BRAND HISTORY

TECHNOLOGY＆
HISTORY of PROMASTER

A companion in meeting challenges
for more than a century.

Over 100 years of
Citizen craftsmanship DNA

SCROLL

INTRODUCTION

BRAND HISTORY

TECHNOLOGY＆
HISTORY of
PROMASTER

OVER 100 YEARS OF
CITIZEN CRAFTSMANSHIP DNA

EPISODE 01 - EPISODE 09

1924 - 2016

A companion in
meeting challenges
for more than a century.

Determined men and women tackling the most punishing environments to push beyond their limits.
Whether on land, sea, or air, no matter time or circumstance, PROMASTER has backed professionals in their work with safe, consistent support for over 30 years.
Enabling this history is over 100 years of Citizen craftsmanship DNA
coupled with a host of advanced technologies from successfully meeting challenges time and again.

EPISODE 01
EPISODE 02
EPISODE 03
EPISODE 04
EPISODE 05
EPISODE 06
EPISODE 07
EPISODE 08
EPISODE 09

EPISODE

Establishment of
Shokosha Watch
Research Institute

1924

Founder Kamekichi Yamazaki was determined to produce watches in Japan, at a time when imports were the norm. After establishing Shokosha Watch Research Institute just outside of Tokyo, Yamazaki set up the Shokosha Watch School to train talented technicians he considered essential for creating exceptional watches. With these steps, the history of Citizen had begun.

1924

Completion of Citizen’s
first pocket watch

The first product from Citizen Watch. In hopes that many citizens would come to love this watch for years to come, then-Tokyo mayor Count Shinpei Goto named the watch “CITIZEN.” Soon thereafter, on May 28, 1930, the name given to the watch was adopted for the establishment of a new company, Citizen Watch Co., Ltd.

EPISODE

The
Parashock
Experiment

1956

EPISODE

The
Parashock
Experiment

The year 1956 saw the debut of Parashock, Japan’s first wristwatch with a shock-resistance mechanism. At its heart is a structure that functions as a shock absorber when in motion, protecting the watch from impact even when dropped from high places. To demonstrate this durability, Citizen conducted tests across the country in which the watch was dropped from a helicopter 30 metres high. The Parashock concept of safeguarding against impact led directly to today's shock counteraction function, where the second hand never skips even when a Citizen watch is hit.

1956

Japan’s first
shock-proof watch

We held public demonstrations to highlight the efficacy of Parashock’s shock-proof mechanism. In one instance, Parashock was dropped from a helicopter hovering at a height of 30 metres to the street in front of a department store.

EPISODE

After crossing
the ocean,
what happened to Parawater?

1959-1970

Since 1963, Citizen has conducted tests to have its Parawater wristwatch cross the ocean, both to demonstrate its water resistance and to carry out tidal research. In the first test conducted to cross the Pacific Ocean, 100 buoys with the wristwatch attached were launched into the ocean from ships in three waves. The buoys then rode the Kuroshio Current as part of a large-scale experiment to traverse the Pacific. To encourage international friendliness and goodwill, letters from Japanese junior high and high school students were also enclosed in some of the buoys. Three years later, in 1966, one of the buoys was found off the coast of Manzanita in the U.S. state of Oregon.
All the watches that were finally collected operated normally, and proved the Parawater's water-resistant qualities.

1959

Japan’s first fully
waterproof watch

Parawater is the forerunner of all the water-resistant watches CITIZEN manufactures today. It achieved water resistance through special O-ring gaskets used to seal the glass, the back cover, the jointed parts of the body, and the crown. Moisture (along with dust) is the arch-enemy of the watch, but Parawater neatly solved both problems. Swimming in the sea with your watch on suddenly became all the rage.

1970

The world’s first
titanium watch

With its 99.6% solid titanium case, the X8 Chronometer was a groundbreaking model for its time. It defined an epoch by applying titanium—a glamorous material that had played a crucial part in the Apollo 11 moon landing—to the everyday wristwatch. The X8 Chronometer was our last electronic product to get official certification from the Japan Chronometer Inspection Institute. It was manufactured for a short time and sold fewer than 2,000 units.

TECHNOLOGY

CITIZEN
Super Titanium^™

Imagine comfort that invites continued use.

EXPLORE

EPISODE

Titanium
research

The 1960s – a decade that saw the entire world enthralled by the 'Apollo program', the manned space missions that helped put humankind on the moon. All eyes turned to lightweight, strong and rust-resistant titanium as the go-to material for work in space. Before long, the thought emerged that these properties could make titanium the ideal material for wristwatches that contact with human skin. That idea was the start of Citizen’s titanium research. In 1970, after surmounting high fabrication hurdles, Citizen finally released the “X-8” as the world’s first wristwatch with a titanium exterior. Combining the symbols used to express the unknown (“X”) and infinity (“8”), the product name, “X-8 Cosmotron Chronometer” embodies anticipation in the infinite possibilities of titanium as an unknown material at the time.

