Best Citizen Watch: 10 Timeless Picks (Dress, Casual, Aviator, Minimalist, or Daily Watches)

Written by Paul Morrison
| Last Updated on February 25, 2024

Watches are wearable pieces of art.

And Citizen watches are, of course, no exception to this fact.

If it’s your first time investing in a Citizen watch or looking to buy another one to add to your collection of watches, rest assured, you’ll find one here.

But if you’re in a hurry, Citizen Corso is an all-rounder watch you can snag right now without regret.

Best Overall

Citizen Watches Men BM7100-59E Corso Eco-Drive

BM7100-59E Corso Eco-Drive

Best Value

Citizen BJ7000-52E Eco-Drive Nighthawk

BJ7000-52E Eco-Drive Nighthawk

Best Budget

Citizen Brycen Watch

Brycen AW0078-08L

TL;DR: The Best Citizen Watches

  1. Citizen Watches Men BM7100-59E Corso Eco-Drive
  2. Citizen BJ7000-52E Eco-Drive Nighthawk
  3. Citizen Brycen Watch
  4. Citizen World Timer Eco-Drive Radio Watch
  5. Citizen BL8000-54L Eco-Drive
  6. Citizen Men Eco-Drive Promaster Professional Diver Watch
  7. Citizen Avion Eco-Drive
  8. Citizen BL5551-06L Eco-Drive Titanium
  9. Citizen Blue Angels Stainless Steel Watch
  10. Citizen Black Ion-Plated Watch

Citizen provides several different categories and models of watches, from dive watches to pilot watches, elegant dress watches, or a simple casual style.

They have a watch for everyone.

This list will go over a few of the highest-rated Citizen watches (all quartz models) that cover all of the bases and give you a better idea of which timepiece suits you.

Citizen Watches Men BM7100-59E Corso Eco-Drive

Best Overall

Citizen Watches Men BM7100-59E Corso Eco-Drive

Design and Performance

First up for the best Citizen watches is The Citizen Corso Eco-Drive stainless steel watch.

It’s a modern take on classic sports watches and features an angular case, a simple black watch face, and a simple steel dial.

This piece is the grand prize for anyone looking for a smart, simple, and elegant model – a classic that never loses its spark.

This easy-to-wear watch suits several occasions and is the perfect blend of subtlety and style. Not only is it one of the best you’ll find today, but it can even pass as a dress watch!

Its sapphire crystal window keeps it safe from any scratches, and its brushed steel case gives it a polished shine even with extended use.

Powered by Citizen eco-drive technology, this watch is fueled by light, so you will never need batteries.

As for the movement, this watch uses a Japanese quartz movement, giving you solid accuracy wherever you are.

Is the Citizen Corso for You?

This Citizen watch is for the uncomplicated consumer and standard watch fan. The design lends itself to simplicity and ease of use, but it is by no means a boring watch.

We’ve ranked it the best overall because it can be your all-rounder.

If you prefer a watch with simple functionality while still offering versatility in style at a good value, this is the watch for you.

Pros

  • Good value
  • Simple and versatile design
  • Solar-powered
  • Smart, elegant appeal

Cons

  • Might look too “simple” for some

Specifications

  • Stainless Steel Case
  • Citizen Eco-Drive
  • Mineral Crystal Lens
  • Water Resistant: 100 meters
  • 41mm dimension

Citizen BJ7000-52E Eco-Drive Nighthawk

Best Value

Citizen BJ7000-52E Eco-Drive Nighthawk

Design and Performance

The Citizen Nighthawk line is one of the best, if not one of the most famous collections that Citizen offers.

It consistently makes it to many “best Citizen watches” lists.

Widely regarded as one of the finest pilot watches to date, the Citizen Eco-Drive Nighthawk features a complicated black watch face, making it look incredibly high-tech like something Batman would wear.

To tell you the truth, the Nighthawk could even pass for a stunning dress watch if you choose the black color version.

