Watches
Here we outline our four businesses, through which we contribute widely to the lives of people around the world.
Machine tools
Citizen began production of machine tools in 1936, utilizing the technologies and know-how developed through the manufacture of watch parts. Our products contribute to the development of manufacturing industries all over the world.
Corporate Philosophy
Loved by citizens, working for citizens.
CITIZEN's corporate philosophy, "Loved by citizens, working for citizens" is to
deeply contribute to the lives of people around the world through the manufacturing of products that are loved and trusted by citizens.
Message From President & CEO
Crafting a new tomorrow Towards sustainable value creation
IR Library
CITIZEN REPORT(Integrated Report)
Top Management
By further promoting sustainable management, we aim to become a company that can create value sustainably
Sustainability Management
CITIZEN Group’s Sustainable Management
Corporate History
- 1918
- Mar. Shokosha Watch Research Institute established, the forerunner of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
- 1924
- Dec. First pocket watch completed.
- 1930
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May
Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. established.
May Yosaburo Nakajima appointed president. - 1931
- Jun. First wrist watch completed.
- 1936
- May Tanashi Factory constructed.
- 1941
- Jul. Production of machine tools begins.
- 1945
- Oct. Shinji Nakajima appointed president.
- 1946
- Mar. Eiichi Yamada appointed president.
- 1949
- Jun. Citizen Trading Co., Ltd. established.
- 1952
- Mar. First Japanese-made watch with a calendar introduced.
- 1953
- Mar. Rhythm Watch Co., Ltd. becomes an affiliate.
- 1955
- Dec. Export of wrist watches begun.
- 1960
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Mar.
Import-export agreement concluded with the U.S. Bulova Watch Co.
Mar. Technical assistance agreement with India. - 1964
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Aug.
Technology research laboratory established.
Dec. Citizen Business Machines established. - 1965
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Mar.
Production of business machines begun. (Adding machines, camera shutters)
Oct. Office opened in former West Germany, start of full-fledged exports to Europe. - 1966
- Mar. First Japanese-made electronic watch “X-8” introduced.
- 1970
- Mar. CNC automated lathe “Cincom” developed.
- 1971
- Jun. Precision Machinery Division established.
- 1976
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Mar.
Production of quartz oscillators begun.
Aug. World’s first analogue quartz watch with solar cell "CRYSTRON SOLAR CELL" introduced. - 1978
- Feb. Head Office moved to Shinjuku Mitsui Bldg. in Tokyo.
- 1980
- Jun. Industry's first microcomputer controlled line impact printer introduced.
- 1981
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Jun.
Rokuya Yamazaki appointed president.
Oct. Systems and Peripherals Division established. - 1982
- Sep. Special Sales Division established, full-fledged sales of watch components started.
- 1983
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Mar.
Chip LED lamp CL Series developed.
May IC sensor electronic thermometer introduced. - 1987
- Jun. Michio Nakajima appointed president.
- 1990
- Jan. Citizen of the Year annual award established.
- 1992
- Feb. Acquired German machine tool company, Boley GmbH.
- 1993
- May World's first multizone “Radio-Controlled Watch” introduced.
- 1996
- Apr. Solar-powered Eco-Drive received the Eco Mark the first for a watch.
- 1997
- Jun. Hiroshi Haruta appointed president.
- 2001
- Mar. Head Office moved to Nishi-Tokyo.
- 2002
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Mar.
Sales of white LED as a backlight for color LCDs started.
Jun. Makoto Umehara appointed president. - 2003
- Jun. World's first full metal case radio-controlled watch with built-in antenna introduced.
- 2004
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Jan.
Implemented Citizen Code of Conduct.
Oct. Merged with Citizen Trading Co., Ltd. - 2005
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Apr.
Citizen Systems Japan Co., Ltd. established.
Oct. Five consolidated companies (Citizen Electronics, Miyota, Cimeo Precision, Sayama Precision Industries, Kawaguchiko Precision) become wholly owned subsidiaries.
Oct. Names of Citizen Group companies changed. - 2007
- Apr. Company name changed to Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd.
- 2008
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Jan.
Bulova Corporation becomes a consolidated subsidiary.
Apr. Mitsuyuki Kanamori appointed president.
Jul. Citizen Miyota Co., Ltd. and Citizen Finetech Co., Ltd. merge.
Jul. Citizen Finetech Miyota Co.,Ltd. established.
Oct. Miyano Machinery Inc. becomes a consolidated subsidiary. - 2011
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Apr.
Citizen Machinery Co.,Ltd. and Miyano machinery Inc. merge.
Apr. Citizen Machinery Miyano Co., Ltd. estabilished.
Sep. World's first light-powered , satellite synchronised watch "Eco-Drive SATELLITE WAVE" introduced. - 2012
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Apr.
Toshio Tokura appointed president.
Apr. Prothor Holding SA becomes a consolidated subsidiary. - 2013
- Jul. Citizen Watch Manufacturing Co., Ltd. established.
- 2014
- Apr. Over 100,000 automatic lathes shipped.
- 2015
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Apr.
Names of Citizen Machinery Miyano Co., Ltd. changed to Citizen Machinery Co., Ltd.
Apr. Citizen Finetech Miyota Co.,Ltd. and Citizen Seimitsu Co., Ltd. merge.
Apr. Citizen Finedevice Co., Ltd. established - 2016
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Jul.
Frederique Constant becomes a consolidated subsidiary.
Oct. Citizen Holdings Co., Ltd., Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. and Citizen Business Expert Co., Ltd. merge.
Oct. Company name changed to Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.
Oct. The world’s thinnest light-powered watch, "Eco-Drive One" introduced. - 2018
- May. Citizen Group Although the 100th anniversary.
- 2019
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Apr.
Toshihiko Sato appointed president.
Sep. The world's most accurate Eco-Drive movement with an annual accuracy of ±1 second, "The Citizen" introduced. - 2025
- Apr. Yoshitaka Oji appointed president.
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CITIZEN History
