With a history that dates back to the founding of the Shokosha Watch Research Institute in 1918, Citizen Watch Co. was formally established in 1930 with the goal of creating high-quality yet accessible timepieces for the Japanese market. Headquartered in Nishitokyo, Tokyo, Japan, Citizen is one of the world's largest and most vertically-integrated watch manufacturers. In addition to producing timepieces under its own name, Citizen also serves as the parent company for a number of other brands including Bulova, Alpina, Arnold & Son, Frederique Constant, Campanola, and Miyota. Citizen’s list of horological accomplishments is both long and impressive, including everything from creating Japan’s first fully-waterproof wristwatch to currently holding the title for the world’s most accurate movement, which is capable of astonishing precision within just one second per year.
Citizen produces a wide variety of different watches, although it is arguably best known for its Eco-Drive range of light-powered movements. Citizen introduced its first solar watch back in 1976, and the company has been continuously advancing its light-powered technology ever since. Modern Citizen Eco-Drive watches feature solar panels hidden under their dials, which are capable of capturing all forms of ambient light and can last up to six months in total darkness once fully charged. Citizen Eco-Drive movements are produced entirely in-house, and they can be found throughout the vast majority of the brand’s collections, which span professional divers to elegant dress watches and everything in between.
