Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second: owner reviews and feedback

The Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second, launched in 2024, is a more refined evolution of the automatic Tsuyosa that helped bring Citizen back to the forefront of accessible sport-chic watches. It retains the 40 mm round case, the discreet crown integrated at 4 o’clock and the concept of a metal bracelet naturally extending the case, but fundamentally transforms both the dial and the mechanics. Central seconds disappear in favour of a small-seconds counter at 6 o’clock, while the dial receives a strongly textured geometric pattern inspired by the Art Deco era of the 1920s and 1930s.

Citizen also introduces the automatic calibre 8322, increasing power reserve to 60 hours and removing the date in order to preserve display symmetry. Three configurations inaugurate the range: blue and green dials on steel bracelets, together with a grey dial on a black leather strap. Anti-reflective sapphire crystal, a transparent caseback and 50 metres of water resistance complete a watch more oriented towards everyday and sport-chic use than intensive aquatic activity.

Design & legibility: small seconds and Art Deco texture

The main transformation compared with the central-seconds Tsuyosa is immediately visible on the dial. Citizen replaces the relatively simple surface of the first Tsuyosa watches with a raised geometric structure whose patterns recall certain architectural and graphic motifs of the Art Deco period. Light reflects differently according to wrist angle and highlights the depth of the dial more strongly. A circular small-seconds counter sits at 6 o’clock, slightly recessed from the principal surface. This combination of a textured dial and offset small seconds is the essential distinguishing feature of the Tsuyosa Small Second. The large baton hour markers remain applied and receive luminous material, as do the principal hands. Removing the date aperture contributes to the balance of the complete design and avoids interrupting the geometric pattern. Depending on the selected colour, the small-seconds hand can receive a contrasting tone that adds a more playful detail. Blue remains comparatively classical, green uses warm shades that can change significantly according to lighting, while grey on leather favours a more restrained and dress-oriented appearance.

Case, bracelet and comfort: 40 mm in the integrated Tsuyosa spirit

The stainless-steel case measures 40 mm in diameter and approximately 11.7 mm thick. Its surfaces alternate satin-finished areas, bevels and polished sections to create greater visual depth than a completely brushed case. The crown remains positioned at 4 o’clock and partly integrated into the case, a characteristic choice within the Tsuyosa family that helps preserve a flowing silhouette. The crystal is sapphire with anti-reflective treatment, while the transparent back allows the automatic calibre to be viewed. The visual continuity between the case and bracelet forms a major part of the sport-chic identity of this Tsuyosa. On metal versions, Citizen uses a three-row bracelet whose polished centre links are broader than on certain earlier Tsuyosa models. The butterfly clasp creates an uninterrupted line around the wrist and the quick-change system facilitates replacement with compatible straps. The grey NK5010-01H is supplied on black leather and weighs approximately 87 grams, compared with around 147 grams for the steel versions. Water resistance of 5 bar, or 50 metres, is appropriate for daily life and certain uses in calm water but remains below the level of a genuine sports or dive watch.

Movement: calibre 8322 and power reserve increased to 60 hours

The Tsuyosa Small Second introduces Citizen calibre 8322, an automatic mechanical movement developed to provide better presentation and autonomy than calibre 8210 used in much of the central-seconds Tsuyosa range. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and powers the hours, minutes and small seconds positioned at 6 o’clock. It has no date, simplifying use and preserving dial symmetry. Its power reserve reaches approximately 60 hours, around twenty hours more than the 40 hours generally associated with calibre 8210. The 60-hour autonomy is the most important functional improvement provided by calibre 8322. The movement also includes hacking seconds, allowing the small-seconds hand to be stopped during setting so that the watch can be synchronised more precisely with a reference time. Citizen states an operating accuracy of -20 to +40 seconds per day, a figure representing an industrial tolerance range rather than a strict chronometric promise. The transparent caseback reveals the rotor and decorated bridges. This movement is designed primarily to provide robustness, ease of use and autonomy rather than chronometer certification or haute-horlogerie decoration.

Chronological milestones and main models (2022–2025)

(2022) Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic Yellow Integrated:

The modern central-seconds Tsuyosa establishes the aesthetic foundation on which the Small Second would be developed two years later. The Citizen Tsuyosa NJ0150-81Z uses a 40 mm stainless-steel case, a metal bracelet visually integrated with the case, a recessed crown at 4 o’clock and sapphire crystal. Its vivid yellow dial contributes strongly to the international visibility of the collection and becomes one of the colours most immediately associated with the model. A magnified date appears at 3 o’clock depending on market and the display uses three central hands. Automatic calibre 8210 operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and provides approximately 40 hours of power reserve. Water resistance is stated at 50 metres. This generation prioritises the simplicity of a colourful dial and an accessible sport-chic proposition. The 2024 Small Second will retain the diameter, crown and general case philosophy while fundamentally changing the dial, bracelet and, above all, movement.

(2024) Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second Blue:

The blue version is one of the three inaugural references of the new Small Second. The Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second NK5010-51L uses a 40 mm stainless-steel case approximately 11.7 mm thick, paired with a three-row steel bracelet featuring polished centre links and a double-push-button folding clasp. The blue dial receives a geometric Art Deco-inspired texture and a silver small-seconds counter at 6 o’clock. The principal hands and baton markers are luminous and the sapphire crystal benefits from anti-reflective treatment. The crown remains recessed at 4 o’clock and contributes to the continuity of the case lines. Automatic calibre 8322 provides 60 hours of power reserve, hacking seconds and a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour. Water resistance reaches 5 bar, or 50 metres. At approximately 147 grams on the bracelet, this configuration has a considerably stronger presence than the leather version but fully expresses the integrated character of the Tsuyosa.