EPISODE

A pioneer
in light-powered
watches

1973-1982

After being first in the world to announce a light-powered watch in 1976, Citizen has repeatedly honed development of this technology and steadily produced light-powered watches. The Eco-Drive watch, which can continue to run not only on sunlight but also on faint indoor lighting, is the first watch to completely eliminate periodic battery changes. Since 2009, annual sales of Eco-Drive-equipped watches have reached 4 million units worldwide. Put differently, if Eco-Drive did not exist, this would roughly translate into an 8,400m-high stack of waste batteries each year, almost equivalent to the height of Mt. Everest. Today, Eco-Drive technology is present in virtually the entire Citizen PROMASTER line of watches. The environmental soundness of this lineup is fitting in a sports watch for professionals so closely engaged with nature.

1973

The first Citizen wristwatch
with authentic chronograph functionality

This model was Citizen’s first authentic chronographwrist watch. A heart cam mechanism enabled rapid resetting of the chronograph hands. On the left side of the watch was a 12-hour hand, with a 30-minute hand for the chronograph on the right. To balance the design, the date was displayed vertically in the 6 o’clock position window. In October of the previous year (1972), Citizen had released a product with only a 30-minute chronograph utilising the minute register.

1976

The world's first
light-powered
analogue quartz watch

Eight single-crystal solar cells arranged on the dial to charge a secondary battery made the Crystron Solar Cell the first ever light-powered analogue quartz watch. Nowadays there is widespread awareness of environmental issues, but CITIZEN was quick to wake up to the problem and to develop a product that could be powered by light and that did not require battery replacement.

1982

The world’s deepest
pressure-resistant
1,300m diver’s watch

This pressure-resistant, 1,300m diver’s watch stood in a class by itself at the time. Featuring a no-rust titanium case, the ultra-airtight construction of the watch was designed to exclude helium gas. Emphasising functionality while diving, the watch crown was placed at the 9 o’clock position, with a no-decompression time chart shown on the band.

TECHNOLOGY

Eco-Drive

No need to replace batteries

EXPLORE

EPISODE

A watch
encrusted with barnacles…
but still keeping time

1985-1992

In 1983 a self-winding diver’s watch (a forerunner of the PROMASTER series) was found on Australia’s Long Reef Beach. Although the case was completely overgrown with barnacles and other matter, the watch mechanism was still operating normally, having quietly continued to keep time despite a number of years in the sea.

1985

Sports digital watch
with timer
for competitive yachting

This sports digital watch is equipped with a timer for use in competitive yachting. Features include a larger seconds display for optimal visibility while competing.

1985

The world's first combination quartz watch with depth meter using
an electronic sensor

PROMASTER’s altimeter can measure from minus 300 metres to 10,000 metres above sea level —higher than any mountain on Earth! Once activated, the altimeter continuously measures your altitude for five minutes, then provides automatic readings every three minutes over the next 12 hours, freeing climbers to focus on climbing without the need to perform any fiddly manual operations.
With all the information displayed in analogue rather than digital format, there is no need to switch away from the all-important time display to check altitude or orientation.

1989

The world's first
combination quartz watch
with altimeter using
an electronic sensor

This was the first combination watch featuring altitude and barometric pressure measuring functions. It displays altitude readings in 10 metre increments at 5 minute intervals from 300 metres under sea level to 5,000 metres above sea level. Attainment time and altitude for seven locations can be recorded. The watch also has a function to measure and record the length of time for activities which can double as a chronograph, and automatically measures barometric pressure once per hour. It can withstand harsh temperatures as low as -20℃.

1989

World Time watch
with onboard
microcomputer IC

This World Time watch, tailored to pilots and global business travellers, is the third entry in Citizen’s full LCD screen (analogue/digital) combination watch series. Features include UTC standard display, analogue and digital World Time display, and World Time calendar and alarm functions. The dial and outer register rings also function as a circular slide rule.

1992

PROMASTER Analogue Depth Meter — PROMASTER
Analogue Depth Meter

World’s first wristwatch
with onboard analogue
depth meter

This product was the world’s first wristwatch equipped with an analogue-style electronic depth meter. The watch has five hands in the centre pole that display maximum and current depth simultaneously.

