IFL Watches Revisits The Koi Fish Concept For The IFLW × Citizen Tsuyosa Shore Mako

IFL Watches moves fast. The brand creates one limited-edition model after another, all featuring hand-painted dials. With those many creations also comes a great variety of watches that serve as canvases for custom artwork. The latest model added to the lineup is the Citizen Tsuyosa Shore series. Quickly after the launch of this recent Tsuyosa sub-line, IFLW created a custom version featuring its signature Midnight Sky dial with colorful dots. For its second Tsuyosa Shore, the brand revisited its Koi Fish concept, first introduced in September 2025. Now, though, the koi have been replaced by sharks. The result is the IFLW Citizen Tsuyosa Shore Mako, which offers a fresh take on last year’s creation.

When IFL Watches introduced the Citizen Zenshin Titanium Koi Fish Limited Edition last year, the brand used the dial as a koi pond. It sounds a bit funny at first, but the result was pretty distinct. The dial artwork completely transformed the presence of the titanium Citizen Zenshin. On top of that, the homage to Japanese tradition was created with UV-reactive paints, providing a surprising splash of color in the dark. For me, it was one of the best dials that IFLW has ever created. So, as you will understand, I was intrigued when I saw the images for the new IFLW Citizen Tsuyosa Shore Mako, especially when I read that the brand used a new enameling technique to create these dials.

The story of the IFLW Citizen Tsuyosa Shore Mako

The background of the Tsuyosa Shore Mako is actually surprisingly simple. The folks at IFL Watches asked the company’s fans what they would love to see next. One collector answered that question with an idea inspired by last year’s Koi Fish dial. This idea was put up against several others in a poll and came out on top. That’s when IFLW knew what the next dial would be.

As you can see in the images, though, the tranquility of a koi pond gives way to a familiar scene from the great oceans. Just beneath the surface of the deep water, a school of fish moves as one. Circling them are three sharks, swimming in silent formation. The predators methodically close the distance to the school of fish, waiting for the right moment to attack. The sharks are watching and waiting, and you can feel the tension rising before their instincts take over.

IFL Watches introduces a new enameling technique

To create this scene, the IFLW artists used a new enamel-paint technique. The artwork’s canvas is the marine-blue dial of the Tsuyosa Shore. On the canvas, the artists start by painting the open water, which is finished in a polished, glass-like surface. By contrast, the stones and algae of the seabed are rendered in a refined matte texture. The mix of textures and colors gives the dial a nice sense of depth. Also, the appearance changes depending on how the light hits the dial. Thanks to the new enameling technique, the underwater scene comes to life beautifully.

It fits the overall style of the Citizen Tsuyosa Shore nicely. The sportier version of the regular Tsuyosa debuted this May and has a 40 × 45 × 12.5mm case. The case is water-resistant to 100 meters and features a crown at 4 o’clock. The marine-blue aluminum bezel insert features a 60-minute scale and matches the color of the original dial. Thanks to the colors the team at IFLW used, the bezel matches the dial’s overall look well. Finishing the look is the President-style bracelet that we know from the regular Tsuyosa. It features a push-button folding clasp and helps make this special-dialed watch super comfortable for everyday wear.

Final specs and thoughts on the new IFLW Citizen Tsuyosa Shore Mako

Inside the case lies Citizen’s in-house 8210 caliber. This automatic movement has a 21,600vph frequency and a power reserve of 40 hours. Additionally, it offers manual winding and hacking seconds. As I stated in the review of the regular Tsuyusa Shore collection, the 8210 caliber is a simple yet reliable powertrain, helping to make these watches a fun series of daily wearers.

Those are exactly the words I would also use for the new IFLW Citizen Tsuyosa Shore Mako. It has another colorful, fun dial that displays the great speed of execution and variety of IFLW’s ideas. While the sharks on the dial might feel a bit ominous, it is far from a story about these predators’ violent nature. Rather, it depicts a story rooted in instinct, patience, and suspense. The new IFLW Citizen Tsuyosa Shore Mako will be available in a limited run of 200 pieces. The watches will go up for sale today, July 6th, at 4:00 PM CEST on the official IFL Watches website for €890 / US$890 / £790.

I love that the team at IFL Watches revisited the original koi artwork and put an original spin on it. It suits the marine-blue Tsuyosa Shore perfectly, making for yet another limited edition that will most certainly find its way to fans in no time.

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