Citizen Watch manufactures watches that combine high functionality with stylish design, and the company is constantly striving to achieve this. Their outstanding technical capabilities have attracted attention not only in Japan but around the world. So what kind of manufacturer is Citizen Watch? We'll introduce you to their appeal and technology.
Basic information about Citizen watches
Citizen Watch is a leading Japanese watch manufacturer with a long history spanning 100 years, having produced numerous watches.
While there are many watch manufacturers around the world, Citizen watches continue to exude their own unique appeal and continue to gain many fans.
Here we will introduce the technology behind Citizen watches and uncover the appeal of Citizen watches.
Japan's leading watch manufacturer
Among Japanese watch manufacturers, Citizen Watch has a particularly large presence, thanks to its advanced technical capabilities.
In particular, the MIYOTA "Cal. 2035" quartz watch movement developed by the company in the 1980s is supplied all over the world, and its quartz manufacturing technology has been highly praised.
Citizen Watch is a watch manufacturer that Japan is proud of, active on the global stage.
A passion for creating products that are loved by citizens
Citizen Watch was founded in Tokyo in 1918 as Shokosha Watch Laboratory. In 1930, the company changed its name to Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Since then, it has been a long-established company that has been sincerely committed to watchmaking.
The "Citizen" in the company name was chosen to express the company's passion for creating products that will be loved by citizens.
Citizen Watch is a company that continues to challenge the future, hoping to enable many citizens to wear better watches.
Developing numerous technologies through in-house integrated manufacturing
Since its founding, Citizen Watch has been developing a variety of technologies.
In 1976, they developed an analog solar-powered watch, and in 1993 they released a multi-station analog multi-hand radio-controlled watch. In 2003, they completed a radio-controlled watch with a built-in antenna and a full metal case.
These technological developments are possible because the company is able to manufacture all of its components in-house. This allows Citizen Watch to continue producing results in an environment where it can constantly work on new technological developments. It can be said that this is a truly aggressive company.
The appeal and reputation of Citizen watches
Citizen Watch, which has been one of Japan's leading watch manufacturers for over 100 years since its founding, has been constantly improving and refining its products to create a new future for watches.
Since 2014, Citizen Watch has adopted "BETTER STARTS NOW" as its brand statement. This is based on the simple idea that anyone, whatever they do, can make the future better, and expresses Citizen's belief that "No matter what time it is, as long as we act with the present as the starting point, we can constantly make something better." Citizen Watch always starts from "now," and continues to take on various challenges.
From here, we will introduce the appeal and reviews of Citizen watches.
The tireless pursuit of precision
Citizen Watch developed a highly accurate quartz watch with a monthly accuracy of ±10 seconds in 1973, and the Crystron Mega with an annual accuracy of ±3 seconds in 1975.
Furthermore, in 2018, the company developed the light-powered Eco-Drive movement "Cal. 0100," which has an annual accuracy of ±1 second.
Since its founding, Citizen has pursued a variety of technological developments, eventually achieving a high level of accuracy of ±1.0 seconds per year. This achievement is the result of Citizen's tireless pursuit of precision.
The beauty of sophisticated design
In 1924, Citizen, then known as Shokosha Watch Research Institute, launched the first pocket watch bearing the "CITIZEN" name. 2024 marks the brand's 100th anniversary, and various commemorative models have been launched, including this "mechanical model." The watch, likened to an iceberg, expresses the desire to preserve the things that remain unchanged over the course of 100 years, and the beauty that we want to pass on through the years, with an electroformed pattern and silver-colored dial. The movement is the Cal. 0200, a mechanical movement developed by Citizen in 2021 in collaboration with La Joux-Perret of Switzerland. The movement can be viewed through the transparent case back. Automatic (Cal. 0200). 26 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve: approximately 60 hours. Stainless steel case (40mm diameter, 10.9mm thick). Water resistant to 5 bar. Limited to 160 pieces worldwide. 154 million yen (tax included).
One of the defining features of Citizen watches is their beautiful design. They are characterized by their elimination of unnecessary decoration, enhancing practicality and achieving refined beauty.
In particular, the company's signature collection, "The Citizen," has the sophisticated look that is characteristic of Citizen watches.
There are many overseas fans who are attracted to the designs produced by Made in Japan, and Citizen Watch in particular produces a number of watches that combine sophisticated beauty with advanced technology.
Citizen Watch Technology
Citizen Watch has made tireless efforts to create a number of unique technologies and new mechanisms. Many of these mechanisms have become the standard in the watch industry. This constant attitude of taking on new challenges and striving to create unique technologies that cannot be found anywhere else is one of the attractions of Citizen Watch.
Here we will introduce three advanced technologies developed by Citizen Watch.
Eco-Drive: Powered by minimal light
The watch further enhances the features of Citizen's proprietary Eco-Drive technology, such as low power consumption and long battery life, and is equipped with the Cal. E365 movement, which can run for 365 days on a single full charge. It features a solar-powered quartz movement (Cal. E365), a stainless steel case (diameter 42.5mm, thickness 11.1mm), and is water resistant to 10 bar. Price: 63,800 yen (tax included).
Analog light-powered watches, developed in 1976, were later equipped with an "Eco-Drive" function that allows them to continue operating even with dim indoor light, such as sunlight or fluorescent lights.
This Eco-Drive function is a signature Citizen watch technology, developed by developing a technology that uses electricity generated by solar cells as a power source. Another notable feature of Eco-Drive is its energy-saving performance, which means that once fully charged, the watch can continue to operate for more than six months even without light.
Eco-Drive was only possible because Citizen Watch was the first to develop an analog light-powered watch, and it is a technology that demonstrates the company's advanced technological capabilities.
Uses GPS satellites "Eco-Drive Satellite Wave GPS"
In 2011, Citizen Watch developed the revolutionary technology Eco-Drive Satellite Wave, which receives time information from satellites and automatically corrects the time and calendar anywhere on Earth.
This technology continued to develop, culminating in the Eco-Drive GPS satellite-waved watch "Eco-Drive Satellite Wave GPS F900" in 2015, which added location information from GPS satellites. The location information acquisition function built into the Satellite Wave GPS makes it extremely convenient, as it can always synchronize with the current time of the location.
Since it supports almost all time zones around the world, it can be said to be a great friend to businessmen who travel around the world.
Super Titanium: Lightweight and strong
Citizen Watch was the first to begin research into titanium, and has continued to explore the possibilities of this material.
The company has developed "Super Titanium," which is made by applying surface hardening technology to pure titanium, making it more than five times harder than stainless steel.
Super Titanium is resistant to rust and wear, and its hardness makes it resistant to scratches in everyday life. It is also about 6% lighter than stainless steel, so it feels less strain on the wrist when worn and is comfortable to wear.
Titanium also has the unique property of being hypoallergenic. Super Titanium is not only strong and maintains its beauty, but is also gentle on the skin.