TECHNOLOGY

Altimeter
and compass

10,000 metres:Higher than any mountainon Earth

EXPLORE

EPISODE

1989 –
The Arrival of
PROMASTER

1989-2002

1989 saw the arrival of the PROMASTER brand for land, sea and air professionals. Prior to that, Citizen had developed a variety of watch series embodying its “Sporté” and “Citizen Sporting Life” brand messages. In fact, the logo mark for the new PROMASTER brand featured an arrow design, signifying the concepts “go higher” and “go deeper” from these earlier brands, and a text motif based on the letters SS (for “Sporting Spirit”) associated with them. Built to meet the demands of professionals active in challenging environments, PROMASTER specs are the culmination of Citizen’s century-long commitment to overcoming the challenges of watch development.

1994

A World Time watch that
can switch between
analogue/digital time zones

This multi-motor combination watch simultaneously enables full analogue and digital modes. In addition to switching between analogue and digital time, this watch can operate with the hands not obscuring the digital display. Along with UTC time, this model has an easy-to-navigate instructional display, and can display time using either analogue or digital components.

1997

Rugged watch with altimeter
functionality meeting
the needs of professionals
and amateurs alike

An altimeter is just one of the authentic functions found in this mountain climber-friendly model, designed to support owner safety when scaling peaks or under other intense outdoor conditions. For scratch resistance, a titanium nitride finish gives the watch an ultra-hard (Hv600-800) titanium surface. The sapphire glass utilised is also highly resistant to abrasions. In terms of shock resistance, the watch can withstand hammer shock testing roughly 1.5 times that of diver’s watches, and approximately 2.5times that of regular wristwatches (based on in-house comparisons). As for magnetic resistance, the watch can stand exposure to roughly three times the direct current (JISⅡ - 16,000A/m (200 gauss)) of regular magnetic-resistant watches. For corrosion resistance, the use of titanium materials protects the watch frame from perspiration and seawater, while burn- and tear-resistant materials are used for part of the watch band.

1998

PROMASTER AQUALAND Analogue Depth Meter Eco-Drive — PROMASTER AQUALAND
Analogue Depth Meter Eco-Drive

Global sale of the world’s first
Eco-Drive analogue
depth meter watch

This is the world’s first analogue solar-powered watch to include a depth meter. The watch also functions as a chronograph, making it suitable as a diver’s watch and as a general outdoor watch. This product was released simultaneously in all markets worldwide.

1999

Multifield model equipped
with three sensors
– a depth meter,
an altimeter and a thermometer

The concept behind this multifield model was to deliver a product viable in any field on Earth. This outdoor watch - ready for extremes on land or at sea - comes equipped with a depth meter, an altimeter and a thermometer.

2000

A solar-powered
pilot watch is born

Besides being the first entry in the Navihawk series with a light-powered Eco-Drive, this watch incorporates a newly developed New Power Save function*. The watch is packed with functions essential to pilots, including time display for 30 cities worldwide (UTC display), 24-hour time, 1/100 of a second chronograph (split display), and the ability to rapidly switch between analogue and digital modes. It also has a power level display for determining remaining charge at a glance.*New Power Save function.
When power generation fails due to darkness, the second hand (which consumes the most power) stops moving and the LCD display turns off. If no power is generated after approximately 3 days, all watch hands stop. From a full charge, this leads to dramatic improvement in power performance, allowing the watch to still function for approximately 4 years. Time and date, calendar and other data are also saved, with these functions returning once light is again shined on the watch.

2001

A dive computer watch allowing
management of dive data
when connected to a PC

This diver’s watch comes equipped with an authentic dive computer. Data is transferrable to a PC via infrared connection or the watch’s communication unit (USB cable connectivity). The watch is capable of saving up to 200 hours of log data, while the included communication unit (requires AAA batteries) can also double as an external charger.

2002

PROMASTER 1000m Professional Diver — PROMASTER 1000m
Professional Diver

An authentic diver’s watch
for saturation diving
with a helium-excluding
airtight structure and movable /
removable bezel

This mechanical diver’s watch is ready for saturation diving depths up to 1,000 metres. The airtight structure of the watch protects inner components from the helium gas used during saturation diving, while the movable and removable bezel makes it easy to wash out matter like salt and sand. These and other authentic features help the watch stand up to use by the most demanding professionals. Along with a circular case, the titanium materials are finished with Citizen’s proprietary Duratect surface-hardening technologies.

TECHNOLOGY

Duratect

Never leave a mark on beauty.

EXPLORE

Shock Counteraction
function

Preventing impact-triggered errors.

EXPLORE

EPISODE

Over 20 years of
Blue Angels model
sales

2003-2014

Part of the PROMASTER series, the Blue Angels model has been sold now for over 20 years. The first model in the PROMASTER SKY series of authentic pilot watches debuted in 1989, and these watches have continued to sell for three decades.

