Citizen Watches Review: An Unyielding Force of Watchmaking

When discussing Japanese powerhouses in the watchmaking industry, Citizen must be one of the names that come up. Citizen is a renowned brand with a long and rich history. To this day, the brand continues to innovate and craft high-grade timepieces for every need. From its luxurious to affordable lines, this article will delve into the Citizen watches review in various styles.

Watch enthusiasts must have been familiar with one of the famous Citizen collections, Citizen Eco-Drive. With the power of Eco-Drive technology, the Citizen Eco-Drive watches are made available for ladies and gentlemen alike. Beyond the solar-powered mechanism, the iconic Japanese watch brand offers more than what most people may expect.

Throughout the decades of consistent production, Citizen has shaped its solid identity among many global watchmakers. So, what can you expect from Citizen watches? Let’s unfold all the things about Citizen to understand more about each of its most notable watches!

A Close Look at Citizen Watches

As a powerhouse in the watchmaking industry, Citizen has gone through changes in trends and technological advancement from one decade to another. Though Citizen is widely known for its high-tech watches, the Japanese brand had its humble beginnings as a Shokosha Watch Research Institute in 1918.

Not until 1924 did the name “Citizen” first appear on a pocket watch dial produced by Shokosha. It is believed the name was suggested by the mayor of Tokyo, Shipei Goto, who envisioned Citizen to be accessible to all Japanese citizens.

In 1930, Shokosha’s decision to merge with the Schmid company founded what’s known as Citizen today. Schmid is a manufacturing firm founded by the Swiss watchmaker, Rodolphe Schmid. The combination of Shokosha’s watchmaking expertise and Schmid’s resources resulted in the realization of the first Citizen wristwatch in 1931.

Citizen continued to explore new ideas and invented more creations, including the first Japanese wristwatch with a calendar function in 1952. Three years later, in 1955, Citizen exported its products to the overseas market. In the 1970s, Citizen became one of the first companies to automate its watchmaking assembly line fully.

The Eco-Drive technology was first introduced in 1996. To ensure sustainability, Citizen solar-powered watches managed to recharge through a solar panel under the case. This way, the timepiece would never run out of battery because every light source could charge it. Without a battery change, the environment would benefit from less hazardous waste.

Who Are Citizen Watches for?

A wide selection of Citizen watches is available for men and women. As a functional accessory, a Citizen watch can speak to your personality. Whether a dress watch for an indoor formal event or a sports watch to accompany you during a hike on the weekend, there are choices to pick for everyone.

Generally, the Citizen watches are regarded for their elegance and stylishness. Even though the brand has operated for over a century, its new releases don’t look outdated. Citizen has consistently released sophisticated timepieces catering to today’s audiences.

Pairing a Citizen watch with business attire is often the way to go, but there are other ways to wear the right Citizen watch comfortably on every occasion. For example, you can wear the Promaster watch for a diving activity with a group of sea enthusiasts. Unlike dress watches, the Promaster edition is equipped with stronger water resistance, allowing you to check the time underwater without worrying about the watch’s capability to withstand the pressure.

Read also: How to Spot Fake Citizen Watches: A Comprehensive Guide 

Citizen Watches Review

Since 1918 to this day, Citizen watches have experienced changes or transformations. Designs of the old get upgrades, becoming more palatable for watch enthusiasts and regular people who wear watches for their functionality. Before deciding which Citizen watch to purchase, take a look at the following recommendations Gnomon Watches carefully handpicked for you:

1. The Citizen Eco-Drive Tosa Washi

For high-end dress watch collectors, the Citizen Eco-Drive Tosa Washi may be an underrated gem in the ocean of luxurious timepieces. Made of Super Titanium, the stunning timepiece ensures maximum sturdiness. In addition, Citizen applies Duratect Platinum, much like Seiko’s Diashield, a hardened coating on the Super Titanium case. Not only does it make the case look shiny, but it also helps it be more durable and scratch-resistant.

