One is a reliable workhorse of the watch world. The other is a cheat code of Swiss manufacturing. Let's compare Citizen and Tissot watches and ask: which brand is right for you?
If you've never compared Tissot and Citizen directly, I can understand why. Besides being in the same relative and broad price range, can they even be compared?
I think they can. In fact, I believe they can be compared and contrasted more effectively than people think.
Tissot is under the umbrella of a large watch group. Meanwhile, Citizen is the umbrella. Suppose you're considering buying a watch. Maybe your budget is on the lower end of the spectrum. Or maybe it runs into the thousands.
Citizen and Tissot are undeniable rivals in any situation.
Therefore, it is useful to compare the strengths and weaknesses of each brand.
Tissot vs Citizen: Overview
Both Citizen and Tissot offer functional yet attractive "workhorses" as well as elegant everyday watches. Perhaps Citizen leans more towards the former and Tissot towards the latter.
I would say that the more important overarching qualities that separate these two brands are as follows.
Citizen offers highly precise and well-thought-out designs. They are committed to sustainability principles.
Even their main technology, the Eco-Drive movement, powers watches with light, eliminating the need to change the battery. Impressively, these innovations are available across a wide price range, even in models in the $100-$200 category.
Tissot is one of the most popular brands offering affordable Swiss-made watches. Their watches are generally simple and reliable. If you approach the price range of $400 to $1000, you can find some excellent automatic movements.
Models equipped with Swissmatic and Powermatic 80 movements have democratized the world of Swiss mechanics.
Tissot: A Bit of History
I'm going to briefly discuss the history of Tissot, as it relates to its particular merits as a relevant brand. Thus, if the brand's history is of great importance to you, you can compare this information with Citizen's.
Tissot was founded in 1853 in Le Locle, Switzerland. This means they are true Swiss watchmakers. Today, Tissot is part of the Swatch Group.
Fortunately, Swatch is also a Swiss company, so you will still find the coveted "Swiss made" mark on Tissot watch dials.
Reasons to Choose Tissot Watches
Once again, it's great that you can find Swiss-made mechanical watches at such low prices. The $400 mark is certainly a low price compared to most models on the market.
That's because Tissot brilliantly figured out how to take Swiss craftsmanship and bring it into the realm of mass production. Their Swissmatic watches are a direct result of this. I also like that they usually offer exhibition case backs.
Their Powermatic 80 model, meanwhile, boasts an 80-hour power reserve.
Nevertheless, Tissot also offers cheaper budget options with quartz movements. These models, like most Tissot models, usually feature a traditional Swiss aesthetic. They even sell "pendant" watches, which are essentially pocket watches.
Tissot Everytime watches are easy to find for under $300. These are generally classic everyday watches that can be worn in both casual and formal styles. Of course, watches with Roman numerals appear more formal than those with baton markers.
Even within different lines of these watches, you can find quite traditional pieces.
Dress watches are simple and come with leather straps. Divers are robust and feature a rotating outer bezel. As we mentioned in our Tissot analysis, they aren't reinventing the wheel, but none of their watches lack Tissot-specific character.
If you dig a little deeper, you can discover some unusual specimens based on historical innovations. For example, in the 1950s, Tissot released the Navigator model with a slide rule. Modern models like the Telemeter 1938 continue to delve into these archives.
Citizen: A Bit of History
Interestingly, a Swiss watchmaker named Rodolphe Schmid registered the Citizen brand in Switzerland. Formally, Citizen has existed since 1918.
However, in 1930, Citizen acquired the Shokosha Watch Research Institute. It was then, with the help of Japanese investors, that their watch production truly flourished.
Today, Citizen is primarily an electronics company, with watches being their main product.
That's why all their watches are good, from electronic quartz to mechanical ones costing a thousand dollars. They don't skimp on cheap models and don't treat them as cash cows to support their expensive sub-lines.
They have the electronic know-how for the former and watchmaking skills for the latter.
Reasons to Choose Citizen Watches
One advantage Citizen has over Tissot is that their innovations are available in a wider price range. If Swiss mechanical Tissot watches at $500 are affordable in terms of the market, then Citizen's Eco-Drive technology can be found in models costing up to $200.
Eco-Drive is powered by light, meaning you don't have to change the battery. It's very convenient.
If you want to learn more about Eco-Drive, we've got you covered.
Citizen watches are simple, disciplined, and well-made workhorses. They are perfect for rough use. And their aesthetics are generally based on utility.
So you might think Tissot is the better choice for more expensive models, given their Swiss heritage and innovative mechanics.
But that's not necessarily the case.
I've heard people complain that Citizen, being an electronics company, doesn't give their watches personality. There's a sort of anonymity to them.
Firstly, some guys like that. Secondly, that's why they easily manage to secure cool partnerships, like with Disney.
Yes, these brands creatively collaborate with Citizen to create meaningful collaborations. However, even if Disney simply drew a mouse on basic Citizen watches, their solid construction would ensure they stand head and shoulders above any fashion watch trinkets.
And many critics might be surprised to learn that if you dig a little, you can find some quite artistic models.
Reference AQ4100-65W is a good example. It's made of lightweight and durable titanium, and its timekeeping accuracy is five seconds per year. Moreover, this model is a limited edition with an elegant dial made of Japanese washi paper, handcrafted from Japanese tree fibers.
Is Tissot Better Than Citizen? It's All About Preferences
Is Tissot better than Citizen? Is Citizen better than Tissot? The question of Tissot vs Citizen is a matter of your priorities.
If you're looking for affordable luxury watches, many point to Tissot. But that's more because they're Swiss watches with a strong focus on mechanical movements - two desirable qualities for many consumers.
However, one cannot deny Citizen's watchmaking craftsmanship. It's more than just a workhorse.
It's the workhorse quality that makes the cheapest Citizen watches functionally better than the cheapest Tissot watches. And their expensive limited edition models are surprisingly artistic.
What do you prefer, Citizen or Tissot? What has been your experience with each brand? Share it in our Telegram channel!