Citizen was founded in 1918 as the Shokosha Watch Research Institute in Tokyo, Japan. The company’s original goal was to create high-quality watches that could be sold at an affordable price, something that was not common at the time.
In 1924, the company produced its first pocket watch, which was followed by the production of the first Citizen wristwatch in 1931. This wristwatch was named the “Citizen” and became the namesake for the company.
During World War II, Citizen’s production of civilian watches ceased, and the company turned to the production of military watches and other military equipment. However, after the war, Citizen returned to producing civilian watches, and in 1956, the company introduced its first shock-resistant watch.
In the 1960s, Citizen began to expand internationally, with the opening of subsidiaries in the United States and Canada. The company also continued to innovate with the production of the first Japanese-made water-resistant watch in 1965.
In the 1970s, Citizen continued to expand its product line, producing the world’s first LCD digital watch in 1974, and a quartz watch with a built-in alarm in 1978.
In the 1980s, Citizen continued its international expansion, opening subsidiaries in Europe and South America. The company also introduced its Eco-Drive technology, which allows watches to be powered by any light source, eliminating the need for batteries.
In the 1990s, Citizen continued to innovate with the production of a watch with a built-in satellite receiver, allowing for precise timekeeping regardless of the wearer’s location. The company also became the official timekeeper for several international sporting events, including the Olympic Games.
Today, Citizen is a well-respected watch brand that continues to produce high-quality watches at affordable prices. The company has expanded beyond watches, producing a variety of other products, including calculators, electronic dictionaries, and other consumer electronics.
