Anyone use a Citizen EcoDrive watch

jzmtl · **Reply #30 on:** June 09, 2013, 08:15:43 PM

This is the one I'm looking at, no idea what's inside, this will be my first citizen watch so I'm not familiar with the brand.

http://www.citizenwatch.com/en-us/watches/watch-detail/?model=BN0095-08A

nuphoria · **Reply #31 on:** June 09, 2013, 08:17:17 PM

Looks really nice, and will probably serve you very well too

jzmtl · **Reply #32 on:** June 09, 2013, 08:32:16 PM

Thanks. It's on amazon for $147 right now so seems like a good deal, if their estimation is right I should have it sometime next week. I guess their simplistic nature should be easier on the battery compare to casio solar ABC watches.

nuphoria · **Reply #33 on:** June 09, 2013, 08:34:31 PM

In theory I imagine that's true

jzmtl · **Reply #34 on:** June 09, 2013, 10:49:26 PM

Just noticed something interesting, even their most expensive ecodrive dive models have mineral crystal, seems they are somehow anti-sapphire.

Gareth · **Reply #35 on:** June 10, 2013, 08:14:38 AM

Mine is around 7 years old now and has never given me a moment of trouble.

Chako · **Reply #36 on:** June 10, 2013, 12:54:07 PM

I have several. I have had only one problem with one watch...the battery died and needed to be sent back to Citizen for repair. Good solid dependable watches overall.

jzmtl · **Reply #37 on:** June 11, 2013, 10:18:08 PM

Should get mine tomorrow.

When you receive an eco drive, are you suppose to let it charge up for a day or two, or start use it right away (indoor environment)?

jekostas · **Reply #38 on:** June 11, 2013, 10:20:39 PM

You should be able to start using it right away.

Re: Batteries, they will need to be changed every 10 years or so. If you don't have watchmaker near by that can source the capacitors needed you will have to send it back to the manufacturer.

Santos · **Reply #39 on:** June 12, 2013, 09:57:30 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on June 11, 2013, 10:18:08 PM

Should get mine tomorrow.

When you receive an eco drive, are you suppose to let it charge up for a day or two, or start use it right away (indoor environment)?

They charge with ANY light source so providing you are not in a pitch black room you will be fine.

nuphoria · **Reply #40 on:** June 12, 2013, 02:43:21 PM

Yeah, most light will work including indoor bulbs etc, just slower then bright sunlight

Never had mine close to running down even though it mostly sits in a dark box and then gets worn at night as a dress watch!

gustophersmob · **Reply #41 on:** June 17, 2013, 11:09:57 PM

Quote from: jekostas on June 11, 2013, 10:20:39 PM

You should be able to start using it right away.

Re: Batteries, they will need to be changed every 10 years or so. If you don't have watchmaker near by that can source the capacitors needed you will have to send it back to the manufacturer.

I have heard this for some earlier Casio solar models, but I thought the new ones were supposed to be longer.

I remember reading somewhere that Citizen claimed around 20 yrs + capacitor life, but I would need to find that again to be sure.

EDIT: I couldn't find exactly what I remember reading, but the Citizen US website uses terms that give the impression the cell will last for a very long time (forever, lifetime, etc.) For example:

"A special Eco-Drive energy storage cell is used to store the electricity from the converted light energy. The high quality of the cell precludes it from being affected from the regular charge/discharge cycle as with an ordinary battery. With normal care and exposure to light, the owner can be assured of a lifetime of reliable and trouble free power. As an added benefit to the environment, the energy cell contains none of the chemicals used in ordinary watch batteries."

Singh · **Reply #42 on:** June 30, 2013, 06:36:26 PM

I ditched my Seiko 5 because of erratic timekeeping (+/- 4 minutes a day), and at under $100..its not worth getting fixed. As a last ditch, I popped the back and tried monkeying with the regulator.. and no luck.

