aunched in 1989, Citizen’s Promaster Collection has been a home to some of the brand’s hardiest watches for over 30 years. Durability, innovative, and accurate, Promaster timepieces are built to withstand the world’s toughest environments on the wrists of those for whom adventure is a natural calling.

A new Promaster Skyhawk model, the reference JY8128-56L Blue Angels, continues the collection’s tradition of horological audacity, iterating upon the beloved, aeronautically themed models of years past in a limited edition of 9,999 pieces. Featuring a 46mm stainless steel case, the JY8128-56L is a celebration of Citizen’s longstanding partnership with the Blue Angels, the U.S. Navy’s flight demonstration squad. Founded in 1946, the Blue Angels are the most well known of the U.S. military’s demonstration teams, astounding people the world over with their aeronautic and acrobatic skill.

For over 25 years, Citizen has partnered with the Blue Angels on the development of watches that highlight the brand’s command of the latest horological technology. 1996 saw the launch of the first collaborative effort, the Blue Angels Navihawk, while just a few short years later, in 2002, the Skyhawk Blue Angels model incorporated the latest Eco-Drive light-powered movement. In 2007, the Eco-Drive Blue Angels Skyhawk received a high-tech Super Titanium case, while 2009’s iteration made use of radio-controlled timekeeping. A redesign in 2018 yielded fresh aesthetics for the longtime fan-favorite Blue Angels line, but Citizen continued to innovate, leading to the latest timepiece, the JY8128-56L.

The JY8128-56L features a dial executed in a deep, handsome blue, with white and yellow printing that takes aesthetic cues from the cockpit gauges of fighter jets and contrasts against black subdials. The Blue Angels wordmark adorns the lower left quadrant, while a blue outer bezel coordinates with the dial, signaling the watch’s celebration of the famous F18 pilots. Markers at 12 and 6 o’clock cleverly reference runway landing symbology, while the Blue Angels’ seal is further emblazoned in blue and yellow on the watch’s caseback. A special, yellow flight helmet-themed presentation box ties the flightthemed package together.

The new Promaster Skyhawk packs an enormous range of useful features into a modern, wrist-borne instrument of the utmost ingenuity. Its sophisticated case architecture includes three separate polished angles, necessitating a complicated production process. Further, a bi-directional, rotating slide rule bezel allows for complex calculations such as fuel consumption and speed, while a knurled crown ensures ample water resistance and large pushers allow for control of the watch’s modes, such as chronograph stop/start/reset, alarm setting, countdown timer actuation, world time adjustment, and more.

Sustainably light-powered by Citizen’s proprietary Eco-Drive technology, the JY8128-56L boasts atomic timekeeping for 43 cities and features a perpetual calendar as well as multiple backlit LED subdials for dual-time display, power reserve indication, function setting, chronograph readout, and more. An included 1/100th-second chronograph can measure intervals up to 24 hours long, while a 99-minute countdown time and dual alarms provide even more utility.

Perfex Multi 3000 time signal reception functions across four regions — the U.S, Japan, China, and Europe — meaning that a clear, accurate time signal is always in range, while ample shock protection and automatic hand correction mean that manual time adjustment is rarely necessary. Paired to a matching steel H-link bracelet that blends seamlessly with the watch case, the JY8128-56L is a true contemporary pilot’s watch packed with all the features necessary for modern flight.

Whether used for complex navigational calculations mid-flight, or simply for tracking multiple time zones while traveling, the Citizen Promaster Skyhawk with Eco-Drive technology is primed for lives of globe-trotting adventure.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Brand Promaster Skyhawk Blue Angels

Model JY8128-56L

Launch August 2022

Limited quantity 9,999 Globally

Case/Band Stainless steel

Glass Sapphire glass

Case Diameter/Thickness 46mm

Specifications Cal. U680/ Eco-Drive running for 6 months on full charge / Accuracy of ±15 seconds per month / 200m water resistance