Citizen's new affordable stainless-steel automatics feature textured dials, see-through casebacks

Choosing the leather strap on Citizen's newest automatics basically halves the weight of the watch. The bracelet versions come in at 128 grams; the leather one at 62.

Citizen Hong Kong has listed four references, all with the same 40 mm stainless steel case at 11.6 mm thick. Reference NH8410-59E has a black textured dial with a steel bracelet at HK$2,080 (~$265), and NH8410-59X does the same in teal at the same price. NH8414-58B has a two-tone case and bracelet with a cream dial at HK$2,380, about $303. NH8410-08B is the sole leather reference, cream dial on brown calf, and the cheapest at HK$1,980, close to $252.

The dials sport Roman numerals at the quarters with applied batons elsewhere, and a day and date window at three o'clock. The two colored dials use a fine grid texture that the cream versions leave out.

Underneath is Citizen's caliber 8200, the Miyota-built automatic the company has used across entry-level mechanicals for decades. Citizen Hong Kong publishes no power reserve, jewel count or beat rate for it, listing only the caliber number and that it runs without radio reception.

The caseback is somewhat interesting at this price point, but not quite. Just like the new NJ series watches, all four of these have transparent backs, which lets owners watch the rotor turn. Water resistance is 5 bar, so 50 m, and each carries a three-year warranty.