Are These the Most Underrated Watches of the Year?

There’s a certain magic in a watch you don’t have to baby. An everyday driver. The kind you wear to the office, on a red-eye, into the weekend, and never once think, Should I have left this at home? That’s Citizen. Right in the sweet spot of premium engineering and real-world durability. And what we love most is how quietly they do it. No bragging, no posturing, no overhyped nonsense. Just everyday excellence done extremely well. 

This year, two collections caught our attention for exactly that reason. They’re beautifully made without being precious, designed with intention but built to be worn, not worshipped. They punch way above their price point, but they’re not chasing hype. They’re simply what modern daily drivers should be: precise, tough, elevated, ready for whatever your schedule or style throws at them. 

ATTESA: Premium Precision for People Who Actually Use Their Watches 

Citizen’s ATTESA collection is what happens when premium engineering meets practicality. These pieces lean on Citizen’s Super Titanium™. A material that’s lighter than steel, tougher than steel, and noticeably more comfortable for all-day wear. Citizen takes it one step further, adding a proprietary DURATECT to its titanium to create a lustrous finish. It’s a masterclass in balancing beauty and function. Citizen has been working with and perfecting the use of this material in watchmaking for 55 years.  

The quiet flex here is the tech. Depending on the model, ATTESA syncs with Satellite Wave GPS or Atomic Timekeeping, which means it’s more accurate than anything else in your drawer. No fiddling, no fussing, no “is this fast?” concerns. Just a razor-sharp read every time you check your wrist. 

Design-wise, ATTESA feels intentionally refined. Lustrous Super Titanium™, crisp dials, clean geometry. Elevated enough for a suit. Relaxed enough for a flight. Exactly what everyday excellence looks like. 

Series8: Mechanical Muscle with Modern Restraint 

If ATTESA is about advanced materials, Series8 is about Japanese-inspired craftsmanship, design cues, and technical mastery. These are Citizen’s modern automatics. Sporty, angular, magnetic-resistant, and built with the kind of solidity that instantly earns trust. 

Series8 doesn’t try to mimic classic Swiss silhouettes. Instead, it charts its own lane with artistic expression: complex dial texture inspired by Tokyo’s skyline and Japanese motifs, distinct styling, and finishes that feel genuinely contemporary. It’s a watch you can wear daily, but it still delivers that satisfying mechanical heartbeat enthusiasts (points thumbs at self) love. 

The beauty of Series8 is its versatility. Rugged enough for everyday errands, sharp enough for dinner, thoughtful enough to feel special. It’s everyday excellence with a little edge. 

At the end of the day, these watches are built for the life you actually live. ATTESA brings the precision and durability. Series8 brings the mechanical presence. Neither needs a display case, a special occasion, or a reminder to wear. They’re watches made to be worn. And they feel exceptional every time you do.