Sold Out Again?! The Latest Citizen X Mont-Bell Collab Reflects the Ideal Outdoor Watch

Originally, watches were simply "tools for telling time." The fifth collaboration between Citizen and Mont-bell arrives as if to re-examine this core concept in the modern era.

The "Citizen Promaster," developed for professionals who push the limits, is infused with the functional beauty that Mont-bell has cultivated in the field. It's tough, highly visible, and incredibly simple to operate.

In an age dominated by smartwatches, its design truly stands out. In this article, we sit down with Daisuke Haraguchi from Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.'s Product Planning Center to trace the history of their past collaborations and uncover the true value of their latest masterpiece.

A Collaboration Sparked by Mont-bell's "Function is Beauty" Philosophy

"Our partnership with Mont-bell started when they visited one of our exhibitions. We found a lot of common ground in their 'Function is Beauty' design philosophy and their unwavering commitment to delivering truly excellent products to their users. That's when we decided to work together to create 'the ideal wristwatch, as envisioned by Mont-bell.'"

The "Citizen Promaster," first launched in 1989, was chosen as the foundation.

"The Promaster line covers three categories—Sea, Land, and Air—and offers the toughness to endure harsh environments along with specialized functions for each field. It was the perfect canvas to bring Mont-bell's vision to life."

"The first edition, released in October 2016, featured a case made of lightweight, scratch-resistant Super Titanium™ (with Duratect TIC treatment). It achieved high water resistance and durability thanks to a monocoque (case-back-less) structure rated for 20 ATM."

Super Titanium™ is a proprietary metal material technology developed by Citizen. While standard titanium is light and rust-resistant, it has a major drawback: it's soft and scratches easily. Citizen overcame this by applying a special surface-hardening treatment called Duratect TIC, making the material over five times harder than stainless steel.

In addition to the light-powered Eco-Drive technology, which eliminates the need for regular battery changes, the watch ensured visibility in the dark with luminous paint on its Arabic numerals and bar indexes.

Embodying Mont-bell's request for "a simple yet tough watch," this Citizen-powered outdoor timepiece sold out at stores one after another right after its launch.

The second edition, released the following year in November 2017, introduced the series' first model featuring a calf leather strap.

"While the design and specs carried over from the first edition, the addition of a leather strap helped it evolve into a versatile outdoor watch that blends seamlessly into everyday life."

The third edition, launched in March 2019, received a functional upgrade. In addition to the light-powered, radio-controlled Eco-Drive timekeeping, it was equipped with the Direct Flight function, allowing the user to easily switch to the time in 26 cities around the world.

"For the black model, we used Super Titanium™ with a Duratect DLC treatment, which achieved an even greater level of hardness."

Each new update reveals more than just a spec bump; it's a 'deepening of philosophy.' Lightweight, durable, and highly visible—every feature is the result of relentlessly pursuing the answer to the question: 'What makes a tool reliable in the wild?'

Then, in September 2020, the fourth model was released. Building on the third iteration, it boasted even greater durability and a more refined texture.

"The Duratect MRK on the silver model is a real standout. It's a technology that achieves a hardness over six times that of stainless steel by infusing a high-hardness layer deep into the titanium itself."

With its top-tier outdoor performance and a sophisticated look that fits any setting, the fourth model represents the peak of functional beauty, bridging the gap between the great outdoors and urban life.

The Essence of an Outdoor Watch, Revealed by Stripping Back to Basics

While the collaboration series already felt like it had reached the pinnacle of design, what does the fifth model, released this past October, bring to the table?

"In a word, it's a return to our roots. Mont-bell's request was simple: toughness to endure harsh environments, high visibility day or night, and easy operation—essentially, getting back to the very essence of what an outdoor watch should be."

Let's start with the dial design. While it retains the combination of large Arabic numerals and bar indices from the previous model, the hands have been completely redesigned. The hour hand features a new arrow shape, and along with the minute and second hands, it has a bolder, more powerful form for enhanced visibility.

"Another key feature is the ladder-like groove down the center of the hands. This not only increases rigidity but also allows us to apply a thicker, more stable layer of luminous paint than ever before. The groove also prevents the paint from building up, which helps avoid any interference between the hands."

Numerous upgrades have been implemented to further boost durability.

"The case and band are crafted from Super Titanium™ (treated with Duratect MRK). The all-black model takes it a step further with a dual-layer structure, combining the deep-penetrating Duratect MRK with an additional high-hardness Duratect DLC coating on the surface.

"By reinforcing the titanium material itself, not just the surface, the watch becomes resistant to both scuffs and dings from direct impacts. It’s fortified against all kinds of damage, allowing it to maintain a like-new finish even after long-term use."

The watch features a one-piece case structure, eliminating the need for a separate case back. Since the titanium is molded through hot forging, there are no seams, completely preventing water or moisture from entering from the rear.

"We prioritized simple operation for this model, so we opted for a light-powered Eco-Drive movement, deliberately omitting radio-controlled functions. However, we boosted its toughness and reliability by incorporating a highly shock-resistant movement originally designed for diver's watches."

There are no pushers on the side of the case; a single crown controls all functions. The oversized crown is textured with fine grooves, ensuring a solid grip even with wet hands or while wearing gloves.

"The lineup also includes a model that comes with an additional silicone rubber strap. We've adopted an interchangeable strap system, so users can swap it out themselves. This was a direct response to a request from Mont-bell, reflecting their philosophy that the best outdoor gear is user-serviceable."

"Our five senses alone can't tell time accurately. That's where I believe a watch finds its purpose—as an 'extension of our senses.' In that respect, an outdoor watch is a vital piece of gear that complements our human abilities in the natural world.

"A watch that is easy to read, tough, and simple to operate is, without a doubt, the most trustworthy tool you can have."

In recent years, as smartwatches have exploded in popularity, many people have found themselves feeling that they have "too many functions to master" or thinking, 'All I really need is the correct time.'

Appearing at such a time, this model represents Mont-bell's answer—a redefinition of 'what an outdoor watch is' on the occasion of its 50th anniversary.

Certainty over convenience. Reliability over a flood of information. This watch truly reflects the very essence of an outdoor watch.