The Citizen NJ015 has already had an international debut but it’s finally making its way to the UK just in time for the summer. Conceptually, the NJ015 (otherwise known as ‘Tsuyosa’, the Japanese word for ‘Strength’) is Citizen’s answer to accessible sports watches in the vein of the Tissot PRX, although the brightly coloured dials have a distinct Rolex Oyster Perpetual vibe to them.
There are five watches in the series but, like the aforementioned Oyster Perpetual and Omega’s Aqua Terra Shades, the only difference between them are the colours of the dial. They all have identical cases featuring 40mm stainless steel designs with round shapes and broad, flat surfaces leading into an integrated bracelet. The combination of polished and brushed finishing across its chamfered edges looks great. An interesting choice is to place the crown at 4 o’clock, making the profile appear slimmer.
As for the dials, they’re available in black, blue, turquoise, yellow and green, all with sunray finishing. The black and blue are the most reserved options while the turquoise, yellow and green really turn up the summer vibes. I’m a particular fan of the vibrancy of the green although I know collectors who will be salivating at the prospect of the yellow for its sunshine brightness. The display itself is relatively understated with bar indexes and a date window at 3 o’clock.
Visible through the exhibition caseback is the Citizen Cal.8210 automatic movement with 40-hour power reserve. Sure, it might not be the highest spec movement out there but it’s always nice to see Citizen expanding their mechanical range in the UK. Especially when it comes with such incredible value as the NJ015 “Tsuyosa”.
And when I say that the NJ015 has incredible value that’s not an exaggeration. All five versions are priced at just £299. For handsome watches with a mechanical movement, that’s some crazy accessibility. They could well be my favourite Citizen watches to be made available in the UK.
Price & Specs:
- Model: Citizen NJ015 Series
- Ref: NJ0150-56E (black), NJ0150-56L (blue), NJ0150-56Z (yellow), NJ0150-56X (green), NJ0151-53M (turquoise)
- Case/dial: 40mm diameter x 11.7mm thickness, stainless steel case, black. blue. yellow, green or turquoise dial
- Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
- Movement: Citizen calibre 8210, automatic, 21 jewels
- Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
- Power reserve: 40h
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Strap: Stainless steel bracelet
- Price/availability: £299
More details at Citizen Watches.
