Review: Citizen Fugu 4.0 – NY013 Series. New for 2021

Citizen introduces the new Promaster NY013 for 2021 in the latest chapter of the continuing story for the new generation of accessibly priced, mechanical diving watches that Citizen has released since 2018. We had on hand, two of the limited edition models to test out, and here is our detailed review.

We have been following the progress of the popular Citizen Fugu collection since the re-introduction in 2018. The following are the Fugu collections we have covered:

• Citizen Fugu NY008 2018
• Citizen Fugu NY009 2019
• Citizen Fugu NY011 2020
• Citizen Fugu NY0105-81E Titanium Technology 50th Anniversary Asia Limited Edition 2020

The entire series used the same Caliber 8203 made in-house in Citizen, and the same basic design which is a derivative of the original Fugu first seen in the NY004 series in 1989. This latest NY013 uses the updated Caliber 8204, which is the same base, but with the ability to hack the seconds hand.

Review: Citizen Promaster NY013 Mechanical Diver 200m – Fugu 4.0

Retail prices are as follows: NY0138-14X* SGD 770.40 / NY0139-11E* SGD 738.30 / NY0130-83E SGD 674.10 / NY0135-80E SGD 770.40. All inclusive of GST, and available now. NY0138 and NY0139 are limited editions of 1989 pieces each.

The new non-limited models are all offered in stainless steel cases with matching bracelets and include two matching dial and bezel options in black and a sunray finished green (not available in Singapore), as well as one Black-Ion Plated model with a black dial and bezel. Additionally, two limited edition versions are offered, one with a black dial and the other with a fully lumed dial. Both models are limited to 1989 pieces, with each piece engraved with its own serial number.

The case, dial and hands

The basic design of the case remains the same as with the 2018 re-introduction models. Both the review samples we received were the limited edition stainless steel cases with black ionic plating applied. This gives it a very sleek, satin-like aesthetic, which is a nice tactile feel as one runs one’s fingers over the case. A rather luxurious feel.

At 44 mm diameter, with a thickness of 13.1 mm, the NY013 Series takes the case size of the NY011 series. The watch does wear smaller than the generous dimensions suggest, wrapping around the wrist. The corrugated, urethane strap providing some kind of give, and stretches for comfort. The watch feels very robust and well built. The clicks on the bezel are positive, pronounced and tactile, and gives a good impression of the high level of fit and finish given to the watch. The crown is screw down, and the criticism we had on the NY008’s industrial feel of the crown is largely gone, and it now screws in and out smoothly, with little play. Unscrewing the crown will allow the watch to be hand-wound, a feature of the caliber used, and pulling it out one click will function as the quick set for the date in one direction and the day in the other. Pulling the crown out the second click will hack the movement for time setting.

The dial remains largely unchanged. This is a good thing, because the earlier releases are models of legibility and clarity. The markers are huge and marked very clearly with generous SuperLumiNova infilling. The hands are similarly huge, and the hour/minute hands are similarly infilled.

On the NY0139, all markers are filled with lume, while on the NY0138, only the 12, 6, 9 markers have infilling. The other markers are metal appliques. The seconds hand is a slim, sweep seconds, with a red triangle infilled with lume on the pointy end.

NY0139 has a black dial. Here is the glowy bits in the dark.

While the NY0138 has a full lume dial. The indices do not have lume infilling, except for the 12, 6, 9 markers, and the small one at 3 o’clock. Here is how it looks in the dark. The lume is very bright, almost like a mini-torchlight in the dark.

As with all the recent generation of NY004 inspired models, each watch will be presented in a special box in the shape of a diving oxygen cylinder, which will differ slightly with regards to the two limited edition models by engraving with its own serial number, comes with an individual certificate card and commemorative coin.

Overall, the case, hands and dial is an example of not fixing what is not broken. The NY011 works very well and is the epitome of clarity and of what a good diver watch should be like, especially at this entry level pricing. And the NY013 follows suit. The two review samples we received now feature the black ionic finish which we feel is quite classy.

The movement: Citizen 8204

The movement is now updated TP Citizen 8204, which is the same base 8203 used in earlier iterations, but with a hacking feature. This is a well proven in-house cal. 8203 movement, have 200m water resistance and be compliant with the ISO 6425 standard for diving watches. The case back is screw down, with built in detents for the removing the back. It is also marked with the now famous Fugu engraving, with the other verbiage to identify and describe the watch. The limited edition models, will carry an engraving of the serial number on the case back.

The movement is not finished as with the earlier iterations with zero effort devoted to cosmetic finishing. This original movement is made by robots in the Citizen automated production lines at Miyota. And though is marked “Unadjusted”, performs quite well in our experience, coming to near chronometer specifications in daily use.

We will not reprise the Competitive Landscape section as it is rather the same as what we wrote for the 2018 NY009.

Concluding thoughts

Again another successful design continued. We see the Fugu series as an evolving range of watches, beginning with the NY008 in 2018. Each iteration becoming more refined, and sophisticated. Prices have also risen steadily from circa SGD 550 to the current SGD 700 ballpark. But still the Fugu NY013 is very good value for the money, and plenty of watch.

This is a good, robust, sturdy dive watch made for the masses. Plus the great looks, and the fact that it wears very well makes it a great choice for a casual watch.

Photo Notes

The NY0139 and NY0138 were photographed in our studio. Hasselblad H3D-39 with HC 4/120 Macro and HC 2.8/80 with H28 extension tube. Profoto strobes.

Edited: to correct that this is now version 4.0 instead of 2.0. And the error in the caliber used.