Citizen Eco-Drive Runs Without a Battery (Capacitor)! Please SUBSCRIBE

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

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[@mititeimaricei]

How often you are shorting the batteries per video?

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

@@mititeimaricei shorted out quite a few actually. Thanks for watching.

[@mititeimaricei]

@@AvgJoeWatchReviews I've learned it in the hard way. Solution: plastic tweezers and wood tooth picks.

[@HWPcville]

I have a Citizen Eco-drive watch, purchased new 20 years ago for $220 (I still have the original paperwork). It has a deep blue face and is ultra thin which I like and was the main reason I bought it. It kept perfect time until last year. I had two separate jewelers look at it but both deferred due to the solar drive aspect. I contacted Citizens and they advised sending it to them for evaluation. I mailed it and they promptly returned it, repaired, having replaced the solar drive for free as it has a lifetime warranty. I have been very satisfied with my Eco-drive watch and with Citizen's service repair.

[@eightosaurusspelunk1598]

That is awesome. Citizen really is a great company.

[@xombieo0723]

I have the same situation, except I've had my Cal. 8700 Eco-Drive for about 17 years now. No problems except on occasion I would need to leave it on a window sill for several hours to give it a nice prolonged charge from direct sunlight like once or twice a year, in addition to the light (natural and artificial) that it normally receives while on my wrist. However, recently it seems like it doesn't want to charge properly no matter how long I leave it in direct sunlight or under a lamp. I'm thinking the battery after 17 years of use has been worn down and can no longer hold a sufficient charge, so that's why I've been searching for videos on how to go about replacing it. But you're saying that Citizen actually offers a LIFETIME warranty on this sort of service? That's not what I heard though... and in fact many Eco-Drive watches that I see on ebay nowadays come with a little booklet saying that the warranty/guarantee is only 5 years on these watches (although they should last and function much longer than that as yours and mine has if properly maintained and not abused). I'll have to see if I can get hold of a Citizen service rep that can agree to replace the battery/capacitor or the entire drive if that's what is needed for free. Otherwise, I'll just do what the OP did here and try to replace the battery.

[@HWPcville]

@@xombieo0723 I wrote a reply to your comment but I can't find it so maybe it didn't post. In essence it said the reply I received from Citizen said the Eco Drive watch movement has a 5 year warranty but the energy cell has a lifetime warranty. The price of the Eco Drive movement was $25. Factor in shipping & insurance, to have a good watched repaired for around $50 wouldn't be bad. I wish you positive results.

[@ccooper8785]

Same story here apart from Citizen charging me £80 to replace the capacitor. If I did not love this ultrathin watch I certainly would not have said it was worth paying that much.

[@Mismoothness]

I've had my eco drive for 17 years and is still going strong.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

That’s awesome! Thanks for sharing.

[@oktc68]

Awesome, that's value for money! I've always preferred mechanical movements but that said they can't compete with the out and out practicality of a decent solar powered watch. Only a radio controlled watch needs less input from the wearer. I'm a little surprised that anyone bothers with regular battery quartz movements anymore.

[@tonyvis8476]

I had my Eco-drive as a present from me to me for my 50th birthday. I am turning 71 this year and my watch 21. Its worn everyday for these 21 years. Set the time back 2sec every year (and of course the date every 4years. Leap year.) Replaced one pin in the strap and that is all for 21 years. GREAT WATCH!!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Tony Vis agreed! Thanks for watching and sharing.

[@Fernando-jy6gq]

Which one do you have?

[@paulemmerson9797]

I have had mine for 16 years and never missed a beat.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thx for watching

[@johnkeithley7969]

I have had my eco drive since around the year 2000. Never replaced a battery and it just keeps running, accurate as hell and looks good to boot. Honestly never knew it had a battery in it. Best watch I have ever had.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks for watching. It’s a great watch.

[@jarikinnunen1718]

I have eco drive (E101 module), in one week. Something odd is happened? At first I put it right time. Next day delay was 2 seconds and it is same after one week!

[@markplows2198]

It has to have a power storage device otherwise it will only work when it is in the light. I have had an EcoDrive watch for about 15-20 years and have never once had to replace the battery/capacitor. So I would say that there is a significant benefit to these watches.

[@copycat4785]

Please how because mine only works in the light

[@Johnny-sj9sj]

Hussein’s Vlogs - I own two eco-drives: a Promaster diver’s 200m meter diver. and a Military 20m. I have also owned in the past (until it got stolen) the one described in the video. I never had any trouble with power storage, one having lived in dark of the sock draw for three months and still working perfectly. In a nutshell, it would appear that your battery/capacitor has turned up its toes and needs replacing.

[@andyben87]

RE: Mark, Same with me. My eco-drive is a 2004 model I got as a gift. Never needed to replace the battery. It just needs real sunlight, not indoor light to charge correctly. Citizen clearly states that in the manual. The capacitor will wear out over time, but it's hardly noticeable if you use the sun to charge it. Mine is 16 yrs old, guess we'll see.

[@BushCampingTools]

Yeah totally agree here. I've had one for 20 years and just got another, only because the bezel wore out and came off.

