Citizen’s 2024 centenary marked a specific milestone: the completion in 1924 of the first pocket watch bearing the name CITIZEN. It was made by the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, Citizen’s predecessor—not by Citizen Watch Co., Ltd., which was founded in 1930. To mark the anniversary, Citizen announced two limited editions: a hand-wound pocket-watch reinterpretation and an Eco-Drive wristwatch.
What was the first CITIZEN watch?
It was a pocket watch completed in 1924 by the Shokosha Watch Research Institute. Citizen’s official corporate history identifies it as the first pocket watch to bear the name of the present company. The institute had been established in 1918 by Kamekichi Yamazaki, who sought to establish domestic pocket-watch production. Citizen’s corporate product history records these early milestones.
The name itself has a company-reported origin story. Citizen Europe says Tokyo mayor Shinpei Goto suggested “Citizen,” hoping that watches—then costly luxuries owned by relatively few—would eventually be made for Japanese citizens and, later, people around the world. That account appears on Citizen Europe’s anniversary page.
Why is the centenary 1924 if Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. was founded in 1930?
The anniversary counts from the first watch to carry the CITIZEN name, not from the establishment of the later company. The milestones are distinct:
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- The Tsuyosa Automatic, from the NJ015 series, brings ultramodern sports styling right to your wrist.
- Executed in a versatile 40mm footprint, the sophisticated design of the watch makes a strong impression via a silver-tone stainless steel case and a seamlessly integrated, matching bracelet. Underneath an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the sporty timepiece makes use of a sunray yellow dial, with a 3 o’clock date window and contrasting silver-tone details adding to its classic aesthetic.
- Powered by an automatic movement and offering up to 50 meters of water resistance.
- The refined timepiece is a daily wearing choice ready for work, play, and everything in between.
- Caliber E011.
- 1918: Shokosha Watch Research Institute established.
- 1924: First CITIZEN-named pocket watch completed.
- 1930: Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. founded.
- 1931: The company released its first men’s wristwatch, model 10-1/2F.
Accordingly, 2024 was the 100th anniversary of the first CITIZEN watch, while the company’s own founding date is 1930.
Which watches marked Citizen’s 100th anniversary?
Citizen announced two notable limited editions in 2024. One revisited the original pocket-watch format; the other brought the anniversary to a contemporary wristwatch. Their stated specifications and launch terms differ, so prices should not be compared without accounting for currency, tax treatment and announcement context.
Rank #2
- The "Tsuyosa" Automatic, from the NJ015 series, brings ultramodern sports styling right to your wrist. Executed in a versatile 40mm footprint, the sophisticated design of the watch makes a strong impression via a silver-tone stainless steel case and a seamlessly integrated, matching bracelet.
- . Underneath an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the sporty timepiece makes use of a sunray green dial, with a 3 o’clock date window and contrasting silver-tone details adding to its classic aesthetic. Powered by an automatic movement and offering up to 50 meters of water resistance, the refined timepiece is a daily wearing choice ready for work, play, and everything in between. Caliber 8210.
- 3 Hand with Date, Automatic, 42 Hour Power Reserve
- Sapphire Crystal
- 50M Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
| Detail | NC2990-94A pocket watch | The CITIZEN AQ4100-65L wristwatch |
|---|---|---|
| Format and power | Hand-wound pocket watch | Eco-Drive wristwatch powered by light |
| Dial and materials | Titanium-alloy case; dual spherical sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating; transparent case back | Hand-dyed indigo washi-paper dial using pole-wrap shibori; Super Titanium case and bracelet |
| Movement and stated accuracy | Cal. 0270; manufacturer-stated average accuracy of −3 to +5 seconds per day under its described stationary measurement conditions | Eco-Drive; manufacturer-stated annual accuracy of ±5 seconds |
| Other stated features | Free-sprung balance, stop-seconds function and approximately 55 hours of running time when fully wound | Perpetual calendar and 10-bar water resistance |
| Announced edition size | 100 worldwide | 600 worldwide |
| Announced price and timing | Citizen Japan announced a suggested retail price of ¥1,100,000 including tax (¥1,000,000 before tax) and a release date of 24 October 2024. The earlier global announcement projected USD 9,000 and an Autumn/Winter 2024 launch, subject to change. | The global announcement projected USD 4,400 and a Spring/Summer 2024 launch. |
NC2990-94A: a pocket-watch reinterpretation
The NC2990-94A is a hand-wound limited edition that recalls the format of the 1924 original. Citizen specifies a Cal. 0270 movement, a free-sprung balance and stop-seconds function. Its stated running time is approximately 55 hours when fully wound. The manufacturer also says each completed watch underwent 17 days of in-house inspection across multiple positions and temperature levels; that is Citizen’s stated inspection process, not an independent test result. Citizen’s global announcement provides the movement specifications and projected international launch terms. Citizen Japan’s product announcement gives the later Japanese release date and suggested retail price.
AQ4100-65L: indigo washi and Eco-Drive
The CITIZEN AQ4100-65L took a different approach: a wristwatch with a hand-dyed indigo washi-paper dial, made using pole-wrap shibori, and a light-powered Eco-Drive movement. Citizen announced an annual accuracy of ±5 seconds, a perpetual calendar, 10-bar water resistance and a Super Titanium case and bracelet. The announced worldwide edition was 600 pieces. Its USD 4,400 price and Spring/Summer 2024 timing were projections in the manufacturer’s announcement, not confirmation of present-day pricing or stock. Citizen’s global announcement describes the watch and its launch terms.
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- The TSUYOSA Automatic, from the NJ015 series, brings ultramodern sports styling right to your wrist
- Executed in a versatile 40mm footprint, the sophisticated design of the watch makes a strong impression via a silver-tone stainless steel case and a seamlessly integrated, matching bracelet
- Underneath an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the sporty timepiece makes use of a sunray orange dial, with a 3 o’clock date window and contrasting silver-tone details adding to its classic aesthetic
- Powered by an automatic movement and offering up to 50 meters of water resistance, the refined timepiece is a daily wearing choice ready for work, play, and everything in between
- Caliber 8210
Can you still buy the anniversary watches?
The official announcements establish the models, limited quantities and historical launch terms; they do not establish current retailer stock, current prices, or resale value. The NC2990-94A was announced as a 100-piece worldwide edition, and AQ4100-65L as a 600-piece worldwide edition, so a current purchase would depend on whether a retailer or seller has one available. Check with Citizen or an authorized retailer for current availability and pricing, and verify a pre-owned listing’s condition and provenance before relying on it.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Day / Date, 3 Hand, Automatic
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel Case
- Dual Spherical Mineral Crystal
- 200M Water Resistant
Rank #4
- The "Tsuyosa" Automatic, from the NJ015 series, brings ultramodern sports styling right to your wrist. Executed in a versatile 40mm footprint, the sophisticated design of the watch makes a strong impression via a silver-tone stainless steel case and a seamlessly integrated, matching bracelet.
- Underneath an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the sporty timepiece makes use of a sunray black dial, with a 3 o’clock date window and contrasting silver-tone details adding to its classic aesthetic. Powered by an automatic movement and offering up to 50 meters of water resistance, the refined timepiece is a daily wearing choice ready for work, play, and everything in between. Caliber 8210.
- 3 Hand with Date, Automatic, 42 Hour Power Reserve
- Sapphire Crystal
- 50M Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
