Story Highlight
– Citizen Watch UK sales rose 8% to £36.8 million.
– Operating profit reached an all-time high of £2.5 million.
– Bulova’s 150th anniversary boosted sales and press coverage.
– Focus on 50 years of Eco-Drive technology upcoming.
– Japanese watchmakers outperform Swiss rivals in recent years.
Full Story
Citizen Watch UK has reported an 8% increase in sales for the financial year ending March 2026, achieving a record turnover of £36.8 million.
The company’s operating profit also reached a historic high of £2.5 million, reflecting an 11% rise compared to the previous year.
The UK division oversees the sales and distribution of notable watch brands, including Citizen, Bulova, Frederique Constant, Alpina, and Accutron. Bulova, which marked its 150th anniversary during this financial year, received particular attention for its performance.
The brand’s introduction of special edition timepieces not only drove sales but also attracted significant media attention and consumer interest, as highlighted in Citizen’s report. The company noted, “We worked with many of our key retail partners to enhance this celebration, resulting in strong sell-through and an increase in market share.”
This year, Citizen plans to capitalise on the success of anniversaries by highlighting 50 years of its Eco-Drive technology. In a forward-looking statement, the company expressed cautious optimism: “We are cautiously optimistic about the year ahead. With an exciting line-up of new product collections across our brands launching throughout the year, we are confident that, in conjunction with our advertising campaigns and sponsorships, our brands will continue to thrive, even amid consumer uncertainty.”
Comparatively, the parent company, Citizen Watch Company, along with Japanese watchmakers Casio and Seiko, has been outperforming Swiss brands in recent years. Last year, the combined watch sales of Richemont’s specialist division experienced a decline of 4% in reported terms, though they remained stable with a 1% increase at constant exchange rates. This is contrasted by the impressive growth rate of 12% for the Japanese trio.
On a global scale, Citizen Watch Company reported a 10% rise in annual turnover from its watches division, reaching ¥197 billion (approximately CHF 1 billion at current rates) for the year ending March 31, 2026. Watch sales for the group, encompassing Citizen, Bulova, Alpina, and Frederique Constant, have notably doubled since the 2020-21 period.
