The 15 Best Citizen Watches for Men

Citizen watches have a stellar reputation for building advanced, eco-friendly, and intelligently-designed watches. They introduced the world’s first light-powered analog quartz watch in 1976, and continue to lead the charge in light energy. So, we’ve selected (in our opinion) the 15 best Citizen watches for men.

It’s difficult to pinpoint where the Citizen brand fits culturally in the watch industry. Until they launched their partnership with Disney in 2018, Citizen wasn’t a huge pop-culture staple. But it’s this heads-down laser focus on just the watches that’s earned them that reputation for reliability.

But in order to learn if their watches live up to this, we ask… 

 

Is Citizen a Good Watch?

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Yes. And as any good watch brand, it serves up unique offerings. Citizen’s uniqueness is rooted in the company’s organization and origin. 

At its core, Tokyo-based Citizen Watch Co. is a global electronics company. However, the company was born out of the Shokosha Watch Research Institute in 1930.

Citizen watches are known for their ability to keep up with horological research, as well as their electronic and technical advancements. 

Citizen Setting Standards

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Many of Citizen’s important watch innovations are also electronic innovations:

• In 1987, they introduced the first wristwatch with voice recognition.

• In 1933, they introduced the world’s first multi-band atomic timekeeping watch. They continue to be a pioneer of atomic timekeeping today.

• Citizen is famous for their Eco-Drive technology, which uses energy from any light source. The light energy is stored in a secondary titanium lithium-ion battery that is designed to continuously run, creating no need for a traditional battery.

Citizen in High-Esteem

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Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology has been awarded an Eco Mark, which is a Japanese accolade recognizing innovative products that have minimal environmental impact.

As with any important watch brand, Citizen has several sports partnerships. They’re the official timekeeper of the US Open, and are one of the longest-running sponsors of the International Skating Union.

As mentioned, even the Walt Disney Company loves Citizen. They’re the official timekeeper at Disneyland, Disney World, Disney Resorts all over the world, and at Marvel New Media’s Creative Space. 

Is Citizen a High-end / Luxury Watch?

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Price-wise, they’re a mid-tier brand that offers a handful of luxury lines. 

However, most Citizen lines are considered “high-end” when it comes to technology and design. Historically, they have given us unique, impressive offerings on those fronts.

Even their luxury lines are expensive due far more to the technology they offer, rather than any bejewelment or fashion design. This is particularly true of their men’s watches.

Are Citizen Watches Good Quality?

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This is an easy yes.

Their Eco-Drive watches can last up to 20 years because Citizen uses a special lubricant that takes that amount of time to evaporate or harden. 

They’re an industry leader in atomic timekeeping, which synchronizes watches to atomic clocks allowing these watches to be accurate to within one second in one hundred thousand years. 

Citizen Watch Co is vertically integrated and has a dedicated quality assurance department that strictly inspects every piece that is produced. 

How Much Are Citizen Watches?

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Citizen watches mostly range from $200-$300.

It’s possible to find an Eco-Drive Corso for as low as $140 new. Their most premium contemporary line is an Eco-Drive One, which is $6400 new.

What is the Best Citizen Watch?

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Do you want a fancy watch that’s also modern? Then the Axiom Dress Watch L6000-55E  is your best bet.

If you need a tactical guy for an off-grid camping trip, you’ll want a Satellite Wave GPS Freedom. 

High-quality at a reasonable price? Well that’s all 15 watches below, so let’s get to it!

15 Best Citizen Watches for Men

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I should note that all of these great watches are available on Amazon! Have fun finding the watch (or watches) you love most!

Citizen Eco-Drive Avion AW1361-10H 

This pilot style watch is adventurous and casual. However, it features classic style elements that harken back to the golden age of travel, when men wore a smart suit and hat to the airport.

The dark charcoal face features actual, stepped layers, which is a nice touch. Usually in this price range, circles are simply painted on the face to get this effect.

The bezel is smooth and pocketwatch-esque, and the leather strap is a worn brown, both contributing to this watch’s retro charm.

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE AVION AW1361 features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	44mm
Water Resistance	100m
Band Material	Leather strap

Citizen Two-Tone Chronograph AN3394-59L

The blue face with gold two-tone is a popular and elegant motif, and the AN3394-59L’s rendition features unique departures from the usual.

First, it’s a busy chronograph instead of a dive, though the hour markers look like a remixed design of the bubble indices you’d find on a Sub homage. 

Second, gold is painted only in the inner edges of the side-links, instead of any entire link chain. There are also gold accents throughout the watch. This is a clever way to build a gold two-tone at this price range, as big color blocks would make it immediately obvious that it’s not real gold.

