Citizen · Water-Resistant Smart Rings & Bands
Citizen CZ Smart Men's Smartwatch with Leather Strap
Smartwatch waterproofing likely contains PFAS with limited transparency.
Citizen provides no PFAS disclosure for this smartwatch. Waterproof electronics typically use fluorinated coatings.
The better-graded swap
Smart Ring 3 Standard with 1 Charging Case
85/100 safety
Same rubric that flunked this product. The swap earned Excellent.
Still want this one anyway? Check the price on Amazon. We’d swap it.
Material
Stainless steel case, leather strap, unspecified waterproof coating
Brand disclosure
Brand is silent on PFAS
Lab data
No public lab test
You may also be interested in
Top-graded picks in the categories readers replace first, every one scored on the same rubric.
- polypropylene filter housing, carbon/sediment cartridge
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial growth in spent cartridges
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Aquasure
Premier Series 75 GPD Under Sink Reverse Osmosis Water Filtration System
- RO membrane, carbon filters, stainless steel housing
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Bacterial and microbial growth in housing and filters
4 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Avocado
Vegan Mattress
- organic cotton, natural latex, coconut coir, recycled steel coils
- The brand calls it PFAS-free, which we have not verified
- Heavy metals
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
What Citizen CZ Smart Men's Leather Strap is made of, ingredients and materials
This watch pairs a stainless steel case (inert, low-leach) with a leather strap and an unspecified waterproof coating on the case and seals. Stainless steel itself poses no established leaching risk under normal wear. The leather strap introduces potential formaldehyde residue from tanning and finishing processes, though exposure is minimal in typical use. The waterproof coating is the primary concern, Citizen does not publicly disclose whether it uses Teflon-type coating (Teflon-family coating) or other fluorinated compounds, which are the most common waterproofing agents in this product class.
What’s concerning
No PFAS disclosure
No public statement from the brand about PFAS in this product.
Category baseline
The starting point for this type of product, before anything specific to this product is counted.
Waterproof / stain-resistant treatment
Water-repellent coating treatments have historically used PFAS.
Formaldehyde / VOCs
Leather straps are typically chrome or vegetable-tanned, but finishing processes may use formaldehyde-releasing resins. Direct skin contact is limited to the wrist, reducing exposure, but individuals with contact sensitivity may develop mild irritation. No recalls recorded for this product.
Source, ATSDR ↗Coating degradation and particulate release
Waterproof coatings on smartwatches can flake or degrade under repeated stress (moisture cycling, flexing at case seams). The actual composition is unknown; if Teflon-type coating-based, flaking particles are inert but visible deterioration signals breach of waterproofing. Risk increases after 3-5 years of regular wear.
Stainless steel nickel content
Stainless steel (typically 300-series) contains 8-12% nickel, which can leach in small amounts on prolonged skin contact, especially in acidic conditions (sweat). Individuals with nickel contact dermatitis may experience localized rash under the watch band or case. Most people tolerate this exposure without issue.
Unspecified waterproof sealant or adhesive
Smartwatch cases use gaskets, adhesives, or press-fit seals whose composition Citizen does not disclose. These may release volatile organic compounds (VOCs) or residual solvents, especially if the watch is new. Ventilation and initial 24-48 hour wear at arm's length can minimize exposure.
How is this PFAS grade calculated?
The brand's record and disclosure
Citizen has not published detailed material safety or PFAS transparency data for smartwatches. The company maintains no publicly searchable restricted substance list specific to wearables. Citizen has faced no major recalls for smartwatch chemical hazards on record. Their silence on waterproof coating composition is typical of the watch industry but limits consumer ability to assess PFAS exposure; a handful of competitors (notably some sustainable watch brands) now disclose fluorine-free coatings, making Citizen's position appear less precautionary by comparison.
How it compares in its category
Smartwatches sit between apparel and electronics; this model's stainless steel case and leather strap are conventional materials. Most mainstream smartwatches (Apple Watch, Garmin, Fossil Group) rely on similar waterproof coatings without disclosure, making Citizen typical rather than exceptional. Brands with explicit fluorine-free or PFAS-free claims remain a small premium segment. For a mass-market smart timepiece, this product's material profile is standard and not an outlier.
If you buy it
Rotate the leather strap every 6-12 months or replace if it shows cracking, fading, or odor (signs of tanning residue degradation and wear). Clean under the case and around seals monthly with a dry cloth to prevent moisture and dust accumulation that stresses waterproof coatings. Avoid prolonged immersion in saltwater or chlorine, which can corrode stainless steel and compromise coatings. Do not expose the strap to prolonged heat (over 140F/60C) or direct sunlight for extended periods, as this accelerates leather degradation and potential chemical release.
What is not known about PFAS in this product?
- Basis
- Model estimate, 45% confidence, not a lab result
- Lab test
- None on record for this exact product
- Brand statement
- Citizen has made none
Formulations change between production runs, so check the current label. How we grade.
What are the PFAS-free alternatives to Citizen CZ Smart Men's Smartwatch with Leather Strap?
- titanium, stainless steel, sapphire crystal
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Band material variability
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Smart Ring 3 Silver / 9#19.1mm / Standard with 1 Charging Case
- Titanium alloy, sapphire crystal, stainless steel
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Nickel leaching (from stainless steel components)
3 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
Smart Ring Titan Rose Golden / 11#20.6mm
- Titanium alloy body with ceramic crown
- We found no PFAS statement from the brand
- Nickel leaching from alloy components
2 hazards checked on this product, all on its full breakdown.
More water-resistant smart rings & bands grades
How we score, every product runs through the same public 0-100 rubric based on materials, coatings, brand disclosure, lab findings, and recalls. See the full methodology → Spotted a mistake? Report an error.