Citirzen Eco drive watch

Santos · **on:** July 25, 2011, 02:28:49 AM

My mother is semi-retired and works in a jewellery shop on sundays. After telling her that i was looking for a basic seiko self-winding watch as an intermediate step (till i save up for a monstrous titanium Casio PRG500 or PRG510) she got it into her head that i was better off with an eco-drive citirzen because the rep had just been and she could get one for cost+tax (ie half the price of a discount seiko)

So i had a look at some of the models on offer and walked away with one of these`.

I really like the simplicity of it (apperance wise) and had to battle a bit with my mother and her friend on the other side of the counter because they kept objecting that it was a small dial which isn't fashionable at the moment, i had said i wanted a dress watch so maybe something with a metal band and etc etc

but now its mine and i've warn it for the week and am really enjoying a watch back on my wrist. I was wondering on peoples experiences on the ecodrives though, i was wanting a self winding as a watch that will run long after the world ending event of Social-decay/zombies/coporations/carnivorous-fluffy-bunnies-with-sharp-pointy-teeth/tofu.(Which is another reason why i opted for the canvas strap so i can still get a seiko along the line

) Since they are self-powered you also get the bonus of not having to pressure test them everytime you replace the battery.

So what are people experiences on eco-drives? anyone kill one yet? I believe they have been around since the late 90's so maybe onr or two of you cats have one?

Swiss Man · **Reply #1 on:** July 25, 2011, 04:19:59 AM

Love the Eco Drive have owned one for several years.
It is a perpetual calendar so once you set it you are good to go (though it takes an owners manual to set it).

Since then I have added more to my collection.

bquinlan · **Reply #2 on:** July 25, 2011, 06:18:51 AM

My Citizen Skyhawk is still going strong. The Eco-Drive system works well and the watches are very tough.

I think its a toss-up between automatics and Eco Drives for which will survive longer in the wild. The power cell in an Eco Drive will eventually stop holding a charge. Automatics are complex and tend to fail without occasional maintenance. The upper limit on either seems to be quite high.

--Bob Q

Chako · **Reply #3 on:** July 25, 2011, 06:28:07 AM

Yes, I have had to replace the battery in one of my Eco Drives, but overall, fantastic watches.

Gareth · **Reply #4 on:** July 25, 2011, 08:10:10 AM

Do remember that if you keep it in a dark drawer for a long time it will stop running until you get it back into the light. I've had mine for nearly six years and love it, never once let me down.

Neil · **Reply #5 on:** July 25, 2011, 05:35:13 PM

My wife has an eco drive watch that has been working well for a few years.

I particularly like the look of that one. You are a man of taste

Swiss Man · **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2011, 03:04:02 AM

Some more eye candy

Santos · **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2011, 06:27:20 AM

For some reason i have a hankering to know where north is.
i'm thinking maybe of getting a silva watch-strap compass for it... the only thing is stopping me is the fact is the silva are meant to fit 19mm starps and mine is 18mm...

That and i still need to spend the money on a battered old silva compass to leave in the suzuki when i find one.

Carthas · **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2011, 04:11:54 PM

I've had this particular watch for 14 years now. My dad went halves with me for it for my 21st birthday. I paid an absolute mint for it at the time (probably more than it is worth), but it has never needed a new battery or run out of charge in that time.

Apparently, these batteries are only supposed to last about 10 years, so I guess it's running on borrowed time

Swiss Man · **Reply #9 on:** July 27, 2011, 03:43:50 AM

Quote from: Carthas on July 26, 2011, 04:11:54 PM

I've had this particular watch for 14 years now. My dad went halves with me for it for my 21st birthday. I paid an absolute mint for it at the time (probably more than it is worth), but it has never needed a new battery or run out of charge in that time.

(Image removed from quote.)

Apparently, these batteries are only supposed to last about 10 years, so I guess it's running on borrowed time

I have never heard of a expire date on an Eco Drive I know that ever now and then the capacitor jacks up but it is very rare.

Carthas · **Reply #10 on:** July 27, 2011, 11:23:09 AM

Quote from: Swiss Man on July 27, 2011, 03:43:50 AM

I have never heard of a expire date on an Eco Drive I know that ever now and then the capacitor jacks up but it is very rare.

That is good to know. Thank you

gustophersmob · **Reply #11 on:** July 28, 2011, 12:58:03 AM

I have a Citizen eco-drive diver (model BN0000-04H). I have worn mine every day for 4 years now, and it has been a great, trouble free watch. There are some light scratches on the crystal now, but I think it is reasonable for a sub $200 watch.

When I got it I immediately put mine on a Hirsch Carbon strap.

This post shows the watch on a carbon strap like mine (better pics than mine):
http://www.larrybiggs.net/scwf/index.php?mod=103&action=0&id=1137355664

Here is my pic from a year or so ago: