Citizen Resale Value Guides

2 guides to what used Citizen is worth — the price at each condition grade, which lines hold their value, and how to date or identify what you have. Citizen’s selling point is that its watches never need a battery. Eco-Drive movements run on light, which removes the single most common reason a used quartz watch appears dead.

Which Citizen pieces hold their value

Eco-Drive models, which charge from light and avoid the battery question entirely
The Promaster diver and pilot ranges, which are the enthusiast lines and hold value better than the dress watches
Watches on their original bracelets with all the removed links included, since links are model-specific
Mechanical models from the higher-end ranges, which are collected in a way the quartz ones are not

And what pulls the price down

Eco-Drive cells that no longer hold a charge, which happens after many years and requires a proper capacitor replacement rather than a battery
Scratched mineral crystals, which cannot be polished the way acrylic can
Missing bracelet links, which are specific to the model and expensive to source
Faded bezel inserts on the diver models, though some buyers actively like this and it is worth photographing rather than describing

Identifying and dating yours

These are the checks that decide which end of the range a piece sits in, and they are the facts a serious buyer will ask for:

The model and case reference are engraved on the caseback — photograph it, since the range is very large
Say whether the watch is Eco-Drive or conventional quartz, because it is the main thing buyers of this brand want to know
Leave the watch in daylight for a day before listing and confirm it holds a charge, then say so

WishThrift does not authenticate or inspect anything. Condition and origin are described by the seller against five grades — what each one means — so photograph the markings above rather than asserting them.

What Citizen items are worth

The most-searched Citizen items on the site, with the band the label typically commands against the generic range for the same item:

Item	Citizen range	Any brand
Gold Watch	£69–£690	£60–£600 (~$92–$919)
Vintage Watch	£57–£575	£50–£500 (~$76–$766)

Sterling guide ranges with an approximate US dollar equivalent at £1 ≈ $1.33 (July 2026). Sellers set their own asking price.

Every Citizen value guide

Selling Citizen on WishThrift

Listing is free and there is no commission on either side — the price you agree with the buyer is the amount you keep, whatever the label is worth. Create a free account, or read the selling guides for what to photograph and how to price.

Frequently asked questions

Is used Citizen worth buying?

It depends far more on the line than the label. Citizen’s selling point is that its watches never need a battery. Eco-Drive movements run on light, which removes the single most common reason a used quartz watch appears dead. Each guide below says which Citizen lines hold their value for that item and which have almost none, so you are comparing like for like rather than paying for the name alone.

How do I check a piece is genuine Citizen?

The model and case reference are engraved on the caseback — photograph it, since the range is very large. WishThrift does not authenticate, inspect or grade anything — condition and origin are described by the seller, so ask directly and expect an answer. A seller who has the item will send a photograph of the marking in minutes.

What is used Citizen worth?

Across the 2 guides here, from about £57 to £690 (roughly $76 to $919) depending on the item and its condition. Grades run New with Tags, Like New, Good, Fair and For Parts.