Because of the nature of Eco-Drive watches, most issues stem from an uncharged watch, but as we’ll see, there are legitimate things to watch out for if your watch still isn’t functioning after trying the steps above. If you have fully charged your watch and the second hand continues to move in two-second intervals, you may need to do a reset of the watch. For analog models, you can do this by pulling the crown out to the time setting position for 30 seconds, then returning the crown to the closed position next to the case, after which you can set the time. If the watch isn’t charged in light that is bright enough (Citizen recommends charging 8 inches away from a 30-watt light), the watch may not charge at all.
Eco-Drives can slow down, tick by two seconds at a time, and eventually stop ticking completely when in need of a charge. This is the single most common reason why Eco-Drive watches are brought in for servicing, and ironically, they still work perfectly fine. This is different from solar-powered watches because the Eco-Drive can be charged virtually anywhere where light is strong enough including indoors without the need for a battery. Over the years, they have gained a reputation for lasting forever, but as you’ll discover shortly, that’s not the case, as there are still reasons why the watches may need repairs and servicing. This was a landmark achievement that led directly to Eco-Drive of the present day.There’s a common belief that Citizen Eco-Drive watches last forever, but is this really the case? The Eco-Drive line of watches by Citizen is a popular type of watch which uses Citizen’s proprietary technology to allow you to use any kind of light, including office light or even dim light to recharge the timepiece.
In 1995, through the addition of a lithium-ion power cell, we were able to develop a model with a running time of six months on a single full charge. We made a series of improvements and innovations with a view to creating "a watch that never stops and integrates easily into everyday life." In 1986, we debuted a model that could keep running for eight days (roughly 200 hours) on a single charge. Thanks to these advances, CITIZEN's light-powered watches made a major leap forward. The engineers at CITIZEN were acutely conscious of these limitations.īut as the 1980s got under way, thinner solar cells capable of generating power from indoor light and power cells with longer battery life appeared. When the CRYSTRON SOLAR CELL debuted in the 1970s, neither the solar cell (which generated energy) nor the power cell (which stored it) had sufficient generating capacity or battery life for the watch to become a realistic part of anyone's everyday life.