Citizen and Eco-Drive: Sustainable diversity, diverse sustainability
Citizen at Inhorgenta 2026: Hall A1, Booth 202
For five decades, Japanese watchmaker Citizen has been equipping many of its watches with its own environmentally friendly Eco-Drive solar technology. Now, the brand is presenting a diverse range of new products.
The energy crisis in the mid-1970s was one of the triggers for Citizen to find alternative energy sources. And so, in 1976, the watch manufacturer presented the world’s first analog light-powered watch, the “Crystron Solar Cell.” The technology behind it was given the name Eco-Drive.
A solar cell beneath the dial efficiently converts natural and artificial light into energy. This energy is stored in a microcell, which keeps the watches running for up to 270 days, even when stored in the dark.
Citizen currently sells around four million Eco-Drive watches per year, saving the same number of batteries. Assuming an average battery height of 2.1 millimeters, this equates to a tower 8,400 meters high—almost as high as Mount Everest. Across all collections, around 80 percent of Citizen’s non-mechanical watches are now equipped with Eco-Drive.
Citizen Eco-Drive: From striking steel watches to delicate ladies’ watches – eight new model series
Thanks to its in-house expertise and its own production facilities, the Japanese watch brand is now able to install solar cells that are virtually invisible—for example, under the dials.
Citizen applies this expertise in numerous variations across its collections—from sporty chronographs to delicate, elegant ladies’ watches. This year kicks off with a total of eight new model series:
Three new three-hand lines, three chronograph series, and two ladies’ lines. All new Eco-Drive models are priced under €300 and will be available in stores and at citizenwatch.eu starting in January 2026.
Striking steel watches in unisex sizes
These three steel models come with an angular case, a comfortable unisex size of 38 millimeters, and three dial colors. The two versions in blue and green feature a classic stainless steel look. The third version with a gray dial has a stealth look—the case and strap are coated in gray.
All three models feature an in-house solar-powered Eco-Drive movement (caliber E111) with date display and are water-resistant to 10 bar.
(RRP €189 (stainless steel) or €229 (black))
Dress watches in Day-Date format
Classic, elegant, and featuring an exceptional Day-Date display at the 6 o’clock (date) and 12 o’clock (weekday) positions. These dress watches have a diameter of 40.5 millimeters and are available in four versions.
Two of them feature green and black dials on stainless steel straps. The two versions with blue and light-colored dials have leather straps—the latter also has a gold-plated case.
All models feature the in-house Eco-Drive J800 movement and are water-resistant to 10 bar.
(RRP €169 (blue, leather strap), €179 (stainless steel strap) or €189 (gold-plated))
Robust Marine Sports
Three watches for active and athletic use, even in wet conditions. These three diver-style watches are water-resistant to 10 bar, have a diameter of 43 millimeters, and come with a textured dial in black, blue, and green.
The black version has a black urethane strap, while the other two versions feature a stainless steel strap.
Inside, the Eco-Driver caliber J810 with date works.
(RRP €189 (urethane) or €199 (stainless steel strap)
Cool pilot watches
Four new pilot chronographs with a diameter of 42 millimeters on leather and steel straps expand the Pilot Chrono line. All models come with a steel case. Only the version with a silver dial has a rose gold coating.
The Eco-Drive caliber B620 is used here with totalizers at the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions. The watch is water-resistant to 10 bar.
(RRP €269 or €249 (green dial, leather strap))
Racing chronographs with a vintage look
The distinctive feature of this new trio is the tachymeter bezel. The chronographs, with a diameter of 39.9 millimeters, are inspired by the motor racing of yesteryear. The dials are designed for optimal readability in contrasting black and white colors—also known as panda and reverse panda dials.
Inside, the Eco-Drive caliber B620 with date and totalizers at positions 3, 6, and 9 is at work. The watch is water-resistant to 10 bar.
(RRP €259 (leather strap) or €269 (metal strap)
Outdoor-suitable sports chronographs
These sports chronographs with a diameter of 43 millimeters can be used with confidence outdoors. They are equipped with the Eco-Drive caliber H500 with date and totalizers at the 2, 6, and 10 o’clock positions. They are water-resistant to 10 bar.
(RRP €269 (blue with silicone strap), €279 (black, steel strap) or €299 (black coated, silicone strap))
Trendy Colors for Women
This new women’s collection comes in five different versions and in stainless steel and gold finishes. In addition to classic white and rich green, the dial colors also include the trendy colors light blue and pink.
These ladies’ watches have a diameter of 33.5 millimeters and a height of eight millimeters. They are water-resistant up to five bar.
(RRP €159 (stainless steel) or €199 (gold-plated))
Casual dress with Milanese strap
These two models come in silver and gold versions, each with a white dial and gemstones at the 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock positions. The diameter of both casual dress watches for women is 34 millimeters, with a slim height of 7.33 millimeters. Inside, the Eco-Drive E031 movement keeps time.
(RRP €169 (stainless steel) or €199 (gold-plated)
