CITIZEN will auction their Limited Edition #1 Pocket Watch and specially curated commemorative brand book, celebrating 100 years since the first CITIZEN branded timepiece.
This exclusive set will be featured in Sotheby’s highly anticipated Important Watches sale on December 6th in New York. Estimated at $10,000 – 15,000, proceeds of the set will benefit 1% for the Planet, a longstanding partner of CITIZEN and organisation dedicated to environmental conservation.
Marking a century of watchmaking excellence, this auction lot is not only a testament to CITIZEN’s rich heritage but also a unique collector’s item, destined to be cherished for generations.
Jeffrey Cohen President, Citizen Watch America
“We are delighted to continue our 100th anniversary celebration with Sotheby’s as we reach a global audience of collectors and enthusiasts who share our values of craftsmanship and environmental responsibility. With proceeds benefiting 1% for the Planet—every tick towards sustainability matters as we honour our legacy of contributing towards a better future.”
In 1924, the first watch to carry the CITIZEN name was a pocket watch created by the Shokosha Watch Research Institute, founded to develop key technical skills necessary to make watches for the Japanese market. The name ‘CITIZEN’ was suggested by the mayor of Tokyo in the hope that watches—at the time, still an expensive luxury that few could afford—might one day be produced for all the citizens of Japan, and then for the world. One of the largest makers of watches in the world, CITIZEN today manufactures perhaps the widest range of wristwatches of any company on Earth in terms of design, engineering, and technical advances.
This new 2024 pocket watch is designed to reflect CITIZEN’s path forward for the next 100 years – it pays homage to the classic beauty of the original while also incorporating modern advancements including higher accuracy and a lightweight titanium alloy case. A free-sprung balance wheel is the heart of the watch, delivering high accuracy of -3 to +5 seconds a day. The design of the movement incorporates numerous gentle curves. The bridges have diamond cut edges and the movement features the gentle waves of the Côtes de Genève finish. The advanced movement is contained inside a lightweight titanium alloy case. The watch is both a pleasure to hold and a pleasure to look at – lightweight luxury with a balance that gleams as it rhythmically marks the passage of time.
In addition to the pocket watch, the Limited Edition commemorative brand book, Citizen: The Essence of Time published by Assouline and written by Jack Forster, global editorial director at the 1916 Company and former editor in chief of HODINKEE and Revolution USA, chronicles CITIZEN’s remarkable journey over the past century. Featuring iconic timepieces, innovative advancements, and the company’s commitment to sustainability, this beautifully designed volume offers a glimpse into CITIZEN’s history, celebrating its role in shaping the future of horology.
1% for the Planet provides personalised giving strategies and forges powerful partnerships between businesses and environmental nonprofits to ensure the most impact possible. 1% for the Planet was founded to encourage businesses to give back to the environment, and CITIZEN is proud to join this mission. The proceeds from this auction will support various environmental initiatives that protect the planet for future generations.
The Important Watches auction will take place on Friday, December 6th at Sotheby’s New York headquarters, with a public exhibition open on Thursday, December 5th. Bidders from around the world will have the opportunity to acquire this extraordinary piece of history while supporting a vital cause.