The New Citizen Zenshin 60 Super Titanium Collection

In recent years, Citizen has gained incredible visibility with its ultra-accessible take on the 1980s watch with (sort of) an integrated bracelet, the Tsuyosa. With its cool design, fun colours, multiple sizes, and fair price, it brought back the brand on the cool wall (Top Gear viewers will understand the reference…) Building on the success of this collection, Citizen introduced last year the NJ0180 Series, which I named back then the Titanium Tsuyosa. And I was wrong, as it now has its own nickname, the Zenshin. There’s now a new model, the NK5020 series, which comes with new dial colours, some updated design elements and an upgraded movement inside.

The name Zenshin means advancement, improvement, or progress in Japanese. This very principle underpinned the world’s first titanium watch, presented by Citizen in 1970 with the X-8 Chronometer. And it was this same principle that, over the following 55 years, led to exceptional manufacturing expertise and in-house developments. With such a long experience in the field of titanium watches, thanks to a research centre opened in 1964, the brand can now offer its technologies at affordable prices, such as Super Titanium (1990) and Duratect (2006), bringing lightness and resistance with surface-hardening process (about five times superior to that of stainless steel). Lightweight, hypoallergenic, robust, and scratch-resistant, without having to break the bank.

Following the NJ0180 Series of 2024, the Citizen Zenshin collection grows with 4 new references known as the NK5020 Series. And if there’s a lot in common with last year’s watches, some notable evolutions are to be reported. For starters, the middle case is identical, with its classic faceted barrel shape, satin-brushed surfaces and polished accents – all signature elements of the sporty-chic category. The dimensions are about the same too, with a 40.5mm diameter, a thickness of 11.25mm. A sapphire crystal protects the dial, the back is see-through and water-resistance is rated at 100m – more than enough for daily use.

As you can expect from Citizen, these new Zenshin 60 Small Seconds are made of Super Titanium with Duratect treatment, and will thus feel ultra-light on the wrist, while retaining strong resistance to external elements and scratches. New for this NK5020 Series is the 12-sided bezel, which adds a touch of boldness to the overall design. And here, contrary to the Tsuyosa, we have a crown classically at 3 o’clock. The watches are worn on a well integrated single-row Super Titanium bracelet, closed by a folding clasp.

Another notable difference comes from the dial. Indeed, colours and display have been revised. The base of all editions has a gradient or smoked effect – darker towards the edges – over 4 appealing colours with a vertically-brushed effect; light blue, dark blue, copper and green. The small seconds counter is originally positioned at 4:30 and, as you can see, the date window of the NJ0180 Series is gone. The large baton hour markers and hands are generously filled with luminescent material.

The final evolution can be seen inside the case. These new Citizen Zenshin 60 Super Titanium models have a new movement, which explains the 60 in the name. Sharing the same engine as the Tsuyosa Small Second series, Calibre 8322, this in-house movement stores now 60 hours of energy when fully wound. It still runs at a 3Hz frequency and features a stop seconds function.

Available as of May 2025 and part of the permanent collection, the watches from Citizen Zenshin 60 Super Titanium NK5020 series are priced at EUR 499… Another banger from Citizen. For more details, please visit CitizenWatch.eu or CitizenWatch-Global.com.