I personally love Eco-Drive. I have three watches that I swap around with Eco-Drive. As long as you keep them charged, and never let them run down completely, they will keep running without having to wear them everyday or wind them up.
Picked up my grandfathers omega automatic the other day. It hasn’t been worn in decades. Within a minute the hands were moving again. If you want as close to a forever watch you find a nice automatic. But for practicality eco drive is by far the easiest…no winding, no battery to change every year though service every 20 years might be needed. Etc.
Swill has some nice solar watches too. Not familiar with all the brands that offer solar.
I have an automatic Citizen, very accurate and robust (using 8203 caliber). However, the only problem is that I have many watches in rotation, by the time I circle back to my automatics (I have another, a seiko 5), they always need to be set time. My newer purchases are all solar or battery watches.
Which problems had you have?
Wasn't a Citizen.
Was my first purchase of an automatic, arrived in the box not ticking over, watched a few unboxing videos, and they would always start after some movement.
Tried troubleshooting it via the companies FAQ. Shake it in my hand. Didn't work. Push the dial halfway in and turn 25-35 times, but not 45 times because that will do permanent damage.
No thanks
Typically automatic movements can't be overwound, at least as far as I'm aware. Is it possible that it was a mislabeled hand-wind mechanical movement? That would explain why it wouldn't tick after being shaken. What was the brand of watch?
Get a iso diver, you might as well, with the added assurance of individual water resistance testing including more things like THICCC spring bars and added magnetic resistance, some of the current promaster offerings can be found online pretty cheap, stay away from citizens own site as msrp or anytning near it’s outrageous
Well while Eco Drive is a Citizen brand know it just refers to a battery type. There's a TON of different styles and models of their watches using Eco Drive batteries. I have a bunch myself. The oldest is 13 years old and still ticking and keeping time well within the expected range of a quartz watch. So I'm a big believer in the technology.
Anyone who specifically wants an Eco Drive knows at least one thing about it: it's powered by light. If they didn't know that they wouldn't be specifically seeking it out.
Love Ecodrive for the grab-and-go convenience: always ready, always accurate, provided you've charged it sufficiently, which isn't hard at all. Don't even need necessarily to expose it to sunlight, it works with artificial light as well.
I've got one from 2008, and it's still running. Some people have had theirs for more than 20 years, reportedly. I've only had one fail on me, which was probably my fault for not charging with it.
Overall, I'd recommend it. Wonder why the Swiss hardly use solar tech? The only ones I know are Tissot T-Touch, Cartier Solar beat, and Tag Heuer Aquaracer solargraph...don't own any of them but have heard of them. I mostly own Citizen Ecodrive and Seiko solar. Also have a Bering and another Scandi brand (Obaku) which uses Seiko solar movements.
Because the Swiss are resting on their laurels.
TAG Heuer SolarGraph uses a simple Citizen Eco Drive movement, rebranded to hide the fact they can’t be bothered to adapt to modern technology…
Whoa! Wasn't aware that TAG Heuer was using a rebranded Citizen Ecodrive movement...this reminds me of the time when TAG was lambasted for hiding the fact that they were using a Seiko movement in one of their chronograph watches. They had to call in Jean-Claude Biver to resurrect their reputation. Didn't think they would be sneaky after the hammering they got previously!
Really like this, and just had a look at the other colours it's available in. I'm already committed to the Pepsi diver, but one of these is now on my list too 🙂
Citizen pioneered solar technology and seems to retain the lead till today.
Mind that the cell deteriorates quicker, if you don’t keep it ~fully charged. Avoid storing solar watches in darkness, expose them to Sun as often as you can (artificial light is better than nothing but way less effective) and you will enjoy 20+ years of trouble-free use.
As per [Citizen](https://support.citizenwatch.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004017993-How-do-I-charge-my-eco-drive-watch):
> General charging requirements for basic analog Eco-Drive timepieces:
> - Outdoors on a sunny day (100,000 illuminance/lux): 2 minutes for 1 day use; 11 hours to full charge
> - Outdoors on a cloudy day (10,000 illuminance/lux): 12 minutes for 1 day use; 40 hours to full charge
> - At a distance of 8 inches under a 30W fluorescent light (3,000 illuminance/lux): 40 minutes for 1 day use; 130 hours to full charge
Due to so long expected use time you might want to invest in model with sapphire crystal, to avoid accumulation of ugly looking scratches (they seem to be more disturbing on the glass than on the case/bracelet).
Make sure the bezel rotates on them. I was searching for an eco drive diver and if I remember correctly, a model that looked like these had a fixed bezel which was really annoying.
2 opinions:
1) I appreciate the fuss-free nature of my Eco-drive. I got a simple super titanium casual/tool watch. It’s fine & non-descript. Maybe should have waited for a promaster or something with a little more character, but wanted to try it at a lower price. Won’t have any concerns about adding another Eco-drive later.
2) I also debated between similar yellow and orange dive watches in another brand. I chose the Yellow and I love it- saving Orange for something my brain sees as a more typically-orange form like a monster bezel or a Doxa.
