Citizen Tsuyosa Shore: A Surprise No One Expected

When the brand introduced this model line in 2022, few people expected it to be such a huge success. These elegant sports watches, featuring an integrated strap, an automatic movement, and a more than reasonable price, quickly became one of the brand’s best-selling models.

Tsuyosa, as you’ve never seen her before

In recent years, we’ve seen various color options, smaller versions, and models with a small seconds hand. But I didn’t expect Citizen to have another ace up its sleeve. And that’s exactly what the new Tsuyosa Shore is.

They look as if this is how they were meant to look from the very beginning, as if the previous models never even existed. At first glance, they’re the perfect “dive watches,” with great dimensions and a design that catches the eye just the right amount.

In the affordable sports automatic watch segment, the Seiko 5 Sports—also known among fans as the 5KX—have reigned supreme for many years. It’s no wonder. They offer a proven design, solid craftsmanship, and a strong brand name that draws on the popular history of the renowned SKX series.

But it’s precisely in this category that there hasn’t been any truly equal competition for quite some time. Sure, there are now many microbrands on the market that offer almost the same—or even better—products at various competitive price points. But there was no other major player to challenge Seiko for its throne.

Citizen, with its classic Tsuyosa model, has shown that it can offer something different. A more elegant design, an integrated strap, and—most importantly—a sapphire crystal, a feature still rarely found among competitors even today. The new Tsuyosa Shore takes this concept even further and is aimed squarely at customers looking for a sporty watch for everyday wear.

And honestly? It was about time.

Video Review: Citizen Tsuyosa Shore

An Experiment That Surprisingly Works

When I first saw photos of the new Tsuyosa Shore, I wasn’t entirely sure what to make of them. I’ve always thought of the Tsuyosa as an elegant sports watch with an integrated strap. Adding a rotating bezel to it almost sounded like an experiment.

But the longer I looked at the first photos, the more I felt that it might actually work. And eventually, I was blown away by the genius of that model. And after meeting her in person, I can say one thing—it works perfectly.

In terms of dimensions, the watch is very slim, unlike the slightly chunky 5KX. It has a diameter of 40 mm, a length of 45 mm, and a comfortable thickness of 12.5 mm. Inside is the in-house 8210 movement with the usual 42-hour power reserve, hacking function, date display, and a typically Japanese frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour.

Citizen has managed to preserve the DNA of the original model while creating a watch that looks significantly sportier. It looks as if this is how it was meant to look from the very beginning, as if the previous models never even existed. At first glance, they’re the ideal “dive watch” with great dimensions and a design that catches the eye just the right way.

Marine Blue is the star of the entire collection

In my opinion, that’s the biggest success of this new product. Of course, take the color descriptions with a grain of salt, but in most cases, they’ll actually live up to their descriptions. The tested version, labeled “Marine Blue,” was a clear favorite from the very start. I love blue in just about every shade. And as soon as there’s a hint of green, teal, or turquoise in it, I’m practically sold.

Citizen used exactly this shade on both the dial and the bezel and named it Marine Blue. It looks good in photos, but in daylight it literally comes to life thanks to the sunburst finish that radiates toward the center of the watch. At times it appears a deep blue, at others it shimmers with turquoise tones, and that’s exactly why you’ll never get tired of looking at it. It’s a fresh summer color that immediately catches the eye, yet doesn’t come across as overly bold.

However, there are also more understated options available, such as Navy Blue, Moss Green with gold accents, and Coral Red in a two-tone design. And since I’ve grown accustomed to subtle gold tones from the Black Bay models, this version—after switching to a purely silver strap—would be my ideal choice if Marine Blue didn’t exist.

An Integrated Approach That Makes Sense

If I had to name one thing that might put off some potential buyers, it would be the integrated movement. But who would expect anything else from a model called Tsuyosa? You’d have to have spent the last few years living in a cave to have missed one of the biggest trends in watchmaking in recent times.

The integrated bracelet is simply part of the Tsuyose. That’s exactly why it’s important for it to be truly comfortable. After all, if there’s no option to easily swap it out for a strap, the bracelet itself has to perform without compromise. Fortunately, Citizen knows what it’s doing. Thanks to its smaller links, the three-link President bracelet is very flexible and adapts perfectly to the wrist. As a result, the watch feels more comfortable than one might expect based on its technical specifications.

The clasp itself also deserves praise. Not only does it use side buttons for secure opening, but Citizen hasn’t forgotten to include a practical micro-adjustment feature either. While this feature offers only one additional adjustment step, it can still help you find the ideal bracelet length. It’s details like these that often determine whether you’ll truly enjoy wearing the watch every day, regardless of the weather.

What’s more, the buckle doesn’t look cheap or feel like a necessary compromise given the price range. On the contrary, it complements the overall very comfortable wearing experience. And that’s exactly what matters most with an integrated strap. When it works well, you don’t even think about wanting to change it.

Does Citizen finally have an answer to the Seiko 5 Sports?

Sorry, but even here, Seiko’s “5” series watches are getting beaten. The new Tsuyosa Shore proves that Citizen can get the most out of even an established model.

A rotating bezel, water resistance increased to 100 m, and the preservation of all the strengths of the original Tsuyosa create a combination that makes surprisingly good sense. What’s more, I can’t help but be reminded of those historic dive watches with integrated lugs—and here you get that same feel in a modern package.

If you’re looking for an affordable sports automatic watch with a modern design, a sapphire crystal, and an excellent price-to-performance ratio, the Shore should definitely be on your shortlist. And if I had to choose just one model? Marine Blue, without a doubt.

Not only does it offer the most interesting colorway in the entire collection, but it also perfectly captures the character of the new Shore models. They’re fresh, sporty, summery, and a whole lot of fun. We can definitely look forward to more designs that Citizen will bring to the table, and a collaboration with the artist Seconde/Seconde—who has already sliced up the classic Tsuyos with a katana—would certainly be interesting.

And while a few months ago I thought the Seiko 5 Sports had a fairly secure position in this category, after encountering the Tsuyosa Shore, I’m no longer nearly as certain. Citizen has created a watch that isn’t just an alternative. It’s a full-fledged competitor that, in some respects, even offers a little more.

And that’s exactly why I feel like we’re looking at another big hit from Citizen, and I personally wish them success and will wait for a “must-have” model to grace my wrist.

Specifications

• Reference: NJ0231-56L
• dimensions: 40 x 12.5 x 45 mm
• Movement: Citizen 8210 automatic
• glass: sapphire
• Water resistance: 100 m