[@atrastire]

Same experience here. I've had a Citizen Stiletto with eco-drive for 15-20 years and it's still running well after charging with sunlight. I've never bought a new battery/capacitor.

[@geezee4243]

Advantage: I have had my Eco Drive 14 years before the battery ran out. That's pretty good.

[@ednammansfield8553]

I have several Citizen Eco Drive watches one of which is now about 10 years old and it is still running perfectly. For these watches to work well they need access to light daily but not in direct light which can cause them to overheat which will affect the watch and possibly damage it, this applies to any solar powered watch whether it's a Citizen, Seiko, Orient, Casio or other brands, they all work the same way. If you observe the instructions when you get the watch it will give you many years of service of up to and beyond 20 years if looked after properly. Citizen offer the best watch guarantee on their watches also which I think is five years but will give a further three years if you register your watch with Citizen online, this applies across all the Citizen Eco Drive range of watches from the cheapest to the most expensive. Seiko and other brands only give a two year guarantee which is something to consider when buying a solar powered watch. Thank you for uploading this video.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thank you for that. Please subscribe and help support the channel. I’d appreciate it.

[@kendesjarlais7577]

I have 20 watches-Some citizens some seiko, bulova, orient, invictas The citizens are top notch and bulletproof. Never had a problem

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

I’m a huge fan of Citizen personally. Sounds like you have a nice collection there. Thanks for watching!

[@TheNuclearBolton]

I have a collection of Walmart watches + an ordered Citizen titanium PCAT on the way. Can’t beat the sapphire crystal citizen offers in their low price ranges.

[@MakerWatchCompany]

We'd have to agree with bulletproof, had a friend run one through a full cycle wash and it still worked fine. They make quality movements for a reasonable price.

[@todd_vincy4710]

U RICH?

[@yookuh34]

I had my citizen eco drive garrison infantry watch stored away for more than three years. Took it out and once the light hit it it ticked at 2 second intervals but left it in the window for the day. Now it’s ticking on time! Was given as a gift over three years and I’m sure it was stored for even longer.

[@jpm5393]

Bought Eco-Drive chronometer on cruise ship in 2004. Stopped fully charging Jan 2021. 17 years running, never stopped, until last month. Kept PERFECT time.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Can’t beat an Eco!

[@CrazyTacky]

Same here. Bought in '05 on a cruise ship but stopped sometime in 2020. It was put in a box after years of usage, pretty sure that wasn't the proper way to store it. Edit: The thing came back to life. Pulled the crown out and held a flashlight close to the watch face and it started ticking after a few seconds.

[@grimori]

I've got an eco drive from 2009. Still works like a dream.

[@markus9415]

A capacitor is used to sustain battery life. It has a rechargeble battery in it ( panasonic in this case, lithium titanate to be specific )....A capacitor and an energy cell are 2 completely different things. In short. A capacitor stores energy in an electrostatic field. A energy cell/battery stores energy in a chemical form.

[@phillipdingle4801]

The Citizen Eco drives are really good solid movements, which are very accurate and reliable. They hold their charge pretty well, I have 2 and have left one in the box in darkness for well over 6 months, it was still ticking fine! I noticed yours is ticking in 2 sec increments, this indicates the charge is very low and it's gone into power save mode. Just leave it in bright sunlight or under a bright light and it will soon charge up👍😎 I'm guessing the watch was still ticking without the battery because light was hitting the solar panel and providing just enough power to run the watch? The battery is just a place to store all that power. I don't think there is a capacitor in these eco drives? I'd say the benefits over a conventional battery watch is the saving in replacement batteries, had mine for over 8 years never had to change a battery. 👍😎 I'd also advise not to let the battery discharge too low, so keep it topped up by wearing it or putting near a light source, do not store them for long periods in a box or closed draw.👍😎

[@eyeofthetiger6002]

Makes you wonder why all those other watch brands don't just license this technology from Citizen and save the environment in the process as well!(just think of the millions of batteries and money saved yearly by this!) Why would anyone bother buying a normal quartz watch?!!

[@speedlime1515]

my eco drive dive watch was one of the first models that came out in the late 90's still works today, all you need to give it a full charge in the sun or under a light.

[@robkay278]

Mine is 15 years old and still running on original battery, I keep it near window when I’m not wearing it fantastic tough watch

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Couldn’t agree more. I keep mine around a window now as well.

[@crsp76691]

Got mine in 2002 and still works %90 perfect. The chronograph doesn't reset, but watch and date work perfect.

[@jimbrown2044]

I have a first generation eco drive from 1996 which I got as a present.I don't wear it much but its left in constant light during the day and it still runs perfectly(its never actually stopped in 23 years)

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Jim Brown wow! Thanks for sharing. That’s pretty amazing. I’m liking these watches more and more as I read the comments.

[@frankgregory8891]

love it!

[@travisatwood576]

This is very simple you have mistaken the m7621 for a battery that is not a battery that is a capacitor. The capacitor in this sence is a device that can be charged and discharged many times. Hope this helps you out. Oh and by the way when you go to replace this you will notice at the bottom of it has a small copper plate instead of looking like a normal battery make sure you get that copper plate in the correct orientation or you watch will not function properly.