Sure, there’s nothing wrong with gold-painted stainless steel, but this watch is a testament to Citizen’s smart and thoughtful design at every price point.

CITIZEN TWO-TONE CHRONOGRAPH AN3394-59L features:

Movement	Quartz
Case Size	39mm
Water Resistance	100m
Band Material	Stainless steel bracelet

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver, Blue PU Band BN0151-09L

This blue Promaster diver is equal parts functional and fun.

With a bubbly yet utilitarian aesthetic, every feature on this watch is robustly designed: The hour markers, the hands (the minute hand is a delightful pop of orange), the bezel, and of course the rubber strap. The strap is thick, bellowed and makes you look like a seafaring adventurer. 

Other features include super bright luminescent hands and a certification by the ISO for actual diving. I noticed a lot of reviewers who’ve bought this Promaster are true-blue divers. 

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE PROMASTER DIVER, BLUE PU BAND BN0151-09L features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	43mm
Water Resistance	200m
Special Features	ISO-certified for diving
Bezel Function	Unidirectional
Band Material	Polyurethane band

Citizen Eco-Drive Black Ion-Plated Axiom AU1065-58E

This refined all black timepiece is simply intriguing. 

The black-ion plating makes it durable, and gives it a fascinating finish that sits somewhere between matte and shiny. Meanwhile, the mineral glass over the minimalist black face goes all the way to the edge, leaving no room for a proper bezel.

Overall, this watch is mod enough for the trendsetter, but chic enough to go with classic evening wear -a rare thing for a watch to accomplish.

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE BLACK ION-PLATED AXIOM AU1065-58E features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	40mm
Water Resistance	30m
Plating	Black-ion
Band Material	Stainless steel

Citizen Axiom Dress Watch L6000-55E 

If there’s any reason to venture out of the Swiss watch bubble, it’s for a tank design dress watch. This beautiful Axiom is proof you don’t have to shell out for a Cartier.

Citizen takes the beautiful vintage square-faced design and modernizes it with a sleek, mostly uninterrupted silhouette as the case transitions into the bracelet.

Every surface shines. The black face features subtle light-play and 4-piece diamond indices, and the bracelet is a thin mesh for extra shine.

If you’re looking to impress, this watch is for you. For a slightly more matte look, try it in black! 

CITIZEN AXIOM DRESS WATCH L6000-55E FEATURES:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	26mm
Water Resistance	30m
Band Material	Stainless steel bracelet

Citizen Eco-Drive Brycen Titanium BM6929-56L

This Brycen is an uncomplicated, high-quality watch for the practical man.

Citizen’s Super Titanium is produced by treating regular titanium with the brand’s proprietary surface-hardening technology. The result is a titanium five times harder than stainless steel, and still 40% lighter. The combination of Super Titanium and a sapphire crystal means that this Brycen is exceedingly scratch-resistant.

Design-wise, it features a beautiful cerulean sunburst dial with levels on the face, and a race track style texture on the outermost layer. 

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE BRYCEN TITANIUM BM6929-56L features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	42mm
Water Resistance	100m
Material Type	Sapphire crystal
Case Material	Super Titanium

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver BJ8050-08E

This Promaster Diver features a more heavy-duty case and bezel than the Promaster Diver BN0151-09L.

It can be used for mixed gas diving thanks to its curved anti-reflective crystal, which is 6mm thick, its ratcheted elapsed-time bezel, and its screw-back case and screw-down crown. The watch’s reinforced band and extender feature a carrying case for the wetsuit strap extension.

Aesthetically, this Promaster Diver is a handsome, powerful tool watch with a robust wear.

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE PROMASTER DIVER BJ8050-08E features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	48mm
Bezel Function	Unidirectional
Water Resistance	300m
Band Material	Rubber strap

Citizen Corso BM7490-52E

This Corso’s octagonal bezel makes this mostly classic watch just subtly different in a way that doesn’t break any rules. It also gives the face a bit of visual weight and architecture, for a slightly more masculine dress watch aesthetic.

It’s a high-class watch with a three-piece case construction that can take you from the boardroom to a dinner date. This elegant Corso is for you if you’re looking for a clean, understated watch that’s just a tad offbeat.

CITIZEN CORSO BM7490-52E features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	41mm
Water Resistance	100m
Band Material	Stainless steel

Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler Titanium AT2340-56A

If you like the build and resilience of the Titanium BM6929-56L but it’s just too plain for you, check out this Chandler. It’s also made of Super Titanium and features a sapphire glass, but its three subdials and sword hands make for a more complicated face.

It also features sleek applied markers and a monochrome palette, so it isn’t too busy. 

This Chandler Titanium is a lightweight durable timepiece with a sleek but sporty look that can be worn with casual or formal outfits.

