October 26, 2026

Citizen Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W Review: Limited Edition, Flyback & Eco-Drive

In 1973, Citizen did something no one else was doing with chronographs: it moved the crown and pushers from the side of the case to the top, at 12 o'clock. Seen from the front, the two pushers looked like the horns of a bull, and the watch quickly earned a nickname that stuck for half a century: "Tsuno," the Japanese word for horn. In September 2026, Citizen brought that design back once again with the Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W, a limited edition of 5,000 pieces worldwide with a British racing green dial, a gold-tone bezel and a hand-assembled Eco-Drive flyback chronograph.

It is a watch that sparks questions. How do you use a chronograph with the pushers on top? What is a flyback, and why does it measure 1/5 of a second? Does a solar watch really never need a battery? Is 44.5 mm too big? How does it compare with earlier Tsuno models? And is it worth $1,350? This guide answers them with official Citizen specifications and launch coverage. Lexor Miami has the AV0104-06W in stock, brand new, in its special edition presentation box.

Shop the Citizen Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W – $1,350

Citizen Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W: The Quick Answer

Feature	Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W
Collection	Citizen Promaster
Edition	Limited edition, 5,000 unnumbered pieces worldwide
Released	September 2026
Movement	Citizen Caliber E210 Eco-Drive, hand-assembled, light-powered
Power reserve	About 8 months on a full charge (Caliber E210)
Chronograph	1/5-second flyback chronograph, up to 12 hours
Other indications	Power reserve indicator on the dial
Case	Stainless steel with gold-tone bezel, crown and pushers at 12 o'clock
Diameter	44.5 mm
Thickness	15.3 mm (as reported in hands-on coverage)
Dial	British racing green with black subdials and faceted gold-tone markers
Crystal	Sapphire
Water resistance	200 m (20 bar)
Strap	Brown leather with deployant clasp and push buttons
Packaging	Special edition presentation box
UPC	013205175305
Lexor Miami price	$1,350 (at time of writing, October 2026)

The Story of the Tsuno: Citizen's Bullhead Chronograph

Most chronographs place the crown at 3 o'clock with a pusher above and below it. The original 1973 Tsuno Chrono broke that rule. By placing the crown and both pushers at the top of the case, Citizen created a chronograph that was easy to operate even while gripping a steering wheel, and that would not dig into the back of your hand when you bent your wrist.

The layout became known as a "bullhead" chronograph in the West, and "Tsuno" (horn) in Japan, because the two pushers rising from the top of the case look like a bull's horns. It also forced a design change: with the crown at the top, the dial is rotated, which gives bullhead watches their unmistakable look.

The design's link to motorsport is a big part of its appeal. Racing drivers and rally co-drivers needed to start and stop timers quickly, and a top-mounted layout made that more natural. Fifty years later, Citizen keeps returning to the Tsuno in limited editions, including a 50th anniversary edition in 2023 limited to 3,000 pieces. The AV0104-06W is the latest chapter, and its British racing green dial makes the motorsport connection more explicit than ever.

Citizen and Promaster: The Brand Behind the Tsuno

Citizen began in Tokyo in 1918 and adopted the Citizen name in the 1920s, choosing it to express the idea that watches should be accessible to every citizen. Over the following century, it grew into one of the largest watch manufacturers in the world, producing its own movements and components.

Citizen is best known today for light-powered timekeeping. It introduced one of the first light-powered analog watches in the 1970s and later named the technology Eco-Drive. Eco-Drive has become a core part of the brand's identity: watches that run on light, without disposable batteries.

The Promaster line is Citizen's professional sports collection, built for divers, pilots, mountaineers and other demanding users. Placing the Tsuno Chrono Racer in the Promaster family signals that, beneath its vintage racing look, it is built to the same standards as Citizen's tool watches, which explains the 200 m water resistance and sapphire crystal.

Bullhead Chronographs: A Rare Breed

Bullhead chronographs have always been a niche within watchmaking. Several brands experimented with the layout in the 1970s, a decade when watch design was at its most daring, but few kept it in their catalogs. Today, bullhead chronographs remain rare, which is exactly why collectors seek them out.

