The Edgy New Citizen Zenshin Senkei Chronographs

April 20, 2017

Last year, Citizen debuted a series of Super Titanium chronographs with integrated bracelets. The watches were received well for their looks and affordability. Since then, the brand has formally changed the names of these chronographs to Zenshin Senkei. Four more references now join the collection, but as we ll see, new colors are only a part of the story.It s nice to see Citizen making news with new, globally available watches. For years, it felt like the brand was highly focused on the Japanese market, and international releases were relegated to low-cost department store pieces. Something changed over the past few years, though, and we ve all benefited from a new global strategy. Last year, Citizen released a series of Super Titanium chronographs with textured dials. Now the brand is back with four smaller pieces with a slightly different design and new dials. Let s take a look.The new Citizen Zenshin Senkei chronographsLast year s chronographs made a positive impression, but if there was a unified complaint, it was about the diameter. The watches were 42.5mm wide, and despite their cases being just 44.5mm long, they wore large. Clearly, Citizen has listened to the comments and has implemented changes. The new Zenshin Senkei chronographs are just 41mm in diameter, and while we don t have the lug-to-lug measurements yet, they re unlikely to be larger than last year s models. Hard-wearing, scratch-resistant Super Titanium with Duratect TIC remains the case material of choice. A sapphire crystal is part of the package, and the watches have a 100m depth rating.An edgier case and bezelAlong with a smaller case, each new Zenshin Senkei chronograph has a 12-sided bezel instead of a round one. Also, the case and lugs contain more pronounced, sharper edges than in the past. Regarding the bracelet, a three-row Super Titanium accompaniment is the only option. Citizen makes a nice, comfortable bracelet and adds a push-button folding clasp with manual pinhole micro-adjustment.How about those dials?For starters, the Zenshin Senkei chronographs are available in four colors - white, black, green, and blue. Unlike last year s textured crinkle-finish surfaces, the new pieces have a grid-like pattern. These models feature three sub-dials, but the 60-minute chronograph counter and the 24-hour register match the color of the dial. A contrasting sub-seconds register is at the bottom of the dial, and a framed black-on-white date wheel with a slightly off-kilter diagonal appearance sits at the 4:30 position.Otherwise, the watches have large, polished central hands. The hour and minute hands contain ample luminous material. This is replicated on the applied, polished hour markers. Returning to the dials, the colors are consistent throughout. However, at a distance, it s possible to see evidence of the Eco-Drive solar element at the center of the darker references.Eco-Drive powers the Zenshin SenkeiAs expected, an Eco-Drive movement lies beneath the solid titanium screw-in case back. Citizen s solar quartz caliber B620 ensures a grab-and-go experience with a nine-month power reserve after a full charge. It s predictably accurate too, with accuracy levels of 15 seconds per month.Thoughts and pricingIt s hard to dislike these new Zenshin Senkei chronographs from Citizen. The designs may slightly ape a certain integrated-bracelet sports watch from Audemars Piguet with their new dials, but there s still enough inherent 70s Citizen design DNA to remain relatively distinct. An attractive runner with a bracelet that s better than it should be at this price makes for a winning formula. But what is the cost? Just $469 / $449 / US$650 will net one of these daily drivers. Additionally, they re now available online and at authorized dealers.Watch specifications Brand Citizen Model Zenshin Senkei Super Titanium ChronographsReference CA4690-51E (Black) / CA4690-51A (White) / CA4691-59L (Blue) / CA4691-59X (Green)Dial Black, white, blue, or green with grid-like pattern, three concentric-grained sub-dials, contrasting sub-seconds register, applied luminous indexes, and date windowCase Material Super Titanium with Duratect TICCase Dimensions 41mm (diameter) 11.68mm (thickness)Crystal SapphireCase Back Super Titanium with Duratect TIC, screw-in Movement Citizen B620: Eco-Drive solar-powered quartz, nine-month power reserve with full charge, accurate to 15 seconds per monthWater Resistance 10 bar (100 meters)Strap Super Titanium three-row bracelet with Duratect TIC coating and folding clasp with push-button releaseFunctions Time (central hours and minutes, seconds and 24-hour sub-dials), date, chronograph (60-minute sub-dial, central seconds)Price $469 / $449 / US$650Warranty Two years