Citizen
Tokyo, Japan · Est. 1918
Founded by Kamekichi Yamazaki
Founded in Tokyo in 1930, Citizen is one of the world's largest watch manufacturers and a leader in technical innovation, most notably its Eco-Drive technology which powers watches from any light source without a battery. The Citizen group also owns Bulova, Frederique Constant, and Alpina, among others.
- Founded
- 1918
- Headquarters
- Tokyo, Japan
- Group
- Citizen Watch Group
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- Eco-Drive — Solar-powered technology that converts any light into energy, eliminating the need for battery changes — Citizen's defining innovation.
- Promaster — Professional tool watch line spanning dive, aviation, and land categories, built for extreme conditions.
- The Citizen — Ultra-premium line with hand-assembled movements, annual accuracy of ±1 second per year, and washi paper dials.
- Attesa — Titanium collection featuring Super Titanium (5x harder than steel), GPS satellite wave, and Eco-Drive power.
Timeline
- 1918 — Shokosha Watch Research Institute is established in Tokyo, the precursor to Citizen Watch.
- 1924 — The first pocket watch is produced and named 'Citizen' by Tokyo mayor Shinpei Goto, wishing it to be accessible to all citizens.
- 1970 — Citizen introduces the first titanium wristwatch, the X-8 Chronometer, pioneering the use of titanium in watches.
- 1976 — Citizen releases the first analogue solar-powered watch, laying the groundwork for Eco-Drive technology.
- 1993 — Eco-Drive launches commercially, eventually becoming the core technology across nearly all Citizen watches.
- 2005 — Citizen acquires Bulova, expanding its portfolio in the North American market.
- 2012 — Eco-Drive Satellite Wave debuts, syncing time via GPS satellite signals anywhere on Earth.
- 2019 — Caliber 0100 achieves ±1 second per year accuracy, the world's most accurate wristwatch at the time.
- 2025 — Celebrated The CITIZEN 30th anniversary with limited mechanical and Eco-Drive models featuring washi paper dials.
- 2026 — Marked 50th anniversary of Eco-Drive technology with global launch event and limited-edition models. ATTESA won iF Design Award 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions about Citizen
- What is Eco-Drive?
- Eco-Drive is Citizen's proprietary solar technology that converts any light — natural or artificial — into electrical energy, stored in a rechargeable cell. No battery changes needed, ever.
- Does Citizen make luxury watches?
- Yes. While known for accessible watches, 'The Citizen' line features hand-finished movements with extreme accuracy (±1 sec/year), washi paper dials, and price points in the thousands.