The layout has practical advantages. With the crown and pushers on top, the watch can be operated with the thumb and index finger from above, which was handy for drivers who timed laps or rally stages. It also keeps the sides of the case clean and prevents the crown from pressing into the wrist. And visually, rotating the dial and placing the controls on top makes the watch instantly recognizable from across a room.

Citizen's Tsuno is one of the best-known bullheads ever made, and the brand's commitment to keeping it alive for more than 50 years has turned it into a modern icon of Japanese watchmaking.

Why British Racing Green?

British racing green is one of the most famous colors in motorsport history. In the early days of international racing, cars were painted in national colors, and British teams raced in deep green. The color became associated with classic British sports cars and endurance racing, and today it still evokes vintage racing, wood-rimmed steering wheels and leather driving gloves.

On the AV0104-06W, the green dial is paired with:

Black chronograph subdials for contrast and legibility.
Faceted gold-tone hour markers that catch the light.
A gold-tone bezel that frames the dial and matches the markers.
A white power reserve indicator that shows how much charge the Eco-Drive movement has stored.
A thick brown leather strap that completes the vintage racing look.

The result is a watch that looks like it belongs on the dashboard of a classic roadster, but works perfectly with a blazer or a weekend outfit.

Inside the Caliber E210 Eco-Drive

The heart of the Tsuno Chrono Racer is Citizen's Caliber E210, a hand-assembled Eco-Drive chronograph movement. It is one of the most complex movements Citizen makes for this type of watch, and it combines the convenience of solar power with genuinely mechanical chronograph features.

Eco-Drive: powered by light

Eco-Drive is Citizen's light-powered technology. A solar cell beneath the dial converts any light, natural or artificial, into energy, which is stored in a rechargeable power cell. That means:

No regular battery changes. As long as the watch gets light, it keeps running.
Long power reserve. The E210 can run for about eight months on a full charge, according to published specifications for this caliber, even in complete darkness.
A power reserve indicator on the dial, so you can see at a glance whether the watch needs more light.

In Miami, keeping an Eco-Drive charged is easy. Wearing it during the day and leaving it near a window from time to time is usually enough.

A mechanical heart in a solar watch

What makes the E210 special is how its chronograph works. Launch coverage notes that the chronograph resets mechanically, with a hammer striking a heart-shaped cam, the same principle used in traditional mechanical chronographs. The caliber has more than 200 components and has been refined over two decades. Citizen even assembles it by hand.

What Is a Flyback Chronograph?

A standard chronograph needs three steps to start a new timing: stop, reset, start. A flyback chronograph lets you skip two of them. While the chronograph is running, pressing the reset pusher instantly sends the hands back to zero and immediately starts timing again.

Why does that matter? In racing, aviation and navigation, you often need to time consecutive intervals with no gap between them, such as one lap after another or one leg of a route after another. The flyback function lets you do that with one push.

1/5-second precision

The Tsuno's chronograph measures in fifths of a second, for periods of up to 12 hours. That means you can time anything from a quick sprint to a long drive or an all-day event.

How to use the bullhead pushers

Because the pushers are at the top, the motion feels different from a standard chronograph, but it quickly becomes natural:

Start: press the start/stop pusher to begin timing.
Stop: press it again to stop and read the elapsed time.
Reset: press the other pusher to return the hands to zero.
Flyback: while timing, press the reset pusher to instantly restart from zero.

Check the instruction manual included with the watch for the exact pusher functions and for how to align the chronograph hands to zero if ever needed.

See the Tsuno Chrono Racer at Lexor Miami

Size and Fit: Is 44.5 mm Too Big?

The AV0104-06W measures 44.5 mm across and about 15.3 mm thick, according to hands-on coverage. That is a substantial watch, much larger than the 38 mm original from 1973 and larger than the 38 mm Classic Tsuno Chrono in Citizen's catalog.

Why it wears better than the numbers suggest

No crown on the side. Because the crown and pushers are at the top, nothing presses into the back of your hand, which is one of the reasons the bullhead layout was created.
Leather strap. A leather strap is lighter and more flexible than a steel bracelet and molds to the wrist over time.
Bold by design. Racing chronographs are meant to be legible at a glance, and the larger dial makes the chronograph easy to read.

