We all love the timeless elegance of a luxury watch, but not everyone has thousands of dollars to drop on a Rolex. Fortunately, you don’t have to drain your savings to get that premium, high-end “Rolex energy” on your wrist.

Citizen has just expanded its legendary Tsuyosa line with two stunning mechanical models: the NK0022-50A and the NK0030-51X. Featuring exquisite guilloché textured dials, upgraded automatic movements, and sleek integrated bracelets, these models offer major luxury watch vibes for just a fraction of the price.

A Tale of Two Sizes

Citizen recognized that watch enthusiasts have different wrist sizes and style preferences, so they released these two models with distinct personalities.

The Bold and Classic: Citizen NK0022-50A

If you love the unmistakable presence of a gold Rolex Datejust, the NK0022-50A is designed to catch your eye. To clarify, the comparison is with the Datejust, not the Day-Date, because the Tsuyosa has a date display but no day of the week display.

Pairs a modern, 40mm gold-tone ion-plated stainless steel case and integrated bracelet with a textured, silver-white guilloché dial. It’s loud, it’s proud, and it looks like a million bucks on the wrist (even if it costs less than a decent weekend getaway).

The Refined and Compact: Citizen NK0030-51X

Sized at a sweet-spot 37mm, this stainless steel beauty features a mesmerizing teal guilloché dial. 

For those who prefer a more understated look or have smaller wrists, the NK0030-51X hits the sweet spot. Its proportions recall the classic Rolex Datejust 36; although slightly larger at 37 mm, it remains an ideal size for many wrists.

The Verdict: Luxury Vibes on a Citizen Budget

Let’s be candid: a Citizen is not a Rolex, and it doesn’t pretend to be. But you don’t need to join a multi-year waiting list at an authorized dealer or spend five figures to own a watch that feels genuinely special. Whether you pick the bold, gold NK0022-50A or the sleek, compact teal NK0030-51X, Citizen has delivered a masterclass in affordable horology.

Both models are powered by Citizen’s automatic Caliber 8310. It offers a 60-hour power reserve, compared with the 42 hours provided by the Caliber 8210 in the standard Tsuyosa. Those additional 18 hours make the watch more practical when left unworn for a day or two. The main improvement is the extended power reserve, not the stated accuracy, as both calibers carry the same official tolerance of −20/+40 seconds per day.

In my own Tsuyosa, however, the Caliber 8210 performs much better than that specification, running at approximately +10 seconds per day. That is a very respectable real-world result and gives me good reason to expect similarly solid everyday performance from the Caliber 8310, although individual mechanical watches can vary.

These models prove that you can get a reliable automatic movement, premium sapphire glass, and a jaw-dropping textured dial for a price that leaves plenty of room in your wallet.