Citizen

Who are Citizen?

Citizen is a Japanese watchmaker based in Tokyo. It traces its origins to a watch research institute founded in 1918, and the first watch to carry the Citizen name was a pocket watch made in 1924 (Citizen). This page covers its history, collections and ownership, then what to check when buying a second-hand Citizen in the UK.

Citizen is known above all for Eco-Drive, its light-powered quartz technology. The company says it makes its watches in-house, from individual components to final assembly (Citizen). It also owns other watch brands, including Bulova, which has its own page.

The history of Citizen

Citizen’s history runs from a Tokyo research institute in 1918 to a listed group that owns several Japanese, American and Swiss watch brands. The key dates are the first Citizen watch (1924), the company’s formation (1930), the first light-powered analogue watch (1976), Eco-Drive (1995) and the purchase of Bulova (2008).

The name. Kamekichi Yamazaki founded the Shokosha Watch Research Institute in 1918 (Wikipedia). Its first product, a Japan-made pocket watch, appeared in 1924, and Tokyo’s mayor, Shinpei Goto, named it Citizen; the watch’s name later became the company’s (Citizen). Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. was established in May 1930 (Wikipedia).

War and after. The company was renamed Dainippon Watch in 1938 and took back the Citizen name in 1948. It was listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange in 1949 (Wikipedia).

Quartz and light. Citizen introduced its first quartz wristwatch in 1973 (Wikipedia). In 1976 it launched the Crystron Solar Cell, which it calls “the world’s first commercial light-powered analogue quartz watch” (Citizen Hong Kong). Time+Tide calls it “the world’s first analogue light-driven watch”. A multi-station radio-controlled wristwatch followed in 1993 (Wikipedia).

Eco-Drive. In 1995 the addition of a lithium-ion cell gave a light-powered model six months’ running on a single charge, which Citizen describes as the step that led to today’s Eco-Drive (Citizen Hong Kong). Wikipedia says the Eco-Drive line launched in Asia, Latin America and Europe in 1995 and in the US in April 1996. The Citizen, the company’s premium line, was introduced in 1995 for its 65th anniversary (Wikipedia).

Buying other brands. Citizen completed its purchase of Bulova from Loews Corporation on 10 January 2008 (JCK). Some accounts, such as Gear Patrol’s, date the purchase to 2007, when it was agreed; JCK reports the agreement was signed in October 2007 and completed in January 2008. Citizen bought Prothor Holding, which included the Swiss movement maker La Joux-Perret and Arnold & Son, in 2012, and Frédérique Constant Holding, including Alpina, in 2016 (Wikipedia).

Recent years. Satellite Wave, a light-powered watch that sets itself from satellite signals, arrived in 2011. In October 2016 the parent, then called Citizen Holdings, absorbed its watch operating company and took the name Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. (Wikipedia). Citizen marked its centenary in 2018 (Citizen), and in 2019 showed watches with the Caliber 0100 (Citizen).

What is Citizen known for?

Citizen is known for Eco-Drive light power, radio- and satellite-controlled timekeeping, and high-accuracy quartz. The details below are each sourced.

Eco-Drive. An Eco-Drive watch has a solar cell behind the dial that charges a rechargeable cell (Wikipedia, Eco-Drive). Citizen says it charges from any kind of light, including indoor lighting, and that a full charge runs the watch for over six months in darkness, with some models running for years (Citizen Hong Kong). Wikipedia notes that Citizen Europe’s tests found a cell kept about 80% of its capacity after 20 years. Our guide to mechanical and quartz watches explains how quartz differs from mechanical.

Watches that set themselves. Citizen makes radio-controlled watches, which set themselves from time signals, and Satellite Wave watches, which use satellites (Citizen Europe; Wikipedia).

Caliber 0100. Citizen describes the Caliber 0100 as “accurate to within one second per year” (Citizen). It was first shown as a pocket watch for the company’s centenary in 2018, and in wristwatches in 2019 (Wikipedia).

Movements for others. Citizen’s group includes the movement makers Miyota and La Joux-Perret (aBlogtoWatch; Wikipedia).

Which Citizen collections are there?

Citizen Europe lists Promaster, Super Titanium, Zenshin, radio-controlled, Satellite Wave, Series 8, Citizen L, a core collection, Suratto and Photon among its collections (Citizen Europe). Wikipedia also lists The Citizen, Attesa, Campanola and Tsuyosa. The collections table gives a one-line description of the main ones.

A few points help when you are reading listings:

• Eco-Drive is a technology, not a collection. Many collections include Eco-Drive models, so check the calibre rather than the collection name to see how a watch is powered.
• Promaster covers many watches. Promaster includes divers and other sports and tool watches, from light-powered divers to an automatic-solar hybrid released in 1998 (Wikipedia, Eco-Drive), so two “Promaster” listings may be very different.
• Imported models. The Citizen, Attesa and Campanola are listed by Wikipedia but not on Citizen Europe’s collection list (Citizen Europe). A UK listing for one may be an import; ask whether any warranty applies in the UK.

