Citizen Eco-Drive Watches

[Tat2d Bald Dude]

Where do you rank them? High end? Low end? Middle of the road?

[dbconlin]

I love the Citizen designs.

I would say they are high-end from the perspective of anything I would actually buy; however, in the overall scheme of things, there are much more expensive watches out there, so probably they are more middle-end (?)

[Robxcarlson]

I have a citizen eco-drive I bought in early 2004 and I don't wear it much, but I recently took it out and it isn't keeping proper time. It will keep time for a little while after it charges, but then the second hand just sort of rocks back and forth in one spot... I need to find out if it's still under warranty.

[Austin]

I would categorize them as middle to lower level watches. Some gents consider them lower level but I think they are very reliable and well made.

[mmack66]

I love the Citizen designs.

I would say they are high-end from the perspective of anything I would actually buy; however, in the overall scheme of things, there are much more expensive watches out there, so probably they are more middle-end (?)

+1. Depends on what method you use to determine the value of a watch.

[gregorykicks]

I have worn one for nearly five years now and can't find a fault.. they are a good watch. I would say they are about right for their price. I got mine on e-bay for $75 and that makes it a steal.

[galopede]

I have a citizen eco-drive I bought in early 2004 and I don't wear it much, but I recently took it out and it isn't keeping proper time. It will keep time for a little while after it charges, but then the second hand just sort of rocks back and forth in one spot... I need to find out if it's still under warranty.

When the second hand does that on an analogue quartz watch, it usually means the battery's almost dead. I've had one of these Citizens for several years and mine did that when it had been in a drawer for a while.

Easily fixed, just leave it on a window ledge facing the sun for a day or two to get well charged up again.

Gareth

[Robxcarlson]

When the second hand does that on an analogue quartz watch, it usually means the battery's almost dead. I've had one of these Citizens for several years and mine did that when it had been in a drawer for a while.

Easily fixed, just leave it on a window ledge facing the sun for a day or two to get well charged up again.

Gareth

Thanks I'll leave it there for awhile then... I'd previously left it in the window for several hours - on several occasions. I'll leave it longer and see if it that solves the problem.

[DS/B MCS]

I think they are a very nice watch for the money. Most of my watches are automatic or handwind, so it's nice to have a few that you can just grab and go. My SS Ecozilla has been a great beater
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff170/CUTiger3/Watches/Zilla2.jpg?t=1253568952

[rickboone1]

They are decent, I suppose. Most any automatic needs to be kept on a winder if you don't wear it daily. Otherwise, you may lose time. I have several automatics and have to do this.

I do think they're overpriced. So are the Kinetics. I got mine used for $75. No way I would've gave $430 for it new.

[gollum83]

I've worn one almost everyday for over seven years. It was a high school graduation from my parents. It runs great, its sturdy, and hasn't missed a beat other than the one time I accidently dropped it and it had to be repaired. All things considered, I think they're great watches.

[ProphetNoir]

I have owned two - I gave the first one to my son when I bought the second one eight years later - and would buy another without hesitating. They are the lowest maintenance watches in the world. Most of them can be found from around $99.00 - $399.99. Some are very stylish and I would consider them at or near the very top of the midpack. My dressiest watches have automatic movements, but my only choice in a quartz movement are the Ecodrives.

[Slamarche]

I had one and wore it about 8 months and then decided to wear another watch. Well, the Eco-Drive discharged and no amount of setting it in the sun would revive it. The store wouldn't honor the warranty. It was a great watch when it was running, very accurate and it really looked good.

[mretzloff]

In the grand spectrum of horology, lower end. However, if you want a watch that is not too much money but will last, it does a good job.

[pal]

In the grand spectrum of horology, lower end. However, if you want a watch that is not too much money but will last, it does a good job.

+1 For the money a very dependable and sturdy watch but considered lower end.

[Thunderjugg]

im poor see? so to me it is a very expensive, "high end" watch. now on the other hand, i adhere to the if it is worth it, i will spend the money idea. my citizen was purchased new for 135. 2 years later of almost everyday utilitarian service (and i am rough. i wrote that correctly btw, not ruff on things or around the edges, just rough :D). it has hung together and functions beautifully. oh, and it looks nice too. not flashy, but not low end either. tis a dfw.

[toucanlamp]

The Eco-Drive technology is very reliable and works great.

I've never owned a Citizen watch myself, I think a lot of those Eco-Drive models are way too busy, not my style, but they are definitely very good quality.

High or low end is relative. High end in the whole scheme of things might mean Rolex or Breitling watches, but 95% of consumers can't afford to spend thousands on a watch and so it isn't really in the picture. And with those kinds of watches, the huge price tag isn't going towards extra functional quality over more affordable watches.

