Key Facts about Citizen
- Founded: 1918 (Tokyo, Japan); renamed Citizen in 1930
- Early Milestone: Produced Japan’s first pocket watch in 1924
- Innovation Leader: Pioneer in quartz, solar, and radio-controlled technology
- Global Reach: One of the world’s largest watchmakers, owning several brands including Bulova, Alpina, and Frédérique Constant
- Philosophy: Emphasis on affordable, reliable, and eco-friendly timepieces
Notable Innovations
- Eco-Drive (1976): Solar-powered technology that converts light (natural or artificial) into energy, eliminating the need for battery changes.
- Quartz Revolution: Citizen played a major role in the global shift from mechanical to quartz watches in the 1970s.
- Atomic Timekeeping: Introduced some of the world’s most accurate watches, automatically syncing with atomic clocks.
- Satellite Wave GPS (2011): Watches that adjust time anywhere on Earth using GPS signals.
Iconic Models
- Citizen Eco-Drive: A vast range of solar-powered watches that remain the brand’s flagship.
- Citizen Promaster: Professional-grade sports watches for diving, aviation, and adventure.
- Citizen Chronomaster: Ultra-precise quartz models (±5 seconds per year).
- Satellite Wave Series: GPS time-syncing models for travelers.
Reputation & Collectibility
Citizen is respected for reliability, innovation, and value rather than exclusivity. While most models are affordable, limited editions and advanced Chronomaster or Satellite Wave models attract serious collectors.
📍 Fun Fact: Citizen developed the world’s slimmest LCD watch in 1978 and the first multi-band atomic timekeeping watch in 1993.