We had the new Citizen Zenshin automatic watches on hand for several weeks, and bring you this in-depth review comparing the NJ0180 model first released in 2024 with the NK5020 model released in 2025.
One on one review: comparing two new Citizen Zenshin automatic watches
The Citizen Zenshin Mechanical Gents Ref. NJ0180 retails at SGD 872.00 / EUR 429 and the Ref. NK5020 retails at SGD 926.50 / EUR 499.
Summary YouTube Video
The case, dial and hands
The word zenshin in Japanese, 前進 (ぜんしん) means advance, progress, or forward movement. It is with this spirit that the Citizen brand builds its watches from. First named Citizen because of their desire to serve the needs the citizens of the world, the are known for their fairly priced watches. But also for their technological prowess that they have demonstrated. Currently, we assess that Citizen technology is the world leader in the use of titanium in watch cases and bracelets, the quartz movement technology, and solar powered watches. They also lead in GPS synchronisation technology as well as well radio controlled synchronisation. Quite a big leadership role in a company which is known for affordable watches.
The Zenshin collection is no different. The case and bracelet is made from Super Titanium, a Citizen technology to harden titanium. This builds on the lightweight, corrosion resistant and hypoallergenic properties of titanium, by making it easier to machine and scratch resistant. Super Titanium (a Citizen trademark) is more than 5 times the scratch resistant properties of stainless steel, yet weighs half an equivalent volume. It does not rust, and is gentle on the skin. We can testify to these properties, having worn The Citizen AQ4100-65M and AQ 4020-54Y. Both these watches were worn as daily drivers for months and show no scratches on the case or at the buckle.
Both the Zenshin watches under this review are constructed with Super Titanium. Both cases have the same base design, a tonneau shaped case middle which extends, and flows organically into three link bracelet. The bezel on the 2024 model, NJ0180 is raised and circular in shape, while the 2025 model, NK5020 is also raised and 12 sided. This dodecagon shape takes its inspiration from the shape of the titanium crystalline structure.
Finishing on the case is exceptional. And we do not use this word easily. The finnisage stands up to very close scrunity. Polished surfaces, brushed surfaces are executed to perfection. There are no sharp edges, all have been nicely smoothed to create a very luxurious hand-feel.
The dials are exceptional as well. The NJ0180 features a dial which carries a texture which takes inspiration from the jagged, rough edges of raw titanium. The texture is clearly visible and provides a backdrop for the immaculately machined indices and hands. The NJ0180 features a date aperture at 3 o’clock and a subsidiary seconds sub-dial between 4 and 5 o’clock.
In the NK5020, the dial is also exceptional. The dial is also heavily textured with vertical grains, but now carries fumé style gradation. The dial does not display the date, and has only a subsidiary seconds sub-dial in the same location as that of the NJ0180.
Lume on both dials are excellent, but these are not the type of lume which carries on for a long time, it tends to fade after an hour or so.
Both watches use a single row bracelet in Super Titanium with u-shaped links. The bracelet is flexible, and comfortable on the wrist. The NK5020 has the newer semi-concealed release, while the NJ0180 uses two pins which extend from the bracelet.
The movement
Both watches feature open display case backs. The NJ0180 carries the caliber 8213, which has a power reserve of 40 hours.
While the NK5020 uses a more advanced caliber 8322, which removes the date mechanism and is able to provide 60 hours of power reserve.
Accuracy of both mechanical movements are conservatively rated at -20/+40s a day, but in our usage, it delivers much better performance on the wrist. We did not time the watches, but during the weeks it was with us, it did not require more frequent re-adjustment than other mechanical watches.
Finishing is to a high engineering standard without any showboat decorations applied. The movement will not win any beauty contests, but it proves to be reliable, hardy. Which is what we would expect from an automatic watch which is priced below the SGD 1k mark.
Competitive landscape
The competitive landscape is not as large as one might initially think. The most obvious is of course the Tissot PRX lineup. This is the pride of the Tissot maison. And their runaway bestseller.
The comparison is interesting to say the least. The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is perhaps the closest in terms of specifications. The current retail for the Powermatic 80 is SGD 1k. The design takes the same architectural cues and are nominally 40mm in diameter, though Tissot offers an automatic in 35mm as well. However, the Tissot uses a stainless steel case and bracelet, while the Citizens use Super Titanium. The movement has 80 hours of power reserve, and thus trumps both the Citizens. We judge the finishing to be broadly at the same level between these Swiss and Japanese propositions.
Concluding thoughts
Both Zenshin models are part of a larger collection. The 2024 release has the automatic model which we review here also available in 5 other dial colours and the 2025 release is also available in three other dial colour options. In addition, the 2024 release also includes an additional model powered by the Citizen Eco Drive (solar powered quartz) with 5 dial colour options, as well as an Eco Drive Chronograph model with 3 dial colour options.
Both Zenshin watches in this review feel excellent on the wrist. Both are very light, the NJ0180 weighing in at 99g, while the NK5020 is just a tad heavier at 100g. Both have a 40.5mm case nominal diameter which is 11 mm thick for the NJ and 11.2mm for the NK. Feel to the fingers as one runs it over the watch is excellent, testament to the beautiful finishing applied. And in general the watches are very easy on the eye, and very rugged for daily use.
We find the Zenshin to be a compelling proposition at the sub SGD 1k price point for a titanium watch with titanium bracelet and an in-house automatic movement. The watch is exceptionally finished. The case, dial, bracelet and hands is on par with watches with retail prices well above the level Citizen is proposing. And the movement is at least on par with Swiss made counterparts at the sub SGD 1k mark. Excellent value proposition. And we highly recommend the Zenshin as perhaps one of the best way to enter the mechanical watch market.
2 Comments
Recently got the 2025 edition with “copper/ivory” dial.
It’s a heck of a watch for the money! After regulation (I’m a hobbyist watch tech) it runs steadily at +1s/d making it a very precise watch. And the fume dial is just gorgeous.
great choice Alessandro. Thanks for sharing that it can achieve +1s/day when regulated properly.