This superb Citizen was the first solar-powered watch! Very vintage, its original strap suits it perfectly. I find this watch original and bright. The photovoltaic cells have a mirror effect. Despite these few years in the sun, I define this Citizen as modern and up-to-date.

The 1st rays…

Citizen was founded in 1918 in Japan by Kamekichi Yakamazi of the Shokosha Watch Research Institute in Tokyo. Now one of the world's largest watch companies, recognized for its innovative watches and cutting-edge technology. The history of Citizen begins with the launch of its first pocket watch in 1924, called the "CITIZEN".
<h2 dir="ltr">History of the Citizen brand</h2>
This watch was equipped with a high-quality mechanical movement and was highly valued for its precision and reliability. It quickly gained popularity, establishing the foundation of Citizen's reputation in watchmaking.
Over the following years, Citizen continued to innovate and push the boundaries of watchmaking technology. In 1956, the company introduced the world's first pocket wristwatch, which revolutionized the way watches were worn. This innovation paved the way for a new era of more practical and functional watches. In the 1960s, Citizen released several revolutionary watches, including the Citizen Parawater, Japan's first waterproof watch, and the Citizen Cosmotron, the country's first solar-powered electronic watch. These technological advances have solidified Citizen's position as a pioneer in the watch industry.
Citizen has also played a key role in the quartz watch industry. In 1973, the company introduced the Citizen Crystron Solar Cell, the first quartz watch powered by solar energy. This innovation paved the way for a new generation of more precise and durable quartz watches with the 1976 launch of the technology<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/citizen/eco-drive"> Citizen Eco-Drive</a>.
Over the decades, Citizen has continued to introduce new features and technologies into its watches. In 1993, the company launched the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/citizen/promaster_aqualand"> Citizen Promaster Aqualand</a>, a diver's watch that has pushed the boundaries of underwater performance. It was equipped with features such as measuring depth and diving time, which allowed divers to explore the seabed safely.
In the 2000s, Citizen began developing ecological watches. In 2008, the company introduced the Citizen Eco-Drive Satellite Wave, the first solar-powered watch capable of receiving satellite signals for optimal accuracy around the world. This revolutionary technology eliminated the need to change batteries, providing a more durable and convenient solution for watch enthusiasts. Over the past few years, Citizen has maintained its leading position in the watch industry. The company continues to innovate in design, technology and sustainability, while maintaining its commitment to quality and precision.
Today, Citizen is a globally recognized brand, offering a wide range of watches to suit all tastes and needs. Whether for lovers of classic watches, diving watches, connected watches or sports watches, Citizen offers varied options meeting the expectations of consumers around the world. Citizen is one of the 3 major Japanese watchmaking groups with<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/seiko"> Seiko</a> And<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/casio"> Casio</a>.
The current range includes models such as&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/citizen/eco-drive">Citizen Eco-Drive</a>, <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/citizen/promaster_diver">Citizen Promaster Diver</a>,<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/citizen/tsuyosa"> Citizen Tsuyoza</a>, Citizen Skyhawk or&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/citizen/chronomaster">Citizen Chronomaster</a>.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does a Citizen watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Citizen watches change regularly and vary depending on the model. Most cost between $400 and $800 depending on the models and finishes. As an example, a<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/citizen/eco-drive_diver_200m"> Citizen Eco-Drive</a> starts to $250 and the top of the range Citizen with the collection<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/citizen/the_citizen"> The Citizen</a> oscillates between $3,000 and $7,000. Prices also fluctuate depending on the distributor, and promotions sometimes allow you to benefit from a more competitive price. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Citizen.
<h2 dir="ltr">Citizen: The other giant of Japanese watchmaking</h2>
Citizen Watch is a renowned Japanese watch company with a history dating back almost a century. From its first mechanical watches to its innovations in solar energy, quartz and sustainability, Citizen has played a major role in the evolution of the watch industry. Today, Citizen continues to position itself as a global leader, offering superior quality watches combining functionality, design and innovation.
Citizen is owned by a Japanese industrial group in the same way as the brands <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/bulova">Bulova</a>,<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/alpina"> Alpina</a>, Arnold &amp; Son and<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/frederique_constant"> Frederick Constant</a>. Citizen produces several million watches per year, all models combined. To choose the Citizen model that best suits you, Dialicious customer reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating different models through real owner experience.
Check out the <a href="https://preprod.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_japanese_watch_brands">Ranking of the best japanese watch brands</a>, including Citizen.
(Updated December 2023)

Passionate about Japanese watches, and especially about Citizen and its rich history, it was through in-depth research that I discovered this splendid model.

