The Citizen NB1060 “Silver Leaf Lacquer” is one of those watches that quietly punches above its station. It pairs a genuine Japanese lacquer dial with a mid-grade Miyota 9-series automatic, and the result is a dress watch that looks far more expensive than it costs. Citizen has been chasing the affordable-mechanical-dress space for a few years now, and this is one of their more convincing efforts.
What sets it apart is the dial. A lacquer (urushi-influenced) finish gives the silver surface a soft, layered depth that flat painted dials simply cannot match, and it shifts character depending on the light. Combined with a sapphire crystal and slim case, it reads as a proper formal piece rather than a budget fashion watch.
My headline verdict: this is a smartly specced, handsome dress watch held back only by the realistic accuracy of its movement tier. If you understand what a sub-COSC Miyota delivers, you will be very happy. If you expect chronometer precision, look elsewhere or spend a lot more.
Quick verdict
This is for the buyer who wants a slim, elegant Japanese automatic with real material quality (lacquer dial, sapphire) and is comfortable with everyday mechanical accuracy rather than chronometer-grade precision. Buy it for the dial and the dress proportions, not for stopwatch timekeeping. For the money, it is one of the more characterful options in its class.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case diameter | ~39 mm |
| Lug-to-lug | ~46 mm (approx.) |
| Thickness | ~11–12 mm |
| Movement | Miyota 9-series automatic (in-house Citizen), 24–26 jewels |
| Beat rate | 28,800 vph (4 Hz), hacking + hand-winding |
| Power reserve | ~42 hours |
| Crystal | Sapphire (typically anti-reflective) |
| Dial | Silver lacquer finish |
| Water resistance | ~50 m (splash/handwash, not swimming) |
| Lume | Minimal to none (dress configuration) |
| Strap/bracelet | Leather strap or steel bracelet depending on reference |
Treat the figures marked “~” as close approximations; exact numbers vary slightly across the NB1060 family and regional references.
Design and build
The defining feature is the lacquer dial. Lacquer dials are built up in thin layers, and that process is what gives the silver surface its quiet depth and faint warmth instead of the dead flatness you get from cheap printed dials. In person it photographs well but rewards real-world viewing even more, catching and releasing light as your wrist moves.
Case finishing is the other strong point. Citizen knows how to polish and brush steel at this price, and the slim profile, modest diameter, and restrained bezel all read “dress watch” rather than “fashion watch.” The sapphire crystal is a meaningful upgrade over the mineral glass you still find on many rivals, and it should resist daily scratches for years.
It is not flawless. The applied indices and dauphine-style hands are tidy but conventional, so the watch leans classic rather than distinctive once you move past the dial. Water resistance is dress-grade only, which is sensible for the category but worth knowing before you wear it near a pool.
Movement and accuracy
The Miyota 9-series is Citizen’s own mid-tier automatic, and it is a genuinely good engine for the money. It runs at a full 4 Hz, hacks (the seconds hand stops when you pull the crown for precise setting), and hand-winds, which were exactly the features the older 8-series Miyotas lacked. Power reserve sits around 42 hours, so it will comfortably survive a night off the wrist.
On accuracy, be realistic. The 9-series is not chronometer-rated, and factory tolerance is generally in the region of roughly -10 to +30 seconds per day, though many individual examples settle into a tighter window of a few seconds fast once they break in. If yours runs at the worse end, a watchmaker can usually regulate it closer for a modest fee. This is normal for the tier and not a defect.
One known trait of Miyota automatics is a slightly more noticeable rotor wobble or “stutter” feel when you shake the watch, compared with some Swiss movements. It is harmless, purely tactile, and most owners stop noticing it within a week. The trade-off is a robust, easily serviced movement with a long track record.
On the wrist
At roughly 39 mm with a slim case, this is an easy wear for most wrists and a natural fit under a cuff. The modest lug-to-lug means it should sit well even on smaller wrists, which is exactly where many larger “dress” watches fail.
Comfort will depend on your strap or bracelet version. The leather-strap references wear lighter and dressier, while a steel bracelet adds presence and heft if you prefer that. Either way the low thickness keeps it from feeling top-heavy.
This is fundamentally an office, dinner, and occasion watch. It is not built for the gym, the beach, or heavy outdoor use, and the dress-grade water resistance reinforces that. Worn as intended, it is the kind of watch you forget you have on.
Pros and cons
- Genuine lacquer dial with real depth and light play, rare at this price
- Sapphire crystal for long-term scratch resistance
- Capable Miyota 9-series: 4 Hz, hacking, hand-winding
- Slim, well-proportioned ~39 mm case that suits most wrists
- Strong fit and finish for the category
- Accuracy is mid-tier, not chronometer-grade; expect to possibly regulate it
- Dress-only water resistance (~50 m) limits versatility
- Little to no lume, so low-light legibility is poor
- Design beyond the dial is classic but unremarkable
- Miyota rotor feel can seem loose to those used to Swiss movements
Alternatives to consider
The most obvious rival is the Seiko Presage “Cocktail Time,” which offers a similarly characterful lacquer-style dial and a comparable in-house automatic; choose it if you want a bolder, more colorful dome-crystal look. The Orient Bambino is the value pick, undercutting both on price with a charming vintage profile, though it uses a more basic movement and often mineral glass. If your budget stretches further, a Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 trades dial drama for a longer 80-hour power reserve and tighter Swiss accuracy.
Frequently asked questions
Is the lacquer dial actually special?
Yes, within its price class. Lacquer dials are built up in layers, which gives a depth and subtle light play that flat printed dials cannot reproduce. It is the single best reason to buy this watch over a cheaper rival.
How accurate is the Miyota 9-series movement?
It is a solid mid-tier automatic, typically running somewhere in the range of roughly -10 to +30 seconds per day from the factory, with many settling tighter after break-in. It is not chronometer-rated, but a watchmaker can usually regulate it closer if yours runs poorly.
Can I wear it swimming?
No. With around 50 m of water resistance it is rated for splashes and handwashing, not swimming or diving. Treat it as a dress watch and keep it away from the pool.
Does it come on a strap or a bracelet?
It depends on the specific reference within the NB1060 family. Some configurations ship on a leather strap for a dressier feel, others on a steel bracelet for more presence; check the listing before buying.
Daniel Hart is the editor of Watch The Watch. He researches and writes the site’s buying guides, brand comparisons, and explainers, focused on accessible, enthusiast-level watches — affordable automatics, divers, field and dress watches, everyday quartz, and the straps, winders and tools that go with them. The goal is practical, budget-aware advice that helps readers choose the right watch for their wrist and their budget. Recommendations draw on manufacturer specifications and the wider enthusiast community.