(2024) Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second Green:

The green version retains exactly the same architecture but uses a colour capable of changing significantly according to lighting. The Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second NK5010-51X has a 40 mm steel case, approximately 11.7 mm thickness, sapphire crystal, transparent caseback and a three-row metal bracelet. Citizen officially describes the dial as green, although its tones can appear khaki, olive, golden or slightly brown depending on the light. The Art Deco pattern further accentuates these visual changes by varying reflections according to orientation. The small seconds at 6 o’clock sit in a contrasting counter and the coloured seconds hand gives this configuration greater dynamism. Baton markers and principal hands are luminous. Calibre 8322 provides automatic winding, 60 hours of power reserve and hacking seconds. Water resistance remains fixed at 50 metres. This variation is particularly appropriate for someone wanting a Tsuyosa less conventional than a blue dial but sufficiently nuanced to remain comparatively easy to combine in everyday use.

(2024) Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second Grey Leather:

The grey model differs not only through its dial but also through its strap, significantly changing the personality of the watch. The Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second NK5010-01H combines the 40 mm stainless-steel case with a black leather strap instead of the visually integrated metal bracelet of the two other launch references. The grey dial receives the same Art Deco-inspired structure and small seconds at 6 o’clock, but the complete watch appears more discreet and closer to a contemporary dress watch. Weight falls to approximately 87 grams, representing a major difference compared with the 147 grams of the steel versions. The crystal remains sapphire, the transparent back allows the movement to be viewed and the crown stays positioned at 4 o’clock. Automatic calibre 8322 operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour and provides 60 hours of power reserve. Water resistance is limited to 50 metres and the leather further reinforces the value of protecting this configuration from repeated immersion.

(2025) Citizen Tsuyosa 60 Art Deco Black:

In 2025, Citizen extends the aesthetic and mechanical influence of the Small Second to a new branch of the Tsuyosa family fitted with central seconds. The Citizen Tsuyosa 60 NK0020-55E notably adopts the idea of an Art Deco-inspired textured dial together with a movement benefiting from approximately 60 hours of power reserve. The black dial restores a central seconds hand and date display, clearly differentiating this model from the Small Second. The case remains within the 40 mm sport-chic universe with sapphire crystal and a metal bracelet visually integrated with the case. This development is useful for understanding the position of the Small Second within the range: its 2024 launch did not merely add a counter at 6 o’clock but also introduced a new dial vocabulary and extended autonomy that Citizen subsequently reused on other Tsuyosa watches. For an enthusiast, the choice therefore becomes more a question of display and personality than simply one of performance level.

Choosing the right version: colour, bracelet, small seconds and use

The first choice naturally concerns the dial. Blue is the easiest to combine and works equally well with professional clothing or more casual outfits. Green provides more personality and changes significantly under different lighting conditions. Grey is the most discreet and benefits from the leather strap that strengthens its dress-oriented direction. Blue is the most versatile configuration for a Tsuyosa Small Second worn as a principal watch. Green is better suited to someone seeking a distinctive colour without moving towards highly saturated tones.

The bracelet significantly changes how the watch wears. Steel versions weigh around 147 grams and emphasise the integrated design of the Tsuyosa. The leather model falls to around 87 grams and feels considerably lighter on the wrist. The leather version is particularly relevant for someone who appreciates the Small Second dial but finds integrated-bracelet watches too physically present. Citizen also offers interchangeable straps compatible with all three references, making it possible to alter the character of the watch without changing the case.

The 40 mm diameter remains reasonable for a contemporary sport-chic watch, but the visual width of the bracelet and absence of conventional lugs give the watch a fairly substantial presence. The approximately 11.7 mm thickness is comparatively restrained and allows it to fit easily beneath many shirt cuffs. Trying it on remains advisable on wrists below approximately 16.5 cm if the steel version is being considered. The bracelet drops quickly around the wrist, however, limiting the impression of an excessively long case.

The 60-hour power reserve provides a genuine advantage for someone rotating several watches. A Small Second worn on Friday and then left aside for around two days may still be running when picked up again, depending on its initial state of wind. The absence of a date also simplifies restarting the watch after it stops completely. Calibre 8322 is particularly suitable for a multi-watch rotation thanks to its autonomy and absence of a calendar to reset. The stated accuracy range remains broader than that of a chronometer-certified movement, however, and actual performance may vary between individual watches.

Finally, the 50 metres of water resistance should be understood as a characteristic of an everyday watch rather than an invitation to intensive sporting use in water. The watch can tolerate splashes and certain uses in calm water when its water resistance is correctly maintained, but a Citizen dive watch will be much more appropriate for regular aquatic activities. The natural environment of the Tsuyosa Small Second is mainly office, leisure, travel and everyday wear. Leather should obviously be protected from water more carefully than the steel bracelet. Other customers’ opinions are essential.

Conclusion

The Citizen Tsuyosa Small Second is aimed at enthusiasts who appreciate the idea of an accessible automatic sport-chic watch but want more depth and sophistication than the original central-seconds Tsuyosa. Its geometric dial, small-seconds counter at 6 o’clock and absence of a date give it a more balanced and dressier identity. Calibre 8322 provides 60 hours of power reserve and hacking seconds, while sapphire crystal and the 40 mm case retain the practical arguments that contributed to the success of the family. Blue prioritises versatility, green adds a more changing personality and grey on leather significantly reduces the sporting presence of the metal bracelet. Its 50 metres of water resistance remain better suited to everyday life than intensive aquatic use.

To compare bracelet comfort, the real perception of the colours, accuracy and finishing quality with owner experiences, Dialicious customer reviews provide a particularly useful complement.

(Updated August 2026)