Sunday Morning Showdown: BA111OD Chapter 7 Vs. Citizen Zenshin 60

Another Sunday, another showdown! This week, we pit two sub-€1k sports watches with integrated bracelets against each other. In the blue corner, we have Daan defending the Citizen Zenshin 60. Meanwhile, in the red corner, we have Thomas with the BA111OD Chapter 7. Let’s see who delivers the knockout punch this week!

Of course, before we get into that, we must look at last week’s Sunday Morning Showdown. Let’s dive in!

Previously, on Sunday Morning Showdown…

Last week, Jorg and Mike stepped into the ring with a pair of 39mm GMT watches. Jorg represented the Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium. Mike, on the other hand, defended the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT. Both watches feature some retro styling elements, the Tudor probably more than the Longines. The watches share a common diameter, price segment, and complication. All in all, they are rather closely matched on paper.

This closeness was reflected in the poll. We got a split vote — exactly 50-50! This is a rarity for Sunday Morning Showdown, but here we are.

Some readers applaud the Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium for being more modern and original. They did not care as much for the more retro and derivative styling of the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT. Most other comments showed people leaning one way or another through aesthetic details. Some dislike the five stars on the Longines dial, while others don’t want Snowflake hands. The comments were as nuanced as the result of the vote.

BA111OD Chapter 7 vs. Citizen Zenshin 60

With that out of the way, let’s proceed with this week’s showdown. This matchup is a bit different. While last week’s contenders were similar in almost every way, today’s only share a theme — the integrated-bracelet sports watch. Beyond that, they are different in almost every way.

One is a €499 titanium watch from a massive Japanese company. The other is a stainless steel model from a Swiss microbrand, costing nearly twice as much at €950. Today’s question, then, is whether the almost-doubled price is warranted. Do the extras you get persuade you to go for the more costly option? Let’s see what Daan and Thomas have to say about it.

Thomas: BA111OD Chapter 7

Good morning, Fratelli! And good morning, Daan. Today’s matchup is an interesting one. I reckon I should have an easy time persuading you that the BA111OD Chapter 7 is the more advanced and objectively better watch. The big question is: will that persuade you to vote for it at twice the price of the Citizen?

In the end, a watch’s feature set, quality, and value for money only count for so much. Watches are, above all, objects of desire upon which we project ideas that exceed specs lists and price tags. So, in the end, you need to win hearts, not minds. I am quite curious to see which of our contestants scores higher in that respect, Daan. Honestly, I wouldn’t dare to put my money on it.

Still, my vote goes to the BA111OD Chapter 7 — yes, even if it carries the same name as liquidation bankruptcy in America. I will readily admit you don’t buy a Chapter 7 to celebrate a professional milestone, then. Still, in almost every other way, it is the superior watch. Let me try to explain why.

BA111OD Chapter 7 over Citizen Zenshin 60

Watches are subject to the law of diminishing returns. Spending ever more gets you increasingly smaller gains in quality, craftsmanship, and features. Is a €100,000 watch twice as good as a €50,000 watch? That’s unlikely. A €1,000 watch, however, might just be twice as good as a €500 watch. There is just so much you can do with €1,000 that you cannot with €500 when building a watch. I think today’s contestants illustrate this well.

Let me briefly list the higher-grade features you get from the BA111OD Chapter 7. You get a significant upgrade in terms of fit and finishing. This watch simply looks and feels several levels above the Citizen Zenshin 60. The bracelet is much more solid, and it features a dependable clasp with toolless micro-adjustment, which the Citizen doesn’t. Similarly, the BA111OD comes with screwed links, which I consider a worthwhile step up from pins.

The BA111OD is a Swiss-made watch, although whether that is more appealing to you is subjective. What isn’t subjective is the chronometer regulation and certification, which is incredibly uncommon in the price segment. Lastly, the BA111OD is 0.75mm thinner and offers an optional rubber strap.

Aesthetically superior

With the specs out of the way, we need to look at the designs next. I am veering into the subjective here, but I think the BA111OD Chapter 7 is the better watch in that respect as well. Its 10-sided bezel looks a little neater than the Citizen’s 12-sided one. The bracelet features actual separate links, breaking it up visually. The Zenshin’s bracelet is made up of full-width links that only simulate a three-row aesthetic.