[@man350z]

I've have a Eco-Drive, bought in 2001 and it still works great off it's original capacitor. I wear it everyday so it has always been in full charge. There is a LCD 3 bar gauge, 3 bars meaning full charge and I have never seen it with only 2 bars. I see that as an advantage.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

man350z thanks for the feedback and for watching.

[@shanehenderson8593]

I’m a big fan of the Citizen brand and own three Citizen watches currently. I’ve noticed the optimal charge occurs in direct sunlight - not through a window in the house or car. So if I have a chance I’ll lay the watch out on a table and that quickly addresses the low battery indicator. Great video and interesting to see the inner workings of the watch!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks so much Shane for the kind words. I’m actually going to do a video on Citizen’s false claims to charging this watch and set the record straight. Thanks for the feedback and support brother. 👍

[@Jeremy-yr8yg]

I wore the same citizen watch everyday for 10 years. It will no longer charge. I love that watch!!

[@drbichat5229]

Change the capacitor. A little over 20 bucks in Amazon and takes only 5 minutes to replace

[@merkin2ify]

Had mine 18 years. Battery only went flat when I stopped wearing it for a year and left it in a drawer. Top watch. My RADO Chronograph battery only lasts about 18 months and costs a lot to replace.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

These are excellent timepieces. I have a follow up video. I charged it in the window sill for 2 days and charged it up completely.

[@LEGOTROLL1]

I neglected my eco-drive to the point where it stopped completely, placed under the lamp, soon started running by second hand ticks every seconds and eventually when fully charged and runs perfectly even to this day, great work Citizen ! 👍 from what i have read in the past it is a tougher and better system than seiko's.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

I’ve heard the same. Citizen owns the solar market as it’s Eco Drive is the best money can buy.

[@butchie2752]

I used the headlight from a bike. Very very bright. Worked well.

[@1954Antony]

Bought an Eco-drive in October 1998 still running fine as I write this on the original battery. Only thing I do is make sure it gets good light every day. Putting them in a drawer for months will, I'm pretty sure, reduce battery life.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

tony c thanks for watching! Putting them in a drawer doesn’t help. I keep mine in a window sill. They get a nice tan. 👍

[@nickishh5054]

The battery is used when there's not light available that's why it lasts so long. I have a eco-drive watch and love it

[@cardog223]

ive got two eco drives one is over 20 yrs old never a problem with either watch, ive got an omega and a few other relatively expensive watches that ive spent a lot of money on maintenance, citizen might not be luxury watches but they are the best watches.

[@mgs.915]

I found a Citizen eco-drive I didn’t know I had which was siting in a drawer for at least 8 years. Sat it in the window and the next day it’s starting ticking every two seconds and left it a little more and wasn’t to each second! Love the technology!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

It’s pretty phenomenal! Glad to see you got it ticking again.

[@sym667]

I bought a WR200 in 2008 and it never skipped a beat or stopped, even when, with the advent of smartwatches, I put it in a closet for months. I'd also spend a word for the glass. I scraped it on few walls and it doesn't have one scratch, not one!

[@stusims6567]

The eco-Drive system has a battery backup system but runs on a capacitor that holds a charge. The two second gop that is happening is because the capacitor is not charged enough to run the watch. It needs a good 12 hour charge in direct sunlight to charge that capacitor and make it run smoothly. The hop warns you that it needs a better charge. Yours must have been stored in a dark space for a long time to cause it to behave this way.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Stu Sims awesome explanation. Thx for sharing that and watching. Please subscribe if you haven’t already.

[@dawnmarie55]

Thanks for the information. My Dads watch has been in a box for some months now.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

DM RM my pleasure. I hope the video helped you.

[@candacewhitfield2270]

So I wear my watch non stop everyday. Constantly in light, what would cause mine too completely quit working?? I hate to think I have to pay to send it off and get this capacitor replaced

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Candace Whitfield watch my videos on how to replace a battery and change it yourself. 95-5100 Genuine Original Citizen Watch Energy Cell - Battery - Capacitor for Eco-Drive Watch (Same 295-51)- amzn.to/336trWq

I have an aqualand eco-drive that is 18 years old and still on it's original power cell. It is still ticking with no problem. It is very accurate as well; gains 5 seconds per month.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

That’s awesome. Thx for watching.

[@samuellord8576]

Maybe the light did the entire trick, but I expect there is a tiny parallel capacitor as well. Respectfully, megamediker was right, you (and everyone else) should learn to use a multimeter and the meaning of voltage, current, capacitance, resistance, and energy. Those basic concepts are critical to our lives today. And that knowledge will help you explain watch movements. FWIW, I finally found this: the 295-76 battery/capacitor is rated at 1.5mAh at 1.5 volts. That's 5.4 farads of capacitance at 1.5 volts, which is a stored energy of 8.1 joules. That's very impressive from something so tiny. Cheers!

[@frankgregory8891]

Lithium-ion.

