Watch Almanac

Affordable

Is Citizen a good watch brand?

Yes. Citizen's Eco-Drive solar watches never need a battery change, and its group also makes Miyota movements used across the industry, so its quartz and automatics are dependable and fairly priced.

Below, the numbers behind that: 18 current Citizen watches we've measured, what they use inside, and what they sell for once they're used.

List prices
$295–$1,525
median $535
Mechanical
39%
of 18 with a known movement
Sapphire crystal
67%
eBay ask vs list
78%
#14 of 18 brands

What Citizen does well

  • Eco-Drive solar: charge from any light, no battery swaps
  • Accurate and tough, with titanium Super Titanium models
  • Promaster divers are proven, ISO-rated tools

What to watch out for

  • Designs can feel conservative and many models look alike
  • Fewer interesting mechanical watches than Seiko or Orient

Is Citizen a luxury brand?

No. Citizen is an affordable to mid-priced brand. Its group owns Bulova, Frederique Constant and Arnold & Son, and its Series 8 and The Citizen lines reach into the low thousands.

What's inside

Of the 18 Citizen watches we've measured with a known movement: 11 solar and 7 automatic. The movements are made by Citizen (18).

See every movement on its caliber page.

Do Citizen watches hold their value?

Across the 13 Citizen references we track on eBay every day, the median asking price is 78% of list. That puts Citizen at #14 of 18 brands we track; the typical brand is at 88%. That's typical for a watch: expect to give up about 22% if you sell.

Asking prices, not sold prices, from live eBay listings. See the market tracker for every reference.

Where to start with Citizen

Or see every Citizen watch with its measurements.

Questions

Is Citizen a good watch brand?
Yes. Citizen's Eco-Drive solar watches never need a battery change, and its group also makes Miyota movements used across the industry, so its quartz and automatics are dependable and fairly priced.
Is Citizen a luxury brand?
No. Citizen is an affordable to mid-priced brand. Its group owns Bulova, Frederique Constant and Arnold & Son, and its Series 8 and The Citizen lines reach into the low thousands.
Do Citizen watches hold their value?
On eBay, Citizen watches are listed at a median 78% of their list price, across the 13 references we track daily. That ranks 14 of 18 brands we track; the median brand is at 88%.
Where are Citizen watches made?
Citizen is based in Japan and was founded in 1918, owned by Citizen Group. Of the Citizen watches we've measured, the movements come from Citizen (18).