The Brand
Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. is an electronics company primarily known for its watches and is the core company of a Tokyo-based Japanese global corporate group.
It is the parent of American watch company Bulova and is also known for manufacturing small electronics such as calculators, in addition to Citizen brand watches.
In 1930, the company was founded by Japanese and Swiss investors. In 1912, it took over Shokosha Watch Research Institute and opened some facilities of the assembly plant in Yokohama by the Swiss watchmaker Rodolphe Schmid.
In 1918, Citizen was first registered in Switzerland by Schmid. Until World War II, the development of Citizen relied on technology transfer from Switzerland.
The most significant breakthrough for Citizen watches involved solar power. The Crystron Solar Cell, a Citizen watch, was the world’s first solar-powered analog quartz watch.
The Citizen Eco-Drive, the company’s most important and successful product launch ever, was heralded by the Crystron Solar Cell.
The Citizen Eco-Drive technology rewrote history and took quartz technology to a new level in 1995 with a Citizen watch powered by natural or artificial light.
From the 1980s until the end of the century, the Citizen Eco-Drive helped the Citizen Watch Company become the world’s largest watch producer.
Eco-Drive Technology
Through using the innovative Eco-Drive technology, the talented people at Citizen have developed a way to use the light that surrounds us to create timepieces that will never need their battery replaced.
Having first been used in Citizen Watches in 1995, the traditional quartz battery is almost replaced entirely as the company now uses its innovative technology in the majority of their ladies and men’s watch range.
Citizen Eco-Drive watches are now one of the most successful and popular watches makes on the market. The device is a silicon light cell, which acts as a solar panel behind the dial.
To generate the required amount of electricity needed to power the movement of the watch, the protective glass, and opaque dial, although almost completely hidden to the wearer and onlookers, allow enough natural and artificial light to pass through to the cell.
This energy also charges a titanium lithium ion battery, which is designed to be loaded and uncharged continuously without interfering with the voltage of the quartz crystal.
This feature allows the battery to stockpile energy until it does not have enough power from the solar cells to work the movement of the watch.
Consequently, without ever losing time or the watch missing a beat, it reverts to using the stored energy reserves.
Some of these smart Citizen Eco-Drive watches also have a hibernation mode, which is triggered when the timepiece does not receive sufficient light for a sustained period.
The memory of the watch, even if the hands stop moving, will allow it to bounce back into action and present the correct time after just a few seconds of being exposed to light again.
As the battery recharges, it helps to make Eco-Drive watches more eco-friendly as lithium batteries will not have to be disposed of, which can harm the environment, and it will also save customers money in the long run.
The Best Citizen Watches of 2019
AXIOM GA1058-59Q
The avid trendsetter is offered a day-to-night fashion option with Axiom's refined yet sleek design.
The timepiece has a black dial, a pink gold-tone stainless steel case, and bracelet. It has an 11 diamond dial, and date, and features the interesting detail of edge-to-edge glass.
It features the Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. It never needs a battery. Its Caliber number is J015.
Features and Design
- It has a stainless steel bracelet with a fold over clasp and push buttons
- DIAL - Black, Diamond Accents
- CASE SIZE (MM) - 30
- CASE MATERIAL - Pink Gold, Stainless Steel
- WATER-RESISTANCE - Splash Resistant
- CRYSTAL - Mineral Crystal
- FUNCTIONS - J015, 2 Hand
Good For
- Trendsetters
- All-around fashion, from day to night events.
- People who want a refined yet sleek look
SILHOUETTE CRYSTAL EW2348-56A
Classic lines and contemporary edge with lots of sparkles are hallmarks of this Citizen Silhouette Crystal pink gold-tone stainless steel bracelet.
It features a two-tone accented dial, bright Swarovski crystals, and date feature. It also features the Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. It never needs a battery. Its Caliber number is E013.
Features and Design
- It has a stainless steel bracelet with a fold over clasp and push buttons
- DIAL - Silver-Tone, Swarovski Crystal Accents
- CASE SIZE (MM) - 28
- It has a silver-tone, stainless steel case with Swarovski Crystal accents
- WATER-RESISTANCE - Splash Resistant
- CRYSTAL - Mineral Crystal
- FUNCTIONS - E013, 3 Hand with Date
Good For
- People who like a classic look
- People who want a fashionable feel
- People who want a lot of sparkle and shine
LTR - LONG TERM RELATIONSHIP FE6083-13E
Think sleek, stylish and always on time. With a fresh new look, the brand new Drive from Citizen collection holds affordable fashion to a new standard. A watch conceived for the everyday wearer, day to night, work to play.
The LTR is a reliable timeless watch that is powered by the light around you with Eco-Drive technology. It features a rose gold-tone stainless steel case, stylish quilted black strap, black dial and rose gold-tone accents.
It features the Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. It never needs a battery. Its Caliber number is J810.
Features and Design
- BAND - Leather, Strap, Buckle
- DIAL - Black, Rose Gold-Tone Accents
- CASE SIZE (MM) - 36
- CASE MATERIAL - Rose Gold-Tone, Stainless Steel
- WATER-RESISTANCE - Splash Resistant
- CRYSTAL - Mineral Crystal
- FUNCTIONS - J810, 3 Hand with Date
Good For
- Casual Wear
- People who want a fresh and stylish look
- All-around events, from work to play.
PROMASTER TSUNO CHRONOGRAPH RACER AV0079-01A
The newly modernized CITIZEN Limited Edition Tsuno Chrono Racer, while paying homage to a retro 1973 CITIZEN Bullhead model, showcases a unique case styling and trendy color combinations.
