How To Replace The Battery On Your Citizen Eco Drive Capacitor Solar Watch Battery

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[@weldingandstuff]

Buy it here: Battery capacitor for watch amzn.to/36Le6wG

[@juanmckee3798]

Is this the same battery for all the citizens atomic watches?

[@tilica5353]

Juan Mckee Not ,are movements with diferent battery,you must see for your eco drive movement specifications how is the battery.

[@braxtonloyd6872]

Where can I buy some patience?

[@weldingandstuff]

@@juanmckee3798 not for sure

[@AquaUomo]

Remove the strap!

[@Sparks52]

A couple of suggestions regarding your technique after dealing with countless quartz batteries over the past four decades 1. Avoid getting anything near the coil. The slightest nick and it's toast. Just touching them can destroy them. The wire is significantly thinner than your hair and extremely fragile. Damage the coil and the movement is toast - with most quartz movements it's usually beyond repair. If it can be repaired, it will cost more than a new watch as the "repair" isn't coil replacement, it's entire movement replacement. With vintage quartz like this one, you'd be extremely lucky to be able to get a replacement movement. 2. Get a springbar tool and undo the bracelet at one end of the clasp or the other to get it out of the way on each side of the watch. On a Z-fold like this one it's usually easiest to undo it at on the micro-adjustment end. It's infinitely easier to deal with back removal and battery replacement if the bracelet is out of the way. 3. Use plastic tweezers to deal with batteries - or capacitors like this one. Metal ones short them out causing numerous potential problems.

[@mrbill1580]

the batttery i got to is to big?alomst twice the size?

[@smkrein]

I had surgery a couple years ago, removed my watch at the Hospital and it was later tossed in a "Going Home" bag for me to take. A l-o-o-o-o-o-n-g time later I discovered it at the bottom of my bedside table in a drawer. I couldn't get it going because I read that the Eco Drive didn't have a battery. Couldn't make myself toss it for some reason. Stumbled across your instructional video today and gave it a shot. Your instructions and visuals made it almost easy (my thumbs are massive and the work area is tiny) but it all worked together for good. Almost laughed out loud seeing the sweep-ish second hand rounding the bend. You have made my day, sir. I cannot tell you enough: Thank You & God Bless! P.S. Don't sweat it when the "Nay-Sayers" chime in, ya done good!

[@scottt2012]

You should do audio books man, you got the voice for it. God bless.

[@jmfa57]

Thirty years with the same watch - - I salute you, Sir! Thanks for a great video!

[@ernestolgodoy]

Had mine for 22 years. Battery just die for the first time. Just ordered the battery and removal tool thanks to this guy. I guess I will let my son change the battery next time :-)

[@raditojr.lincaro554]

@@ernestolgodoy how about the gasket

[@geohaugland2942]

Thank you for explaining how this is done. I have lots of eco-drives I got cheap, but folks want $80 to install these capacitor batteries. That little brass piece going in right was the KEY! Thanks again!

[@backwoodsjunkie08]

At first I was like "Jesus you beat the hell outta your watches" but then you said it was 30 yrs old!! I salute you fine sir! This is a attestment to citizen!

[@weldingandstuff]

LOL!!!! This watch been all over the World; I welded with this watch on in Saudi Arabia, India, Canada, Africa, Germany, Trinidad and Tobago, Brazil, etc.... I must say this is a good watch.

[@scootermann83]

Based on its serial #, it's from 2000 or 2010, Eco Drive name started on dials in the mid 1990s...

[@mrfrankcastle083]

