The Blue Angels Nighthawk is far too busy and too big for me

The Blue Angels Nighthawk is way too busy and too big for me. There is information all over the dial, yellow around the edge and more displays than I want to look through to find the time. I can read the specification list and understand what Citizen is trying to do, but I don't like the result.

The 48 mm case adds to that reaction. I like plenty of large tool watches, so a big diameter doesn't automatically rule something out for me. Here it goes together with an already crowded face, and the complete package is more than I want on my wrist. I haven't tried this one on.

Citizen has packed a lot into it

The JY8046-08L uses Citizen's U680 Eco-Drive movement, so it runs on a light-charged rechargeable power system. It also has radio-controlled timekeeping, world time covering 43 cities, a perpetual calendar, a second time zone and a UTC display. The specifications continue with two alarms, a countdown timer and a chronograph that measures hundredths of a second.

I can see the appeal of having all of that available without keeping a mechanical movement wound and set. Radio reception still depends on where you are and the conditions; a list of functions doesn't establish how conveniently every one of them works in daily use. I haven't operated this model, and I would want to spend some time with its controls before calling it easy.

The case is stainless steel, the crystal is mineral and water resistance is listed at 200 meters. Citizen pairs it with a polyurethane strap and buckle. In the side and rear photographs, the blue exterior and yellow lining make the strap feel like part of the design rather than an accessory picked after the watch was finished.

Too much dial for me

The blue and yellow identify this as the Blue Angels version, with the digital displays sitting inside an already complicated face. All those scales and indications compete for my attention. A solar-powered movement and radio synchronization are useful features, but my interest in those functions doesn't make me enjoy this particular dial.

Citizen Canada lists this version at CA$1,095, checked October 29, 2026. That's a Canadian-dollar price. I don't have a verified US price for this exact reference, so I'm leaving its USD price unknown rather than making a currency conversion look like a US retail offer. The brand page presents it as new, but I haven't confirmed its original announcement date.

I'm at 53 out of 120 bezel clicks. The size and crowded dial are the problem for me. This score is my reaction to the design and published dimensions, rather than a claim that I've worn the watch or tested how easy the controls are to operate.