Citizen watches have earned global acclaim by pairing forward-thinking technology with classic designs. At the heart of this advancement is the Eco-Drive system, which powers watches using any light source, resulting in a sustainable and practical timepiece suitable for nearly everyone.
The Legacy of Citizen
Citizen’s journey began in 1918 and was formalized with the "Citizen" brand name in 1930, with a mission to create quality watches accessible worldwide. The brand’s history is marked by meaningful innovation and steadfast build quality rather than chasing trends.
Making Advanced Technology Practical
Citizen’s approach focuses on practical, accessible technology. The Asia Pacific watch market highlights this success, valued at USD 23 billion in 2025 and projected to grow substantially by 2030, driven by a growing middle class seeking stylish, dependable watches.
Citizen’s strength lies in dependable technology without complexity, trusted by generations as a maker of quality watches.
For newcomers or enthusiasts, our guide to Citizen watches explains why the brand remains highly respected.
How Eco-Drive Works
Eco-Drive converts any light—natural or artificial—into energy via a photovoltaic cell under the watch dial. This energy is stored in a long-lasting rechargeable power cell, enabling some models to run more than six months in darkness without charging.
Convenience and Sustainability
The main practical benefit is no battery replacement, which eliminates maintenance hassles and environmental waste from millions of disposable batteries annually.
Eco-Drive harnesses the omnipresent light resource to deliver reliable, maintenance-free timekeeping.
Technical Simplicity
The dial lets light pass to the photovoltaic cell, converting it to electricity stored in the power cell. Power-saving modes halt the hands to conserve energy when kept in darkness, resuming time display immediately when re-exposed to light.
For more details on Eco-Drive technology, see our comprehensive guide.
Citizen’s Advanced Innovations
Citizen also excels in precision timekeeping with GPS-synced Satellite Wave watches, connecting to satellites orbiting 20,000 km above to auto-adjust time zones globally—ideal for frequent travelers.
Additionally, their radio-controlled atomic watches receive signals from atomic clocks, achieving accuracy within one second in 100,000 years.
These innovations operate seamlessly to ensure your watch is impeccably accurate without manual adjustments.
While globally strong, Citizen’s sales vary by region, growing 11% in North America mid-2026 but facing challenges in Asia.
See the full sales report here.
Citizen Collections Overview
| Collection | Focus | Ideal Use |
|---|---|---|
| Promaster | Professional tool watches | Diving, aviation, outdoor activities |
| Classic | Elegant dress watches | Office, formal occasions |
| Citizen L | Women's artistic watches | Elegant daily use and special occasions |
| Tsuyosa | Sporty, modern automatics | Everyday style and performance |
| Satellite Wave | GPS-synced accuracy | Global travelers, tech enthusiasts |
More About Collections
The Promaster subdivides into Sea (dive watches), Land (adventure watches), and Air (pilot watches), each engineered for reliability in challenging conditions. The Classic and Citizen L collections focus on refined, elegant designs with practical Eco-Drive technology. Tsuyosa offers colorful automatic watches, while Satellite Wave features GPS for unparalleled precision.
Choosing the Right Citizen Watch
Select based on your lifestyle and intended use: professional settings call for Classic lines, athletes and adventurers for Promaster, and travellers for Satellite Wave. Consider materials; stainless steel is durable, while Super Titanium™ is lightweight, hypoallergenic, and highly scratch-resistant.
Other Considerations
Case size and dial design should match your wrist and taste. Water resistance is crucial; 100m suffices for swimming, while ISO-certified Promaster models suit diving.
Maintenance Tips
Regular cleaning with soft cloths and mild soap preserves appearance. Understand water resistance ratings and avoid solvents and extreme temperatures. Store watches in cool, dry places away from magnets.
Eco-Drive Care
Keep the watch exposed to light regularly to maintain charge. A few hours' light weekly suffices. After inactivity, recharge before wearing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eco-Drive Battery Life
The rechargeable cell lasts the life of the watch, with extended power reserves allowing months of operation in darkness.
Is Citizen Luxury?
Citizen bridges accessible and high-end watchmaking, emphasizing value, innovation, and reliability rather than exclusivity.
Super Titanium™ Explained
Citizen’s Super Titanium™ is 40% lighter than steel and five times harder, also hypoallergenic, providing comfort and durability.
Manufacturing
Citizen controls production in Japan, handling all levels from component making to assembly, ensuring quality control and consistency.
Explore authentic Citizen watches with confidence from authorized retailers like WatchClick.