Looking to get a dress piece to add to the collection within the next year, and I stumbled upon the Citizen AQ4100-65W limited release JDM HAQ after having my eyes set on the Longines Flagship moonphase for a while. Prices are somewhat similar, with the Citizen at $3300ish shipped, and the Longines between $2500-3000. Here’s my assessment:

Longines:

  • Automatic
  • Moonphase
  • Lower price and available domestically without customs duties
  • Greater availability due to non-limited release
  • Gold plated hands and dial markers

Citizen:

  • Quartz
  • HAQ with lots of features to compensate
  • Jumping hour (frequent travel) ++ Beautiful washi paper dial with platinum leaf
  • Lightweight titanium bracelet (but could also look great on a leather strap)
  • More expensive
  • Harder to find
  • JDM with proprietary HAQ movement requiring shipment to Japan for service

Any other thoughts or suggestions? Thanks!

  • wagtrpt@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Longines as I love an automatic vs quartz, even if it’s a higher end quartz

    • BWIADCA777@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Agreed; if GS had a spring drive with an interesting dial at this price point, it’d be a no-brainer. Plain white is just too plain for me.

  • shucklessquad@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Between the two, Longines… However, there are so many nice watches around $3,000 on the pre-owned market. I would personally get a Grand Seiko, Omega, or Santos.

  • H_Stinkmeaner@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    The Citizen is nice… But learn from my mistake… MAKE SURE YOU REALLY LIKE IT, because you and I are willing to pay for one of those but most people won’t lol. Sold mine for about half of what I paid… Even it was hard to sell lol.

    The A060 isn’t as accurate as Citizen claims, that’s something you should be aware. Mine was running at roughly +8s/year, there’s also some watchuseek threads on the subject and even the JOMW YouTuber admitted his was also slightly out of spec lol.

    The Longines on the other hand, it’s an automatic watch from a well respected higher-end watch manufacturer, definitely easier to resell if you want to move to something else.

  • umamiking@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Normally this or that watch comparisons on this subreddit are so boring but THIS one is truly exciting. I have to say, Citizen HAQ models are underrated. That is a stunning watch and you’ll never run into someone wearing one.

  • PDX-ROB@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    The flagship has a special case back design that’s pretty cool. Not a fan of the gold tho, makes it look dated in a tacky kinda way.

    The citizen is beautiful, but needs to be seen in person. I’ve heard complaints about the plastic looking dial, because there is a layer of plastic over the dial.

    • taskmaster51@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      There’s a version with white hands and markers too. Personally, I like this version better

    • BWIADCA777@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I’ve seen the AQ4091 in person (Tokyo), and it looks quite impressive in person. Comparing side by side with the GS Shunbun and White Birch, my gut was leaning toward the Citizen washi dial. Obviously the spring drive wins out price notwithstanding, but the features on the HAQ do well to compensate for it being a quartz.

  • peterpunk06@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    Citizen looks more versatile, but honestly the flagship is the best looking dress watch imo.

  • hzg511-@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I would prefer Longines Flagship heritage with small seconds. Slimmer and simple watch.

    • BWIADCA777@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      Slimmer would be great, but the small seconds isn’t my taste. Just a personal preference.

  • KingLuis@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    moonphase for me. why? because moonphase. i just love it. and it has the date hand.

  • BadMr_Frosty@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    I’d personally go with the citizen. It’s more versatile and the dial is really interesting.

    That being said, if I had to dress formally all the time the longines might make sense.

    • BWIADCA777@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      I think you’re spot on with where my head’s at. I only find myself in a suit a couple times a year, anyway.

  • lmboyer04@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    10 months ago

    The Longines design looks great but after seeing it in person it’s both thick and wide. Unfortunate

    • BWIADCA777@alien.topOPBEnglish
      1·
      10 months ago

      That’s good to know. I still need to see one in person. I’ve only been able to find the master collection so far.