Thanks for showing your video. Mine is a H500-S100666 and has a little silver arm that barely covers the battery/capacitor. All the small parts of a watch just amaze me. I just left the mall's watch store and, after tax, they want about $64 to do this. And, they send it out so I'd also have to wait for a couple weeks. People on eBay sell these capactiors for about $13-15 with free S&H. I just got this watch; I have had an O850-H10287 since 1999 and paid $80 to replace the capacitor after I did almost 8 years in the can. They said it died because it was never used. But the same thing happened just a few years later. That one looks like 2 or 3 screws have to be removed to lift a metal cover just to get to the capacitor. I have a lot of small screwdrivers but none are small enough to fit these screws, so I'm not looking forward to that project, when it comes. The guy at the watch store said "there's a copper connection that has to be carefully soldered..." Hahaha...I sensed he was lying, or misinformed, when he stated this. I'm ordering a capacitor tonight, and this watch will be fixed and running in a few days. I have 3 Citizens- 1 Eco-Drive from 1999 that I had inscribed and don't want my now-9 year old daughter to read, 1 with a standard battery from a passed relative, and 1 (the other Eco-Drive that needs a capacitor) that I just bought for only $30 (hey, that's the beauty of crack...and being awake at the right hour). It even had the box but no instructions. And, evidently, needs a capacitor. So, I keep the inscribed one for memories. I keep my relative's watch for sentimental memories. And I can't wait to start wearing this new one... A watch is hard to match with an owner. It's harder than settling on a new or used car. A lot of pawn shops don't sell watches any more because people don't buy them like that. At least, that's what a few pawn guys have told me, here in FL. Did anybody read all this? Thanks again for the tutorial; you helped me out with it. Can't wait to fix this watch, on the cheap & easy.

[@alaaismail9248]

Thanks for the video. It was useful. In my case, Citizen Watch repaire center could not replace the battery/capacitor due to the age of the watch (no parts available). Through this video and other resources, I was able to order the part that was genuine part btw, and replaced it myself. My 20+ years solar watch is back working.

[@antnip]

Thanks, the local jeweler told my wife her watch couldn't be fixed. I did this and it is fine now. Appreciate you taking the time to make this video.

[@weldingandstuff]

Glad to be of help. Subscribe to my channel if you haven't already, like and turn on the notification for more helpful videos and family fun

[@kenn82draw]

The same thing happened to me 2 years ago. My Ecozilla has been sitting in the box until I found this video. I replaced the capacitor and sat the watch on the window sill with the crown pulled for a day and it's working again.

[@LongJim]

Eco drives are great watches. Have 2. One 22 years old, and one 20. Older one needs a battery swap, but both still going strong. Thanks for the video!

[@90vit]

I suggest getting a spring bar tool to remove the strap to allows easier access to the back of the watch.

[@weldingandstuff]

Vittaya Boon Suwansiri thanks

[@mikeyG11556]

Dude, nothing is sexier than a dude that does his own watch maintenance and wears his watch like a boss. Watches that are worn and used have history!!! That watch is invaluable. Nice video!!!!

[@RadDad1976]

Thanks for the video!! I would recommend each time you remove the case back that you use silicone grease made for o-rings. This will ensure you maintain the water resistance and a good seal. Thanks again and take care!!

[@user-kz5yc8ok5r]

Great video! I've had my Eco Drive for almost 20 years and it no longer holds charge after exposure to light. Thanks for showing how to replace the battery.

[@moneystewart5257]

That a long time to have a watch and only need that few battery replacements , I'm sold on ECO Drive for sure Thanks for the Post.

[@hijwomark8580]

Thanks , I lost the correct battery position , now I see the real position of brass connectoer , thank you

[@ernestolgodoy]

Thanks for the tip! Jewellery store wanted to charge me $160 to change this battery.

[@josedelpino6676]

Thanks for the tips about the copper tab and how to get the new battery back in, life saver!

[@stephenm5000]

That sure is one beat up old watch - I love it!

[@donschwartz9585]

Thanks. I have an Eco Drive watch and didn't realize that you could change the battery. While I haven't had to change the battery I've been having a hell of a time finding a reasonably priced stainless band for it.

[@TowMan127]

Thanks for the video. I have a nice citizen eco-drive that my wife bought me 17 years ago and I need a new battery for it. Now I can get it done.

[@chakakachewbacca7354]

Thank you so much. I thought my watch was done. I brought it to a watch place and the guy said it wasn’t possible to fix. I’m going to another watch guy now. Wish you the best!

[@toroscosmicos9889]

Very well done Sir. I watched another video by a so-called watch repair guy. It was useless. You explained how the new battery fits into the movement perfectly. Thank you.

