1. Support for Citizen’s dedicated smartphone apps for certain Bluetooth watches will end on December 31, 2027.
2. After January 1, 2028, app-linked features may stop working reliably due to smartphone OS updates.
3. Core timekeeping functions will continue to be supported as long as repair parts are available, but connected features will diminish over time.
4. The affected models include those with W770, W770 Riiiver, W410, and W510 calibers, spanning multiple generations and ecosystems.
5. Citizen will not be liable for any loss of functionality related to the discontinued apps after the specified date.
Support Discontinuation for Citizen Bluetooth Watches
Citizen has(specifically) made a official statement that they are planning to stop support for their dedicated smartphone apps that works with some of their Bluetooth-enabled watches. This switch is going to happen on December 31, 2027, and after that date, all the app-linked features for those models won’t be there anymore. The info was released around March 30-31, 2026, giving users some heads-up about what’s coming.
Affected Models and Features
This change affects watches with the W770, W770 Riiiver, W410, and W510 calibers. These watches are part of a wide array that depends heavily on their companion apps for functions like notifications, automatic time updates, and other smart features. If you’re a user of those models, be prepared that as of January 1, 2028, the apps might not work properly anymore because of updates to smartphones and mobile OS changes. Citizen clearly states they won’t be responsible for any loss of app functionality after that date.
Implications for Current Users
Many watches, especially those with case numbers starting with “EE” and “BZ”, are impacted. These models come from different generations, mainly involving the Riiiver ecosystem, which is known for smart features. While the core timekeeping functions—like just telling time—will still work, the connected features dependent on the apps will start to fade. It’s similar to what other brands like Fossil experienced, where support for certain smart or hybrid platforms becomes harder as mobile systems evolve over time.
Longevity of Basic Timekeeping
- Despite the app support ending, primary timekeeping functions will continue to work as long as necessary replacement parts are available.
- However, features tied to connectivity such as notifications, automatic syncing, etc., will gradually become obsolete.
- This scenario is typical for many smartwatches once software support is discontinued—older models remain as basic watches.
Knowing this, current owners of these Citizen smartwatches should consider the future usability of their devices. They will still serve well as quartz watches, but should expect the digital and smart functionalities to disappear over time due to the lack of app support. This is a common reality with technology, where support for older devices decreases as new firmware and OS updates come out.
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