe, the NJ0151 (plain stainless steel) and NJ0153 (gold-plated) models are equipped with Citizen’s 8210 movement. As I described in my hands-on introduction last August, it’s a self-winding movement with a 40-hour power reserve and a 21,600vph frequency. The movement is visible through the sapphire window on the case back.
Value for money
For under €300, you buy a very decent watch that will probably last for a long time. Aside from the gold-plated version, the others are just new dial variations, but that’s not a bad thing. The Citizen ME series is successful, and bringing more variety might give it another boost. Below our initial introduction of the Citizen ME series NJ0150, our reader MH said, “After having five links removed and a micro-adjustment, the watch sits well and is a good everyday wearer and an affordable alternative away from Rolex, Omega, Tudor, or any other luxury brand.”
In general, the watch was well received among our readers, aside from two concerns. One is the size (of course), and the other comes from the same MH, “My only gripe is the crown. It’s a tough cookie to pull out and set the time when the watch has been left idle for a few days.”
Final thoughts
There’s little to add to our previous articles when it comes to these Citizen models. The original Citizen NJ0150 even received an honorable mention in a few of our Finding The Best Watches Under €500 series. The Tissot PRX is perhaps the most logical competitor, but the mechanical version is more than double the price. The PRX brings a nicer movement to the table and a slightly nicer finish on the case and bracelet, but that’s about it. Prices increased from €279 for the previous NJ0150 series to €299 for the regular steel models and €349 for the gold-plated version above. It’s not an increase that I’d get worked up about. As mentioned in this article, I am a bit over the Tiffany color, so my pick would be dark blue with a grainy dial finish.
These four new additions to the Citizen ME series will be available outside of Asia starting in June 2023. You can find more of our articles on Citizen watches here.