At first, the intricate design and black dial may seem overwhelming, but the display becomes easy to read after some time.

This Citizen watch, designed for pilots and frequent travelers, includes a GMT function that allows you to see two different time zones on your timepiece, which is very practical for the busy consumer.

Because this Citizen watch uses eco-drive technology, it does not need any batteries. So long as there is some sunlight or even light from indoors, there won’t be any worry that the watch will stop midway through your day.

Is the Citizen Nighthawk for You?

At $275, the Nighthawk offers the best value for money and stands as one of the best Citizen watches for men.

It’s an incredibly high-quality pilot watch that not only looks good but also performs better than other more expensive watch brands.

If you’re looking for a heavy-duty timepiece with outstanding features that will accommodate a busy lifestyle, then this watch will serve you well.

Pros

  • Excellent value
  • Unique and eye-catching design
  • Solar-powered
  • GMT zones feature
  • Relatively better performance than other watch brands

Cons

  • Might be too complicated for some

Specifications

  • Stainless Steel Case
  • Citizen Eco-Drive GMT Solar
  • Mineral Crystal Lens
  • Water Resistant: 200 meters
  • 41mm dimension

Citizen Brycen Watch

Best Budget

Citizen Brycen Watch

Design and Performance

Deriving from retro field watches, the Citizen Brycen is a classic chronograph watch that suits the daily watch wearer.

Its titanium bracelet band is 40% lighter than stainless steel, making it comfortable enough to wear all day.

Between the two, titanium is a far better and sturdier option.

With its cerulean blue face, featuring a date window by the 3 o’clock mark, this watch will easily fit well for both casual and formal occasions.

Its titanium material case is more resistant to scratches, and its crystal lens will keep it looking sleek and polished even after prolonged use.

Because of its eco-drive technology, this watch does not need a battery. It is powered by any light, not just sunlight, so whether you are indoors or outdoors, this piece will keep going.

Using the most accurate Japanese quartz movement technology, this timepiece stays clear and precise. Its chronograph feature also allows you to see date and time easily at a glance.

Is the Citizen Brycen Chronograph for You?

This timepiece is an excellent field watch.

It’s not as complicated as other watches and provides high precision, true to the Citizen brand, and is all you could ever ask for in a timepiece.

If you want an elegant watch with charming accents from the strap down to the face while still accurately telling the time and date, the Brycen is easily one of the best Citizen watches for men on a budget.

Pros

  • Chronograph feature
  • Elegant blue dial and luminous hands
  • Budget-friendly
  • Charming accent
  • Sporty, dress appeal

Cons

  • Prices vary among different versions of this watch
  • It may be too simple

Specifications

  • Titanium Case
  • Citizen Eco-Drive Powered
  • Sapphire Crystal Lens
  • Water Resistant: 100 meters
  • 44mm dimension

Citizen World Timer Eco-Drive Radio Watch

Citizen World Timer Eco-Drive Radio Watch

Design and Performance

The Citizen World Timer Radio Watch is bold and aggressive while still exuding an ultra-cool and clean aesthetic with its design.

It features a black dial and luminescent watch hands, in keeping with many other Citizen watches. It is by no means a new technological feat the brand offers.

Citizen makes it a point to take simple concepts in watches and piece them together into a refined and beautiful piece.

The features may not be mind-blowingly innovative, but they do serve their purposes incredibly well, which is undoubtedly more important than any overly fancy specs.

This Citizen watch has a certain sense of elegance with its black leather strap and black watch face. You can easily take it from a business meeting to dinner without any worry.

With its date window at the 3 o’clock mark, expect precision and accuracy in time telling with this Japanese quartz-powered piece anywhere you go.

It has a radio-controlled world timer and chronograph feature, which is exactly what you need if you travel often.

Wherever you are, this piece will adjust to the time zones.

