Since its foundation in 1918, CITIZEN has promoted a global, multicultural mindset that fosters excellence and creativity. In 2015 CITIZEN Watches Australia marks its 50th anniversary, celebrating half a century of improving the lives of everyday Australians with innovative, world-class watches. As citizens of the world, we make it our responsibility to help cultivate a culture of positive change and ongoing evolution through our craft. We take this mission seriously and eagerly welcome what the future may bring.

As a true manufacture d'horlogerie, CITIZEN integrates a comprehensive manufacturing process that extends from creating a watch’s individual components to its final assembly.

1930 Tanashi Factory

The factory at the beginning

A history of innovation

Our 84-year company history of world firsts includes watchmaking innovations such as radio-controlled and satellite-synchronised timekeeping. A pivotal advance was the development of a revolutionary light-powered technology, Eco-Drive, which CITIZEN pioneered well ahead of other watch manufacturers – as early as 1976. Using electrical power converted from virtually any light source, this extraordinary innovation changed forever the way watches could be powered. Eco-Drive eliminates the need to replace batteries, making it especially beneficial in areas where specialised batteries are not available. This advance increases the availability and usability of CITIZEN watches, allowing more people the experience of enjoying our crafted timepieces.

In 1924, the Shokosha Watch Research Institute produced its first “CITIZEN” and ever Mayer of Tokyo Mr. Shimpei Goto, named the watch “CITIZEN” and ever after this was adopted as the mane of the company. Since its founding in 1930, the company has achieved many milestones such as:

1924 : The first pocketwatch, the first pocket watch made at Shokosha Watch Research Institute, forerunner of Citizen Watch Co.,Ltd. Mr.Shinpei Goto, the Mayor of Tokyo at that time, named the pocketwatch "Citizen" in hopes of being popular and loved by citizens in the world.

Mayer of Tokyo Mr. Shimpei Goto

First Watch

Production scene at Tanashi factory

1930 : "Citizen Watch Co., Ltd." established taking the idea to the company name.

1931 : Citizen's first men's wristwatch. The market was in transition to a wristwatch.

1936 : Tanashi Factory, it was established in 1936 for greater mass-production line to correspond with the market's high demand

1935 Model K

1956 Parashock Challenge public demonstration

1956 : The first domestic watch with "Parashock" technology. The experimental event for the testing of this watch, involved dropping it from a helicopter in Osaka, 30 meters above ground and was not damaged upon impact. The same experiment was held countrywide afterwards.

1958 : The first domestic watch with alarm, a built-in hammer beats the case back for about 10 seconds at the set time.

1959 : The first domestic waterproof watch ,"Parawater".

1960 : The first domestic watch for the visually impaired. Sold and also donated.

1960 : The first domestic watch for the visually impaired. Sold and also donated.

1959 Parawater Buoy Challenge

1959 Parawater Experiment

1962 : The world's thinnest men watch at that time, the movement as thin as 2.75mm.

1963 : The world's smallest ladies watch (at that time).

1966 : The first domestic electronic watch, "X-8".

1967 : World's first transistorized electronic quartz clock, "Crystron".

1971 : Tuning fork electronic watch "Hi-Sonic" marketed.

1974 : Analog quartz watch " Citizen Quartz Crystron".

1976 : The world's first quartz watch being accurate within 3seconds per year. Limited qty of 3,000pcs. Case and band were made from 18K.

1976 : In the birth of Solar-powered watches , "Citizen Quartz Crystron Solar Cell".

1978 : Thin quartz watch with movement less than 1.00mm thick.

1978 : The first domestic combination quartz watch. One movement holds the function of both analogue and digital ,"Citizen Quartz Digi-Ana". Being innovative, it sold more than 1 million pieces.

1982 : The world's first quartz divers watch with water resistance to 1300m.

1986 : The annual production quantity of movement become World's No.1.

1987 : The world's first digital quartz with sound recognition. Could operate the watch or by voice.

1999 : "Attesa Eco-Drive Radio-Controlled Watch" for Japan marketed.

2000 : Premium watch series " Campanola Collection" marketed.

2000 : Eco-Drive with transparent solar cell. Minute solar cells are situated under the cover glass. Opened up design possibilities of the dial.

2001 : Universal design watch "MU" marketed.

2002 : Uses the world's smallest module that time.

2002 : The world's thinnest Eco-Drive watch, Stiletto, at that time, as thin as 4.4mm.

2003 : World's first full metal case Radio Controlled watch with built-in antenna.

2005 : World's smallest Radio-Controlled watch movement, only 20.8mm x 3.5mm.