The Zenshin is a new 2024 collection of watches from Citizen, that currently includes three movement options and a series of dial colors. After this article was written but before publication, Citizen changed the collection’s name from Forza to Zenshin. Since people will be searching for both terms for a while this article will maintain most of the “Forza” references but the collection is now called Zenshin. My favorite of the new Citizen Forza (Zenshin) watches are the Forza Chrono models, which arrive in three colors: the Citizen reference CA4610-85M (blue face), CA4610-85Z (copper face), and CA4610-85A (silver face). What distinguishes the Citizen Forza watches are their semi-retro geometric yet round case designs, integrated-style bracelets, and Super Titanium construction. One of the three Forza models has a mechanical automatic movement inside, and the two others have light-powered Eco-Drive movements, including this Citizen Forza Chrono.
The mechanism inside the affordable-yet-cool Citizen Forza Chrono watches is Citizen’s in-house caliber B620 Eco-Drive chronograph. It features the time, date, AM/PM indicator, and a 60-minute stopwatch feature. It would be great if, eventually, Citizen had a movement like this that offered a longer 12-hour chronograph and either integrated the AM/PM indicator (in the form of a synchronized 24-hour hand) differently or removed it altogether. Even though the dial of the watch looks solid, it still allows light to enter the Eco-Drive photovoltaic cell just under it that powers the quartz movement.
Citizen is going for a retro-fresh vibe with the Forza, which is trying to emulate a style from mostly the late 1970s and early 1980s. What you would not have been able to get at the time (including the Eco-Drive movement) is a titanium case (a highly scratch-resistant Super Titanium, at that), or such a pretty textured dial. The case is lightweight and bold on the wrist at 42.5mm wide. It has 100 meters of water resistance, and over the dial is a flat sapphire crystal. Attached to the case is a matching Super Titanium bracelet on a relatively thin deployant clasp. For the money, I would say the bracelet is more than decent.
In a good way, the Forz Chrono dials are classic-looking with an emphasis on function and little embellishment, save for the colored and textured faces, that is. On the periphery of the dial is a black-colored tachymeter scale that matches the hue of the subdials. In fact, it may be that the subdials are the only part of the dial where light enters to charge the battery, showing you how efficient the Eco-Drive system can be. Arguably, the term “Titanium” did not need to be placed on the dial, even though I am happy the watches are titanium, of course. The contrast of the hands and hour markers is very high, and overall legibility on the Forza Chrono models is excellent. The hour markers and hands are also painted with luminous material.
Each of the three debut Forza Chrono dial accents is, admittedly, pretty nice. The blue, copper, or silver tones really pop because of their textured background, and the tones are fashionable and classy. Even the most conservative version with the white/silver face is eye-catching. What is also interesting is that the other Citizen Forza watch models experiment with yet more colors. For instance, there are at least three different shades of blue.
Prices for the Citizen Forza collection of retro-style Super Titanium bracelet watches start pretty low at just under $500 USD for the three-hand date/date Eco-Drive versions. Both the subsidiary second-dial automatic version and this Eco-Drive Chronograph version have the same retail price, which seems fair. I think these are very handsome daily-wear sports watches with a humble character and fun personality. Price for the Citizen Zenshin (formerly Forza) Chrono reference CA4610-85M (blue face), CA4610-85Z (copper face), and CA4610-85A (silver face) watches is $625 USD. Learn more at the Citizen watches website.
