Seiko 5 Sports SRPK89 vs Citizen Tsuyosa: The Two Small Automatics

Buy the Seiko SRPK89 if the watch has to fit — 44.7 mm lug-to-lug against 46 mm, in a 37.4 mm case rather than 40 mm — and if you want a crystal-clear specification: it hacks, it hand-winds and it is rated to 100 m. Buy the Citizen Tsuyosa if you want a sapphire crystal and a thinner watch for $115 less, and the integrated bracelet is part of the appeal rather than a restriction.

These are the two obvious Japanese automatics for a smaller wrist under $450, and they solve the problem in opposite directions. Seiko shrank the case: 37.4 mm across with a 44.7 mm span, the shortest of any automatic in this database. Citizen kept a 40 mm case and made the bracelet start wrapping immediately, which brings the span down to 46 mm without shrinking the dial.

The specification splits cleanly and neither side sweeps it. Seiko wins on fit and on water resistance: 44.7 mm end to end against 46 mm, and 100 m against 50 m. It also states more about its movement — Seiko publishes hacking and hand-winding for the 4R36, where Citizen's listing for the Miyota 8210 says only 40 hours and an accuracy window of -20 to +40 seconds a day, which is the tighter of the two. Citizen wins on the crystal, which is the difference that will show first: sapphire against curved Hardlex on a watch that costs $115 more. It also wins on height. The deciding question is whether you will ever change the strap. The Tsuyosa's bracelet is integrated, so you own one look forever; the SRPK89 takes any 18 mm strap. If the watch is going to be the only mechanical watch you own, that flexibility is worth more than the crystal.