It wasn’t that long ago that Citizen captured collector hearts with the Tsuyosa—a watch that somehow managed to be funky, affordable, and respectably specced without feeling like it was trying too hard. I didn’t expect to like it. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed similar watches like the PRX. But these new Citizen designs just keep getting better. The approach is clearly working, and now Citizen seems ready to carve out more of that vibe with a new line: the Zenshin 60.
This is Citizen doubling down on what made the Tsuyosa so much fun, while also steering it in a more purposefully engineered direction. The new NK5020 series kicks off the Zenshin 60 line with a few solid tricks up its sleeve. First off: yeah, it’s Super Titanium, which means it should feel ghost-light on the wrist. Citizen’s Duratect treatment keeps it looking fresh even if you wear it like a beater. But the real visual twist comes from a new 12-sided bezel—a sharp move away from the smooth curves of the Tsuyosa and one that adds a little tension to the case design.
There’s also the matter of the dial. Gone is the date window (good call, honestly), replaced by a small seconds subdial subtly tucked at 4:30. It’s a weird spot, sure, but somehow it works in the context of the brushed gradient dials Citizen is serving here. Color choices include a moody dark blue, a punchy green, a clean light blue, and probably my favorite, a copper tone that feels like it should cost more than it does. All of them have a smoked effect that darkens toward the edge, adding some welcome depth. The applied baton markers and thick hands seem to be heavy on lume, because of course they are—this is Citizen.
Now, about that “60” in the name. That’s a nod to the updated movement inside: the in-house Calibre 8322. This one’s been floating around in the Tsuyosa Small Seconds line, but now it finds a new home here. It’s got a 60-hour power reserve, runs at 3Hz, and offers a hacking seconds feature.
The bracelet is also worth a mention. It’s a single-link design in Super Titanium that blends into the case just enough to keep things cohesive without pretending to be integrated. Clasp is a standard folding type, nothing fancy—but also nothing to complain about.
The Zenshin 60 NK5020 series is rolling out as part of Citizen’s permanent collection this month, priced at €499. And while it might seem like just another riff on the Tsuyosa formula, this one actually feels like it’s aiming higher. Not in terms of price, but in how intentionally it balances design, utility, and that elusive sense of fun that doesn’t usually survive product meetings. If the Tsuyosa was Citizen getting back on the map, the Zenshin 60 might just be them drawing a new one.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.
The seconds hand on the Sand dial should be gold! Great colorways though.