Who it fits best

Wrists of about 7 inches (178 mm) and up: balanced, confident and comfortable.
Wrists of 6.5 to 7 inches: a bold, sporty look. Compare it with a large watch you already own before deciding.
Smaller wrists: the Tsuno will look oversized. Consider a smaller Citizen chronograph instead.

Its 15.3 mm thickness means it will sit above a dress shirt cuff rather than slide under it, which suits a watch meant to be noticed.

Water Resistance: Can You Swim With It?

Yes. The Tsuno Chrono Racer is water resistant to 200 meters (20 bar), which Citizen rates as suitable for swimming, showering and snorkeling. That is unusual for a vintage-style racing chronograph, and it is a reminder that this is a Promaster, Citizen's professional sports line.

The one thing to watch is the strap. Leather and water do not mix well, so if you plan to swim or spend a day at the beach, take the watch off or fit a rubber or NATO-style strap. And never operate the chronograph pushers or crown underwater.

Is the AV0104-06W a Limited Edition?

Yes. The Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W is a limited edition of 5,000 pieces worldwide. The pieces are not individually numbered. Citizen sold it through its own online stores in the US and Canada and through select retailers, and it was also released in Japan.

For context, the previous Tsuno 50th anniversary edition in 2023 was limited to 3,000 pieces. Tsuno limited editions have a strong following among Citizen fans and collectors of Japanese watches, so once they sell through, finding one new becomes much harder.

AV0104-06W vs Other Tsuno Chrono Racers

Model	Year	Size	Key details
Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W	2026	44.5 mm	British racing green dial, gold-tone bezel, brown leather strap, E210 flyback, 5,000 pieces
Tsuno Chrono Racer 50th Anniversary	2023	About 45 mm	Celebrated 50 years of the Tsuno, E210, 3,000 pieces
Original Tsuno Chrono	1973	38 mm	The bullhead chronograph that started it all
Classic Tsuno Chrono	Current	38 mm, 11.7 mm thick	A smaller, catalog Tsuno closer to the original proportions

Compared with the 2023 anniversary model, the AV0104-06W shares the same E210 movement and large Promaster case but takes a more classic, motorsport-heritage direction with its green dial, gold-tone details and leather strap. If you prefer smaller proportions, the 38 mm Classic Tsuno Chrono is the closest to the 1973 original, though it is a different movement and a different watch.

AV0104-06W vs Other Chronographs at Lexor Miami

If you are shopping for a chronograph around this price, here is how the Tsuno compares with other options in our store.

Citizen Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W ($1,350): limited edition, bullhead layout, flyback, Eco-Drive, 200 m water resistance.
Citizen Zenshin Chrono CA4610-85A ($455): a modern Eco-Drive chronograph at a much lower price.
Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T JY8125-54L ($716): a pilot's chronograph with radio-controlled timekeeping.
Citizen Endeavor Chrono CA4733-00L ($500): another Eco-Drive chronograph option, available in our Citizen collection.

The Tsuno is the collector's choice in this group: the only one with a bullhead case, a flyback chronograph, a hand-assembled movement and a limited production run.

Explore All Citizen Watches at Lexor Miami

Is the Citizen Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W Worth $1,350?

What you get

An iconic design with more than 50 years of history and a cult following.
A hand-assembled Eco-Drive movement with a mechanically reset flyback chronograph, a rare combination.
No battery changes and roughly eight months of power reserve in the dark.
Sapphire crystal and 200 m water resistance.
Limited production of 5,000 pieces worldwide.
A beautiful motorsport color scheme and a special edition presentation box.

What to be realistic about

Size: 44.5 mm and 15.3 mm thick make it a big, sporty watch.
Leather strap and water: despite 200 m of water resistance, the leather strap is not meant for swimming.
Not numbered: it is limited, but the pieces are not individually numbered.
Solar, not mechanical: if you want a fully mechanical chronograph, this is not it, though the E210 is far more sophisticated than a typical quartz chronograph.

Our verdict

For fans of motorsport, Japanese watchmaking and unusual chronograph designs, the Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W is one of the most characterful watches you can buy at this price. It combines a legendary 1973 design with modern solar convenience, and its British racing green and gold palette is genuinely handsome. If you have a medium to large wrist and want a limited edition with a real story, it is easy to recommend.

