Citizen Tsuyosa Review – A Bit of Affordable Brilliance
Citizen has long been known for its no-nonsense, get-the-job-done approach to watchmaking. But with the Tsuyosa series, they’ve decided to let their hair down — and the result is a sleek, retro-inspired stunner that oozes charm without draining your bank account.
Tsuyosa: What’s in a Name?
First off, a bit of background. Tsuyosa (pronounced “Tsoo-yo-sa”) means “strength” in Japanese — and while that sounds all very noble, this watch is more about quiet confidence than brute force. Think more Bruce Lee, less bench press.
Specs
Reference - NJ0150 Series (e.g. NJ0150-56L, NJ0150-56Z etc.)
Movement - Citizen Calibre 8210 (Automatic)
Power Reserve - ~40 hours
Case Material - Stainless Steel
Case Size - 40mm diameter
Case Thickness - Approx. 11.7mm
Crystal - Sapphire
Water Resistance - 50 metres (5 ATM)
Dial Options - Yellow, Blue, Green, Black, Turquoise, and more
Bracelet - Integrated stainless steel with butterfly clasp
Crown - Recessed at 4 o'clock
Caseback - Exhibition (see-through)
Design: Retro Meets Riviera
The first thing you’ll notice is that integrated bracelet. It flows right into the 40mm case like it was carved from a single hunk of steel. There’s definitely a vintage 70s sports watch vibe going on here — and not in a gimmicky way either. It’s the kind of look that wouldn’t feel out of place on a yacht in the Med or behind the wheel of something Italian and impractical.
And then come the colours. Oh, the colours. Yellow, green, blue, black — even a proper Tiffany-style turquoise if you can get your hands on it. The dials are sunburst-finished and packed with personality. It's like Citizen took the grey suit off and threw on a Hawaiian shirt — and somehow still looked sharp.
Movement & Specs: Not Just a Pretty Face
Under the hood, the Tsuyosa uses Citizen’s automatic Miyota 8210 movement. Solid, dependable, nothing fancy — but it gets the job done and has a display caseback so you can admire the mechanics while pretending you understand them.
40mm case size? Spot on. Sapphire crystal? Yes, please. 50m water resistance? Enough for the odd splash and a rainy dash to the pub, but maybe leave it on the sunbed if you’re off snorkelling.
One quirk: the crown is at 4 o’clock. It’s a bit hidden, which is tidy for aesthetics, but not the easiest thing to get hold of if you’ve got chunky fingers. Still, once it's set, you’re good to go.
On the Wrist: All Day, Everyday
Comfort-wise, it’s great. The bracelet has a decent taper, the watch has a nice bit of heft without dragging your arm down, and it wears slimmer than you'd expect from a sub-£300 automatic.
And style-wise? This is the fun watch you actually want to wear every day. It’s got personality without being shouty. Whether you're in jeans, a polo, or smart-casual for the office — it fits in without fading into the background.
Final Thoughts: Strong by Name, Strong by Nature
The Citizen Tsuyosa is a bit of a gem. It’s the sort of watch that gets watch geeks nodding in approval and non-watch people saying “Ooh, that’s nice.”
If you’re after something with big-brand looks, proper mechanical credentials, and a bit of character — all without raiding your ISA — the Tsuyosa should be firmly on your radar.
