Citizen Updates Tsuyosa Collection With New 37mm Case

One of Citizen’s biggest hits in recent years has been the Tsuyosa collection, defined by its colorful, integrated-bracelet design and very accessibly priced at less than $500. The watch launched with a steel 40mm case, and has seen a variety of dials added seasonally, but this week, Citizen is introducing its biggest update yet, with a new 37mm form factor. As with many watches with integrated-bracelet designs, a slightly smaller case makes a big difference on the wrist, so the move to a slightly smaller diameter opens the watch up to a much broader range of wrist sizes. As we head into spring, the dial colors remain light and vibrant.

Citizen has taken inspiration from the Japanese concept of strength, which is what the word Tsuyosa literally translates to. This means high versatility and durability, according to Citizen, and the watches certainly hit on the versatility element thanks to the thoughtful execution of these designs. Most importantly, Citizen has picked up where it left off in terms of the bright, colorful dial options, which number three for this latest addition to the collection: ice blue; pastel pink; and dark green.

As eye-catching as the dials are, there are plenty of details to discover elsewhere that elevate this somewhat simple design. First is the likely controversial use of a date magnifier that’s been applied to the crystal. The bump in legibility is nice, but it comes at the expense of a cleaner design. Thankfully, that should be an easy feature to remove depending on your preferences. Secondly, the placement of the crown at 4:30 helps it nestle into the case for a streamlined look and a more trim experience on the wrist. This was a welcome feature on the original release, so I’m happy to see it return here, even at a smaller size. 

The real star of the show with these new Tsuyosa watches is the case and its integrated bracelet. There’s a surprising level of finishing detail that’s been achieved at this price point, making for an overall very comfortable watch, easily capable of everyday wear. It’s also pretty easy on the eyes. The three-link bracelet integrates into a sloped case with an articulating middle link, meaning the effective lug-to-lug distance will be quite manageable. The case itself is largely brushed with a polished chamfer line that defines the almost-but-not-quite cushion shape.

All of the charm of the original design has been retained at its new smaller size of just 37mm in diameter, and 11.5mm in thickness. Inside, you’ll find Citizen’s automatic Caliber 8210, which is visible through an exhibition caseback. The trio of colors feels seasonably appropriate, and the price is an easily digestible $450. I suspect these will be just as popular as their larger counterparts, and give the likes of the Tissot PRX a real run for the money.