Take-Over the Make-Over : Citizen EcoZilla Project

If you're a WIS, you'd dig Citizen EcoZilla/AutoZilla. If you're into Japanese watches, you'd dig Citizen EcoZilla/AutoZilla. If you're into Diver-genre watches, you'd dig Citizen EcoZilla/AutoZilla. This watch design, although nearing 20 years now, still manages to catch one's attention and stay relevant till this time and date- I think that it's just one of those designs that you'd either love or hate, no two ways about it. 

That gigantic porthole-designed watch is not a Rolex Submariner-wannabe, nor does it pay homages to any other Swiss watches. Nossir, you're looking at a distinctive Citizen design for a watch that would withstand decompression that could cause the crystals to pop off commercial divers’ watches after dives in helium environments, and without the need to incorporate a helium release valve.

EcoZilla's price in the States was cheaper at RRP : USD359 (circa RM1,380), so I had previously procured a set meant for North America market with a 5-year warranty, back in March 2014. Malaysian RRP was previously quoted at RM2,040. 

However, I don't really use the watch ("EcoZilla Alpha") much as it was quite a bulky piece and I'm not a big fan of the original rubber strap. It was designed for diving and would hold itself well in extreme environments underwater, but it was rather hard and unwieldy for normal office wear. 

I wanted to get the Suppa adapters to try other straps but the adapters go like hot cakes and were always out-of-stock.

Fast forward to December 2014, and a fellow watch enthusiast i.e. Eddie contacted me if I was interested to take over his newly-completed project for a Panerai-sed Citizen EcoZilla ("EcoZilla Beta"). I already had EcoZilla Alpha so I wasn't too keen. But as the descriptions went on, I became quite intrigue.

EcoZilla Beta was issued for the international market and came with the normal 1-year international warranty, but I doubt that the watch would have any problems even way after the warranty ends in December 2015. Eddie managed to grab the last piece of EcoZilla from the seller before it was sold out. Yes, the EcoZilla was going fast, especially since the seller had discounted its price generously to circa RM860 with international shipping thrown in for free (but re-packaged without Citizen box to save weight, if opted for this option).

Next, Eddie managed to get his hands on a pair of EcoZilla adapters for circa RM210 from the States.

And lastly, he went for the Panerai-style hand-stiched leather strap, in all its 24mm non-tapered glory. You need a sizeable watch to carry this behemoth strap with presence, but Citizen EcoZilla Beta had just the attitude and style to pull off this make-over.

And voila, you have a serious diver tool watch dressed to impress with gentlemanly accessories
- very James Bond-like.

Eddie has spent the better part of RM1,515.88 to change EcoZilla Beta to its current state; but he then realised that he was more comfortable in his G-Shocks. No doubt that EcoZilla Beta may looked like a Citizen-version of a G-Shock (yes, most guys dig big watches these days); but its weight would wear down puny wrists not normally accustomed to heavy watches.

So he was looking for a quick flip and EcoZilla Beta came to my attention. It was basically a new watch with some slight scratches here and there from his work on the make-over; but nothing that some TLC detailing works couldn't make it better. And I had just the right patience sitting down for hours to be good with such works. (Update : Scratches duly-removed :)

And EcoZilla was almost always out-of-stock (with AutoZilla already discontinued by Citizen), so I thought for just a split-second...

... and thus decided to take-over his make-over; and EcoZilla Beta was staring right in my face now. I'll consider if it'd earn a permanent spot in my stable but for now, let's just enjoy looking at this handsome fella.

Enjoy...

Eddie's inspiration for EcoZilla Beta's make-over...

... led to this handsome beast.

Duly-polished with nary a scratch.

Looking good.

Great blue lume.

And the left-over new Citizen rubber strap duly-packaged up for future tour of duty.

Isofrane box for size comparison purposes only.

Keeper or flipper- what do you reckon?

NB : Pursuant to the EcoZilla being flipped, I have since made an international order towards the Nu EcoZilla released during Baselworld 2014 as per the following :