2003

PROMASTER Eco-Drive Radio-controlled Watch — PROMASTER Eco-Drive
Radio-controlled Watch

From the PROMASTER line
of authentic sports watches
– a full-metal Eco-Drive
radio-controlled watch

The entire titanium body of this radio-controlled watch is Duratect finished, with a full-metal case that is completely waterproof up to 20 bars. Incorporating both luminescence and a high-quality white coating, the result is a detailed and highly visible dial design comparable to an aeroplane instrument panel. Specific features include a metal band designed to be reminiscent of an aeroplane wing in cross-section; a fit adjuster clasp adjustable for arm comfort with one touch; an enlarged date for rapid confirmation based on Universal Design concepts; and an Eco-Drive, offering up to two years of continuous operation on a full charge (6 months if power save not engaged). While loaded with high-end specs, those with an eye for functional beauty will find their active minds stimulated by the professional specifications of this model.

2008

The world’s first Eco-Drive
Radio-controlled diver’s watch

Water resistant up to 200m, this authentic diver’s watch is the world’s first to feature radio-controlled functionality, having already cleared JIS-1 magnetic resistance, high shock resistance, high-sensitivity signal reception and other hurdles. Made with safety in mind, push the screw lock push button at the 2 o’clock position to switch between “Dive Mode” and “Time Signal Receiving Mode.” The mode switch display hand in the centre of the watch points to “Dive Mode” at the 9 o’clock position, or to the date display at the 3 o’clock position for “Time Signal Reception Mode.” With large dots on the dial for easy confirmation when diving, and a band designed to be adjustable even when wearing a wet suit, among other features, this product comes ready with an ample array of diver’s watch functions.

2013

Measurement scope ranging
from above the highest peaks
on Earth (10,000m) to 300m
below sea level

The scope of directional and altitude measurement for this watch ranges from 10,000m, higher than any peak on Earth, to 300m below sea level. All information is displayed in analogue format rather than LCD. While using the watch for its fundamental function – to tell time – both altitude and directional data can be read simultaneously.

2014

Equipped with
a depth meter that can
measure depths up to 70m

This analogue-style Eco-Drive watch comes with depth meter functionality, which has since been improved to 70m. This expert model is poised to become the centrepiece of the PROMASTER MARINE series, built to meet ISO/JIS specifications.

TECHNOLOGY

Eco-Drive
Radio Controlled

No need to change batteries or adjust the time.

EXPLORE

Satellite Wave GPS

Precise timekeeping anywhere.

EXPLORE

EPISODE

Waterproof trial conducted by
"Deepsea 6500"

2016

In developing the Eco-Drive Professional Diver 1000m, Citizen conducted a trial in collaboration with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMTEC). Specifically, a prototype of the watch was attached to the Deepsea 6500 experiment basket to test water infiltration at depth. Results showed that the watch continued to function properly even under high water pressure, confirming that watch operation is possible at water depths well beyond 1,000 metres.

2016

Eco-Drive
PROFESSIONAL
DIVER 1000m

First in the world. A diver's watch with Eco-Drive light-powered technology and water resistance for saturation diving up to 1,000 metres.

OVER 100 YEARS OF
CITIZEN CRAFTSMANSHIP DNA

EPISODE 01 - EPISODE 09
1924 - 2016

Repeat the challenge of development,
Ahead of many layers of
advanced technology,
A must for adventurers
who open land, sea and sky,
PROMASTER with features
and performance.

We always look at the times,
Deeper, higher, more distant.

It will not change from now on,
Support universal adventure
and underlying curiosity,
To continue to be an irreplaceable partner.

GO BEYOND

Beyond your imagination.

MARINE

Go Deeper

A diver's watch
that's the real thing
for the ocean's deepest depths

EXPLORE

LAND

Go Higher

A field watch for adventurers whose
endless curiosity drives them on
through the toughest environments

EXPLORE

SKY

Go Further

A pilot's watch for global players
going to the ends of
the earth and beyond

EXPLORE

TECHNOLOGY＆HISTORY of PROMASTER

INTRODUCTION

A companion in meeting challenges for more than a century.

Establishment of Shokosha Watch Research Institute

1924

Completion of Citizen’sfirst pocket watch

TheParashockExperiment

TheParashockExperiment

1956

Japan’s firstshock-proof watch

After crossingthe ocean,what happened to Parawater?

