Citizen BF2018-52AE Review & Complete Guide
Citizen is one of the most popular watch brands in the world. And it’s easy to see why. Citizen watches are affordable and speak to a large group of people, but at the same time, they offer great value for money, good build quality, and many times, impressive technical innovations.
If you are looking for a durable, long-lasting Citizen watch that works great for everyday wear but also has a touch of elegance to it, the Citizen BF2018-52AE is a great alternative.
This is a practical watch that combines sportiness with elegance, making it suitable both for formal occasions, but also for everyday wear.
In this article, we are reviewing and looking closer at the Citizen BF2018-52AE.
Citizen BF2018-52AE review
Case
Starting off, this watch is presented with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 41mm. With that said, it is a normal size for men’s watches that is generally not too big nor too small for most men with average-sized wrists.
Since this is a gold and steel watch, it also has gold elements. This is mostly reserved for the bracelet and dial, but to go with this theme, Citizen has also equipped it with a yellow gold crown.
The case has a fixed polished bezel and brushed lugs. The lugs have a nice design to them which comes in the form of polished bevels. This really enhances the watch’s appearance and shows that Citizen has really paid attention to the details.
It weighs in at 113, so it is actually rather light and discreet on the wrist.
On top of the case, it uses hardened mineral glass. The water resistance is 50m/5 ATM which, in practice, means that it is resistant to water splashes but shouldn’t be submerged underwater.
The case has a flat case back which allows it to sit more comfortably on the wrist.
Dial
The dial is elegant and refined and does not stand out of the ordinary, but it is beautifully executed. Citizen has also done an excellent job with the attention to detail of the dial. Both in terms of texture but also in terms of decorations. The texture adds some depth to the dial which also makes it reflect the light beautifully. The dial has a silver tone which gives it a classy look and works for essentially any outfit.
To go with the gold theme, the dial has yellow gold markers and yellow gold hands. Both the hands and hour markers have luminescence applied to them for improved legibility in low-lit conditions. The yellow-gold details provide a classy and beautiful contrast against the silver dial. The hands and markers have ”bevels” and a diamond shape which allows them to reflect the light beautifully.
Positioned at 3 o’clock, we have a day and a date window which is nice to have in an everyday watch from a practical standpoint.
All in all, the dial is really well-executed for a watch in this price range.
Movement
The watch is powered by the Caliber 1502 which is an analog quartz movement. This is obviously great for accuracy. The most devoted watch nerds will obviously favor mechanical watches, but the quartz movement definitely serves a purpose for this type of everyday watch for practicality and reliability.
This movement will ensure that it keeps perfect time at all times.
Bracelet
The watch is presented on a gold and steel bracelet which goes well together with its elegant design. The bracelet has two lines of polished yellow gold links and steel links surrounding it. The bracelet has a folding clasp with a double push-button safety lock to ensure that it sits securely on the wrist.
Of course, a common issue with watches in this price range is that they do not tend to feel 100% solid and robust. It does indeed have some rattle, but it is not terrible.
Specifications
- Diameter: 41mm
- Weight: 113 grams
- Crystal: hardened mineral glass
- Lug width: 20mm
- Water resistance: 50m/5 ATM
- Clasp: Folding clasp with double push-button safety lock
Conclusion
All in all, the Citizen BF2018-52AE is a great affordable everyday watch that combines sportiness with elegance, making it perfect for any occasion and outfit. The watch is well-built for its price, and the dial is really well-executed with beautiful, applied markers, great depth, and decorations. If you want a reliable and trusted companion, this is certainly a great decision.
Of course, there are some downsides to this watch such as the build quality of the bracelet, but that’s nothing that doesn’t come as a surprise for a watch at this price point.
If you prefer, the watch is also available with a black dial and then goes under the reference BF2018-52E.