Once a watch brand on par with Seiko, but one that seems to be becoming less and less present and is often overlooked by some watch collectors, is Citizen. Today, we’re going to take a deeper look at the brand and see if it deserves a second look.
Founded in 1930 by Japanese and Swiss investors, Citizen has a rich history. While the acclaim, appeal, and love it has gained in the world of watch collecting is slightly less than some other watchmakers, that doesn’t mean it lacks uniqueness. In fact, Citizen has a number of noteworthy highlights.
First of all, Citizen is the pioneer of the Eco-Drive movement, and I have to mention its Eco-Drive technology. This is an extremely powerful light-powered movement that, unlike a purely solar-powered movement, is able to draw energy from natural or artificial light sources. For example, it is easy and convenient to charge Citizen’s Nighthawk watches by simply shining a flashlight on them. What’s more, most Citizen watches with Eco – Drive technology are affordable, making them ideal for newcomers to the world of watch collecting. Convenience is an added advantage, as the watch will continue to run as long as there is light, eliminating the need for frequent battery changes or worries about power.
Although it is limited by the need to consider the light transmittance of the dial, unlike mechanical movements that require daily maintenance and quartz movements that require battery replacement, the convenience brought by the eco-drive movement is unparalleled. Many well-known brands have used Citizen’s eco-drive movement, such as Armani’s AR1926 women’s watch, Oris’s Calibre 473 series, and Baltany’s S6070 Solar-powered chronograph.
Citizen’s influence in the field of watchmaking is also reflected in the range of renowned watchmakers it owns, such as Frederic Constant, Alpena, Bulova, Arnold and Son, Artelier de Monaco, Le Jou, Pereira and Miyota. A good example of this is the flourishing of Miyota movements in the field of micro-brand watches. Many watchmakers use Miyota’s impressive high-end movements, which have a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, stop-seconds and manual winding, proving that Miyota calibers are not simple and crude, and Citizen’s support allows them to take full advantage.
Furthermore, the Citizen watch lineup is varied and not cookie-cutter. While most of the Citizen watches you’ll find in the U.S. market are priced under $1,000, the JDM version of the Chrono Masters line is a higher-end line that tries to compete with some of Grand Seiko’s offerings. These watches, which feature elaborate designs such as power reserve displays on their dials, average around $3,000, are superbly finished and clearly borrow from Grand Seiko’s watchmaking philosophy, demonstrating Citizen’s strengths and ambitions in the high-end watchmaking arena.
Finally, Citizen has a unique appeal for the left-handed community. It is one of the few watchmakers to offer affordable left-handed dive watches with a wide range of dial styles. The “Fugu” series, for example, has the crown on the left side and is available in a variety of colors, giving left-handed watch enthusiasts a more diverse range of choices. This is a particularly thoughtful move by Citizen, compared to the often expensive, single-styled left-handed watches offered by other brands.
Although Citizen may not be as well known as some top brands in the watch collection world, it has a performance that cannot be ignored in terms of technological innovation, integration of resources of its watchmakers, product line expansion, and care for special groups. Whether it is its unique optical-kinetic technology, rich movement resources, or attempts at high-end product lines and attention to the left-handed group, all of them highlight Citizen’s unique position and value in the watchmaking industry. We hope that more watch enthusiasts will reacquaint themselves with this brand and discover its unique charm. So, which is your favorite Citizen watch?
For more watch review articles check out >>>>>
For more watch buying guides check out >>>>>
For more micro-brand watches check out >>>>>