1959

Japan’s first fully waterproof watch

1970

The world’s firsttitanium watch

TECHNOLOGY

CITIZENSuper Titanium™

CITIZEN Super Titanium™

Titaniumresearch

A pioneerin light-poweredwatches

1973

The first Citizen wristwatch with authentic chronograph functionality

1976

The world's first light-powered analogue quartz watch

1982

The world’s deepest pressure-resistant 1,300m diver’s watch

TECHNOLOGY

Eco-Drive

Eco-Drive

A watchencrusted with barnacles…but still keeping time

1985

Sports digital watch with timer for competitive yachting

1985

The world's first combination quartz watch with depth meter using an electronic sensor

1989

The world's first combination quartz watch with altimeter using an electronic sensor

1989

World Time watch with onboard microcomputer IC

1992

World’s first wristwatch with onboard analogue depth meter

TECHNOLOGY

Altimeterand compass

Altimeter and compass

1989 – The Arrival of PROMASTER

1994

A World Time watch that can switch between analogue/digital time zones

1997

Rugged watch with altimeter functionality meeting the needs of professionals and amateurs alike

1998

Global sale of the world’s first Eco-Drive analogue depth meter watch

1999

Multifield model equipped with three sensors – a depth meter, an altimeter and a thermometer

2000

A solar-powered pilot watch is born

2001

A dive computer watch allowing management of dive data when connected to a PC

2002

An authentic diver’s watch for saturation diving with a helium-excluding airtight structure and movable / removable bezel

TECHNOLOGY

Duratect

Shock Counteractionfunction

Duratect

Shock Counteraction function

Over 20 years of Blue Angels model sales

2003

From the PROMASTER line of authentic sports watches – a full-metal Eco-Drive radio-controlled watch

2008

The world’s first Eco-Drive Radio-controlled diver’s watch

2013

Measurement scope ranging from above the highest peaks on Earth (10,000m) to 300m below sea level

2014

Equipped with a depth meter that can measure depths up to 70m

TECHNOLOGY

Eco-Drive Radio Controlled

Satellite Wave GPS

Eco-Drive Radio Controlled

Satellite Wave GPS

Waterproof trial conducted by "Deepsea 6500"

2016

Eco-Drive PROFESSIONAL DIVER 1000m

TECHNOLOGY＆
HISTORY of PROMASTER

A companion in
meeting challenges
for more than a century.

Establishment of
Shokosha Watch
Research Institute

Completion of Citizen’s
first pocket watch

The
Parashock
Experiment

The
Parashock
Experiment

Japan’s first
shock-proof watch

After crossing
the ocean,
what happened to Parawater?

Japan’s first fully
waterproof watch

The world’s first
titanium watch

CITIZEN
Super Titanium^™

CITIZEN
Super Titanium^™

Titanium
research

A pioneer
in light-powered
watches

The first Citizen wristwatch
with authentic chronograph functionality

The world's first
light-powered
analogue quartz watch

The world’s deepest
pressure-resistant
1,300m diver’s watch

A watch
encrusted with barnacles…
but still keeping time

Sports digital watch
with timer
for competitive yachting

The world's first combination quartz watch with depth meter using
an electronic sensor

The world's first
combination quartz watch
with altimeter using
an electronic sensor

World Time watch
with onboard
microcomputer IC

World’s first wristwatch
with onboard analogue
depth meter

Altimeter
and compass

Altimeter
and compass

1989 –
The Arrival of
PROMASTER

A World Time watch that
can switch between
analogue/digital time zones

Rugged watch with altimeter
functionality meeting
the needs of professionals
and amateurs alike

Global sale of the world’s first
Eco-Drive analogue
depth meter watch

Multifield model equipped
with three sensors
– a depth meter,
an altimeter and a thermometer

A solar-powered
pilot watch is born

A dive computer watch allowing
management of dive data
when connected to a PC

An authentic diver’s watch
for saturation diving
with a helium-excluding
airtight structure and movable /
removable bezel

Shock Counteraction
function

Shock Counteraction
function

Over 20 years of
Blue Angels model
sales

From the PROMASTER line
of authentic sports watches
– a full-metal Eco-Drive
radio-controlled watch

The world’s first Eco-Drive
Radio-controlled diver’s watch

Measurement scope ranging
from above the highest peaks
on Earth (10,000m) to 300m
below sea level

Equipped with
a depth meter that can
measure depths up to 70m

Eco-Drive
Radio Controlled

Eco-Drive
Radio Controlled

Waterproof trial conducted by
"Deepsea 6500"

Eco-Drive
PROFESSIONAL
DIVER 1000m

OVER 100 YEARS OF
CITIZEN CRAFTSMANSHIP DNA

BRAND
CONCEPT

ABOUT
Save the BEYOND

SATELLITE WAVE GPS
DIVER 200m