[@whiteglovewatches9908]

I think Citizen says to expect a service life of 7-10 years but I’ve only ever had one battery go bad and that was my fault. I left it in a drawer for over a year, being fully discharged for long periods can damage the battery. My oldest is 15-16 years and still going strong, put them in a glass topped box and you shouldn’t have any worries.

[@EdgarHilton]

Another vote for the Citizen Eco. I had mine for a full 12 years working perfectly before I replaced it with a younger, sexier model.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Edgar Hilton awesome. Thanks for watching.

[@LawyerCalhoun1]

I have about eight 8 Eco Drive watches, the oldest is about 12 years old. All run fine, and charge, without ever having to take the rear cover off. They are the most reliable and trouble free watches I have ever owned.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Raymond Makul awesome. I love mine. Definitely quality watches. Thanks for sharing!

[@TheNuclearBolton]

8 Eco Drives, let me guess... 1 for everyday of the week + 1 for special occasions?

[@LawyerCalhoun1]

@@TheNuclearBolton Four stay on Standard time, three on daylight savings time, and one on GMT when I am playing amateur radio.

[@rockeyroy1]

my eco drive was bought 15 years ago and I just replaced the battery capacitor it keeps perfect time and is very beautiful

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thx for watching

[@frankgregory8891]

lithium-ion

[@scottmontgomery528]

I actually just received one of these watches for Christmas so I came across your video, I don't have any experience with watches but alot with electronics, its a rechargeable battery the only reason it has a tab attached to it is so you cannot fit a normal non-rechargeable battery to the watch, if you where able to it would certainly pop the cell when it tried to charge it very likely damaging the watch, a normal watch would have a connector plate at the base taking any battery not requiring the tab, my understanding is that they used to use capacitors and now use rechargeable battery's probably because capacitors lose charge over time much faster.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Scott Montgomery that’s some good knowledge there. Didn’t know that about the tab. Thanks for sharing and watching.

[@areyouundoingthatorwhat9181]

My ten year old H11 has a capacitor with five contacts.

[@furzkram]

Have you also charged this in sunlight for some hours with the watch STOPPED while charging? I have several Eco-Drive's and one had that problem that it would indicate "battery low" (second hand jumping) after months of not getting enough light inside the flat. I charged it for a few days - second hand still jumping. Then I got the idea to stop it and charge it - and after a few hours already, no jumping anymore. No jumping ever since, even after keeping the watch in not enough light condition again for months.

[@NigeHaines]

I bought my Eco Drive just short of 10 years ago. It ran perfectly until this fall (autumn) when it has stopped a couple of times. It quickly restarted after exposing it to sunlight for a minute or two. I have been living in the dark for a few months so I am not surprised it eventually ran short of charge. I was pleased to discover that my desk lamp charges it, although, I have learnt, to fully recharge an empty capacitor from a lamp takes a few days of continuous exposure or a good day of sunlight. My watch was the cheapest model of Eco Drive available at the time and it has served me well, and was worth every penny. Now I know the tricks I will ensure I keep the capacitor more fully charged and I am sure it will see me through a few more straps.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

For me, I simply leave it in the window sill. No electric bill to worry about. 😉

[@HWPcville]

I keep my 20 year old Eco-drive watch on the window sill when its not worn so it is always fully charged.

[@nogunnofear6703]

I have had my Eco-Drive since 07. I let it set for a span when a dress watch wasn't appropriate and after a while it did the two second skip also. Put it in some strong sunlight for about 7 hours and recharged it. Ben a few months and it's still going on that battery. I guess the advantage to Eco-Drive is that it DOES recharge with light energy. As a result the battery has lasted a really long time. I'm really happy with mine. It also has a good solid hefty feel that I appreciate.

[@deanwiley1454]

I have an Eco Drive and it has worked well until the pandemic. The watch is solar powered and will charge using any light source. During the pandemic I had little chance to expose it to natural light since I was working from home. A few hours leaving it in sunlight got it back running. I like that I never need to change batteries or wind it or have to advance the date or correct for DST.

[@albchong]

I’ve had my navihawk eco drive for 20 years and never needed to replace the cell. It still runs well today

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Albert Chong awesome watches brother. Thanks for sharing. Please subscribe and help support the channel.

[@BushCampingTools]

I have had a 7878 Eco Drive movement, zero 2 sec jump, zero battery change in 0ver 20 years, still running perfectly, regularly used for swimming surfing and scuba diving and snorkeling until the bezel just wore out from sand in the water over time and mud from caving. Kept it properly charged up via full sunlight , not woosy desk lamps. If one does this then u will get a proper life out of one of them but if one takes it off all the time and uses it as a piece of jewellery instead of a time keeping tool strapped to their wrist, then there's a good chance it will not see light when it should be. Any device, no matter how good the battery technology is will be degraded if the system is not charged properly over time, eg duration, temperature etc. I now own a BN 0176-08E 300m diver and I'm sure if I look after it, it too will serve me well for years to come. I got sick of 3 year services and battery changes for my SEIKO scuba watches, plus the pressure tests too, all cost money and time out from diving and other wet adventures.

