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Geplaatst op 21-07-2023 door Marc Hut
Does the watch brand Citizen appeal to you? Then you undoubtedly know that most Citizen watches are equipped with an Eco-Drive movement. Eco-Drive basically means as much as: this watch has a light-sensitive cell that powers it. So no more battery changes. Read here what you need to know about Eco-Drive watches.
The advantages of an Eco-Drive timepiece are, of course, obvious. You no longer have to go to the jeweller or Citizen dealer to have your battery replaced. Saves money & time. No need to open the watch unnecessarily either.
4 million Eco-Drive watches are sold worldwide every year. So 4 million fewer watch batteries are now thrown away each year than if Eco-Drive had not been introduced. Assuming for the sake of simplicity that the average battery is 2.3 mm thick, that would result in a lump of batteries as high as Mount Everest every year!
You might think you always have to charge an Eco-Drive in sunlight, but you don't have to. You can also charge the watch in everyday light sources such as LED lamps, fluorescent tubes, etc. However, charging is more efficient and faster in strong light such as sunlight.
We answer some frequently asked questions about Citizen Eco-Drive watches. Here’s what you need to know about Citizen Eco-Drive:
Citizen Eco-Drive watches use light to generate energy. The watches have a solar cell under the dial that converts any kind of light, both natural and artificial, into electricity. This energy is stored in a rechargeable battery, which powers the watch, even in the dark. This means that the watch never needs a new battery, as long as it is regularly exposed to light. Once fully charged, a Citizen Eco-Drive can sit in the dark for a very long time (often more than 180 days) before it stops working.
An Eco-Drive watch can last for decades, depending on maintenance and usage. Citizen claims that their Eco-Drive models are designed to function without problems for at least 10 years, and there have been cases of watches still working perfectly after 20 years. Watches with Eco-Drive movements are very reliable.
Yes, Citizen is recognized worldwide as a reliable and innovative Japanese watch brand with an excellent price/quality ratio. The brand is known for technological advances, such as the Eco-Drive technology, and offers a wide range of watches that are highly valued in terms of both functionality and design. Also read: What kind of watch brand is Citizen?
The rechargeable batteries (accumulators) in Eco-Drive watches can usually last between 10 and 20 years and sometimes longer. The lifespan of the battery depends on how well the watch is maintained and how often it is exposed to light. Even after 20 years, the battery is often still functional, although the storage capacity can decrease, but because it is often still several weeks, you will not notice much of it.
Eco-Drive watches are known for their reliability. Because they do not require regular battery replacement and are designed to last, they are popular with people who want a durable and low-maintenance watch. Many users report that their Eco-Drive watches continue to work for years without any problems. An Eco-Drive is a good alternative to watches with batteries and automatic movements. They are accurate and last a long time.
Charging an Eco-Drive watch is easy: all you have to do is expose the watch to light. Both sunlight and artificial light work, although sunlight charges faster. It is recommended to expose the watch to light regularly to ensure that the battery always has sufficient energy. It is true that an Eco-Drive (depending on the model) often has to be exposed to light for several hours to days to charge from completely empty to completely full. For more information, see the manual that comes with your timepiece.
Although Eco-Drive watches are generally rated very positively, there are a few disadvantages:
- After many years, the rechargeable battery can wear out, making a replacement necessary. Fortunately, we are talking about 10 to 20 years and sometimes much longer.
- If the watch is kept in the dark for a long time, it can stop working. It must then be exposed to light again to recharge. By long-term in the dark, we mean several days to weeks.
- The repair costs of a broken Eco-Drive system can be relatively high, as replacing the battery is more difficult than replacing a standard button cell battery in normal watches.
Eco-Drive watches come in different price ranges, depending on the model and the functions. In general, they are affordable compared to other brands that offer solar technology. Prices often start around €200 and can go up to more than €1000 for the more luxurious models. And don't forget that with a standard quartz watch you will have to replace the battery every 2 to 3 years. You will save yourself these costs with an Eco-Drive!
Well, not really. Not compared to a watch with a battery in any case. A disadvantage can be that you have to charge an Eco-Drive model properly before using it for the first time. Charging for the first time can take a long time, depending on the light source you use. People often think that the watch is sufficiently charged after 10 minutes under a lamp, but you will really have to leave the watch in the light for a lot longer.
A Citizen Eco-Drive watch is pretty special. So special that a watch with an Eco-Drive movement that is fully charged will keep working in complete darkness for more than 6 months. Expose the watch to light regularly and it basically stays charged all the time.
Maybe you think an Eco-Drive watch has such an ugly solar cell as a dial? Kind of like the panel you might have on your roof? This is definitely not the case! 40 years of ongoing development has resulted in these innovative watches being equipped with a light-sensitive cell that is absolutely invisible.
So does an Eco-Drive watch have no disadvantages at all? Well actually no. Not compared to a watch with a battery in any case. One disadvantage might be that you need to charge an Eco-Drive model properly before using it for the first time. Charging for the first time may well take longer, depending on the light source you use. People often think that the watch is sufficiently charged after 10 minutes under a lamp, but you will really have to put the watch in the light for a bit longer.
Once charged, a Citizen Eco-Drive watch is an innovative and reliable timepiece. You save costs, batteries and benefit from an accurate and precise time display!
We can definitely recommend a Citizen Eco-Drive. Reliable watches that always run right on time. WatchXL is an official Citizen watch dealer, check out our range of Citizen Eco-Drive watches.
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