Because it is an eco-drive-powered watch, it also does not need any battery. Simply place it under sunlight or indoor lighting, and it’s good to go.

Is the Citizen World Timer Eco-Drive Radio Watch for You?

The World Timer is an easy-to-use piece with uncomplicated features. Other than the radio-controlled world timing, this is a smart and bold-looking timepiece.

If you travel often but don’t need all the gizmos of a pilot watch, this is the best choice. This watch offers all the functions an avid traveler could want while still looking sharp wherever.

Pros

  • Exquisite design
  • Radio control feature for easy time zone shifting
  • Solar light-powered
  • Smart, bold appeal

Cons

  • Might be a little expensive for some

Specifications

  • Stainless Steel
  • Citizen Eco-Drive Powered
  • Sapphire Crystal Lens
  • Water Resistant: 200 meters
  • 43mm dimension
  • Radio Control Feature

Citizen BL8000-54L Eco-Drive

Citizen BL8000-54L Eco-Drive

Design and Performance

The Citizen BL800-54L Eco-Drive Watch is a weighty and eye-catching bracelet watch.

With a 39mm case diameter, it may seem small, but this piece’s features make it substantial and give it an attractive design.

It has an elegant deep navy watch face with bright white markers and luminescent hands that make it incredibly easy to read.

The stainless steel case and bracelet design are suited to people who live an active lifestyle. This piece can be worn during the day for casual outings or a more exciting outdoor event.

It may look complicated at first, with several markers on its display and a chronograph and date window feature. However, upon closer inspection, every element makes this piece more impressive.

Each chronograph function of this watch has a particular function, all working separately to give the day, month, and a 24-hour configuration.

The BL8000 also has a perpetual calendar so that you always know the date and is powered by Citizen’s eco-drive technology, ensuring you don’t have to worry about the watch stopping at any time.

It stays precise with Japanese quartz movements and is reliable even during travel.

Is the Citizen BL8000-54L for You?

If you’re looking for a resilient watch that can withstand a substantial amount of wear and tear while still looking extremely elegant, this is the timepiece for you.

It offers versatility in wear and usage for those who enjoy living an active lifestyle.

Pros

  • Interesting and elegant display
  • Advanced features for date and time
  • Eco-drive powered

Cons

  • It may be more expensive than other Citizen watches.

Specifications

  • Stainless Steel
  • Citizen Eco-Drive Powered
  • Mineral Crystal Lens
  • Water Resistance: 100 meters
  • 39mm dimension

Citizen Men Eco-Drive Promaster Professional Diver Watch

Citizen Men Eco-Drive Promaster Professional Diver Watch

Design and Performance

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Professional Diver Watch is often widely recognized as one of the best dive watches on the market.

Its case, made with a 43mm case diameter and 11.5mm thickness, combined with the ultra-lightweight nature of the eco-drive technology, makes this piece feel super compact and comfortable on the wrist.

Many users have said that using this dive watch almost feels like wearing a titanium diver, so you know you’re getting quality and good value for your money. In fact, it could even pass as a field watch with the right strap.

This dive watch features an incredibly legible dial design. On its deep blue face are all clearly marked information, where the hands stand out, and the chrome markers are perfectly placed.

The Citizen Promaster has a date window, which sits neatly by the 4 ‘clock marker, enough to be read precisely but still integrated well enough to fit the design perfectly.

Its mineral crystal window will ensure no scratching or chipping, allowing for more carefree movement while you are diving.

This dive watch comes with a plastic strap but can be easily switched out for a fabric strap, canvas band, or whichever strap you prefer for your diving needs.

Any diver will appreciate how Eco-Drive Citizen technology movement works with this piece. In keeping with the Citizen brand, this watch remains super accurate even while underwater.

Its Eco-Drive movement has up to 6 months of power reserve when fully charged, so there are no worries that this dive watch will stop while you are out.

Is the Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch for You?