[@gigie555]

Is there an advantage over a regular quartz watch??? I'm surprised you ask that question. The eco drive can possibly last well over 20 years without a battery change. Ever had a regular quartz and had to change the battery every year? It stops. You don;t have a functioning watch for a few days. You have to make time to take it to a jeweller. With frequent battery changes, you will get a lot of nicks on the back from the case being frequently opened, and these frequent changes may lead to a compromising of the water seal if the jeweller doesn't know what he's doing. The answer is pretty obvious, don't you think?

[@frankgregory8891]

Exactly!

[@sergiof91w8]

Great vid, learned a lot from the comments. Now I can take care of my Citizen Corso Eco-Drive watch a bit better and not neglect it so much. I blame my recent addiction towards retro Casio watches for my rechargable battery problems. Lol

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Awesome!! Glad we could help.

[@georgeburdine5660]

I would say that watch collectors have this habit of buying a great watch and then eventually store it. I own a citizen perpetual calendar, titanium, and for two years no problems. It does have a battery indicator on it, so I get a heads up as to the condition. And yes the solar cell charges a battery, hence power reserve. I will update in a few years, I hope as to condition of my battery. I am looking to pull the trigger on an other citizen watch as well,an Eco drive as it turns out. Citizen has been in the Eco drive set up for quite some time by now.

[@wd8dsb]

Actually if you watch carefully, the watch was not "ticking" when you flipped it upside down (same time when you flipped it upside down and then back up), it was just ticking when it was exposed to the light. This is because the watch is a solar voltaic system (small solar panel inside) which runs the watch and recharges the "capacitor battery" at the same time. I have had to replace my wife's watch eco drive battery two times now. The first time after about 10 years, second time after 4 years even tho I purchased replacement battery from very reputable supplier. Her watch uses a very small citizen 295-76 battery (called capacitor battery for Eco-Drive), and it's not cheap ($18). I would rather replace more often with a less expensive battery, so I would say the eco drive is more of a gimmick from a marketing standpoint. Her battery is much smaller in size than in the watch shown in this video which might also be related to its shorter life span.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Good eye. Appreciate you sharing.

[@frankgregory8891]

Lithium-ion

[@markfrost2707]

My "gimmick" has gone 17 years without needing a new battery

[@chrishill5878]

You should remember that at least some eco drives do not correct the 2 second motion of the second hand until the time has been reset following the watch stopping completely.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks for the tip. Appreciate it.

[@chrishill5878]

I would like to point out I only discovered this after watching your video and deciding to poke my eco drive watch which I too thought was broken.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Chris Hill that’s awesome man. Thanks for sharing. Please subscribe and help be part of the Avg. Joe family and support the channel. Feedback is always appreciated. Have a good holiday my friend.

[@jeanmorin3247]

I've had an Eco-Drive with Radio Controlled Perpetual Calendar WR 100 for ten years. Best watch that you can buy, bar NONE! Never stops, always perfect time and looks good. I've had five bands with it, all worn out.

[@johnnyray88]

I have my echo drive for 19 years now the second hand stopped working but the watch still keeps great time. Today I kept the watch in the sun for 1 hour the second hand started to work then stopped. Looks like I have to keep it in the sun a little bit longer now. Thanks to everyone for their advice.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

John Raymond thanks for sharing. Please subscribe and help support the channel. That’s a long time on the same battery. Impressive.

[@carlvu7]

I would love to see an Eco-Drive with an indiglo light (a backlight). Fluorescent paint does not hold more than 30 min in my experience. Convenient to have its own back lighting when at movie or sleeping. You have practically unlimited power with everyday's use.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks for watching. Timex has the patent for indiglo.

[@markfrost2707]

but not the room as the solar panels are inside now where the movement is as well

[@Substraal]

Mine is around 8 years old now, did not missed a beat and is very accurate...only 1seconds infront a month...12 seconds a year

[@joesplace8891]

If you knew what you are talking about you would know 5hat it is a capacitor not a battery and you can't tell it's different just by looking at it. The capacitor has a very long life pretty much as long a life as the rest of the watch itself. Yes it takes a long charge to get it back to normal operation. I have several eco-drive watches and they are amazing and worth in my eyes every penny you pay for them.

[@13noman1]

I have two of these. The older one has been running...probably 6 years now w/o a problem so duration (vs regular battery) is an advantage. My second one started leaving a “burn” mark on my wrist right where the battery is located so something odd going on. It’s on its way to Citizen for a look see.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

13noman1 thanks for watching and please keep us updated.

[@jeffreywiley9661]

I have one that I inherited from a friend. Charged it for months, and it was skipping like this. Read recently, that you need to pull the crown out two clicks, wait 30 seconds for it to reset, and be good to go.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Jeffrey Wiley good to know. Thank you 🙏

[@RealworldtalkRWT]

Jeffery, I have to give you a mad shout out of thanks. I have a Citizen B873-S057892 and it just stopped working and I couldn’t find anything or replacing the battery even though it’s a EcoDrive. I took your advice on two clicks out and wait 30 seconds and low and behold BANG it started right back up. Thank you so much!

