Why Citizen Watches Continue to Stand Out in a Changing Watch Market

A watch that is good ought to do more than simply show the time, it should be comfortable enough to be worn every day, reliable enough to be incorporated into your daily routine, and distinct enough to have the feel of being your own. It is this balance which helps to account for the fact that Citizen watches keep on attracting buyers who are seeking practical Japanese watchmaking with a strong emphasis on technology and design.

The citizen's history goes all the way back to 1918, although the first pocket watch made in Japan and bearing the Citizen name did not appear until 1924. At present, Citizen is still manufacturing watches using mechanical, quartz, and light-powered technologies, offering customers a variety of different methods by which to obtain the same basic accessory.

Key Takeaways

• The company Citizen has been making watches since 1918 and launched its first pocket watch bearing the name Citizen in 1924.
• Eco-Drive is the light-powered technology which Citizen has developed and is capable of making use of both natural and artificial light.
• For people who like traditional watch movements, citizens have automatic watches as a mechanical option.
• The Citizen range has among its offerings plain, everyday designs as well as more sporty and individual ones.
• The list of watches currently available from Citizen includes several TSUYOSA automatic models.
• Before selecting a watch, you should take into account the movement type, the case size, the crystal, the water resistance, and the overall style.

A Watch Brand Built Around Practical Innovation

The history of Citizen is closely linked to that of watch technology. The company was set up in 1918, and its predecessor, the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, made a pocket watch in 1924. The name Citizen was selected with the intention that the watch would be valued by people for many years. Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. was founded in 1930.

When comparing Citizen with more modern fashion-oriented watch brands, its long history provides useful background information. The company has kept on developing technologies such as Eco-Drive and satellite-synchronised timekeeping as well as having the ability to produce mechanical watches. Citizen says that its manufacturing includes all the processes from those of the individual components right through to the final assembly.

Eco-Drive Changed the Everyday Watch

Eco-Drive is one of Citizen's most well-known technologies. Instead of needing the battery to be replaced regularly, it turns light into energy and stores this energy in a power cell. Citizen states that the technology is capable of making use of both natural and artificial light and that a fully charged watch can last for over six months without any light, although performance may differ according to the model.

For a person who is looking for a watch which can be worn without having to think about replacing the battery, this point is important. Eco-Drive is also different from a conventional automatic movement since it makes use of light-powered technology, unlike an automatic watch which depends on mechanical parts and on the movement of the wearer's wrist to wind its mainspring.

Automatic Citizen Watches Bring Mechanical Character

Automatic watches attract buyers for another reason, rather than relying on a standard battery, an automatic movement winds the mainspring by means of the motion of the wearer's wrist. The end result is a mechanical watch which has a different character and temperament from one that is quartz or powered by light.

The TSUYOSA range from Citizen is an excellent illustration of the way the brand blends mechanical watchmaking with modern styling. The 40mm TSUYOSA watches currently available via Citizen watches are offered in a variety of colours, including blue, green, beige, pink, black, silver and two-tone versions. Those who are interested in this kind of movement can also look at other styles in the men's automatic watches collection.

Choosing Between Quartz, Automatic and Light-Powered Movements

No one single type of watch is automatically the best for all people, those who want simple everyday timekeeping are often drawn to quartz watches, while automatic watches provide the attraction of traditional mechanical watchmaking, and Eco-Drive belongs to a different category since it uses light instead of a conventional battery as its power source.

The type of watch you choose will depend on the way you plan to wear it, those who want to get involved as little as possible with their watch might value the convenience of light-powered technology, whereas a watch enthusiast would probably prefer the mechanical nature of an automatic movement. If you favour a simple battery-powered watch, then looking at men's quartz watches will enable you to compare various designs and specifications.

Case Size Matters More Than You Might Expect

A watch looks very different when worn on the wrist than the way it does in photographs of the product, so it is advisable to check the case diameter before making a purchase, especially if you are going from a smaller dress watch to a bigger sport-style model.

The 40mm case is the size available for the TSUYOSA models sold by The Watches Men, while other Citizen models have different proportions. Instead of selecting a size just because it is in fashion, you should think about the size of your wrist, the thickness of the case, the width of the bracelet, and whether or not you would like the watch to be discreet or one that makes a statement.

Crystal, Water Resistance and Everyday Durability

Although the movement receives the most attention, the physical specifications of a watch are equally important when selecting one to wear every day. The type of crystal, the way the case is constructed and the water resistance all influence how suitable a particular model is for your everyday routine.

For instance, The Watches Men lists the Citizen TSUYOSA NJ0150-56Z as having a sapphire crystal, a stainless steel case and 3 ATM water resistance, the other Citizen automatic model, the NJ0191-83X, is listed as featuring scratch-resistant mineral glass and 10 ATM water resistance. The fact that these models differ shows that it is better to check the specifications of the particular model in question rather than suppose that all watches of the same brand have the same features.