First released in 3 color variations (black, blue and white), it then appeared with this magnificent anthracite dial (rhodium if I dare say ...) of a captivating depth.

Instant love at first sight, I therefore placed an order, and had this timepiece imported from the Land of the Rising Sun. And yes, as is often the case, Citizen reserves its most beautiful models for its fellow citizens ... as a reminder of the very essence of the brand name.

What a surprise when unpacking, and what benefits for the price, which I will mention below: a stunning gray dial, a perfect size of 38mm, according to my criteria of course... a thickness of 10.5mm, an open back on a very high quality, reliable, robust, and nicely decorated manufacture caliber and a case alternating polished, brushed, almost reminiscent of a Zaratsu polishing. 

Its hands are worked as well as its faceted indexes of the most beautiful effect. 

The three-link steel bracelet is comfortable and qualitative, we do not generally find this (if ever...) on watches of this range. 

The icing on the cake, all this is protected by Duratec technology, specific to Citizen, which allows me today to have a watch in impeccable condition, free of scratches. 

Many qualities, which must have a certain price, obviously: €410 including tax, import fees and VAT paid. Impressive. 

If you're wondering how they did it, know that I did too...

There are a few negative points to mention, to tell the truth, I only found three, after a whole year of wearing this watch daily: the oscillating weight of the Miyota 9011 driving the watch is sometimes a little noisy.

The clasp of the watch is a pressed clasp, although it is of very good quality... but can you ask for more at this price.

And finally, the unsigned crown, to nitpick...

Nevertheless, these small details are very quickly forgotten when you have it on your wrist.

Its versatility is its strength, its comfort its asset. As well dressed with its steel bracelet for an assumed sport chic style, it will also know how to accompany you during a more formal evening, itself dressed to the nines, sporting its most beautiful alligator leather.

In conclusion, it is a magnificent watch that one will come across very rarely, and which will bring complete satisfaction in many situations, to those who will know how to appreciate it...

A clever mix between Japan and Switzerland, between a Citizen Chronomaster and a Rolex Datejust.

Hoping that these few lines will be able to transmit at best, my passion for Japanese watches.

Astaroth

A surprising watch from Japan...

Citizen Oxy chrono from 1999... bought new, it is fitted with a metal bracelet that does not pull out the hairs on the wrist. Metallic brown in color, it is very discreet with its 38 mm diameter. On the other hand, with age, even washing your hands makes it take on water... The glass is very original which handicaps it for seeing the time.

To be viewed with good eyesight

This watch has a cushion-shaped mirror-polished steel case. While the case is relatively large, the bezel and dial make the timepiece appear smaller than it actually is. The gray dial is the model's strong point. Not liking steel bracelets, I equipped my watch with a Bond-style NATO strap, which suits it particularly well. I am less fond of the logo-free crown and the solid caseback. Nevertheless, this timepiece remains particularly competitive.

Platform mechanical automatic 

Its use in the 90s by the divers of the Italian Navy is at the origin of my interest in this model. Funny anecdote: although it is written on the original dial "Diver's Water Resist 200M", the Marina Militare had qualified it as water-resistant to 500M!
I bought mine new in April 2022. It is equipped with a movement with stop-seconds (the 8204, although it is written 8203 on its dial: my model must be part of the transition batches with the old dials and the new movements).
Its original strap is too rigid, I preferred to replace it with a gray strap in vulcanized rubber.
Apart from that, only positive, and its movement is rather well adjusted: the drift of mine is +6 seconds per day on average... not bad for an automatic watch at 200€! ;)

NY0040, the Marina Militare has good taste! :)

My citizen alarm from the 60s looks like a memovox and sounds like an angelus. It is versatile. You just have to change its strap to have a new watch every time. On a nato, it has a vintage military look and mounted on a leather strap, it becomes a dressy and elegant watch.