[@tomjones2121]

I have a $40 Timex watch with the same power reserve and light charging , though I do love citizens watches very much ,

[@RealityHurts923]

Mine was doing the same. Took it to repair shop and cool guy asked if I stored in in a case which I do in my drawer with about 10 other watches mixed with other echo-drives quarts and automatic watches. He could have replaced the capacitor and charge me but told me to leave it by my window for a few days to charge and damn it the thing works now. Had the watch for only a year so knew couldnt be watch already going bad. Seems obvious now but I dont store my watches in the drawer any more.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

RealityHurts923 thanks for watching. Check out my follow up video where I did exactly what you said and fixed the issue.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Please SUBSCRIBE if you haven’t done so already.

[@Ed30675]

If only men would read the instructions the needs of light to top up the battery would have been known..... But men and reading instructions rarely go together or so they say...... Of course the foregoing is a blanket statement as there are many of us men who do read carefully the instructions for caring for solar powered watches.....Some very good advice in the comments above..... Incidentally i have two Citizens that are solar powered plus one Seiko.... They are all amazing time pieces and keep fantastic time almost to the second....

[@frankgregory8891]

lithium-ion!

[@dalecarpenter8828]

I bought mine vintage driver watch running has been running for years and years ! I have done nothing but ware it !

[@louisedery1049]

I have had an eco drive women's wife for about 14 years and I have never had to change the battery or capacitor. it keeps perfect time and no problems since I bought it. I love my watch.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

They’re great watches. I got mine working again by keeping it in the window sill for a few days. Thank for watching.

[@madedigital]

I have had mine for 17 years and no problem keep it the light it wont degrade put it in a box over time will fail

[@chris42076301]

I have a Citizen Eco-Drive watch which I never wear, just put it next to the window. l bought it 11 years ago, it is still ticking fine as of today, no 2 second ticking or whatever abnormal.

[@daily_dose_of_flying]

I bought a citizen eco drive for my wife a week ago. It's not new but in pretty good condition. I checked the serial no. and it was made last year. When I bought it the second hand was ticking every 2 seconds like yours but I left it out of the box until yesterday and now it ticks every second. No need to change the battery just let it charge

[@drbichat5229]

In 20 year’s only changed one capacitor, this year. Regular quartz watches need a new battery much more often. Titanium watch is indestructible and keeps the time perfectly

[@trishanuray3833]

My beater watch is a Citizen Chronograph (not an eco drive). I extensively use the chronograph; still battery always outrun other watches without chronograph. Ticked non-stop for 15years and required battery swap 3 times only! In 2020 I'm getting an eco-drive. Your vid proves its un killable!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Trishanu Ray yes sir! Happy New Year to you and thanks for watching.

[@kavashaman7555]

Did you get it?

[@joeycan6801]

My blue angels eco drive has been running for 12 years now, no problem, also you should never use metal tweezers to handle a watch battery/capacitor.

[@lookatwrist]

I have plenty of 15 year old eco drives that are still going. I'd say they're 10-20 years between changes, depending on how often it's used and what sort of lighting it's under. They do die quicker if they rest in the dark for years, and old models that sat of a shelf don't help. Non solar quartz can be 3-10 years, depending on what the watch does. The 10 year watches are generally only ones with small dials and hands, no features. Most are nowhere near that. Also, some eco-drive watches take a few days in direct sunlight to fully charge.

[@oktc68]

Seiko's solar Tuna-Lite can fully charge (10 months) in 9 hours of full sun, altho' I always a bit wary of it overheating, tend to keep mine out of direct summer sun if possible.. I keep it in a glass jar so even when stored it's getting some light, and it's simple enough to stand on the window sill to catch some free energy.

[@utah133]

I've got one that was a gift. I left it in a drawer for 6 years, which is probably why the "battery" went bad. It's said that it's actually a high value capacitor. (supercapacitor.) I just need to get one on line and I'm good. Thanks for showing that it's actually a bit different than a regular watch battery. The align is important. Also get the right tool for taking the back off if it's tight. Easy to scratch hell out of it.

[@Erk0806]

rationalguy If you only knew what a capacitor was it’s just a little bit a dielectric fluid that multiplies electrons sounds a lot more complicated than it is

[@utah133]

@@Erk0806 I'm an electronics tech. I know what a capacitor is.

[@Erk0806]

rationalguy Then you should how low technology it actually is I was this close to buying a Citizen after figuring out what eco-drive actually is I would never consider buying a citizen rather buy a tag Heuer

[@frankgregory8891]

lithium-ion

[@entity_dragons2013]

Just got my first ecodrive for Christmas, carnt stop looking at it 😂

[@davesherry5384]

The advantage of an ecodrive? I have four eco drives. The first I purchased in 2000 is a Titanium military style and it worked continuously until last year then it started doing what this watch is doing. This particular watch has been to 70 MSW. so that 19 years without battery change and it just kept working. I have a titanium ecodrive divers as well - which flooded after 14 years use. so they've been pretty reliable for a long time. I have been told that one must use an incandescent light bulb to flood the capacitor to get ti going agin. IS this true? I haven't got any of those bulbs in the house anymore so will have to go and buy one if so.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

I put this watch in my window sill for a few days and that did the trick. I put all my solar watches near a window now for at least a few days a month now to keep them charged. Thanks for sharing. Please subscribe if you haven’t already.