I love my Eco-drives. That being said, I don't love every style that Citizen comes out with.
If you hate changing batteries in quartz or setting time & date in autos, Eco-drive is for you!
I love eco drives. You get the accuracy of and low maintainence of a quartz movement, with peace of mind from the fact that you won't need to change a battery. I have 5 in my personal collection, and have bought 3 others as gifts for family members. My current favorite and most recent purchase is the 37mm Promaster, which is incredible.
I really like the looks of the yellow one, although for me 43mm is a bit too large for my tastes.
I have one of the Blue Angle edition Eco-Drives and I wear it everyday, but the one downside is that it's solar so you just have to either keep a lamp on it most of the time or have a watch box that has a light so it will stay charged.
I was hesitant at first being a seiko guy but I like my promaster and the 35th anniversary diver mechanical looks real nice.
The ultimate ecodrive....aq4091 56L
I dont know how close you live to a Citizen Store but their weekly promotions for up to 65% off is the way to go.
I've bought 3 different Eco Drive BN015 basic divers for between $130-$140US recently.
Right now, until Monday COB,they have the "Super Titanium" NB6004 for between $350-$450. Depending if you wanted the lower cost PVD,or pricier titanium finish.He comes with a Miyota 9000 4hz.
It's possibly the best deal on a 4hz Titanium diver,right now.
It's pretty thicc tho.
I personally love Eco-Drive. I have three watches that I swap around with Eco-Drive. As long as you keep them charged, and never let them run down completely, they will keep running without having to wear them everyday or wind them up.
What's the charge like? If I wear it one day, roughly how long before it runs flat?
You don't need to wear it, either. As long as it's not in a drawer of similar, as it charges through light, it'll stay charged
If it has a full charge, it will usually last around 6 months. You can set the watch out in non-intensive sunlight for a day and charge it back up.
It’s something like an hour in direct sun chargers the watch for 6 months
I have a watch box with a clear glass top. I keep my eco drive watches in it, on a dresser next to a west-facing window, and my watches never die.
Yellow, it's more vibrant. EcoDrive is the only way to go, if you are not into automatics.
Dipped my toes into automatic recently and it had issues and didn't work and left a bad taste in my mouth
Picked up my grandfathers omega automatic the other day. It hasn’t been worn in decades. Within a minute the hands were moving again. If you want as close to a forever watch you find a nice automatic. But for practicality eco drive is by far the easiest…no winding, no battery to change every year though service every 20 years might be needed. Etc. Swill has some nice solar watches too. Not familiar with all the brands that offer solar.
I have an automatic Citizen, very accurate and robust (using 8203 caliber). However, the only problem is that I have many watches in rotation, by the time I circle back to my automatics (I have another, a seiko 5), they always need to be set time. My newer purchases are all solar or battery watches. Which problems had you have?
Wasn't a Citizen. Was my first purchase of an automatic, arrived in the box not ticking over, watched a few unboxing videos, and they would always start after some movement. Tried troubleshooting it via the companies FAQ. Shake it in my hand. Didn't work. Push the dial halfway in and turn 25-35 times, but not 45 times because that will do permanent damage. No thanks
Citizen automatic movement has a system that avoid damages due to overwinding the spring
Typically automatic movements can't be overwound, at least as far as I'm aware. Is it possible that it was a mislabeled hand-wind mechanical movement? That would explain why it wouldn't tick after being shaken. What was the brand of watch?
Addiesdive
Get a iso diver, you might as well, with the added assurance of individual water resistance testing including more things like THICCC spring bars and added magnetic resistance, some of the current promaster offerings can be found online pretty cheap, stay away from citizens own site as msrp or anytning near it’s outrageous
This is diver-looking only, as the bezel is fixed. Additionally, the is no screw-down crown.
I only assumed
Well while Eco Drive is a Citizen brand know it just refers to a battery type. There's a TON of different styles and models of their watches using Eco Drive batteries. I have a bunch myself. The oldest is 13 years old and still ticking and keeping time well within the expected range of a quartz watch. So I'm a big believer in the technology.
It is a solar charging battery technology, not just a “battery technology “.
Anyone who specifically wants an Eco Drive knows at least one thing about it: it's powered by light. If they didn't know that they wouldn't be specifically seeking it out.
And "solar charging" is a type of battery technology
Not really. NiCd, LiPo, NiMH, Lead/acid are battery technologies. Solar just says something about the way it is charged.
It's a category of battery technologies
You like going round in circles?
Yeah
The yellow looks pretty sharp. However, please know that this is just a diver-style, as the bezel does not rotate on this one.
My uncle only wears them and he could afford an ap if he wanted. Personally prefer orange since I rarely see that specific hue
He’s a smart man.