For the average consumer, I'd say there are a lot of Eco-Drive models that are pretty high end. You can spend $600, $700 on some of them, but it varies.

I do kind of agree though that Citizen watches are overpriced. I think the best price to quality ratio comes from Japanese brands like Seiko or Orient. I bought an automatic Orient Rolex submariner style watch for $120 three years ago or so, and it keeps incredible time, losing maybe a second or two a day, looks great, the finish is very good. Seiko makes watches from $30 all the way up to thousands and thousands, so they have one for everybody.

[Cains Boy]

They had better last a long time, because I love mine (and I don't like change :cool:).

[Thebigspendur]

I agree if you look at the whole spectrum of watches the idea of high end or mid or low is based on price. Mid usually are watches priced from around a grand to about 3 grand. So based on that the ecodrive is strictly low end. Of course that has nothing to do with how accurate the watch is or the finishing. The best bargins in watches are in the low end.

[Crazy Dave]

I think they are a very nice watch for the money. Most of my watches are automatic or handwind, so it's nice to have a few that you can just grab and go. My SS Ecozilla has been a great beater
http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff170/CUTiger3/Watches/Zilla2.jpg?t=1253568952

Most of the models don't do much for me, but that SS Ecozilla is very cool!

Dave

[Fnord5]

I love mine.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/fnord5/DSC00417.jpg

[kedarroy]

I had a nice dress model but after a year, the time started running slow (5 min a day) then about a month later it died completely.

[yomuppet]

I have one that I like very much, looks a lot like this:

http://www.jitteryjim.com/media/stuff/watches/Citizen_GMT.jpg

[Barbarian]

Citizen Ecodrive is a great every day watch. My wife got me one for my anniversary 5 or so years ago and I wear it every day, 24, 7, 365.25.

Sadly mine has a mineral crystal and I kept it on while cleaning my bbq, which led to a scratch. Other than that. it is one of my prized possessions.

Keeps time great too. I just readjust monthly when I reset date and have 0 issues.

[Will P.C.]

I got an Eco Drive as a gift from a friend about 2 years ago. I am very active and extremely hard on everything I own. A cell phone only lasts me about 6 months before I have beat it up to the point where it doesn't work. This watch has held up perfectly for me and I love it for that.

I am a big fan of this watch because its nice enough to wear to work, out for a date, etc., but its also a great day to day, around the house, prune the roses, wash a dish, and scrub a razor type deal. I would feel very uncomfortable wearing a watch that costs 2 grand.

[DS/B MCS]

I would feel very uncomfortable wearing a watch that costs 2 grand.

Just takes a little time to get used to. After that you don't really think about it.

[dwnwrdishvnwrd]

I had a titanium one that I wore every day from 1998 until a month ago when it disappeared. Never had a problem with it. It was beat the hell up and it had everything happen from submersion in boiling pasta to being run over by a truck--twice. Only thing I had to do was have the crystal changed on it. I need to replace it with another one ASAP. :cursing:

[dwnwrdishvnwrd]

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/fnord5/DSC00417.jpg

That's a well-armed Citizen. Snicker snicker...

I can hear the groans all the way over here. :laugh:

[ratcheer]

I don't know. Probably middle of the road.

Tim

[sonofjaguare]

Got one from work for 10 years safe driving.Can't beat that!Great watch.

[cityjim]

I love mine.
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b337/fnord5/DSC00417.jpg


Wow that is vintage .



I went with the 36 diamond encrusted bezel Perpetual Calendar Eco-Drive . :cool:


http://www.citizenwatch.com/COA/English/detail.asp?Country=COA&Language=English&ModelNumber=BL8042-54E


cityjim

[Robxcarlson]

I had a nice dress model but after a year, the time started running slow (5 min a day) then about a month later it died completely.

This is actually where I'm at,too... I've been leaving this thing in the window for days to charge - but at night it runs down and stops. And, of course, it's out of warranty as of this year. I suppose it's the battery. So I'll look into getting it checked out locally.

[Mojo88]

I have one and think it's a great everyday watch..

[Miles]

After doing extensive research, I ended up purchasing a Citizen Eco-Drive as my diving watch. The price was within my means, and it has excellent reviews as far as being the right tool for the job within certain parameters. It's held up nicely, been down around 90ft or so on multiple dives with solid reliability.

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41AxqRNklYL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

After seeing some modifications in a different watch thread, I'm interested in picking up a zulu strap for the watch. The dive limit chart is not very useful, as it conflicts with my PADI info and is kind of goofy looking when I wear the watch out to dinner (unless it's for seafood).