My poor man's memovox

La marque Ollech &amp; Wajs a &eacute;t&eacute; cr&eacute;&eacute;e en 1956 par Joseph Ollech et Albert Wajs &agrave; Zurich en Suisse. Albert &eacute;tait charg&eacute; de la conception, de l&rsquo;ing&eacute;nierie et de la fabrication des montres, tandis que Joseph s&rsquo;occupait du marketing et de la vente au d&eacute;tail. Avant de cr&eacute;er leur propre montres sous la marque Ollech &amp; Wajs, ils ont commenc&eacute; leur activit&eacute; en 1954 en fabriquant des bracelets en acier pour d&rsquo;autres marques.
La marque est connue pour avoir distribu&eacute; des montres &agrave; des unit&eacute;s de l&rsquo;arm&eacute;e am&eacute;ricaine pendant la guerre du Vietnam et pour avoir gagn&eacute; sa renomm&eacute;e aupr&egrave;s des plongeurs et pilotes du monde entier.
Apr&egrave;s 12 ans de n&eacute;gociation et apr&egrave;s avoir &eacute;t&eacute; son distributeur pour le march&eacute; fran&ccedil;ais, en 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, un passionn&eacute; d&rsquo;horlogerie, rach&egrave;te la marque. La gamme actuelle comprend des mod&egrave;les comme la Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 et la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104">Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000">Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, la <a title="Page Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph" href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph">Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> et la Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2>Combien co&ucirc;te une montre Ollech &amp; Wajs ?</h2>
Les prix des montres Ollech &amp; Wajs &eacute;voluent et diff&egrave;rent selon les mod&egrave;les. La plupart co&ucirc;tent entre CHF 1,500 et CHF 2,000 selon les mod&egrave;les et les finitions. Comptez CHF 1,456 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI et pr&egrave;s de CHF 2,300 pour une Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronographe. Le march&eacute; de l'occasion est &eacute;galement une opportunit&eacute; &agrave; regarder pour acheter une Ollech &amp; Wajs moins ch&egrave;re. Les mod&egrave;les Vintage notamment les Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron et&nbsp;<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron">Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, sont tr&egrave;s pris&eacute;es des collectionneurs et ils convient de bien se renseigner sur le vendeur avant de franchir le pas de l'acquisition d'une vintage.
Ollech &amp; Wajs est une marque de montres ind&eacute;pendante et produit plusieurs centaines de montres par an, tous mod&egrave;les confondus. Pour choisir une Ollech &amp; Wajs qui vous correspond le mieux,&nbsp;les avis clients Dialicious sont une pr&eacute;cieuse ressource pour &eacute;valuer chacun des diff&eacute;rents mod&egrave;les &agrave; travers l'exp&eacute;rience r&eacute;elle des clients.
Consultez le <a href="https://www.dialicious.com/top/les_meilleures_marques_de_montres_suisses">Classement des meilleures marques de montres suisses</a> dont Ollech &amp; Wajs fait partie.
(Mise &agrave; jour Octobre 2024)

The brand Ollech &amp; Wajs was created in 1956 by Joseph Ollech and Albert Wajs in Zurich, Switzerland. Albert was responsible for the design, engineering and manufacturing of the watches, while Joseph handled marketing and retail sales. Before creating their own watches under the brand Ollech &amp; Wajs, they started their business in 1954 making steel bracelets for other brands.
The brand is known for distributing watches to units of the American army during the Vietnam War and for having earned its reputation among divers and pilots around the world.
After 12 years of negotiations and after having been its distributor for the French market, in 2017, Charles Le Menestrel, a watchmaking enthusiast, bought the brand. The current range includes models like the Ollech &amp; Wajs P-101 and the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/p-104"> Ollech &amp; Wajs P-104</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/c-1000"> Ollech &amp; Wajs C-1000</a>, the<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/ocean_graph"> Ollech &amp; Wajs Ocean Graph</a> and the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron.
<h2 dir="ltr">How much does an Ollech &amp; Wajs watch cost?</h2>
The prices of Ollech &amp; Wajs watches change and differ depending on the model. Most cost between CHF 1,500 and CHF 2,000 depending on the models and finishes. Expect to pay CHF 1,456 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs 350CI and close to CHF 2,300 for an Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron Chronograph. The second-hand market is also an opportunity to look at to buy a cheaper Ollech &amp; Wajs. Vintage models including the Ollech &amp; Wajs Navichron and<a href="https://www.dialicious.com/en/ollech_&amp;_wajs/astrochron"> Ollech &amp; Wajs Astrochron</a>, are very popular with collectors and they should find out about the seller before taking the step of purchasing a vintage one.
Ollech &amp; Wajs is an independent watch brand and produces several hundred watches per year, all models combined. To choose an Ollech &amp; Wajs that best suits you, Dialicious owners' reviews are a valuable resource for evaluating each of the different models through real owner experience.
Consult the<a href="https://preprod.dialicious.com/en/top/the_best_swiss_watch_brands"> Ranking of the best Swiss watch brands</a> of which Ollech &amp; Wajs is part.
(Updated October 2024)

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