Get the Tsuno Chrono Racer for $1,350

Who Should Buy It?

Car and motorsport enthusiasts who appreciate racing heritage and British racing green.
Collectors of Japanese watches looking for a limited Citizen with history.
Chronograph lovers who want something different from the usual side-pusher design.
Practical buyers who want a complicated-looking watch without battery changes or winding.
Gift buyers looking for a memorable present for a car lover, a graduate or a milestone birthday.

A Racing Chronograph for Miami

Miami has become one of the most exciting racing cities in the United States. Since 2022, the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix has brought world-class motorsport to the Miami International Autodrome around Hard Rock Stadium, and the city's car culture, from weekend Cars and Coffee meetups to exotic car dealerships, is stronger than ever.

Racing chronographs have always been tied to that world. Before digital timing systems were everywhere, drivers, navigators and team members relied on wristwatches to time laps, pit stops and rally stages. A chronograph with a flyback function and a design built around a steering wheel grip is a direct link to that era.

That makes the Tsuno Chrono Racer a natural fit for South Florida. It is a racing chronograph with genuine motorsport heritage, a color that recalls classic race cars, and the water resistance and light-powered movement to handle sunny, humid Miami days. Whether you are timing laps at a track day, heading to race weekend or simply driving down Ocean Drive, it is a watch that belongs in the conversation.

How to Style the Tsuno Chrono Racer

Classic driver: a herringbone or tweed blazer, a blue oxford shirt and brown loafers. The brown strap and green dial were made for this look.
Cars and Coffee: a white T-shirt, a suede jacket and jeans.
Miami evening: a cream linen shirt and navy trousers. Green and gold look rich under warm evening light.
Office: a navy suit with a light blue shirt. The watch adds personality without clashing.

How to Care for Your Eco-Drive Tsuno

Give it light. Wear it during the day or leave it near a window. Avoid storing it in a dark drawer for months at a time.
Watch the power reserve indicator. If it shows low charge, leave the watch in bright light, ideally indirect sunlight, for several hours.
Avoid extreme heat while charging. Do not leave it on a car dashboard or close to a hot lamp, which can damage the watch.
Protect the leather strap from water, sweat and sunscreen. Let it air out after wearing.
Clean the case and crystal with a soft, dry cloth.
Keep the pushers and crown dry, and never operate them underwater.
Keep the presentation box and papers. For a limited edition, complete packaging helps preserve value.
Service it through an authorized Citizen service center if it ever needs attention.

Common Questions About Eco-Drive Watches

Does an Eco-Drive watch ever need a new battery?

Eco-Drive watches do not use a disposable battery. They store energy in a rechargeable power cell. Under normal use, that cell is designed to last for many years, and if it ever needs replacement, an authorized Citizen service center can handle it.

Will indoor light charge it?

Yes, any light charges an Eco-Drive watch, but stronger light charges it faster. Office lighting helps maintain the charge, while daylight is the quickest way to recharge a low battery.

What happens if it runs low?

Many Eco-Drive watches signal low charge so you can recharge them before they stop. On the Tsuno, the power reserve indicator makes this easy to monitor. Put it in bright light and it will recover.

Leather Strap Tips and Alternatives

The AV0104-06W comes on a thick dark brown leather strap with a deployant clasp and push buttons. The deployant clasp is a smart touch: instead of bending the leather through a buckle every day, the clasp folds open and closed, which reduces wear on the strap and makes the watch easier to put on.

A few tips for getting the most from it:

Let it break in. Thick leather straps feel stiff at first and soften with wear. After a couple of weeks, it will mold to your wrist.
Rotate in summer. In Miami's heat and humidity, leather absorbs sweat. If you wear the watch every day in summer, consider a second strap, such as rubber or a fabric NATO-style strap, so the leather can rest and dry out.
Match your strap to the occasion. Brown leather is perfect for the vintage racing look. A black rubber strap gives the Tsuno a sportier character, while a green or tan suede strap can emphasize the dial color.
Keep the original. Even if you experiment with other straps, keep the original leather strap and clasp with the box. For a limited edition, the original set matters to collectors.

If you are unsure which aftermarket straps will fit the Tsuno's case, ask our team before buying one. We can help you choose a strap that suits both the watch and the way you plan to wear it.