[@tomrobertson421]

Just what I needed to fix my wife's battered (but sentimental) watch! Her watch was different, but the tab in the slot was the clue I needed - thanks!

[@FROGDADDY79]

It's funny how some of the 'experts' on this thread tell you what you did wrong while they have not done a video... Thanks brother for sharing your experience with the Citizen Eco, I have had 2 of them just bought another but didn't know how easy it was to replace the capacitor. :-)

[@weldingandstuff]

Thanks for the comment, and thanks for watching my channel.

[@mihaipopa9414]

One does not need to upload a video to figure out what's wrong here or common sense in changing a watch battery. Nonsensical comment.

[@scarpia519]

Nice presentation. It took me many years to figure out that if you open the bracelet (remove a link) then it's not in the way as you work on the watch. Of course, that is if it's NOT a leather two piece band. I have two Citizen eco-drive watches, the earlier versions of the Skyhawk and "GMT" models. The Skyhawk is 18 years old and I'm not sure about my "GMT", maybe 15 but both are still running on their original batteries. These are terrific watches by any measure...robust construction, great feel in-hand and on wrist plus they are super accurate (I'm getting less than 10 sec/month).

[@seandavx3]

Great instructions. 👍

[@chrislacey879]

I just got a watch and watched your video I bet you wish you had somebody showing you something like this the first time you opened it up just saying thanks awesome video we got great points with no BS

[@tilica5353]

Thank you for this video .You with your old watch are un maestro,if you not change the watch 30 years, bravo !!!!!

[@scootermann83]

To add to what others have said, great tutorial but I'd suggest finger cots, greasing or replacing the gasket, opening the bracelet, having the watch be clean before opening the case etc..

[@tomperkins5657]

Excellent. Just follow his directions EXACTLY as he says.

[@rickcorcoran543]

Good stuff. That helped me avoid smashing things up. Thanks a lot for posting this !

[@weldingandstuff]

Glad to hear it!

[@billcox1549]

Would not have installed the battery properly without watching this video. Thanks, Bill

[@mdunawaym]

A friend cave me her late father's Citizen. The battery is so weak. Thank you for this!

[@weldingandstuff]

very good watch; I have other more expensive watches but I wear my citizen

[@mdunawaym]

@@weldingandstuff I'm a lucky watch guy. I live near a Citizen facility that has a sale every year...up to 90% off! I have many other watches, but there will always be a soft spot in my heart for Citizen.

[@davidtsai9013]

Thank you for posting this! And thank you for pointing out the orientation of the metal tab.

[@ninjasrose1653]

Someone said the other day on KZbin that solar watches were disposable. I did laugh!

[@Marco-cl9pb]

Using it for 30 years. Nice 👌

[@bbulliard]

Good to know how long battery lasts. Very interesting. Such an excellent video w tremendous detail. Your the best! Thanks a bunch

[@Mattthewanderer]

Thank you for sharing that! I have a Citizen watch at home which needs help but was not sure how much I could do to it without hurting it. Looks pretty simple so I will get a new battery and try it.

[@RBEmerson]

Plus one on "remove the band". It makes life sooooo much easier. A watch vise helps a lot (cheap on eBay). And plus one on metal tweezers shorting the battery.

[@lidiawilliams4837]

i’ve had my 23 years and it’s just needing a change of battery now!

[@rahmanahashem3484]

If only the new models lasted that long. Mine is less than 5 years old and the cap is already dying.

[@alexbelle3941]

Thank you very much. This was exactly the info I needed. I got a hand down Citizen Eco-Drive a few years ago and now the battery loses charge over night. I was concerned about the price but if they last that long it's fair. 👍

[@MsMilios]

My friend thankn you very much

[@weldingandstuff]

No problem

[@andrewlawrence6512]

Great video. Thank you help me fix my watch my dad gave me 18 years ago

[@scottpam]

Very informative and I do suggest using non-conductive tweezers and finger cots to protect the battery when changing batteries or capacitors.

[@cindybeggs102]

You are amazing thank you. I was driving myself crazy with the little copper piece!!!!!

[@karimmajid6652]

Thank You !!!!! Good done !!!!!!