Who owns Citizen?

Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. is a public company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (code 7762), based in Nishitōkyō, Tokyo (Wikipedia). It is not owned by a single shareholder that we could identify.

Since October 2016 Citizen Watch Co. has been an operating holding company for the group’s watch businesses and brands (Wikipedia). The group has bought Bulova (2008), Prothor Holding with Arnold & Son and La Joux-Perret (2012), and Frédérique Constant Holding with Alpina (2016) (Wikipedia), and aBlogtoWatch lists the Miyota movement business as part of the group. Bulova sells its Caravelle line on its own site (Bulova).

In the UK, Citizen Watch United Kingdom, Ltd was incorporated on 8 November 2000 and is based in Wokingham. Companies House records Citizen Watch Company of America Inc as holding 75% or more of its shares (Companies House).

Buying a Citizen watch second-hand in the UK: what to check

Check that the watch charges and holds its charge, that the calibre matches the model, and that it has not been modified or wrongly described. Then check its condition, any service or cell replacement, and who you are buying from.

1. Does it charge? An Eco-Drive watch that has sat in a drawer may have stopped. Put it in good light before judging it, and ask the seller how long it has been running. A watch that will not hold a charge after a full charge may need its rechargeable cell replaced.

2. The calibre. Look up the model number and calibre from the caseback on Citizen’s site. A listing that calls an Eco-Drive watch “automatic”, or a quartz watch “mechanical”, is a sign the seller has not checked. Citizen also makes automatics, such as the Tsuyosa with its calibre 8210 (Monochrome Watches).

3. Authenticity. Ask the seller to put in writing that the watch is genuine and to accept returns if it is not. Our guide on how to spot a fake watch covers what a watchmaker looks at.

4. Condition. Ask for close-up photos of the crystal, case edges and bracelet, and how the seller grades the watch; our guide to watch condition grades explains the usual terms.

5. Water resistance. Promaster divers are built for water, but seals age. Ask when the water resistance was last tested; our guide to water resistance ratings explains what the numbers mean.

6. Vintage Citizens. Older mechanical and early quartz Citizens turn up second-hand. Ask whether the dial, hands and crown are original, and whether parts are still available for the calibre.

7. Bracelet and fit. Many second-hand Citizens come on bracelets that have been shortened. Ask for the spare links; our guide to resizing a watch bracelet cites Citizen’s own instructions.

8. Who you buy from, and where it fits. Buying from a dealer gives you more rights than buying privately; see private sellers versus dealers and your consumer rights when buying online. A Citizen is often a first watch for buyers who later trade up; living with a light-powered or radio-controlled watch first is a way to learn which features you use.

For the full process from setting a budget to collecting the watch, see the guide to buying a luxury watch.

Frequently asked questions

Where are Citizen watches from?

Japan. The company is based in Nishitōkyō, Tokyo (Wikipedia), and traces its origins to 1918 (Citizen).

Why is it called Citizen?

Tokyo’s mayor, Shinpei Goto, named the company’s first pocket watch Citizen in 1924, and the name later became the company’s (Citizen).

What is Eco-Drive?

Citizen’s light-powered technology: a solar cell behind the dial charges a rechargeable cell, from daylight or indoor light (Wikipedia, Eco-Drive; Citizen Hong Kong).

Does an Eco-Drive watch need a battery change?

Not in the usual way. It runs on a rechargeable cell, which Citizen Europe’s tests found kept about 80% of its capacity after 20 years (Wikipedia, Eco-Drive). If a watch will not hold a charge after a full charge, the cell may need replacing.

Who owns Citizen?

Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. is a public company listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Wikipedia).

Does Citizen own Bulova?

Yes. Citizen completed its purchase of Bulova on 10 January 2008 (JCK).

What is the Citizen Caliber 0100?

A light-powered quartz movement that Citizen says is accurate to within one second a year (Citizen). Watches with it were shown in 2019 (Wikipedia).

Are Citizen watches made in-house?

Citizen says it is a manufacture that makes its watches in-house, from components to final assembly (Citizen).

Can I buy a second-hand Citizen without papers?

Yes, and many are sold that way. Without papers, rely on the seller’s written description, photos of the caseback, and a check that the watch charges and keeps time.

This page is general information. Watch60 is independent and has no commercial relationship with Citizen.

We check the facts on this page against the sources listed, and it is correct to the best of our knowledge as of October 2026. Brands change their warranty, servicing and sales terms, so confirm them with the brand or the seller before you buy.