Matching the Watch to Your Wardrobe

A watch doesn't have to be complicated in order to make a good impression, a simple dial combined with a stainless steel bracelet is suitable to go with business attire, smart-casual clothing and ordinary wear, whereas a more colourful dial or a distinctive design, such as the Nixon Sentry all gold dial men's watch, can act as the highlight of an outfit.

The blue, green, beige, pink, black, silver and two-tone versions are all available in Citizen's present TSUYOSA range, and if you are still unsure about which kind of watch to choose for your wardrobe, looking at the full range of men's watches, including the Tommy Hilfiger gold steel men's multifunction watch, can help you compare Citizen's designs with those of other brands and styles.

Citizen Is Not Limited to One Look

A benefit of being a big watch company with a long history is the range of different types of watches that it can provide. Citizen produces automatic watches, Eco-Drive models and other quartz watches, and its wider range also covers sport watches, dress watches and specialist watches. The official Citizen range now features collections such as TSUYOSA, Promaster, Eco-Drive, Super Titanium and Satellite Wave GPS.

It is worth considering alternatives to the one common model when you're buying a watch, such as the Michael Kors Lexington chronograph men's watch, which offers another style to compare with simpler three-hand models. Those who would like watches with extra timing functions and sub-dials may also look into chronograph watches in order to compare their styling and functionality with that of simpler three-hand models.

Why Is Citizen a Reasonable Option for Buyers?

The best reason for choosing Citizen is not just its long history. It is the combination of experience in watchmaking, practical technology and a wide range of models. Since it was founded the company has have produced mechanical watches, and since the 1970s Eco-Drive has offered a special option as an alternative to ordinary battery-operated watches.

For buyers there are a number of reasons why they should consider Citizen. One might favour the convenience of Eco-Drive, another the mechanical aspect of an automatic movement, or it could be as simple as liking the straightforward design of a certain model. What matters is ensuring that the watch's specifications and design correspond with the way you actually intend to use it.

Finding the Right Citizen Watch for You

Begin by thinking about how you would like to wear the watch rather than focusing just on the brand name. Decide whether you prefer an automatic, quartz or light-powered movement, and then look at the case size, the material of the bracelet or strap, the crystal, the water resistance, and the dial design. Generally, these details will show you much more about whether a specific model is suitable for you than the logo on the dial.

At present, the Watches Men website features a dedicated range of Citizen watches, which includes automatic TSUYOSA models in a variety of colours and configurations, while shoppers exploring other styles can also consider the Daniel Klein gold ladies watch. Those of you who are looking to buy more broadly have the option of comparing women's watches or browsing through the jewelry collection in order to create a coordinated overall look to go with your selected timepiece.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is It Good to Wear Citizen Watches Every Day?

Citizen provides watches in a variety of movement types and styles, meaning that the right choice will vary from person to person. Before selecting a specific watch, the features such as the movement, the case material, the crystal and the water resistance should be examined.

What Does Eco-Drive Mean on a Citizen Watch?

Eco-Drive is the light-powered technology that is owned by Citizen, it transforms natural or artificial light into energy and stores this energy in a power cell. The company says that Eco-Drive watches which are fully charged can function for over six months when kept in the dark, although the exact performance may differ according to the model.

Do Automatic Watches Made by Citizen Require Batteries?

Traditional automatic mechanical watches do not power the movement with a conventional battery, instead, Citizen says that these movements are driven by the energy released from a wound spring, the oscillating weight winding the spring as a result of the movement of the wearer's arm.

Is Citizen a Brand of Watches That Comes From Japan?

Yes, the history of Citizen goes back to Japan, the origins of the brand being traced to 1918. In 1924 the predecessor company made a pocket watch in Japan and Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. was set up in 1930.

Before You Buy a Citizen Watch, What Should I Check?

You should note the exact model's movement, the diameter and thickness of the case, the material of the crystal, the bracelet or strap and the design of the dial. These specifications can vary greatly between models, even when the brands are the same.

Is It the Case That Citizen Watches Are Only Available in Traditional Designs?

The types of watches currently available to citizens include the modern-day TSUYOSA automatic collection, Eco-Drive watches, sport-oriented Promaster models and also those which are more technology-focused such as Satellite Wave GPS watches.

Is the Automatic Citizen Watch Superior to the Eco-Drive Watch?

It is not the case that one is universally superior. If you place a value on mechanical watchmaking and enjoy the experience of a self-winding movement, then an automatic watch will appeal to you. However, if you prefer a light-powered watch and would like to avoid having to replace the battery regularly, Eco-Drive might be more appropriate. The better option will depend on your priorities and on how you plan to wear it.