Citizen Watches and the Ideas That Shaped Their Design

An excellent watch does not merely indicate the time; it can show what a person thinks about practicality, design, engineering, and even the history of the watches they wear. Citizen watches are especially interesting since the company has invested over a century in developing both traditional mechanical watchmaking and the technologies which have changed the way quartz watches can be powered.

The story of Citizen started in Japan in 1918 at the Shokosha Watch Research Institute; the name Citizen was then assigned to the company's first pocket watch made in Japan in 1924, and afterwards it became the name of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. in 1930. The company currently refers to itself as a manufacturer capable of producing watches throughout the entire process, from individual components to final assembly.

Key Takeaways

• The history of Citizen's involvement in watchmaking goes back to 1918, and the first watch bearing the Citizen name was introduced in 1924.

• Eco-Drive is one of the technologies which Citizen has developed most importantly and which makes it possible to generate and store energy in the watch by means of light.

• The company is also carrying on the development of mechanical watches, covering the TSUYOSA range and the more upscale Series 8 collections.

• The brand includes a variety of methods in the field of watchmaking, ranging from those that are powered by light to those that are mechanical and automatic.

• The correct Citizen watch is one that you select according to the way you plan to wear it, not just because it is the latest or has the most features.

A Watch Brand Built Around Accessibility and Innovation

The idea of making watchmaking more accessible is closely linked to the company's history. The organisation that preceded Citizen, the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, was founded in 1918 with the aim of developing watches in Japan at a time when imported watches were dominant in the market. The first Citizen pocket watch came out in 1924 and the Company was set up in 1930.

It is difficult to classify Citizen as merely one type of watch because of its history. The company is not just a traditional mechanical watchmaker and it does not only make quartz watches. Throughout the years it has developed mechanical watches, quartz technology, shock resistance, light-powered movements and other types of watch technology. The watches in its present-day collections retain this mix of practicality and experimentation.

Eco-Drive Changed the Quartz Watch Conversation

The technology most closely linked with Citizen is Eco-Drive. According to Citizen, this technology transforms light—such as sunlight and artificial light from indoors—into energy which is used to power the watch. A watch that is fully charged by Eco-Drive can last for more than six months, the exact duration depending on the particular technology and model.

The technology dates back to 1976 when Citizen launched the Crystron Solar Cell, a product which the company describes as the world's first analogue watch powered by light; in 2026 Citizen is celebrating fifty years of development in the field of light-powered watchmaking.

For a person who just wants a watch which they can wear every day without having to think about replacing the battery at regular intervals, Citizen becomes particularly attractive here. Eco-Drive doesn't mean that the watch is driven entirely by sunlight; instead it has a light-powered system which converts light into electrical energy and stores that energy for later use.

Automatic Citizen Watches Offer a Different Experience

It is not true that everybody wants a quartz watch that is powered by light. For certain enthusiasts, what attracts them to an automatic watch is the fact that it has a mechanical movement and reflects the traditional link between the wearer and the watch. Citizen has continued to produce automatic watches, thus offering customers a different experience from that offered by its Eco-Drive models.

The TSUYOSA Citizen provides a good example. The current models of the TSUYOSA have automatic movements, stainless steel cases and integrated-style stainless steel bracelets and offer 40mm models as part of the range. According to the different reference models, the features may comprise a sapphire crystal, a date display and various alterations to the dial and case design.

At Watches of NZ the Citizen range can be viewed together with the other types of watches, and the section dedicated to men's automatic watches offers a more extensive comparison of automatic models from Citizen and from other brands. It may be helpful if your aim is to decide whether an automatic Citizen matches your preferences rather than selecting a watch on the basis of the brand name only.

The TSUYOSA Shows How Citizen Has Evolved

The TSUYOSA is interesting since it shows that Citizen can design a modern, everyday watch without giving up on mechanical watchmaking; the watch has a fairly compact 40mm case, an integrated bracelet and a date display, and the various references feature different dial colours and finishes.

There are also more recent versions in the TSUYOSA family. Currently, Citizen's range features models like the TSUYOSA Small Second, this model having an automatic movement with a stated 60-hour power reserve, and the TSUYOSA Shore, which includes 100 metres of water resistance together with a unidirectional rotating bezel. It is for this reason that it is important to check the exact reference number when comparing Citizen watches.

Choosing Between Eco-Drive, Quartz and Automatic

When considering the purchase of a Citizen watch, one of the most important factors to take into account is the Eco-Drive feature, since it is ideal for people who prefer convenience and do not wish to have their battery replaced regularly. Traditional quartz watches can also be appealing if the main concern is simple and straightforward timekeeping and simplicity. Automatic watches, on the other hand, are more attractive to those who appreciate the mechanical construction of watches and the experience of wearing a self-winding movement.