[@kato223]

I recommend using plastic tweezers as to not short out the capacitor when you are replacing it. Also, never touch the capacitor with your bare fingers. It can shorten the life of the capacitor.

[@AmericanDrinker]

30 years?! A quality watch such as this is better than going through 30 cheap watches in the same amount of time

[@mikeryan5217]

Very helpful and terminology I can understand....thank you for sharing this information.

[@chrislacey879]

I don't know how much I would have paid but do it myself you're awesome man keep it up

[@charliedeluca5756]

THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!

[@ChrisMisc1]

I feel bad that you've scratched the back trying to open it. Nice video man.

[@freezy4207]

Mine one citizen is from 2002. The second hand is giving off the code to charge. I'm charging it now in sunlight. If that doesn't work I'm glad to see how to replace the capacitor.

[@1EVILZ06]

Side note. For the battery to last the extended periods 10-15 years. The watch needs to be exposed to a light source. “Worn”My watch was a special occasion type watch. That I rarely wore and kept it in the box. That reduced the batteries life by 3/4.

[@AudiophileTommy]

Great video and super great close up filming !!❤

[@Barnaby_bo]

That's a well travelled watch. Respect

[@weldingandstuff]

I've had it for over 25 years and it has traveled all over the world Saudi, India, Africa, Spain, Germany, Canada and more

[@Barnaby_bo]

@@weldingandstuff awesome. You don't see that much these days in our throw away lifestyle.

Uma dica importante para os relógios eco drive: ao colocar o relógio para recarregar no sol se você puxar a coroa em um clique, a bateria irá carregar mais rápido, com 1/3 do tempo! Nunca deixe o seu relógio descarregar totalmente. Isso afeta gravemente a bateria... Sempre recarregue o seu relógio! Algumas horas por dia, por semana ou por mês, não importa. O importante é deixar ele recarregar! Não se preocupe em afetar a bateria por carregar demais. Os relógios eco drive tem um sistema que impede que ele continue carregando estando a bateria toda carregada.

[@lucaspernao18]

Gilmar Torquato tô com um probleminha sobre esse relógio aqui não tá fazendo sol onde eu resido o que fazer nesse caso o relógio parou

Lucas Soares, mesmo sem sol você poderá deixar ele em uma área descoberta na sua casa ou deixar ele perto de uma luz artificial a uma distância de 20cm mais ou menos... Poderá levar mais tempo para recarregar. É necessário haver intensidade de luz e durante um mínimo de tempo para que possa carregar suficientemente. No caso da intensidade da luz e do tempo de exposição não serem suficientes, existe a possibilidade de o carregamento não ser suficiente. Sob luz solar direta num dia de Verão Cerca de 100.000 lx... Dia Nublado Cerca de 10.000 lx. A 5 cm de uma lâmpada fluorescente de 30W Cerca de 10.000 lx... A 20 cm de uma lâmpada fluorescente de 30W Cerca de 3.000 lx. Quando fizer sol deixe o relógio praticamente o dia todo no sol ou o maior tempo possível! Ele está precisando de um sol forte no "cangote".. kkkkkkkk Boa sorte! Os meus aqui eu procuro sempre deixar ele algumas horas no sol, pelo menos uma vez por semana. No inverno o sol realmente é menos intenso (e menos tempo durante o dia!) e isso requer mais tempo possível no sol.

[@oga2244]

Thank you so much for the great tutorial!

[@dcrook232323]

Great & perfect video bud. Own two (12+ yrs old) that I need to repair.

[@fbiagent3399]

Holding the battery with the tweezers like that literally is shorting it out.. bad idea

[@mihaipopa9414]

Agree. Unless there is some kind of insulation in the tweezers, this is rookie instructions, at best.

[@sapphire9167]

@@mihaipopa9414 Removal with metal tweezers is ok, you see he didn't use them on the install. He should have made mention of that.

[@mihaipopa9414]

@@sapphire9167 It makes sense, thanks.

[@cariza5]

Greetings from Scotland, Great video, Cincinnati Bengals Rule.

[@caznden]

Thank you, Very Helpful, You Show it well !

[@richardlyew]

The battery is a TM621

[@weldingandstuff]

Thanks

[@caznden]

Very Good Thank You ! Well Done, Looks very Simple.