The watch’s design displays stunning Japanese craftsmanship. Using a thin but robust Tosa washi paper, the dial exudes the effortless elegance of the timepiece. For added refinement, the paper dial was hand-polished. At 3 o’clock, you can find a date aperture, which accentuates the harmonious proportion of the dial.

Covering the stunning dial is dual spherical sapphire glass with a non-reflective coating, allowing for optimal readability in poor lighting conditions. The dial and sapphire glass are packed within a case of 38.3 mm in diameter, 12.2 mm in thickness, and 46.5 mm lug-to-lug measurement; a preferable size for men and women who love big watches.

While the magnificent-looking timepiece is generally regarded as a dress watch, wearing it for outdoor activities should suit just fine. The Eco-Drive A060 movement can be a reliable metric for a routine outing. Not to mention the screw-in caseback holds everything together and provides the watch with the solid 100 m water resistance.

Price: $2,490.00 USD

2. Citizen Promaster Titanium Diver Black 1000

A diving activity requires a fully equipped timepiece. To ensure the best experience underwater, you can wear the Citizen Promaster Titanium Diver Black 1000. The reliable diver watch has a sturdy 52.5 mm Super Titanium case coated by Duratect MRK and a DLC for scratch resistance. Along with the case is the assertive bezel, balancing the case’s thickness at 22.2 mm. Paired with a 29 mm black synthetic rubber strap, the design allows flexibility and assures comfort.

The bezel has a locking mechanism for professional diving activities. To rotate the bezel, unlock the mechanism at the top of the watch. Afterward, turn the locking ring to the sign “FREE” and rotate the bezel counterclockwise. Once adjusted, turn the lock ring toward the sign “LOCK” to prevent accidental rotation. With this smooth locking system, Citizen ensures maximum protection against the extreme water pressure during a dive.

Underneath the screw-down case back, the Citizen J210 powers the robust dive watch. The in-house caliber has a HAQ (high-accuracy quartz) movement. It absorbs the energy from natural and artificial light sources. When the watch needs a charge, the power reserve indicator on the dial will display the information.

Price: $1,960.00 USD

3. Citizen Eco-Drive Sunray

Refined horological craftsmanship lies in the Citizen Eco-Drive Sunray. Starting with the stainless steel case, it bears the gleaming Zaratsu polishing throughout the sides to the highly polished bezel. As an added protection, a Duratect surface-hardening treatment is added on top of the exquisite finishes.

The case is 37.2 mm in diameter, 10.2 mm in thickness, and has a 44.2 mm lug-to-lug measurement. Paired with the case finishes, the dimension truly brings out the elegance and glamor. To secure safely around the wrist, the astounding 19 mm stainless steel bracelet with a subtle brushed finish is added to the solid case.

A screw-back case bearing the Citizen’s eagle crest provides the watch with a 100 m water resistance. Underneath the dial and within the heart of the case, the Citizen Eco-Drive Sunray is powered by the in-house caliber A060 HAQ movement. With an accuracy of +/-5 seconds per year, the movement ensures precise alignment with the second mark of the dial. Since the movement only requires light to work, there will be no need for regular battery replacement.

Price: $1,990.00 USD

4. Citizen Super Titanium

Utilizing the Duratect technology, Citizen managed to enhance titanium’s strength. The surface coating boasts durability, making titanium five times stronger than stainless steel while allowing it to remain lightweight. This combination birthed unmatched resilience in the form of Citizen Super Titanium.

With a case of 38.3 mm in diameter, 12.2 mm in thickness, and the Super Titanium mesh strap, the splendid timepiece makes for a versatile accessory. Functionality-wise, the Citizen Super Titanium offers optimal readability. It features a sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective coating, allowing you to read the time in every lighting condition.