It has a hand assembled movement. The Tsuno Chrono Racer features 1/5-second chrono, alarm, tachymeter, instantaneous flyback, power reserve, and date.
It has a stainless steel case, dark brown leather strap with white contrast stitching and parchment and black dial.
It features the Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. It never needs a battery. Its Caliber number is E210.
Features and Design
- It has a leather strap with a deployment clasp and push buttons
- DIAL - Ivory, Black, Power Reserve Indicator
- CASE SIZE (MM) - 45
- CASE MATERIAL - Silver-Tone, Stainless Steel
- WATER-RESISTANCE - WR200/20Bar/666ft
- CRYSTAL - Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
- FUNCTIONS - E210, Hand Assembled Movement, 1/5 Second Flyback Chronograph Measures up to 12 Hours, Alarm, Power Reserve Indicator, Date Indicator
Good For
- Swimming, Showering, and Snorkeling
- Casual Wear
- People who want a trendy style
CHANDLER EM0570-01A
Through the distinctly constructed Chandler Collection, CITIZEN takes casual modern to a new level. Effortless, modern design with a touch of color is key to these timepieces.
You can show off your light-powered watch, featured with a navy blue leather strap, stainless steel case and bright white dial.
It features the Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. It never needs a battery, and its Caliber number is E031.
Features and Design
- BAND - Leather, Strap, Buckle
- DIAL - White
- CASE SIZE (MM) - 30
- CASE MATERIAL - Silver-Tone, Stainless Steel
- WATER-RESISTANCE - WR50/5Bar/166ft
- CRYSTAL - Mineral Crystal
- FUNCTIONS - E031, 3 Hand
Good For
- Still Water
- Casual Wear
- Swimming
- People who like a modern style
WORLD CHRONOGRAPH A-T AT8110-53E
The ideal timepiece for the avid world traveler is the Citizen World Chronograph A-T.
It has Atomic timekeeping in 26 time zones and its 1/20-second chronograph measures up to 60 minutes. It also has a perpetual calendar, 12/24-hour time, power reserve indicator, and a day and date indicator.
It is crafted with a stainless steel case and bracelet featuring a black dial and sapphire crystal. It features the Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. It never needs a battery. Its Caliber number is H804.
Features and Design
- It has a stainless steel bracelet with a deployment clasp and push buttons
- DIAL - Black, Power Reserve Indicator
- CASE SIZE (MM) - 43
- CASE MATERIAL - Silver-Tone, Stainless Steel
- WATER-RESISTANCE - WR100/10Bar/333ft
- CRYSTAL - Sapphire Crystal
- 1/20 Second Chronograph Measures up to 60 Minutes
- Perpetual Calendar
- 12/24 Hour Time
- Power Reserve Indicator
- Day/Date indicator
Good For
- Swimming, Showering, and Snorkeling
- People who always travel
- People who like a classic metal look
BRYCEN CA0648-09L
Choose the newly designed CITIZEN Brycen timepiece, with distinct features sure to stand out on your wrist.
It is a stylish watch with a denim blue dial in a stainless steel case, a blue aluminum plated bezel, and a chestnut brown leather strap. It features a 1/5-second chronograph which measures up to 60 minutes, 12/24-hour time, tachymeter and date.
It features the Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. It never needs a battery. Its Caliber number is B612.
Features and Design
- BAND - Leather, Strap, Buckle
- DIAL - Blue, Luminous Hands
- CASE SIZE (MM) - 44
- It has two-tone, stainless steel, a screw-back case made with aluminum bezel
- WATER-RESISTANCE - WR100/10Bar/333ft
- CRYSTAL - Mineral Crystal
- FUNCTIONS - B612, 1/5 Second Chronograph Measures up to 60 Minutes, 12/24 Hour Time, Date indicator
Good For
- Swimming, showering, and snorkeling
- Casual Wear
PCAT AT4004-52E
PCAT is the most accurate watch in the world through Citizen Eco-Drive technology with atomic timekeeping.
Its perpetual calendar is radio-controlled in 5 time zones, boasts a 1-second chrono that measures up to 60 minutes, and power reserve.
It is shown in stainless steel two-tone and luminous accents under a non-reflective sapphire crystal. It features the Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. It never needs a battery. Its Caliber number is E650.
Features and Design
- It has a stainless steel bracelet with a fold over clasp and hidden push buttons
- It has black, luminous hands and markers, power reserve indicator
- CASE SIZE (MM) - 42
- CASE MATERIAL - Two-Tone, Stainless Steel
- WATER-RESISTANCE - WR200/20Bar/666ft
- CRYSTAL - Anti-Reflective Sapphire Crystal
- E650
- Synchronized to Atomic Time Clock for Superior Accuracy
- User Defined Time in 15 minutes Increments (A-TM)
- 1 Second Chronograph Measures up to 60 Minutes
- Perpetual Calendar
- 12/24 Hour Time
- Alarm
- Power Reserve Indicator
- Tachymeter
- Day/Date indicator
Good For
- Swimming, showering, and snorkeling
- Business attires or outfits
Takeaway
Citizen is an international brand with a reputation for manufacturing watches with excellent quality and design. It is a watch brand that is loved by many and is steadily keeping its place in the Timepiece Hall of Fame.
Regardless of your day-to-day activities, Citizen has the watch for you. Ultimately, if you are looking for a great luxury watch, Citizen watches are genuinely one of the top watches to consider.