[@archstanton7157]

Had a monocoque case 200m eco-driver diver that had a hard life and ran for 18 years.

[@Mucklegipe]

The battery keeps the watch going when there is no or insufficient light available. Under normal conditions the photocell provides enough to run watch and charge the battery.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Best explanation I’ve seen yet. Thanks for sharing. 👍

[@1961UK]

Even though I have an Eco Drive which is a nice idea, for people that cannot change a battery as in a normal battery quartz then it makes sense. But for us watch guys of course its easy to change a battery yourself, which means you don't have the cost of paying a watch guy loads of money. Added bonus is a normal quartz movement is much cheaper to replace.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Agreed 👊

[@dalecarpenter8828]

Could you get the picture just a liitle darker ?

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

I’ll do it in the dark next time just for you.

[@billybenson3834]

My Seiko solar watch does the same thing when it's low powered. What kills the capacitor is leaving the watch in the drawer for long periods of time. I just set my Seiko on the window sill for an afternoon every few months, same with the Citizen.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

These watches need sun unlike Dracula 🧛‍♂️. 😂

[@frankgregory8891]

lithium-ion

[@bobhebblewhite1685]

never ever pick up a battery with metal tweezers unless you want to short the battery out. a super capacitor is the way to go.

[@cslikens5]

So is there a video on the capacitor replacement? I have this watch. Love it. Took it out in August. Full power. Today everything just stopped - I've tried everything but the capacitor- Just looking for follow up on that

[@alexlaroque5108]

19 years. no problem

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

That’s awesome! Thanks for letting me know.

[@Al-AI]

Mine's almost 20 years old,, 3 new bands, nice Barton last time. Just leave it uncovered.

[@sped6954]

I bought one about, I don't remember, 8, maybe 10 years ago, and it's been stored the entire time. Don't know why. I just never really got around to doing anything with it until now. Anyway, it's a Drive series, I don't remember for sure but for some reason the AR prefix comes to mind, but I don't see it anywhere on the box, so who knows. It's chrome colored, has a black silicone, rubber, resin, or something like that, band, has three subdials on the face, and three buttons on the right side. I took it out of the box when I got it, set the time and date, put it on a pillow, and into a four watch display box. Over the course of however long it's been there, the time is really close to accurate, but due to irregular lengths of each month of the year, it had lost two days on the date wheel. Today is Aug 25, the date wheel read 23. Time wise, it's one second ahead of the network time on my cell phone. It's a different phone, but the network time is what's important. I don't know, it's pretty cool looking. I might start wearing it and get a little enjoyment out of it. Oh, I almost forgot, it isn't anywhere on the watch, but on the box it has the model number as CA0420-07E. Now on to the video... I'm not surprised you found a battery in there. If there wasn't a rechargable battery, you have to store it under a light source to keep it running overnight. Exposing the watch to light charges the battery, then overnight when it's dark, the watch runs off the battery power.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

SpEd thanks for the feedback and watching. Appreciate it, my friend.

[@labrat7357]

I have had a citizen eco-drive for around 16 years, and I bought it second hand. It has only started to not hold a charge. I binned it and bought another of the same model. You are lucky you did not fry the watch, by pulling it apart when you obviously don't know what you are doing..

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

labrat7357 I actually do know what I’m doing and change the batteries in my watches and actually change batteries for family and friends. Thanks for watching and supporting the channel.

[@therealkillac82]

A little heads up, but when the second hand is doing what the watch above is doing. You need to pull the pin fully out and let it charger for 48 house to reset the capacitor. Right now the watch is in a power saving mode telling you that watch needs a reset not a recharge.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

The Real Killa C thank you! Please subscribe and help support the channel.

[@frankgregory8891]

Wrong not a capacitor lithium-ion.pulling the crown out will not speed up the charging.and its not in a power saving mode lol!

[@qbloke]

Yet another expert!

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

qbloke actually never claimed to be one. Thanks for watching.

[@rudymendez8299]

The watch has a capacitor and it can store energy,that’s why the watch keeps ticking.Make sure that the capacitor is still good and able to store a full charge.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Thanks my friend.

[@frankgregory8891]

Lithium-ion!

[@patrickluby4019]

I have a 8701 series, I wore that watch every day for about ten years, never had any issues, until I broke the clasp, and needed to get it fixed or replace the bracelet completely, these batteries last a long time as long as you use it often, and set it in a room with light.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Patrick Luby agreed. These were meant to be everyday wearers and not watch box warriors. Thanks for watching.

[@petercraw8188]

Pull out the crown to stop the movement. Put the watch in a sunny window (face up) all day. The trick is to pull the crown out. It will be fine.

[@wildsilva1952]

Its a capacitor, and you should not pick it up with a tweezers on both +/_ you will short the cap. there is plastic tweezers for handling the batt.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

You’re correct sir. Thanks for the tip and thanks for watching. Please subscribe if you haven’t already.

[@Erk0806]

You have to the discharge it first

[@frankgregory8891]

wrong lithium-ion

[@wildsilva1952]

@@frankgregory8891 Do you repair watches too?