Why Buy the Citizen Tsuno Chrono Racer From Lexor Miami

100% authentic and brand new, with the special edition presentation box and manufacturer's warranty.
In stock now, with limited quantities of this 5,000-piece edition.
Free shipping on individual items priced at $150 or more within the 48 contiguous United States.
Secure checkout with Apple Pay, Google Pay, Shop Pay, PayPal and all major cards.
Expert help. Ask our team about sizing, Eco-Drive or other chronographs by chat, WhatsApp, phone or email.
More than 20 years in luxury watches and thousands of 5-star Google reviews.

See the Tsuno in person in Miami

Visit our showroom at 2371 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33142, open Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with free parking and on-site security. We are a short drive from Brickell, Downtown Miami, Wynwood, Coral Gables, Doral and Miami Beach. Seeing the green dial and the bullhead case in person is the best way to understand the Tsuno's appeal.

Shop the Citizen Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W

CITIZEN PROMASTER TSUNO CHRONO RACER AV0104-06W

$1,350.00

Limited edition of 5,000 pieces. 44.5 mm stainless steel bullhead chronograph with gold-tone bezel, British racing green dial, hand-assembled Caliber E210 Eco-Drive with 1/5-second flyback chronograph and power reserve indicator, sapphire crystal, 200 m water resistance and brown leather strap with deployant clasp.

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Ready to Race?

The Citizen Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W is a celebration of one of the most original chronograph designs ever made. Its bullhead case, British racing green dial and hand-assembled Eco-Drive flyback movement make it as interesting to wear as it is to talk about. And with only 5,000 pieces made worldwide, it is the kind of watch that is easier to buy today than to find later.

Buy the Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W Now

Final Thoughts

Here is what buyers most want to know about the Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W. It revives Citizen's 1973 bullhead "Tsuno" design with the crown and pushers at 12 o'clock. It uses the hand-assembled Caliber E210 Eco-Drive, a light-powered movement with a mechanically reset 1/5-second flyback chronograph and about eight months of power reserve. It measures 44.5 mm and about 15.3 mm thick, it is water resistant to 200 m, and it is limited to 5,000 unnumbered pieces. At $1,350, it is one of the most distinctive limited-edition chronographs available.

Citizen watches to explore at Lexor Miami:

Citizen Promaster Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W – $1,350 (featured)
Citizen Promaster Sikorsky JY8156-00L – $820
Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T JY8125-54L – $716
Citizen Promaster Geo Trekker BY3006-53H – $660
Citizen Zenshin Chrono CA4610-85A – $455

Browse the full Citizen collection or our limited edition watches.

Shop the Tsuno AV0104-06W at Lexor Miami

Frequently Asked Questions About the Citizen Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W

What does "Tsuno" mean on a Citizen watch?

"Tsuno" means "horn" in Japanese. It refers to the bullhead layout Citizen introduced in 1973, with the crown and two chronograph pushers at 12 o'clock. From the front, the pushers look like the horns of a bull.

Is the Citizen Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W a limited edition?

Yes. It is limited to 5,000 unnumbered pieces worldwide and was released in September 2026. It comes in a special edition presentation box.

Does the Citizen Tsuno Chrono Racer need a battery?

No. It uses Citizen's Caliber E210 Eco-Drive, which is powered by any light source and stores energy in a rechargeable cell. Published specifications for this caliber list about eight months of power reserve on a full charge, and a power reserve indicator on the dial shows the charge level.

What is a flyback chronograph?

A flyback chronograph lets you reset and restart timing with a single push while the chronograph is running, instead of stopping, resetting and starting again. The Tsuno's flyback measures to 1/5 of a second for up to 12 hours.

How big is the Citizen Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W?

It measures 44.5 mm in diameter and about 15.3 mm thick, based on hands-on reports. It suits wrists of about 7 inches and up best. Because the crown and pushers sit at the top, nothing presses into the back of your hand.

Where can I buy the Citizen Tsuno Chrono Racer AV0104-06W in Miami?

Lexor Miami has the AV0104-06W in stock for $1,350. Order online with free shipping within the 48 contiguous United States or visit our showroom at 2371 NW 20th St, Miami, FL 33142, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.