[@vanlifenomad]

Thanks for this

[@CraigFogus]

Very good, sir!

[@kotsosgr55]

Awesome job!!! Good work my friend! Thank you!

[@pinkysgarage2779]

Excellent video great narration thank you for making this video .

[@mikejmp4169]

Thank You! ❤️

[@lindabowyer2450]

thank you !

[@DJ_Idjit]

Excellent video! Thank you.

[@weldingandstuff]

Thanks for watching. Subscribe to my channel if you haven't already, like and turn on the notification for more helpful videos and family fun

[@mgb3205]

Thank you! It works now. My wife thinks I'm a hero. -Jersey Mike

[@63maddog]

Thank you very much. I'm new to this and you are so helpful too!

[@BillKinsman]

Should not touch the battery or the inside parts of the watch with your fingers. You should wear rubber gloves and use plastic tweezers to handle the battery. I guess if it's still OK after 30 years, it will not matter much, though.

[@RicardoBirdlegs]

This is obviously an amateur DIY home 'watchmaker'. Not a professional. Title should be:"How NOT to replace the battery etc.."

[@escaragami]

Great video, thank you, sir.

[@peterpound4478]

thank you very much

[@srimalwidanapathirana2822]

Great job it was very helpful thanks.

[@MrClibil]

Thank you so much for this clear explanation.

[@weldingandstuff]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jif8802]

Very simple, and easy.

[@sammader5456]

Thank you

[@RJtoon1]

I bought my dad a citizen echo drive in 2002 day date silver bezel black face leather strap, it’s needed three capacitive batteries so it’s averaging seven years per battery and it’s 90 bucks to have it done at a jewellery shop

[@crazylady61]

This was a brilliant video....thanks very much for the help.

[@weldingandstuff]

Help support my videos by pledging $1 per month - you can cancel your pledge at anytime www.patreon.com/weldingandstuff

[@ravenred201]

great video but when i got out my husband's skyhawk titanium citizen, it didn't have the notches on the back. :( can't use that tool..

[@jasonloar1060]

Well done video, thanks!

[@RED1111111111]

THANK YOU!!! NOW WHERE DO I BUY THE UNSCREWING MACHINE?

[@jacobpugh4096]

Thanks for the video!

[@AdamSmith-fe9jf]

Based on your experience and your best estimate, if leaving the Eco-Drive watch in a drawer for an extended period of time has degraded the battery and the watch now requires a new one, would replacing this battery/capacitor bring the watch back to 100% original, perfectly new condition? Or, has the solar cell and charging mechanism also slightly degraded/been damaged from this type of storage? Thanks for any input from anyone with some better understanding.

[@weldingandstuff]

that was a great explanation

[@buckobob33]

Thanks for the post, it was very helpful.

[@caseyjohnson6573]

I thought there solar powered so it didn't use batteries. Thank you for the video very helpful!

[@Al8minium]

The solar cell charges up the capacitor

[@TaaarrrrHeeeels]

I was in the same boat. But once I learned that, I'm only buying automatic watches from now on.

[@kelemenpalgyorgy]

u should open the bracelet first...

[@RyeOnHam]

Short and to the point. Nice. Citizen says these rechargeable batteries will last 25 years. I'll be darned if I have heard of one lasting that long. 10-15 years. For what they cost, I'd rather have a higher capacity lithium battery.

[@hombredeacero3131]

Awesome thanks

[@stephken8077]

Really helpful, thanks.

[@cheodelgado6707]

Si se le cambia la batería,al reloj hay que ajustarlo de nuevo?

[@creepulkins]

Thanks! I have a watch kit but I never knew what that case remover tool was or how to use it.

[@leeadams6809]

Thank you sir. Great video!

[@Flashbek87]

Is this new movie with Morgan Freeman as a watch repairer ?

[@KalikaWeerasinghe]

😂😂😂😂😂👍

[@crobulari2328]

Finger grease on the battery -ve and +ve sides. Metal tweezers used so shorting out the battery. Otherwise maybe OK.

[@makerofmanythings8447]

I know man, I thought the same thing.