[@philipjanes]

Didn't think it would run that way. Weird. I own a Calibre 2100 but only wear it occasionally. Since they say it can hold a charge for 9 months in the dark, that's where it was kept. In a drawer for a long time. Then all of a sudden it would hold a charge. I get the charge meter all the way up and then within a few days it would drop very low, though still ticking at one second intervals. So I had the capacitor/battery whatever changed and now keep it in the light and it's fine again. I do love Citizen but you need a way to keep them in the light even when not wearing them.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Philip Janes window sill my friend. Will keep a charge guaranteed! Thanks for watching sir.

[@scottr3141]

I have put 3 batteries in my watch over a 12yr period, I'm sick of it . I'm going with only automatic winding watches now, specifically Tissot, which has a good price point, and the powermatic 80 movement is rock solid.

[@professorofficer9609]

The only advantage is that you can engage the chronograph for as long you like, without caring about wearing out the battery. Only for the ones that have the extra chrono fuction. Not yours 🙂

[@harpomarx7777]

Insufficient lighting for closeups. You need to buy a case back ball so you don't chew up your indentations any more. You should have placed your hand over the lamp to see if the watch would stop, but you didn't think of that.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Sounds like you have all the answers. You should run for office.

[@patrickriarchy6054]

Yes there is an advantage to eco-drives. The advantage is you probably won't have to replace the capacitor for 10-20 years or longer. A regular quartz watch you would probably have to change the battery once or twice in a 10 year span.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Patrick Riarchy exactly. Excellent technology in these watches. Please make sure you subscribe and help support the channel. I appreciate it.

[@frankgregory8891]

Lithium-ion.Most quartz watches need a new battery every 2-3 years.

[@RJtoon1]

Last week I bought an eco-drive chronograph from TJ Maxx and I decoded the serial number and the movement and it was actually made in May 2019 so it sat around for a couple of years and I hope the battery will be OK because of that but anyway in 2002 I bought my dad one that looks very similar to yours the basic day and date model and in 19 years he’s gone through three batteries, Canadian winters are very hard on these watches because there’s not much sunlight and when they die I think that is very hard on the batteries

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Some good points here. Keeping them in a drawer or depriving from sunlight for long periods is not good.

[@RJtoon1]

@@AvgJoeWatchReviews Yep that’s exactly what he did for the first seven years he had it he kept it in a drawer when he wore the other ones and that just completely destroyed the battery

[@zachg9065]

I just received my late uncles citizen eco drive, the 2nd hand is doing the skipping thing I placed it in the sunlight and now it seems to be working but once it gets dark out it goes back to the skipping, I ordered a kit so I can get in the back of it and see what battery I need to order, hopefully I can get this thing running.

[@mikejoseph8392]

Battery 1-3 years capacitor 8-12 years. Advantage Eco-drive. Between Seiko solar and Citizen Eco-drive I have 12 working watches. Some are over 10 years old and I have changed a total of 1 battery(capacitor) and it was a pre-owned Seiko that came dead on arrival. I find that when you own a lot of watches it is much better to have either solar or eco-drive watchers because changing batteries every year or two can be a real pain in the neck. I have a total of 35 watches 10 of which are automatics five with batteries and the rest are solar or eco-Drive. The solar and eco-Drive win the convenience Contest with flying colors. If you only have one or two watches it really doesn’t matter but truthfully the price difference is minimal and the advantage is huge as far as convenience.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Excellent points! Thanks for sharing.

[@mikejoseph8392]

I am starting to like your channel

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

@@mikejoseph8392 I appreciate that very much. I hope you subscribe and stick around. I have a giveaway coming soon.

[@frankgregory8891]

wrong lithium-ion not a capacitor

[@lewissim]

It looks as if the battery is almost drained of power that’s reason for skipping the second hand so the battery needs to be fully charged that can take anywhere from 11 hrs to 150hrs depending on the charge the battery holds

[@denisdaly1708]

I have mine 12 years, and it's perfect so far.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

Denis Daly thanks for watching. If you give them the light they need, they’ll last a long time.

[@cathdy3736]

it does have a capacitor battery which get charged by light, you van convert it using the same battery number ie ctl1616 to cr1616, ctl920 to sr920, ctl621 to sr62, average life of a capacitor battery would depend on use, if watch always gets top up full charge, then 10yrs or more

[@armyparty]

That is cool. That is runs without a battery. I wonder if the G-shocks does the same

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

armyparty if in direct sunlight I would assume yes. Wouldn’t make a habit of it, but should work. Thanks for watching.

[@frankgregory8891]

it doesnt they have a lithium-ion

[@scwang07]

That's a capacitor, not a battery. It keeps the watch running when there's no light source. When ecodrive is under a light source, it can still run. I had mine over 10 years and had to replace the capacitor. But no luck getting it to run consistently after capacitor was replaced.

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

C Wang thanks for watching. Please subscribe and support the channel.

[@infoanalysis]

A CAP IS A BATTERY

[@AvgJoeWatchReviews]

John Lockman thanks brother. Was trying to be nice. 😁

[@frankgregory8891]

wrong lithium-ion!