A name chosen so that a fine watch would belong to every citizen
QUICK FACTS
Est. 1918 — best known for watches and precision timepieces.
HISTORY
Citizen's roots trace to 1918, when watchmakers in Tokyo founded the Shokosha Watch Research Institute to research and produce pocket watches. In 1924 the institute released its first pocket watch, which, according to company history, was presented to the Prince Regent (later Emperor Showa). Tokyo's mayor at the time, Shinpei Goto, suggested naming the watch 'Citizen,' reflecting a wish that fine watches would become something every citizen could own, and the company was formally established as Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. in 1930.
Citizen grew into one of Japan's major watchmakers alongside Seiko, becoming known for its Eco-Drive light-powered watch technology, which eliminates the need for battery replacement, and for owning the Swiss-founded American watch brand Bulova since 2008. Through group companies, Citizen also produces precision machine tools and semiconductor devices, extending its expertise in miniaturized mechanisms beyond timepieces.
PRODUCTS
Light-powered watch movement that never needs a battery change
American watch brand owned by Citizen since 2008
CNC machine tools made by group company Citizen Machinery
TIMELINE
This page is compiled from publicly available company history and is provided for general reference only. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, please consult the brand's official website.