How Does Citizen Eco-Drive Work? An Expert Explains

Are you curious about how the Citizen Eco-Drive movement works? I’ll tell you all about it!

Here’s a cool fact about Citizen. In 2007, thanks to their Eco-Drive movement, Citizen reported having avoided ten million battery disposals in North America. That’s certainly a big favor to the environment, considering how often these toxic energy devices are improperly disposed of.

This light-powered movement crashed onto the world stage in 1995. Ever the innovators, Citizen created the special 7878 caliber. This was the first solar-powered movement to feature a solar cell under the dial instead of on it. It was more efficient and, with a properly translucent dial, offered a more streamlined look for Eco-Drive watches.

Suffice it to say, it was a true innovation in the watch world. But how does it work exactly?

How Does Eco Drive Work on Citizen Watches?

The Eco-Drive technology takes in light, converts it into electrical energy, and stores it in a power cell. Obviously, clear and sunny days will charge it up best. However, cloudy days, dim light, or exposure to artificial light also work. 

This energy then drives the gears, hands, and motor.

By the way, the cell is fully rechargeable, and any light will do. 

One of the most impressive things about a Citizen Eco-Drive watch is that it can run for over half a year when fully charged. Yes, even if you’ve stored it in the back of some drawer it’ll keep ticking for a long time.

You never have to change the battery, which is how Citizen has been able to avoid so many battery disposals. Naturally, the brand is popular with the eco-conscious.

The Eco-Drive Ring

The Eco-Drive ring technology doesn’t require a translucent dial. Not all Eco-Drive watches are equipped with this tech, however. 

Let me break down the architecture of a regular Eco-Drive watch. Then, I’ll break down the composition of one that uses the ring specifically.

In solar cell Eco-Drive models, you’ve got the dial crystal on top of the dial, which is on top of the flat solar cell, which is on top of the lithium-ion cell. 

The light source goes past the crystal and dial (which, again, needs to have some level of translucence) and into the solar cell. From there, the light is stored as energy in the lithium-ion cell and used to power the watch.

In a Citizen watch equipped with a ring, there’s a flexible Eco-Drive solar cell ring between the crystal and the dial. It goes around the edge of the dial, so it’s not in the way.

This ring takes in the light and transfers it into electric energy, again stored in the lithium-ion cell underneath the dial. So, there’s no need for that extra layer of a flat solar cell between the dial and the lithium-ion cell.

This is why, with Eco-Drive ring models, the dial doesn’t need to be translucent.

How To Charge Your Eco-Drive Watch

Remember, any light can be used as a power source. Also, when you first take a Citizen Eco-Drive watch out of the box, it’ll do you well to charge it completely. From there, it’ll likely get the light exposure it needs to run perpetually (unless you keep it stored away from light for over six months).

The very best way to charge it is by placing it under direct sunlight. The ideal time is around the middle of the day, but honestly, even waning sunlight will give it some juice. A decent 225-watt lamp is pretty good too.

I’ve placed my watch under a side lamp for a few hours. I recommend positioning it right under the light, say, first thing in the morning, then just forget about it until the evening.

Do you know how your iPhone charges faster in airplane mode? It is the same if you pull out your watch crown before you place your timepiece under its light source.

Just make sure not to overheat your watch. Citizen watches are pretty robust, and I know most lamps won’t do this, but you don’t exactly want to expose your watch to 100 degrees of heat for long periods.

FAQs

Here are a few commonly asked questions about Citizen’s Eco-Drive watches!

How Do I Get My Citizen Eco-Drive Watch To Work?

If your new or inherited Eco-Drive watch isn’t working, you probably just need to charge it. Place it under a light source for a few hours. Pull the crown out for faster charging.

How Do You Charge a Dead Eco-Drive Watch?

Charging a dead eco-drive watch is no different than how you’d initially power up a new watch, just place it under direct light for a few hours. If it’s been dead for a while, your best option is to use direct, unfiltered sunlight.

Do You Have To Wind a Citizen Eco-Drive Watch?

No, Citizen Eco-Drive watches don’t require winding to maintain operation or even battery replacement. 

Conclusion: Why the Eco-Drive Is a True Innovation

Again, with the Eco-Drive movement, you can power your Citizen watches using natural or artificial light. The fact it doesn’t require battery changes (and the fact a fully charged battery has half a year of power) is convenient and great for the environment.

Plus, regardless of whether you go for the regular flat cell versions or the ones with the ring, you don’t have a potentially unattractive solar cell right on the dial. I say potentially because I know some people like the open-heart look. Still, these watches can be designed however the maker sees fit.

Do you wear an Eco-Drive watch? Have you ever owned one? I’d love to know your thoughts on it!