At its heart, the Super Titanium watch is powered by the A060 caliber. It has a 7-month battery life. With a power save feature, it can last up to 1.5 years. Another feature that may prove functional in your daily life is the perpetual calendar, which helps you notice the current date at a glance.

Price: $2,280.00 USD

Read also: 4 Fantastic Choices of Skeleton Watches for Women to Own 

5. Citizen Series 8 880 Mechanical GMT

The Series 8 collection marks the redefining power of a sports watch. The Citizen Series 8 880 Mechanical GMT thrives beyond the possibilities of a sports watch with its sophisticated design and GMT feature. It has a 41 mm stainless case sculpted with defined lines, a thickness of 13.5 mm, and a lug-to-lug distance of 49 mm. This dimension holds the wrist elegantly while still appearing as strong as ever.

Surrounding the main case, the GMT case features a hairline brushed finish and a highly polished finish on the beveled lugs. The case features a 24-hour bezel with grooves. This feature allows you to rotate the bezel in either direction, making it easier to track multiple time zones.

Underneath the sturdy case, the in-house 9054 caliber powers up the Citizen GMT watch. It operates at 28,800 BPH with a power reserve of 50 hours when fully wound. The screw-down open case back allows the watch to have a 100 m water resistance, a safe accessory to wear if you want to splash around in shallow water during a weekend outing.

Price: $1,350.00 USD

6. Citizen Series 8 890 Automatic

A symbol of infinity, the Series 8 collection pushes beyond what’s possible for a sports watch. This spirit can be seen in the Citizen Series 8 890 Automatic. It has the sophisticated design of a 40.5 mm stainless steel case with defined lines, a slimness at 11.7 mm, and a lug-to-lug distance of 48 mm. Such refinement extends to the finishes, the beveled lugs, and the bezel.

At 3 o’clock, the watch features a date window, which serves a harmonious dial appearance. The wearer can read the dial in every lighting condition thanks to the shatter-resistant sapphire glass that receives anti-reflective treatment. The case and the crystal are held together by the bidirectional internal rehaut diver bezel.

The Citizen Series 8 890 Automatic uses the in-house Cal. 9051 automatic movement, which operates at 28,800 BPH and boasts a power reserve of approximately 42 hours when fully wound. With its screw-down solid case back, the watch has a reliable 200 m water resistance that ensures safety during water splashing activities.

Price: $1,098.00 USD

7. Citizen Collection Silver Leaf Lacquer

In this visually mesmerizing watch, Citizen reaches a new level of sophistication. The Citizen Collection Silver Leaf Lacquer is made of 316L stainless steel with high-polished and satin-brushed surfaces. Coated with Duratect, the timepiece is proven to be scratch-resistant. As a sleek dress watch, it has a balanced dimension of 38.2 mm in diameter, 12 mm in height, and a 46.5 mm lug-to-lug measurement.

Despite its dressy appearance, the watch has a reliable 100 m water resistance. There’s no need to worry about getting into a pool while wearing it around the wrist. Under the stunning textured dial, the exhibition case back proudly showcases the Miyota 9011 movement. It operates at 28,800 BPH and has a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.

The best pair for the elegant dress watch is the 19 mm leather strap. It gently tapers to a signed deployant buckle. With the matching color, the strap complements the case and dial perfectly, elevating the appearance while assuring comfort to the wearer.

Price: $859.00 USD

Final Thoughts

Citizen watch reviews above capture the excellence and sophistication of the Japanese brand’s watchmaking techniques. It also highlights how Citizen constantly pursues new ideas to craft the most suited wristwatch for every occasion and need. From Citizen titanium watches to the Series 8, every collection speaks to the brand’s masterful techniques.

Whether looking for an accessory to wear in a formal business meeting or a reliable timepiece for a diving pursuit, a close look into the Citizen catalog can give a revelation. Ultimately, the choice is in your hands. The Citizen watch adorning your wrist should speak to your personality at the end.

Read also: 5 Top Picks Citizen Automatic Watches for Stylish Look