Hands-On With The New Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm — A Sweet Spot In The Market Is Now Also A Sweet Spot In Size
The Citizen Tsuyosa lineup has always impressed us as an absolute sweet spot in the market. I struggle to think of any watch offering more for the price. The Tsuyosa collection, then, can make you think twice about anything fancier. So what if you want all of that but in a more classical, elegant size? If that sounds like you, you will like what Citizen shows us today — the Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm!
The new size comes in three cool colors, some new and some familiar. You can have your pick of ice blue, pastel pink, or dark green. I got a chance to try them all, and here’s how we got along.
The new Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm’s lineage
The new Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm models will look familiar to most. Both stylistically and technically, they take a lot from their bigger siblings. The overall design still harks back to the popular NH299 series of the late 1990s/early 2000s. Aesthetically, the modern Tsuyosa is still very similar. You might say these watches match the NH299 in spirit as well. Those predecessors were famously made of stainless steel in a segment dominated by cheap plated brass watches. The Tsuyosa name — meaning “strength” — pays homage to that ancestry.
The 2022 NJ0150
Citizen launched the Tsuyosa Automatic NJ0150 in the summer of 2022. It was received with considerable excitement, both for its excellent value and the daringly bright dial colors. Those bright dials and the integrated bracelet recipe were right on-trend.
The NJ0150 came in a 40mm case, which is very reasonable for a sports watch. Still, with the line’s everyday-wear aspirations, a smaller version certainly makes sense. This 3mm reduction should broaden the model’s appeal significantly.
The Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm
On to the new watch. The stainless steel case measures (surprise, surprise) 37mm across by 40mm lug-to-lug. The proportions are different from the 40mm model, though, as the thickness went from 11.7mm to 11.5mm. This means that the 37mm model looks a little denser and tubbier by comparison. However, you will only notice this in direct comparison, as 11.5mm is, of course, a very reasonable thickness for any sporty 37mm watch.
Inside the case ticks the same caliber 8210, and Citizen still rates the water resistance at 50 meters (hence the near-identical thickness). The self-winding movement runs at a relatively low 21,600vph frequency with a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Citizen rates its accuracy at about -20/+40 seconds per day. The date window under a magnifier remains from the bigger models, as does the display case back.
Of course, the signature integrated bracelet also makes a comeback on the Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm. Its polished center links contrast the brushed outer links and mostly brushed case quite neatly. The simple push-button deployant clasp offers three micro-adjustment positions, for which you need a tool or any pointy object that’s strong enough and will fit.
Wearing the Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm
We have spotted a bit of a trend among manufacturers of integrated-bracelet sports watches recently: they add a smaller variant alongside their larger base models. Unfortunately, most jump from the 40–42mm range right down to a 35mm case. I hate to be overly finicky, but that often puts me right “in between sizes.” The ∼40mm option often wears a little large for my liking, but a 35mm alternative kind of breaks the desired effect.
Well, there are no such issues with the Tsuyosa 37mm! Citizen opted for an ideal case size for this model. To me, it strikes the perfect balance between modern sportiness and classical elegance. I liked the 40mm version, but it was a little overpowering for my taste. The 37mm version is right on the money.
This translates into a very versatile and ergonomic wearing experience. The new Tsuyosa looks at home with just about any attire, provided you do some color matching or contrasting. To me, this is the difference between a sports watch and a GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) watch. A 37mm Tsuyosa would be a prime candidate for a “single-watch collection” on a budget.
Other impressions
One thing that always jumps out at me when I handle any version of the Tsuyosa is the quality. Of course, you cannot expect high-end quality or hand finishing at this price. However, these watches hold their own against much more costly offerings. They feel rather solid and reliable in the hand without any of the tinny delicateness often encountered in this segment.
That brings me to the finishing of the exterior. Frankly, it is ridiculously good. The polished surfaces look bright and even, while the brushed surfaces scatter the light as they should. There is none of the typical blurring of transitions or dull surfaces as often found in the sub-€1,000 price range.
Citizen chose the colors well too. With spring lurking, I would opt for a bright pink or blue dial. The colors look lively and attractive but not overpowering. Bright dial colors can be hard to match with attire, but these are subdued enough to be versatile.
Closing thoughts on the Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm
In short, I am quite impressed with these new Citizen models. The value for money remains amazing as these come in at €299 / £299 / US$375. That’s less than most brands charge for a service. As you don’t make significant sacrifices in quality, it seems you can have your cake and eat it too.
I also want to compliment the folks at Citizen for their choice of size. The 37mm diameter makes this perfect for men and women with a taste for more classical sizes. It doesn’t, however, position this as “the small one” with the associated stigmas. Competitors, take note!
What do you think of the new Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm? Let us know in the comments section below!
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