Citizen

Founded
1918
Based in
Tokyo, Japan
In our catalog
11 watches from $130 to $8,500

Citizen is one of the largest watchmakers in the world and one of the most innovative. It popularized the solar-powered analog watch with Eco-Drive, makes some of the most accurate quartz movements available, and supplies Miyota movements to many other brands. It also owns Bulova, Frederique Constant, Alpina and Arnold & Son.

History

Citizen's roots go back to the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, founded in Tokyo in 1918. The name Citizen was given to an early pocket watch by the mayor of Tokyo, who hoped it would be something ordinary citizens could own. The company grew rapidly after the Second World War.

In 1976 Citizen launched the Crystron Solar Cell, one of the first light-powered analog watches. The technology became Eco-Drive, which now powers most Citizen watches. Citizen made the first titanium watch, introduced radio-controlled timekeeping and GPS satellite time sync, and in 2019 released Caliber 0100, a quartz movement accurate to within one second a year. It has also developed high-end mechanical movements under "The Citizen" line.

Signature models

What it's known for

Most Citizen watches charge from any light and run for months in the dark. Citizen's Super Titanium is several times harder than steel. The range is huge, from basic quartz to high-end mechanical, and most of it is reliable, practical and good value.

Price and positioning

Most Citizen watches cost $150 to $700, with the Series 8 and Promaster lines going over $1,000 and The Citizen line much higher. It's a natural alternative to Seiko, and its solar models are some of the best everyday watches available.

Citizen watches in our library

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