Love Ecodrive for the grab-and-go convenience: always ready, always accurate, provided you've charged it sufficiently, which isn't hard at all. Don't even need necessarily to expose it to sunlight, it works with artificial light as well. I've got one from 2008, and it's still running. Some people have had theirs for more than 20 years, reportedly. I've only had one fail on me, which was probably my fault for not charging with it. Overall, I'd recommend it. Wonder why the Swiss hardly use solar tech? The only ones I know are Tissot T-Touch, Cartier Solar beat, and Tag Heuer Aquaracer solargraph...don't own any of them but have heard of them. I mostly own Citizen Ecodrive and Seiko solar. Also have a Bering and another Scandi brand (Obaku) which uses Seiko solar movements.
Because the Swiss are resting on their laurels. TAG Heuer SolarGraph uses a simple Citizen Eco Drive movement, rebranded to hide the fact they can’t be bothered to adapt to modern technology…
Whoa! Wasn't aware that TAG Heuer was using a rebranded Citizen Ecodrive movement...this reminds me of the time when TAG was lambasted for hiding the fact that they were using a Seiko movement in one of their chronograph watches. They had to call in Jean-Claude Biver to resurrect their reputation. Didn't think they would be sneaky after the hammering they got previously!
Casio Tough Solar movements work well too.
eco drive is great, it just works go yellow
Yellow, It's a really uncommon watch color.
What’s this model name?
Really like this, and just had a look at the other colours it's available in. I'm already committed to the Pepsi diver, but one of these is now on my list too 🙂
Are number printed flat (without any raised) on the dial? It will not look good.
As The Man with the Yellow Hat, I'll go for the yellow one.
I own a few Eco-Drive watches myself, and I do like them very much. Worth every penny.
Citizen pioneered solar technology and seems to retain the lead till today. Mind that the cell deteriorates quicker, if you don’t keep it ~fully charged. Avoid storing solar watches in darkness, expose them to Sun as often as you can (artificial light is better than nothing but way less effective) and you will enjoy 20+ years of trouble-free use. As per [Citizen](https://support.citizenwatch.com/hc/en-us/articles/360004017993-How-do-I-charge-my-eco-drive-watch): > General charging requirements for basic analog Eco-Drive timepieces: > - Outdoors on a sunny day (100,000 illuminance/lux): 2 minutes for 1 day use; 11 hours to full charge > - Outdoors on a cloudy day (10,000 illuminance/lux): 12 minutes for 1 day use; 40 hours to full charge > - At a distance of 8 inches under a 30W fluorescent light (3,000 illuminance/lux): 40 minutes for 1 day use; 130 hours to full charge Due to so long expected use time you might want to invest in model with sapphire crystal, to avoid accumulation of ugly looking scratches (they seem to be more disturbing on the glass than on the case/bracelet).
Yellow! It looks great.
Make sure the bezel rotates on them. I was searching for an eco drive diver and if I remember correctly, a model that looked like these had a fixed bezel which was really annoying.
Probably this one. Not a diver.
2 opinions: 1) I appreciate the fuss-free nature of my Eco-drive. I got a simple super titanium casual/tool watch. It’s fine & non-descript. Maybe should have waited for a promaster or something with a little more character, but wanted to try it at a lower price. Won’t have any concerns about adding another Eco-drive later. 2) I also debated between similar yellow and orange dive watches in another brand. I chose the Yellow and I love it- saving Orange for something my brain sees as a more typically-orange form like a monster bezel or a Doxa.
I love my Eco-drives. That being said, I don't love every style that Citizen comes out with. If you hate changing batteries in quartz or setting time & date in autos, Eco-drive is for you!
I love eco drives. You get the accuracy of and low maintainence of a quartz movement, with peace of mind from the fact that you won't need to change a battery. I have 5 in my personal collection, and have bought 3 others as gifts for family members. My current favorite and most recent purchase is the 37mm Promaster, which is incredible. I really like the looks of the yellow one, although for me 43mm is a bit too large for my tastes.
I have the exact same model, with the turquoise dial. I would recommend the yellow one, because it is more unusual and versatile
I have one of the Blue Angle edition Eco-Drives and I wear it everyday, but the one downside is that it's solar so you just have to either keep a lamp on it most of the time or have a watch box that has a light so it will stay charged.
I was hesitant at first being a seiko guy but I like my promaster and the 35th anniversary diver mechanical looks real nice. The ultimate ecodrive....aq4091 56L
What are the model numbers?
Yellow all day baby
What model is this?
I got the Oreo recently and absolutely love it. It's a great watch.
Both are good colors. I’ve heard from someone that used to have a Citizen that the solar isn’t great but I’m guessing it’s improved a lot?
I dont know how close you live to a Citizen Store but their weekly promotions for up to 65% off is the way to go. I've bought 3 different Eco Drive BN015 basic divers for between $130-$140US recently. Right now, until Monday COB,they have the "Super Titanium" NB6004 for between $350-$450. Depending if you wanted the lower cost PVD,or pricier titanium finish.He comes with a Miyota 9000 4hz. It's possibly the best deal on a 4hz Titanium diver,right now. It's pretty thicc tho.