Crucially, there is more flow to the Chapter 7’s shape. Its angular bezel sits atop a smoothly curved tonneau case, which creates an interesting visual tension. The Citizen Zenshin 60 is just angles upon angles, resulting in a slightly convoluted, harsh look. This is emphasized by the odd placement of the sub-dial and the “Automatic Titanium” script.

My final point is highly subjective, but I happen to know many enthusiasts share this pet peeve with me. The Citizen Zenshin 60 has a cheesy vignette dial. This is such an overused, cliché feature that I think we will look back on with distaste a few years down the line. BA111OD’s Chapter 7 keeps it cleaner, simpler, and, as a result, more attractive. All right, Daan, I think you should take over now. Why is the Citizen Zenshin 60 the superior option?

Daan: Citizen Zenshin 60 Automatic

Well, Thomas, the BA111OD Chapter 7 might indeed be the objectively better watch here. However, I feel you’ve neglected the desirability aspect. Yes, your Chapter 7 has more defined finishing, a better bracelet, and a chronometer certification. Plus, it doesn’t feature a vignette dial. Those are all fair points, and they might also explain the higher price, although Citizen might be able to offer the same features for the same price as the Zenshin 60 because of its advantage in terms of scale. But anyway…

While the BA111OD Chapter 7 is the better watch in terms of specific features, is the result something that truly excites you, Thomas? Let’s start with the brand name. It looks like the designation of a type of UFO, and I just can’t feel attracted to it. Then, there’s the overall design. You might say the Chapter 7’s rounded tonneau case and angular bezel look more interesting to you. However, the rest is rather uninspired — a bit “meh,” wouldn’t you say? And I haven’t even mentioned the crown, which looks a little crooked.

The Citizen Zenshin 60 is much more fun!

In my eyes, the Citizen Zenshin 60 is a much more fun and exciting watch. First of all, it’s made of titanium. Maybe you wouldn’t want your higher-end watch to be made of titanium since you might like to feel its value on your wrist. However, with a more affordable watch, such as the Citizen Zenshin 60, it’s fun to play around a bit. The lightness of an all-titanium integrated-bracelet watch is surprising every time. It’s a standout feature for a “go anywhere, do anything” watch like the Zenshin 60.

Then, we come to its design. I happen to like the Citizen’s more angular appearance. Especially when looking at it from the side, you’ll notice the difference between it and many other integrated-bracelet watches. The connection between the case and the bracelet isn’t as seamless as on the others. Actually, it’s a bit quirky, and I like it. Yes, the finishing and facets might be duller than on the Chapter 7, but at this price point, that’s something I can easily forgive.

True, the Zenshin 60’s dial layout is a bit messy, but again, it’s also more playful than the bland dial on the Chapter 7. Apart from the texture, nothing stands out to me on the BA111OD’s dial. The bark-like texture on the Citizen’s dial is more exciting, and while the fumé finish might overdo it a little, it also suits the playful theme here very well.

Heart over mind

Don’t get me wrong; I was also impressed when I heard the BA111OD Chapter 7 costs less than €1,000 on a bracelet. However, it’s competing against a lot of great watches around that price. Take, for example, Christopher Ward’s Twelve and, of course, Tissot’s PRX. The latter might not be on par in terms of the bracelet and its finishing, but you can also get it in a very exciting forged carbon version. All I’m saying is that while the BA111OD Chapter 7 is a great watch, it doesn’t have many unique selling points other than its great value for money. That is a rational argument par excellence.

The Citizen Zenshin 60, on the other hand, feels more fun from the moment you pick up the titanium case and look at its quirky design features. Yes, there might be a lot of angles, and the dial looks a bit messy, but at least it stands out from the crowd. It is visually exciting, which is something I can’t honestly say about the BA111OD Chapter 7.

Cast your votes!

There you have it! Thomas and Daan have laid out their arguments. It’s stainless steel versus titanium, solid color versus vignette, and Swiss versus Japanese production. Which watch gets your vote? Make sure to cast yours now, and let us know why you chose one watch or the other in the comments below. We’ll see you back here for another Sunday Morning Showdown next week!