Citizen started life in 1918 as the Shokosha Watch research Institue. Famous for their pocket watches, the Institue produced a commercial model, the Calibre 16 Pocket Watch. Sold under the name of Citizen in 1924, the Calibre 16 started the journey for this Japanese watch brand. The introduction of solar-powered timepieces launched Citizen to international success. By far their most important and successful launch to date, the Eco-Drive threw away conventional ideas regarding standard battery powered watches and helped develop Quartz technology to new levels.