【F】 The Edgy New Citizen Zenshin Senkei Chronographs

Final yr, Citizen debuted a sequence of Tremendous Titanium chronographs with built-in bracelets. The watches had been obtained effectively for his or her appears to be like and affordability. Since then, the model has formally modified the names of those chronographs to Zenshin Senkei. 4 extra references now be part of the gathering, however as we’ll see, new colours are solely part of the story.

It’s good to see Citizen making information with new, globally obtainable watches. For years, it felt just like the model was extremely targeted on the Japanese market, and worldwide releases had been relegated to low-cost division retailer items. One thing modified over the previous few years, although, and we’ve all benefited from a brand new international technique. Final yr, Citizen launched a sequence of Tremendous Titanium chronographs with textured dials. Now the model is again with 4 smaller items with a barely completely different design and new dials. Let’s have a look.

The brand new Citizen Zenshin Senkei chronographs

Final yr’s chronographs made a constructive impression, but when there was a unified grievance, it was in regards to the diameter. The watches had been 42.5mm huge, and regardless of their instances being simply 44.5mm lengthy, they wore massive. Clearly, Citizen has listened to the feedback and has carried out adjustments. The brand new Zenshin Senkei chronographs are simply 41mm in diameter, and whereas we don’t have the lug-to-lug measurements but, they’re unlikely to be bigger than final yr’s fashions. Arduous-wearing, scratch-resistant Tremendous Titanium with Duratect TIC stays the case materials of selection. A sapphire crystal is a part of the package deal, and the watches have a 100m depth score.

An edgier case and bezel

Together with a smaller case, every new Zenshin Senkei chronograph has a 12-sided bezel as a substitute of a spherical one. Additionally, the case and lugs include extra pronounced, sharper edges than prior to now. Concerning the bracelet, a three-row Tremendous Titanium accompaniment is the one choice. Citizen makes a pleasant, comfy bracelet and provides a push-button folding clasp with handbook pinhole micro-adjustment.

How about these dials?

For starters, the Zenshin Senkei chronographs can be found in 4 colours — white, black, inexperienced, and blue. In contrast to final yr’s textured crinkle-finish surfaces, the brand new items have a grid-like sample. These fashions function three sub-dials, however the 60-minute chronograph counter and the 24-hour register match the colour of the dial. A contrasting sub-seconds register is on the backside of the dial, and a framed black-on-white date wheel with a barely off-kilter diagonal look sits on the 4:30 place.

In any other case, the watches have massive, polished central arms. The hour and minute arms include ample luminous materials. That is replicated on the utilized, polished hour markers. Returning to the dials, the colours are constant all through. Nonetheless, at a distance, it’s potential to see proof of the Eco-Drive photo voltaic ingredient on the middle of the darker references.

Eco-Drive powers the Zenshin Senkei

As anticipated, an Eco-Drive motion lies beneath the stable titanium screw-in case again. Citizen’s photo voltaic quartz caliber B620 ensures a grab-and-go expertise with a nine-month energy reserve after a full cost. It’s predictably correct too, with accuracy ranges of ±15 seconds monthly.

Ideas and pricing

It’s onerous to dislike these new Zenshin Senkei chronographs from Citizen. The designs could barely ape a sure integrated-bracelet sports activities watch from Audemars Piguet with their new dials, however there’s nonetheless sufficient inherent ’70s Citizen design DNA to stay comparatively distinct. A lovely runner with a bracelet that’s higher than it must be at this value makes for a profitable formulation. However what’s the value? Simply €469 / £449 / US$650 will web one in every of these every day drivers. Moreover, they’re now obtainable on-line and at licensed sellers.

Watch specs