Kamakechi Yamazaki
Founder Orient
Shinpei Goto
Mayor Tokyo
The history of Citizen Watches traces back to 1918 when the Shokosha Watch Research Institute was founded by Kamakechi Yamazaki. Originally named the Shokosha Watch Research Institute,it aimed to establish Japan as a hub for mechanical watch production. The institute's establishment was crucial in adapting the Western timekeeping system in Japan, a transition that required significant manufacturing advancements. Citizen has a long-standing legacy in watchmaking. The name "Citizen" first appeared on a pocket watch dial produced by Shokosha in 1924, believed to have been suggested by Yamazaki's close friend, Shinpei Goto, the then-mayor of Tokyo, a friend of Kamekichi Yamazaki,suggested the name for a vision that the watch became accessible to all "citizens" of Japan.
In 1930, Shokosha merged with the Schmid company, founded by Swiss watchmaker Rodolphe Schmid in Japan, becoming Citizen. This merger combined Shokosha's Japanese watchmaking expertise with Swiss, Schmid's manufacturing capacity, leading to the production of Citizen's first wristwatch in 1931. By 1941, Citizen began producing machine tools in its own factory and in 1952, introduced the first Japanese-made watch with a calendar function.
Citizen expanded internationally, starting exports in 1955. By the 1970s, Citizen had automated its watchmaking assembly line, pioneering this advancement in the industry. The company's history showcases a commitment to innovation and quality.
Technological advancements, such as the introduction of the Parawater watch in 1959, highlighted Citizen's commitment to innovation. This milestone paved the way for the development of a diverse range of dive watches under the Citizen brand.
Throughout its history, Citizen Watches has remained a symbol of quality craftsmanship and innovation. From its humble beginnings in 1918 to its global presence today, Citizen continues to push boundaries in the world of watchmaking.
Citizen Parashock 1956
During the summer of 1956, Citizen staged a series of demonstrations showing just how shockproof the watch was. The company arranged for a special public demonstration in 11 different cities in Japan, of watches equipped with the new Parashock system. The Parashock was dropped from a helicopter in Osaka, 30 meters above the ground in a large spectacle. Many Japanese citizens looked on proudly and were amazed to see the watch was not damaged upon impact. The same experiment was held countrywide.
Citizen Parawater
Experiment
Citizen Super DeLuxe
1958
Citizen then staged similar events with the Parawater, placing 130 Parawaters on buoys that were thrown into the Pacific Ocean in 1963. The watches drifted all the way to North America over the span of about a year. When the they were finally retrieved, however, they were still working fine!
Diehards know that It was that other Japanese brand, Seiko, which released the first Japanese-made divers’ watch, in 1965. However, Citizen claims the first “water-resistant” Japanese watch, the Parawater, which preceded it to market six years earlier, in 1959. The Parawater watches (as above) were waterproof to 50 meters of depth, an impressive feat for the era. The Parawater models were the forerunners of Citizen’s contemporary line of dive watches, which kicked off in earnest with the Promaster Marine in 1982. That same year, Citizen released its 1300m Professional Diver’s Watch, its first in a titanium case, which went into the record books as the most water-resistant watch in serial production at the time.
Citizen Jet automatic
1961
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The Super Deluxe model is a luxurious upgrade from the Deluxe released yesterday. Featuring the 9200 calibre with 23 or 25 jewels, this high-grade timepiece made its debut in 1958. Distinguished by its 'Super' designation, this version underwent more meticulous adjustments at the factory compared to the standard, likely boasting around 5 adjustments instead of the usual 3. The specially adjusted movement showcases exquisite craftsmanship, and the 14K gold-filled case adds a touch of opulence with its 80-micron thickness. My personal favorite from the collection is a 25-jewel variant from February 1962, known for its exceptional timekeeping performance and elegant design. Even without any added features, this watch exudes class and quality, making it a standout piece worth adding to any collection, regardless of your preference for gold tones. The Super Deluxe is a cut above the rest and is sure to impress with its distinguished appeal.
While Citizen originally introduced its first automatic watch in 1958 with a traditional 'swinging' or 'oscillating' weight rotor, the company soon transitioned to its own unique circular geared rotor in the early to mid-1960s. This innovative design was featured in the 'Jet' and 'Super Jet' models, earning it the nickname 'Jet rotor'.
However, by the mid-1960s, Citizen discontinued the Jet movements in favor of the swinging weight designs. Some sources suggest that this change may have been influenced by concerns about the reliability of the Jet movements, although this is not definitively confirmed. Another factor could have been the industry trend towards slimmer watch designs, which favored the swinging weight mechanism.
All Jet movements operated at 18,000 beats per hour and were generally capable of manual winding, with a few exceptions such as the 0320/0321 and 1130/1/2/3 movements featuring 17 and 19 jewels. This included models like the 'Rookie' series, some of which had small, recessed crowns. It remains unclear whether the 1120 movement with 19 jewels offered manual winding functionality.