So I got a Citizen BM8180-03E Eco-Drive last Christmas. It keeps great time, and the solar-battery thingy seems to be working well. It also seems like the crystal face is more durable than the seiko.

nate j · **Reply #43 on:** July 01, 2013, 06:26:47 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on June 09, 2013, 10:49:26 PM

Just noticed something interesting, even their most expensive ecodrive dive models have mineral crystal, seems they are somehow anti-sapphire.

Although most of them have mineral crystal, I don't think that is necessarily true...

http://www.citizenwatch.com/en-us/watches/watch-detail/?model=BL1250-55E

wytwolf · **Reply #44 on:** July 01, 2013, 01:01:07 PM

Had my Eco drive for about 5 years now. Hasn't skipped a beat.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

jzmtl · **Reply #45 on:** July 02, 2013, 01:54:41 AM

Quote from: nate j on July 01, 2013, 06:26:47 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on June 09, 2013, 10:49:26 PM
Just noticed something interesting, even their most expensive ecodrive dive models have mineral crystal, seems they are somehow anti-sapphire.

Although most of them have mineral crystal, I don't think that is necessarily true...

http://www.citizenwatch.com/en-us/watches/watch-detail/?model=BL1250-55E

That's not listed under their diver model though.

nate j · **Reply #46 on:** July 02, 2013, 04:43:14 AM

Yes, I suppose technically Citizen considers it part of the Signature -> Courageous family rather than part of the Eco-Drive -> Dive family (where do they come up with this stuff?

), but it does have a sapphire crystal and Eco-drive power, and with a screw-down crown and case back, all stainless hardware and bracelet, one-way rotating bezel, and 300-meter water resistance, it is as much a functional diver as any other watch Citizen makes.

jzmtl · **Reply #47 on:** July 02, 2013, 07:01:11 AM

Still, for the price they ask it better have sapphire. I think I just saw a $70 watch on amazon that claims sapphire crystal.

On another note, I'm quite impressed by the lume on my eco drive diver, easily one of the best.

nate j · **Reply #48 on:** July 03, 2013, 01:24:18 AM

Quote from: jzmtl on July 02, 2013, 07:01:11 AM

Still, for the price they ask it better have sapphire. I think I just saw a $70 watch on amazon that claims sapphire crystal.

On another note, I'm quite impressed by the lume on my eco drive diver, easily one of the best.

I still kick myself occasionally for not buying one of the Citizen professional divers back when they offered them with a bracelet. At the time, though, they were almost $300. I just couldn't justify it and ended up picking up Seiko black monster (a great watch, if you can put up with the issues inherent in the automatic movement) for literally half of that.

jzmtl · **Reply #49 on:** July 03, 2013, 02:50:00 AM

Yeah, bracelet is lifetime, whereas the proprietary lug/strap on mine could be more expensive in the long run. I called Citizen to inquire about spare in case they don't carry it anymore when I need one, but said screw it when they told me it'll be only $50 for a rubber strap.

nate j · **Reply #50 on:** July 04, 2013, 05:40:14 AM

Agreed. I'm a big fan of bracelets over straps. Sure, the initial cost is a bit higher, but I think they balance the weight of the watch better, are more durable, and more versatile. A good-looking dive watch on a nice bracelet can go with a swimsuit (or wet suit), a three-piece suit, or anything in between. Try finding a strap that can do that.

Swiss Man · **Reply #51 on:** July 08, 2013, 02:10:05 AM

My Eco Drive family

nate j · **Reply #52 on:** July 08, 2013, 04:33:03 AM

Nice collection. Do you have a favorite?

Swiss Man · **Reply #53 on:** July 08, 2013, 09:39:29 PM

This one for dress

This one for casual

Looking to get rid of this one.

We are family

frjack · **Reply #54 on:** July 10, 2013, 03:41:48 AM

Quote from: Swiss Man on July 08, 2013, 09:39:29 PM

This one for dress
(Image removed from quote.)

This one for casual
(Image removed from quote.)

Looking to get rid of this one.
(Image removed from quote.)

We are family

The first and third are waaaay too busy. I don't know how anyone can make sense of them.

???

Sent from my Nexus S via Splatter Squawk two point doh