The Citizen Promaster has enough features to be a good choice for any professional diver and makes for an excellent casual use watch.

If you prefer an athletic feel to your watches but still want it to have an elegant and classy aesthetic, this could be for you.

Pros

  • Exceptional water resistance
  • Legible dial design
  • Good value for money

Cons

  • Might be too specific for the non-diver

Specifications

  • Stainless Steel
  • Citizen Eco-Drive Technology
  • Mineral Crystal Lens
  • Changeable straps
  • Water Resistance: 660 meters
  • 43mm dimension

Citizen Avion Eco-Drive

Citizen Avion Eco-Drive

Design and Performance

The Avion is an eco-drive stainless steel watch that features an unusual yet stunning rose gold case. This may not be for everyone, but it does add some character to an otherwise basic sports watch.

Both fun and functional, the colors on the face are not only bright and exciting but make it easier to read and understand the information on the face.

Unfortunately, this pilot watch does have some flaws in the design, considering that it is only the hands that are luminescent.

The piece comes with a thick leather strap and gives the watch a slight vintage look that adds to its aviator feel.

The Eco-Drive Japanese quartz movement in this piece is phenomenal. For all watches, but pilot watches, in particular, you want accuracy.

Citizen makes sure that won’t happen; as long as you have a light source, this watch will always be ready to go.

Is the Citizen Avion Eco-Drive for You?

If you enjoy a decent pilot’s style watch that looks good on and has decent functionality, you won’t be disappointed wearing this on your wrist.

It is suitable for casual wearers who want a bit of added flair to their regular day watch.

Pros

  • Accurate eco-drive movement
  • Aviator aesthetic
  • Clear design

Cons

  • No luminescence other than the watch hands

Specifications

  • Stainless Steel
  • Citizen Eco-Drive Powered
  • Mineral Window
  • Water Resistance: 100 meters
  • 45mm dimension

Citizen BL5551-06L Eco-Drive Titanium

Citizen BL5551-06L Eco-Drive Titanium

Design and Performance

The BL5551-06L is a stunning casual timepiece that upgrades your regular workaday piece into a super functional yet stylish watch.

As a brand, Citizen did a fantastic job designing this watch.

Featuring a leather strap and super titanium case, this piece feels incredibly lightweight while still looking elegant and modern.

Its mineral window allows for incredibly clear readability. Its deep blue dial has clearly placed luminescent markers and hands that fit well and give the piece a more attractive design.

It features a 1/20 second chronograph with a perpetual calendar, dual time, tachymeter, and date and alarm.

Combining these features with the eco-drive quartz movements of the watch will allow that you accurately know the time and date wherever you are.

Once fully charged, this watch will go on for up to 6 months, and as long as you have a light source, you can be sure it will continue to work for years without the need for a battery.

Is the Citizen BL5551-06L Eco-Drive Titanium for You?

If you want a highly functional watch with an attractive design, has superb comfort, and is lightweight, you can’t go wrong with a titanium piece like this.

Pros

  • Eco-drive quartz movement
  • 1/20 second chronograph
  • Accuracy and precision of time and date

Cons

  • Can be a little busy for the regular watch wearer
  • Pricey

Specifications

  • Super Titanium
  • Citizen Eco-Drive Powered
  • Quartz Movement
  • Water Resistance: 100 meters
  • 43mm dimension

Citizen Blue Angels Stainless Steel Watch

Citizen Blue Angels Stainless Steel Watch

Design and Performance

From afar, the Blue Angels Stainless Steel piece from Citizen looks rather unassuming, but up close, you can tell this watch has many features to offer.

The stainless steel case and bracelet band give plainness to an otherwise busy-looking piece, ensuring that the dial is center stage.

The watch uses yellow markers on its blue dial, giving contrast, ensuring clarity in the markers, and adding to its sporty look.

This Blue Angels piece features automatic timekeeping and an atomic clock in 26 world cities, and a trio of chronograph subdials.

