Citizen is a Japanese watchmaker rooted in the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, founded by Kamekichi Yamazaki in 1918. The Citizen name appeared with its first pocket watch, completed in December 1924, in the hope that ordinary citizens would wear it. The company officially became Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. in 1930. Today Citizen is best known for Eco-Drive, a light-powered watch system, and for lines such as Promaster, The Citizen, Campanola, and Tsuyosa. Citizen also makes movements under the Miyota brand, which are supplied to other watch manufacturers. For secondhand buyers, the range of lines is wide, from everyday watches to dive watches and mechanical watches, so knowing the series and the movement type helps a great deal.
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Yamazaki was a dealer in watches and precious metals who wanted Japan to be able to make its own watches. The institute he founded in 1918 at first only assembled watches from imported Swiss components. After that he brought in machine tools from Europe so the components could be made in-house, and opened an educational institution to train watchmakers. The first pocket watch was completed in December 1924. According to company records, the Citizen name was suggested by Gotō Shinpei, then mayor of Tokyo. In May 1930, Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. was established on the initiative of Yamazaki, Yosaburo Nakajima, and Ryoichi Suzuki. Its first wristwatch followed in 1931.
The Tanashi factory was built in the mid-1930s and became the main production base. The company name changed to Dainippon Watch in 1938, then returned to Citizen Watch in 1948. Several product milestones followed. A calendar watch was released in 1952, and the Parawater in 1959, which is claimed to be Japan's first fully waterproof watch. The X8 arrived in 1966 as a domestically made electronic watch. The first quartz watch came out in 1973. In 1976 Citizen released the Crystron Solar Cell, an analog quartz watch powered by a solar cell, which became the basis for Eco-Drive. The Eco-Drive name itself has been used since the mid-1990s.
On the movement side, component operations at Miyota, Nagano, began in 1959. The Miyota name has been used for selling movements externally since 1980, which is why its movements are also found in watches from other brands. Citizen later expanded its portfolio into high-end mechanical watches. The company acquired Bulova in 2008, Prothor Holding (parent of La Joux-Perret, Arnold & Son, and Angelus) in 2012, and Frédérique Constant Holding (which includes Alpina) in 2016.
- The Citizen: A premium line introduced in 1995, known for its high stated annual accuracy and for Eco-Drive in many of its models.
- Campanola: A high-end line since 2000 with themes of astronomy and complications, and some models use Japanese urushi lacquer.
- Promaster: A name used since 1989 for sea, air, and land watches, including the NY004 dive watch nicknamed "Fugu".
- Tsuyosa: An automatic watch with a steel case and an integrated-style bracelet, with brightly colored dials, first sold in Asian markets in 2021.
- Attesa: A Citizen line that focuses on titanium.
What we check before listing
We match the name and reference number on the dial and case back to the model being sold, because Citizen has many series and movement types. We check whether an Eco-Drive watch still charges when exposed to light and keeps time steadily. On automatic models such as the Tsuyosa or Series8, we check whether the rotor makes a sound and whether the watch runs normally. On dive watches such as the Promaster, we look at the bezel rotation, the condition of the crown gasket, and any signs of water ingress behind the crystal. Steel and titanium bracelets are checked for scratches, loose links, and whether the clasp is complete.
Caring for it
An Eco-Drive watch stores power in a rechargeable cell, so do not leave it in the dark for too long. Place it near a window or a bright lamp now and then so it stays charged. Rinse a dive watch with fresh water after exposure to sea water, and make sure the crown is screwed down tightly before it gets wet. For a mechanical watch, wear it regularly or move it now and then, and have it serviced periodically by a trusted watchmaker. Titanium and steel only need a wipe with a soft cloth to keep the surface in good shape.
FAQ
What is Eco-Drive and does it need a battery change?
Eco-Drive is Citizen's system that turns the light around the dial into electricity and stores it in a rechargeable cell. So it does not use an ordinary battery that is replaced regularly. However, the rechargeable cell is still a component that can decline over time, so for a secondhand watch it is best to ask about its service history.
What does the nickname Fugu mean on a Citizen watch?
Fugu means pufferfish. The nickname first appeared for the NY004 series automatic dive watch because its bezel alternates between smooth and serrated sections. Citizen later used the pufferfish name and emblem for subsequent models.
Does a watch with a Miyota movement mean it is made by Citizen?
Miyota is a movement brand of the Citizen Group that is supplied to many watch manufacturers, including Citizen's competitors. So a Miyota movement in another brand's watch is normal and is not a sign of a fake. What needs to be checked is whether the movement matches the brand and model of the watch.
How do I identify the series of a Citizen watch?
Start with the series name and reference number printed on the dial or stamped on the case back. From there you can tell whether the watch is Eco-Drive, quartz, or automatic, and whether it belongs to a line such as Promaster, Attesa, or Tsuyosa. The number also helps in comparing the watch with the original model.
References
Facts summarised and rewritten from the sources above (CC BY-SA licence).