No single movement is superior to all the others. Someone who wears one watch most of the week might place a high value on the convenience that Eco-Drive provides, whereas a watch enthusiast could prefer the mechanical nature of an automatic movement. If you are comparing different options, you should take the movement into account together with the case size, the water resistance, the crystal material, the design of the bracelet or strap, and the way the watch actually will be used.

Design Matters More Than a Specification List

Although specifications are useful they don't give the whole picture; the case size influences the way a watch fits on the wrist and the way the bracelet is constructed can alter the general feel of the watch; also the colour of the dial can decide whether a certain model matches well with ordinary clothing or seems more appropriate for particular occasions.

The mechanical watches available to citizens show just how diverse this approach can be. For instance, the Series 8 makes use of automatic movements and is concerned with modern mechanical watchmaking; Citizen has stated that its mechanical calibres in the Series 8 have improved magnetic resistance, with different calibres being used in the 831, 870, 880 and 890 models.

When people who are looking at different styles want to make a comparison, it is also useful to go beyond just one brand. The range of men's watches contains Citizen together with other watchmakers, and the availability of gold watches provides another option for comparing how various case and bracelet finishes affect the look of a watch.

Water Resistance Is About Intended Use

Water resistance should be understood rather than taken at face value as a simple "waterproof" designation, since a watch rated for a certain depth has been tested under defined conditions and that rating does not mean that all activities at that depth are automatically suitable.

The product specifications given by the citizen show just how much the ratings can differ from model to model; for instance, the Promaster Dive model is rated at 200 metres and is specified for scuba diving, whereas the TSUYOSA reference has a considerably lower water-resistance rating and is intended for everyday use.

That is the reason why it is important to know the exact model number. When you need a watch that is suitable for swimming, diving or frequent contact with water, you should refer to the manufacturer's specifications for that particular model rather than suppose that all Citizen watches have the same degree of protection.

Why Citizen Watches Remain Relevant

Citizen's appeal does not depend on a single kind of customer; those who are interested in watch history will value the brand's Japanese roots and the long period it has spent developing watchmaking technology. People who prioritize convenience might opt for Eco-Drive. A fan of mechanical watches can look into the automatic lines such as TSUYOSA and Series 8. And for someone who is mainly interested in design, there is a wide variety of combinations of case, dial, and bracelet to choose from.

That could be considered Citizen's greatest strength. The company has kept on developing new technology without abandoning the traditions of watchmaking. The fact that the 2026 Eco-Drive anniversary is being celebrated serves as a reminder that one of its most well-known innovations has been part of watchmaking for half a century, and at the same time its present mechanical lines show that it is still investing in mechanical movements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Citizen watches Japanese?

The Japanese watch company Citizen traces its origins back to 1918 when the Shokosha Watch Research Institute was set up. Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. was founded in 1930 and presents itself as a global manufacturer with business activities in over 130 countries.

What does the Eco-Drive function on a Citizen watch mean?

Eco-Drive is the light-powered technology produced by Citizen; it turns light into electrical energy and stores this energy so that the watch can keep running without the need for the regular battery replacement that is required by normal quartz watches. While the length of time that Citizen says Eco-Drive watches can operate on a full charge is more than six months, this will depend on the particular technology and model.

Are Citizen watches automatic?

Yes, Citizen does produce automatic mechanical watches as well as Eco-Drive and other quartz watches, for example the TSUYOSA and Series 8 collections which are part of Citizen's present range of automatic mechanical watches.

Is the Citizen TSUYOSA a self-winding watch?

Yes, the TSUYOSA NJ015 series is a range of automatic stainless steel watches, and according to Citizen's specifications these models include those with a diameter of 40mm, stainless steel bracelets in an integrated style, a date display and a sapphire crystal on the relevant references.

How long has Citizen been making watches?

The company's history in the field of watchmaking goes back to 1918, when the Shokosha Watch Research Institute was set up. The first watch to bear the Citizen name was launched in 1924, and Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. was founded in 1930.

Is every Citizen watch operated by light?

The company makes watches using a variety of movement technologies; Eco-Drive is the technology it is best known for, although it also manufactures automatic mechanical watches and other quartz watches.

Before you purchase a Citizen watch, what should I look at?

Begin by looking at the specific model number. You should examine the movement, the size of the case, the water-resistance rating, the material of the crystal, the bracelet or strap, the functions, and the intended use of the watch. Since there can be considerable differences between various Citizen models, the brand name by itself is not sufficient to decide whether a watch will meet your requirements.