Citizen

History

In 1924 it released its first pocket watch under the name "Citizen", chosen by Shinpei Goto, mayor of Tokyo and a friend of the founder, in the hope that every citizen might own one. Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. was formally incorporated in 1930. In 1959 came the Parawater, Japan's first water-resistant watch, and in 1970 the X-8 Chronometer, the first Japanese watch with a titanium case. In 1976 it introduced the Crystron Solar Cell, its first light-powered analogue quartz watch — the technology that became the Eco-Drive name in 1995. It pushed further abroad in 1993 and in 2008 bought the American house Bulova, consolidating its watch group. In 2011 it launched the Eco-Drive Satellite Wave, the first watch to set itself by GPS satellite, and in 2019 the Calibre 0100, the most accurate light-powered analogue watch ever made, at ±1 second a year.

Iconic models

• Eco-Drive (line introduced in 1995)

  Made the case for a watch that charges on any light and never needs a battery change — the house signature.

• Promaster (diving; the 1985 Aqualand, for one)

  The professional line for diving, aviation and the outdoors; the Aqualand was among the first with a digital depth gauge.

• Bullhead Chronograph (1973)

  An unmistakable chronograph with crown and pushers on top of the case, keenly sought by collectors.

• Eco-Drive Satellite Wave (2011)

  The first Citizen to set its time by GPS satellite anywhere on earth.

• The Citizen Calibre 0100

  The most accurate light-powered analogue watch ever built, at ±1 second a year — the technical flagship of the house.