Quick Verdict
The Chandler is a hard watch to argue with at $120: 37 mm, 100 m, solar, and light enough to forget you are wearing it. The finishing is basic and the dial is plain, but nothing about the specification is a compromise for the money.
At a Glance
- Street price
- $120
- Movement type
- Solar
- Power reserve
- Approximately 6 months from a full charge
- Case diameter
- 37 mm
- Lug-to-lug
- 43 mm
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Water resistance
- 100 m (328 ft)
Design
A straightforward field layout — Arabic numerals, a 24-hour inner track on most references, and a plain bezel. It does not try to be anything other than legible, which is why it works on a nylon strap.
Movement
The Eco-Drive E111 is Citizen's entry solar caliber, rated at ±15 seconds per month with roughly six months of reserve in darkness. It is the cheapest way to own a watch that requires no winding and no battery.
Build Quality
The case is simply finished with a push-pull crown, but the 100 m rating is unusually generous at this price. Construction is basic rather than poor.
Dial
Printed numerals and a date at three, with luminous fill that is present rather than strong. Legibility in daylight is excellent; at night it is the weakest element of the watch.
Bracelet & Strap
A plain nylon strap on 18 mm lugs. It is easy to wash, costs nothing to replace, and suits the watch better than a metal bracelet would at this size.
Comfort & Wearability
37 mm across, 10 mm tall, 43 mm end to end and 52 g. This is the smallest and lightest watch in the database and the obvious answer for wrists under 6.5 inches.
Accuracy
Citizen publishes ±15 seconds per month for the E111, the same specification as the Promaster's E168.
What we like
What we like
- 37 mm and 52 g — genuinely suited to small wrists
- Solar movement with no battery replacement
- 100 m water resistance despite the low price
- Nylon strap that costs almost nothing to replace
What we don't like
- Mineral crystal and a basic case finish
- Luminous material is weak
- Dial design is functional rather than distinctive
Who Should Buy It?
Anyone with a small wrist, anyone who wants a first watch for under $150, and anyone who wants something they can wear outdoors without thought.
Who Should Skip It?
Skip it if you want a watch that feels special to look at. This is a tool, and it is priced accordingly.
Best Alternatives
Three watches worth weighing up before you commit.
How It Compares
Citizen Chandler BM8180
5 categories won
Timex Marlin Automatic
0 categories won
- Street price
- $120Winner
- $229
- Movement type
- Solar
- Automatic
- Caliber
- E111
- 21-jewel automatic
- Power reserve
- Approximately 6 months from a full charge
- Approximately 40 hours
- Stated accuracy
- ±15 seconds per month (Citizen specification)
- Not published
- Case diameter
- 37 mm
- 40 mm
- Case thickness
- 10 mmWinner
- 13 mm
- Lug-to-lug
- 43 mm
- —
- Crystal
- MineralWinner
- Domed acrylic
- Water resistance
- 100 m (328 ft)Winner
- 50 m (164 ft)
- Bracelet / strap
- Green textile strap
- Black leather strap
- Weight
- 52 g
- Not published
- Style
- Field · Everyday
- Dress · Everyday
- Recommended wrist
- Small · Medium
- Small · Medium
- Selection Score
- 83 / 100Winner
- 76 / 100
Final Verdict
One of the few watches under $150 where the specification contains no obvious cost-cutting. Buy it for the size and the solar movement, not for the finishing.
Specifications
- Brand
- Citizen
- Model
- Chandler BM8180
- Reference
- BM8180-03E
- Collection
- Eco-Drive
- Street price
- $120
- MSRP
- $175
- Movement type
- Solar
- Movement
- Citizen Eco-Drive E111
- Caliber
- E111
- Power reserve
- Approximately 6 months from a full charge
- Stated accuracy
- ±15 seconds per month (Citizen specification)
- Balance spring
- Not published
- Case diameter
- 37 mm
- Case thickness
- 10 mm
- Lug-to-lug
- 43 mm
- Lug width
- 18 mm
- Weight
- 52 g
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Crystal
- Mineral
- Water resistance
- 100 m (328 ft)
- Dial colours
- Black
- Bracelet / strap
- Green textile strap
- Bracelet material
- Textile
- Clasp
- Pin buckle
- Date
- Yes
- GMT
- No
- Chronograph
- No
- Style
- Field · Everyday
- Recommended wrist
- Small · Medium
- Country of origin
- Japan
- Released
- 2011
- Selection Score
- 83 / 100
Score Breakdown
- 25%23.5
Value
- 20%16.0
Movement
- 15%11.1
Build Quality
- 15%11.4
Design
- 10%9.2
Wearability
- 10%7.5
Features
- 5%4.3
Brand & Ownership
Seven pillars, each rated 0–10 and weighted as shown. The total is the sum of the weighted ratings — the headline number can never disagree with its own breakdown.
Ratings are demo data pending editorial review.
Where to Buy
Selection Time is reader-supported. If you buy through a link on this page we may earn a commission. This never affects our scores or what we recommend.
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Amazon
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Official store
Not published
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 37 mm too small for a man's watch?
37 mm was the standard men's size for decades and suits wrists up to about 7 inches. On a 6.25-inch wrist it is close to ideal.
