Citizen Tsuno Chrono Custom AN3724-56E Watch

Citizen Tsuno Chrono Custom AN3724-56E Watch

The Citizen Tsuno Chrono Custom AN3724-56E is one of the pieces in Record Label, Citizen's archive line that recovers its historical designs. Its reference is the 1973 Challenge Timer and, more specifically, the polygonal-case variant that Citizen brings back under the name Tsuno Chrono Custom. This version is presented in stainless steel with a full black finish, a monochromatic and forceful reading of the original design. The polygonal case design of the Tsuno Chrono Custom, of which this model is part, was awarded the Good Design Award 2024.

The case is stainless steel, 38 mm in diameter and 10.8 mm thick. The finish is black throughout: case, bezel and bracelet share the same tone, with no chromatic contrasts. The crystal is mineral and water resistance is 5 ATM (50 m). The movement is quartz, 0510 caliber, with an accuracy of ±20 seconds per month. The bracelet is stainless steel and is mounted with standard 18 mm spring bars, not integrated: it can be replaced with a leather strap or another material of the same width. The clasp is a clip clasp with safety catch.

The dial is black, in line with the monochromatic finish of the whole. The pushers on the upper part, inherited from the bullhead format, require a different gesture when operating the chronograph, with the thumb instead of the index finger. The polygonal case, with straight cuts, is the feature that sets this variant apart from the rounded silhouette of the classic Tsuno Chrono.

The bullhead design is operated with the thumb on the upper pushers, without releasing the wrist. The polygonal case, 10.8 mm thick, keeps a low profile, and the steel bracelet with full black finish reinforces the visual continuity of the whole. It is an archive piece, but a regular production one, meant to be worn, and the standard spring bar mounting makes it easy to change the bracelet for a strap if a different look is sought.

Quartz 0510 Caliber 38 mm 5 ATM Mineral Crystal Bullhead Polygonal Case Full Black Finish Good Design Award 2024 Standard 18 mm Spring Bar

Why choose this watch?

Polygonal case: the silhouette that is not the rounded one

The Tsuno Chrono Custom does not repeat the rounded case of the classic model. It opts for a case with straight cuts and a polygonal profile, a variant that already existed in the 1970s and is now recovered with a contemporary reading. It is the feature that sets it apart from any other Tsuno in the line.

Design recognised with the Good Design Award 2024

The polygonal case of the Tsuno Chrono Custom received the Good Design Award 2024. It is not a catalogue award: it is an external validation that the design is well resolved, with a balance between fidelity to the archive and everyday comfort. For the buyer, it means the watch is not just a copy of the past, but a contemporary piece with design criteria.

Full black finish

Case, bezel and bracelet share the same black tone, with no contrasts. It is a monochromatic and continuous reading of the design, more forceful than the silver versions.

Bullhead design: pushers on top, chronograph at the thumb

The layout of the pushers on the upper part of the case is the hallmark of the Tsuno Chrono. It is not a conventional chronograph: the thumb operates the chronograph without releasing the wrist, a gesture inherited from the dashboard chronographs of the 1970s.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between the Tsuno Chrono Custom and the rounded-case Tsuno Chrono?

The main difference is the case. The Tsuno Chrono Custom opts for a polygonal case with straight cuts and a more angular profile, while the classic Tsuno Chrono keeps the rounded silhouette of the original. The Custom is a reinterpretation of a lesser-known variant of the 1970s design.

Is the Good Design Award for this specific reference?

The award distinguishes the Tsuno Chrono Custom as a design line, not an isolated reference. The AN3724-56E is part of that polygonal-case family. The models that appear in the award documentation are the AN3700-62A and AN3700-54E, but the recognition is given to the Custom design as a whole.

Can the bracelet be replaced with a leather strap?

Yes. The bracelet is mounted with standard 18 mm spring bars, not integrated. An 18 mm leather strap will fit without adapters. The original bracelet can be stored and refitted when the black steel look is wanted again.

Is it a diving watch?

No. It has 5 ATM (50 m) water resistance, which covers splashes, rain and hand washing, but it is not certified for diving. It is an archive chronograph, not an instrumental dive watch.