Citizen Expands Its NJ022 Automatic Watch Line With Two-Tone Black and Blue Models
Citizen has introduced two new two-tone automatic watches in the UK, adding a dressier edge to its compact NJ022 series. The latest models, the Citizen NJ0226-56E with a black dial and the Citizen NJ0224-51L with a blue dial, are now listed at £329 each, or roughly $435.
Both watches build on the sporty look of the NJ022 family, a lineup that arrived earlier in the year with stainless steel models and a more casual white-dial version paired with a pink urethane strap. These new releases are the first two-tone options in the series, combining stainless steel with gold-tone accents for a more classic, polished appearance.
The Citizen NJ0226-56E features a textured black dial, while the NJ0224-51L comes with a textured blue dial. Each model uses applied round and arrow-shaped hour markers, luminous hands, and a date window positioned at 3 o’clock. The design keeps the familiar diver-inspired style of the series, including a rotating-look bezel with a gold-tone outer ring and a colored insert to match the dial.
Citizen lists the case size at 38 mm in the UK, though the broader NJ022 series specifications place it at 38.5 mm wide and 11.52 mm thick. That makes these watches relatively compact by modern sports-watch standards, appealing to buyers who prefer a smaller automatic watch that still has noticeable wrist presence.
The case and bracelet use a mix of stainless steel and gold-tone sections, giving both models a more refined look than the standard all-steel NJ022 watches. A mineral crystal protects the dial, while the screw-down exhibition case back offers a view of the automatic movement inside.
Powering both watches is Citizen’s caliber 8210 automatic movement. This entry-level mechanical movement is also used in other Citizen NJ0210 and NJ022 models. It offers a 40-hour power reserve and supports hand-winding, though it does not include hacking seconds. Citizen rates the movement’s accuracy at -20 to +40 seconds per day.
Water resistance is rated at 100 meters, making the new two-tone NJ022 models suitable for everyday wear, swimming, and snorkeling. While the design takes inspiration from dive watches, the specification makes them better suited as versatile sports-style automatics rather than professional dive tools.
One of the biggest talking points is the UK pricing. At £329, these two-tone versions sit noticeably higher than the earlier stainless steel NJ022 models introduced in Europe at €249. Even after accounting for tax differences, the UK price appears significantly more expensive, likely reflecting the two-tone finish and market-specific pricing.
For buyers looking for an affordable Citizen automatic watch with a compact case, mechanical movement, and a more eye-catching design, the NJ0226-56E and NJ0224-51L offer an attractive new option. The black version feels more traditional and formal, while the blue dial brings a brighter, more modern character.
Both new Citizen two-tone automatic watches are available now in the UK.
