Gatherings: Citizen Celebrates 50th Anniversary of Eco-Drive Innovation



The advent of solar cells that can be hidden beneath a watch dial likewise allowed Citizen to explore an unprecedented range of new aesthetic possibilities. From structural ink and artisanal Washi paper dials to Mickey Mouse and C-3P0, Citizen has continued to redefine the look of light-powered watches over the last five decades. Combined with the brand’s other proprietary technologies, including Satellite Wave GPS, Atomic Timekeeping, and Super Titanium™, Citizen continues to push light-powered timekeeping further still. Shoichiro acknowledged that every “finished” product they make is viewed as the beginning of the next cycle of innovation.

As with all good things, the night came to an end with the enthusiastic community heading into the dark evening. We would be hard pressed not to recognize the attendee who stood up in the concluding Q&A session, simply to share how accurate his Eco-Drive has remained after 10 years of ownership. No question, just pure enthusiasm for the brand. Given how much Citizen has achieved in the last 50 years and the enthusiasm of the community in the store, there’s a bright future ahead for Eco-Drive, powered by any light.





Hodinkee

2026-03-31 15:01:00