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE CHANDLER TITANIUM AT2340-56A features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	42mm
Water REsistance	100m
Material Type	Sapphire crystal
Band Material	Super titanium

Citizen Eco-Drive Thin Red Line CA0299-57E

I’m a sucker for any timepiece that looks like a grown man’s version of a superhero watch. The face features layers, applied indices, and a mostly vertical chronograph with an awesome bright red bar that runs horizontally across the dial.

Citizen partnered with Eli Adam Jewelers to design these bold watches in honor of America’s first responders. The caseback even features a unique insignia and is engravable. Gotta love a watch with a story!

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE THIN RED LINE CA0299-57E features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	42mm
Water Resistance	200m
Band Material	Stainless steel bracelet

Citizen Eco-Drive Thin Blue Line CA0291-59E

This guy is more than just a blue version of the Thin Red Line. Just like its red cousin, it also pays tribute to first responders, which is awesome. 

Visually, the face’s backdrop is simpler, with a more subtle black layering instead of the textured racing stripes featured on the red. The subdials blend into this background better too.

Finally, the hands are thicker, and the 12, 3, 9, and 6-hour indices are in big bold Arabic numerals.

If you prefer the color blue, want something more legible, or something with less texture and less divergent surfaces, go for this fun and meaningful timepiece.

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE THIN BLUE LINE CA0299-57E features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	42mm
Water Resistance	200m
Band Material	Stainless steel bracelet

Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler CA7020-58L 

Combining a sporty face with a reflective mesh bracelet is one of my favorite ways to create an effective day-to-night watch.

The mesh on this bracelet is unique. It’s less like the linky Jubilee-inspired mesh bracelets out there, and more snake-like adding nuanced flex and a glittering aesthetic. 

The chronograph face is royal blue with just a pop of orange via the second hand, all of which are protected with a dressy domed crystal. 

This Citizen Chandler is a classy, refined watch that gently mixes sporty and dressy features.

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE CHANDLER CA7020-58L features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Case Size	43mm
Water Resistance	100m
Band Material	Stainless steel bracelet

Citizen Eco-Drive Satellite Wave GPS Freedom CC3038-51E

This bold and bright tool is perfect for travelers, especially off-the-beaten-path travelers, because it’s packed to the brim with impressive navigation technologies.

The Citizen GPS Wave features the world’s fastest timekeeping signal reception speed from GPS Navigation. Even better? This watch is also loaded with GPS timekeeping technology which features worldwide reception and time adjustment in 40 time zones.

Design-wise, it’s super architectural and built with black ion-plated stainless steel, with cool fun accents throughout.

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE CHANDLER TITANIUM AT2340-56A features

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
GPS Navigation	Yes
Case Size	44mm
Water Resistance	100m
Material Type	Sapphire crystal
Band Material	Super Titanium bracelet

Citizen Eco-Drive Nighthawk CA0295-58E

This Nighthawk is a more robust black-out watch than the dressy Axiom.

The watch dial is embedded with bold charcoal applications, and big Arabic markers for 12, 3, 6, and 9 for a surprisingly legible face regardless of the dark monochromatic palette. 

Like the Axiom, the black-ion plating gives the watch durability and that beautiful part-matte part-shiny finish. In this watch though, it gives it a stealthy, on-a-mission look.

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE NIGHTHAWK CA0295-58E features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Plating	Black ion
Case Size	43mm
Water Resistance	200m
Band Material	Stainless steel bracelet

Citizen Blue Angels Skyhawk A-T JY8078-01L

This watch is inspired by the Navy’s elite flight squadron, the Blue Angels, known for their precision and grace.

On the precision front, this watch features hyper accurate atomic timekeeping in 43 cities. It also features a chronograph, perpetual calendar, dual time, and pilot’s rotating slide rule bezel.

On the grace front, this Skyhawk features a beautiful yellow accented dark blue bezel with the Blue Angels insignia on the caseback. 

This watch is a high-performing timepiece with tons of capabilities, and a noticeable maximalist aesthetic filled with fun textures, colors, and stories.

CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE SKYHAWK A-T JY8078-01L features:

Movement	Eco-Drive quartz
Atomic Timekeeping	Yes
Case Size	45mm
Water Resistance	200m
Band Material	Stainless steel bracelet

The Best Citizen Watch for You

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From their highly-respected technological offerings to their practical but still aesthetically conscious designs, Citizen is like that reliable friend. He’s eco-conscious, works really hard, and always has your back.

I know I’d feel more secure on the high-seas with a Promaster Diver, or on a hike with a Wave GPS Freedom!

We hope you had fun learning about Citizen watches, and that we’ve helped you figure out which ones you’re going to get for yourself!