Citizen Watch Buying Guide

By Harrison Brown
5 Jul 2024

Since 1924, Citizen has designed unique watches with functionality and ease of use at the forefront of every innovation. Unveiling versatile timepieces, Citizen strives to be a brand for the people. And I believe they achieve that goal with every new release. Explore the history behind Citizen and discover which pieces complete your collection in my Citizen Watch Buying Guide!

Creating Citizen

Japan 1924 was a time of innovation and inspiration. With various watchmakers beginning to gain recognition for their incredible inventions,. However, the market was still saturated with pocket watches imported from overseas.

Shokosha Watch Research Institute launched their own pocket watch, rivalling that of horologists from around the world. The Mayor of Tokyo, Shinpei Goto, was asked to name the watch that was revolutionise the watchmaking industry of Japan. “CITIZEN”, the new face of SWRI, named with the hope of becoming the pocket watch of the citizens of the great city.

1930, the Shokosha Watch Research Institute rebranded to become the Citizen Watch Company. Showcasing their love and loyalty to the watch that started it all and their appreciation for the people that continue to drive Citizen to be their very best.

65 years after the founding of the Citizen Watch Company, a rebrand was completed to Citizen. Bringing together the incredible minds that create the remarkable technologies that build Citizen watches. With the idea that the citizen is the most valuable of all creations.

“Being an integral part of your life”

Today, Citizen continues to create exquisite timepieces that put you and I first. Utilising customer feedback to design watches to do more. Integrating features such as World Time Function, the Calendar, and the inaugural hypoallergenic bracelet.

The Citizen Collections

With over 100 years of experience and creativity, Citizen have crafted some truly breathtaking collections. And below, I break them down to help you uncover what you need from your watch and which Citizen watch meets your needs and more:

Citizen Promaster

Designed for athletes and adventures, the Citizen Promaster is more than your typical sports watch. Showcasing sleek design paired with unique technology, each Promaster watch takes you further.

The Citizen Promaster Perpetual Chrono features a sleek black and stainless-steel colour way while boosting performance with a tachymeter bezel and radio-controlled atomic clock synchronisation, ensuring superior accuracy.

Whether you are exploring the heights of Mount Fuji, or the depths of the Mediterranean Sea, your Promaster will remain a loyal companion on your wrist.

Citizen Red Arrows

The British RAF Red Arrows Aerobatic Display Team has been an iconic symbol of high precision performance, skills, and true passion. All the pillars that make Citizen proud of their partnership. Through dynamic design and a flourish for aviation watches, the Citizen Red Arrow is a truly inspiring collection.

The Citizen Red Arrows Chronograph is a masterpiece of horology. With a unique bezel featuring the countries the Red Arrows have completed their incredible displays and the signature logo stamped on the case back, this chronograph breaks the boundaries of aviation watch design.

With touches of black, red, blue, and white, each Citizen Red Arrow watch makes for a standout addition to your collection. The Red Arrow colours are known around the world.

Citizen Promaster Diver

The Citizen Promaster Diver are the epitome of rugged elegance and advanced functionality, designed for those who seek adventure beneath the waves. A diving watch made with professionals and enthusiasts in mind.

The Citizen Promaster Diver Eco-Drive is a strong model that embraces the current. Featuring a rugged stainless steel case, and functional dial ensure practicality amongst the waves while the synthetic strap ensures comfort on the wrist. Even after being in the water for hours.

Equipped with Citizen’s renowned Eco-Drive technology, ensuring they remain powered by light, eliminating the need for battery replacements. With water resistance up to 200 meters, and luminous hands and markers for optimal visibility, the Promaster Diver watches are built to withstand the rigors of deep-sea exploration.

Citizen Tsuyosa

Citizen Tsuyosa is a welcome burst of colour and life to the catalogue. While I love the ruggedness and durability of the other collections, I enjoy playing around with colour from time to time. From bubble gum pink to a deep burgundy red, this collection breathes creativity.

The Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic ensures there is never a dull moment in your life. The stainless-steel bracelet and case are durable, making it perfect for wearing every day while the bright dial offers a unique look.

Whether silver toned or gold toned, the Citizen Tsuyosa watch is bold in every way. A 40mm dial brings a natural masculinity, while the slim lugs create balance.

Citizen Creations

From materials to technology, Citizen are renowned their unwavering innovation. Collecting some of the greatest minds in horology to work in their workshops and to produce something the world has never seen.

Citizen Super Titanium™

Boasting technological innovation, Citizen Super Titanium™ is light, scratch resistant, and ultra-comfortable. Taking years to create, this new material revolutionised the watchmaking indstury as other brands rushed to create something similar.

Super Titanium™ is created by applying our exclusive surface-hardening technology, Duratect, to solid titanium, resulting in a hardness that exceeds stainless steel by more than five times. Allowing us to wear our watches without worrying about scrapes or bumps that would normally damage the watch.

Citizen Eco-Drive Technology

Launched in 1976, Citizen Eco-Drive technology is a sustainable power-source for timepieces. Without the need for a battery of manual winding, Citizen essentially created a new type of watch!

Powered by light, the Eco-Drive reserves excess energy in a power cell, much like a Solar Panel, to ensure there is always a constant tick. Perfect for those who are constantly on the go.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Citizen Watches Considered Luxury?

Citizen Watches have been a prominent presence in the market for over a century, earning a reputation as a globally acclaimed luxury brand.

Are Citizen Watches Worth It?

If you like precision, durability, and functionality in your watches then a Citizen watch is definetely worth the price.

How Long Do Citizen Eco-Drive Watches Last?

Citizen Watches reports that the solar cells and secondary battery in their Eco-Drive watches can last up to 10 years. Additionally, they highlight that the lubricants used in these watches are designed for longevity, ensuring the oil remains stable and does not harden or evaporate, even after 20 years.

Since the early 1920's Citizen have established themselves and their products as luxury pieces. Through innovation and creativity, they have produced spectacular movements, and materials that transform the watchmaking industry time and time again. Through this Citizen Watch Buying Guide I dig into the roots of Citizen and highlight their most incredible creations and hopefully help you find your perfect watch.