These subdials are displayed as a perpetual calendar chronograph, 1/20 second chronograph, power reserve indicator, and 12/24 time.

These are convenient features for anyone who travels often or has family or business abroad.

Citizen’s eco-drive technology will keep these features moving so long as there is a light source available.

Its anti-reflective sapphire window dial ensures no scratching or chipping and extra clarity when viewing the time.

Is the Citizen Blue Angels Stainless Steel Watch for You?

If you enjoy a high-performing watch with an athletic feel that is good for casual daily wear, try this on.

Pros

  • Clear dial with contrasting colors
  • Several chronograph subdials
  • Simple and clean aesthetic

Cons

  • A little more expensive than their other pieces with similar features

Specifications

  • Stainless Steel Case
  • Citizen Eco-Drive Powered
  • Sapphire Crystal Window
  • Water Resistance: 200 meters
  • 43mm dimension

Citizen Black Ion-Plated Watch

Citizen Black Ion-Plated Watch

Design and Performance

This watch is one of a few models offered by the Citizen brand that exudes elegance in its simplicity.

An entirely black case and dial fitted with simple dark silver hands and markers give this piece extreme sleekness in its design.

The Black Ion-Plated Citizen watch may not have the most features, but it is still a solid contender on this list of best citizen watches.

This casual stainless steel piece is covered with a mineral window. While the elegant black dial includes a date window sitting atop the 6 o’clock marker.

This is a minimalist piece which makes it an easy choice as an inconspicuous dress watch.

It is solar-powered with Japanese quartz movements, so it still has the accuracy expected of a Citizen watch as well as a property that prevents it from overcharging.

Is the Citizen Black Ion-Plated Watch for You?

If you are a fan of minimalist pieces and don’t need a watch with too many features, then you’ll love this.

It makes a profound statement in its simplicity and can be worn for both casual and formal occasions.

Pros

  • Simple and elegant design
  • Japanese Quartz precision
  • Sleek, minimalist appeal
  • Water-resistant

Cons

  • Could be too plain for some

Specifications

  • Stainless Steel Case
  • Citizen Eco-Drive Powered
  • Mineral Dial Window
  • Water Resistance: 50 meters
  • 40mm dimension

Our Pick for Best Citizen Watch: Citizen Corso

The Citizen Corso Eco-Drive Watch takes the crown for its beautiful simplicity, authenticity, and versatility.

This is an excellent entry-level option and comes in several different models to match anyone’s style/preference.

The Corso performs just as well as luxury watches while maintaining an affordable price. This can quickly become one of your go-to watches.

If you didn’t find anything you like, you might like a Seiko watch. Check out our comparison of the two brands in our article: “Seiko vs. Citizen”.

What is Eco-Drive?

The Citizen Eco-Drive technology is revolutionary in the field of watchmaking, and no other watches or watch companies can compete.

This technology answered the demand for alternative energy by turning any kind of light into energy to power their watches.

Citizen is confident that with their watches, you can go about your daily life without worrying your watch will stop.

It’s already evident that Citizen watches are made with the utmost care and precision, which is why they hold the title as one of the best watches today.

Conclusion

This list has hopefully helped you with choosing from the citizen watches. The standard and quality is undeniable, not to mention it’s hard to beat their affordability.

Each piece is well thought, and with their continually advancing technology, the brand has watches to suit all lifestyles.

Recommendation:

Citizen BM7100-59E Corso Eco-Drive

★★★★★

Citizen Watches Men BM7100-59E Corso Eco-Drive
About Paul Morrison

For years I’ve been buying and selling watches as a hobby, which led me to the decision of starting Watch for Tomorrow. I write a lot of the content, and I enjoy doing it. The most important aspect for me is the guidance of buying watches as well as avoiding bad ones. There are many bad watches out there, that are just too expensive. Hopefully, I can help you find your dream watch!