Why I still love CITIZEN Eco-Drive!

Citizen watches never fail to impress in terms of innovation, accuracy, build quality and value for money!. As the other colossus of Japanese Watch manufacturing beside Seiko and a pioneer of solar powered watches, their Eco-Drive movements offer great value reliable timekeeping with a service free life. The eco drive movements also power Citizen's luxury 'THE CITIZEN ' High Accuracy Quartz watches, matching Grand Seiko in quality and with astounding levels of accuracy. In this video I show my current range of eco drive watches, covering every genre from dive to dress. (NB the much asked about field watch is part of the Garrison ref BM6838 series)

[@Ben-yw8be]

Citizen is my favorite watch brand from Japan. The Eco-Drive tech is just pure bliss. No worries. No fuss. Highly accurate.

[@perfectwrist23]

Totally. Slowly being appreciated more.....quite slowly

[@JumpingWatermelons]

It's seriously one of the best movements ever made in terms of technical performance, longevity, low maintenance, and cost

[@perfectwrist23]

Agree

[@Kemenyan73]

I bought a Citizen Ecodrive titanium 23 yrs ago. Today it is still running well, problem free, never been serviced. Amazing longevity.

[@cenhadau]

My wife bought me a Citizen Eco-Drive in 2002 to celebrate a very special family occasion. The watch has kept perfect time, still working and still looks good. I was fortunate to get a new one as a present last Christmas; I'm praying the manufacturing standard hasn't declined.

[@stephenhaskins5736]

There just the same, brilliant 👏

[@perfectwrist23]

20 yrs for the first is good going

[@stefanosplati1619]

As a retired seafarer who frequently bought Seiko and Citizen watches during my many visits to Japan, and eventually gifted them to grateful friends or relatives whilst on leave, I managed to buy,more than 20 years ago, from the UK, a Citizen Eco-Drive watch. My Eco-Drive has always kept perfect time and has never left my wrist during waking hours and is water resistant. I surface swim without removing my watch (but have never scuba-dived); I expect that whoever eventually inherits my watch will continue to enjoy this perfect timepiece well into their old age.

[@perfectwrist23]

Thanks for that

[@kabysummit5801]

I just bought my first Citizen eco-drive men's watch. It's a Garrison field watch at 37mm case 9.5mm thick with day/date. So far so good everything works as expected, and I'm loving it. After years of expensive and more of late, a smart watch, I received an American Canadian made Solios solar watch as Christmas gift last year, a classy modern dress watch. I now am smitten by solar quartz movements. They are accurate, maintenance free, no waste, thin, and should last a long time without the need for resets or adjustments as I cycle through my collection of 6 watches. The 2 solar quartz watches are stand-outs as they are most accurate LOL, despite their moderate prices. I really don't need expensive watches, while some do come with spectacular designs which I'm a sucker for. However, at the end of the day and for a daily driver, the Citizen is it.

[@perfectwrist23]

Great comment and thanks for watching. Seiko also do solar movements, but the one I'm really interested in now is the Bulova Jetstar range. They are doing amazing things with quartz

[@keithmclean3627]

Mate, these are the kenworth of watches. I bought a $100 military style day date eco drive for work over 10 years ago and its never lost a second. As a heavy vehicle service fitter large rattle guns and hammers are common tools, no amount of shock has ever affected it. The crystal is well scratched, but this is the watch i use to set my seiko and all my clocks. I had no clue it would last this long!

[@time4jesus]

Couldn't agree more. Citizen and Casio are unbeatable for budget-conscious buyers. I have the Citizen Eco-Drive BM8550-14A on a bracelet and no matter how closely you inspect it, there's no telling where the solar panels are on one of the clearest white dials your ever likely to see. The finishing is gorgeous, and it feels so comfortable on the wrist. My last great everyday watch was a Citizen Eco Drive and my next one probably will be too. Subbed.

[@perfectwrist23]

Great that. Thanks!

[@garnetnewton-wade4091]

I have a Ricoh Shrewd Ambition Solar from 26 years ago with white dial. It is my favourite watch, plain dress look but solid as a rock. Integrated bracelet. Very well made, good weight, stunning.

[@perfectwrist23]

I've looked at Rocoh Medallion. Missed out on a lovely turquoise dial, just didn't bid quite enough

[@erikvermeulen9295]

Like you said; they have a watch for everyone in their lineup. I have a ecodrive radiocontroled titanium model since 2010 and indeed, the second hand never misses the marker. The case is very scratchresist, it sits perfectly on my wrist. I also think Citizen would sell a lot of their 'high end' watches in Europe if they were available here. Its a fantastic brand.

[@perfectwrist23]

Totally agree

[@steveb4012]

Nice to see someone promoting Citizen watches. I have 5 and swear by them. I wear them ad much ad my Omegas and never feel that I have something inferior on my wrist. Well done.

[@perfectwrist23]

Thanks!!

[@gordonhamilton727]

Just bought the Citezen Eco-Drive with a blue face for £160, looks beautiful, very comfortable, great build quality, fantastic value. Will wear it till I drop.

[@perfectwrist23]

All you ever need

[@Human_2.0]

Citizen is the thinking man's watch!

[@CaveWyatt]

Right now I’m thinking, “Why has my 6 month old Citizen Eco Drive been dead for almost a month?”

[@Human_2.0]

@@CaveWyatt absolutely inexcusable! Contact citizen because that's unheard of! My citizens were dead when I bought them because they were away from any light for months. Once exposed to literally any light they have been working perfectly! You better not let anyone off the hook on this purchase. A dead Citizen is like a water damaged G-Shock, freaking ludacris!

[@perfectwrist23]

Ha. Try the windowsill

[@Human_2.0]

@@CaveWyattcontact citizen this is unacceptable. A citizen that doesn't work is like a Casio that is water damaged it's unacceptable.

[@dazjackson1972]

With Citizen you get a lot of watch for your money. 6 months ago I bought a 300m eco drive diver (bn0085-01e) for £170, and I couldn't ask anything more of a watch at this price. Incredible accuracy, indices bezel and hands all aligned perfectly. Also beautiful looking and long lasting lume. If Citizens quality is this good across the board then they are sadly underrated.

[@perfectwrist23]

Totally

[@randymoses5239]

I have 3 Eco-Drives and 3 Seiko 5's in my 11 watch collection......a quick ranking puts all the Citizens in my top 5 favorites....Outstanding timepieces

[@paulbonaventura4969]

Citizen is by far , the most accurate watch ever I have owned and with 0 maintenance. The only issue is most designs don't have sapphire and also the fact they are not considered "fancy" like a rolex, tag, omega, etc. I'm starting to get annoyed on my automatics having to wind them and then a day and a half later they stopped. They are better than seiko IMO in almost every where , save for Grand Seiko and some higher end seiko autos. You can now find their movement in a Tag Solargraph which is about $3,000 (ridiculously laughable)

[@perfectwrist23]

Yes, I agree with the lack of Sapphire , but I generally take a lot of care, take off if doing DIY, and have the occasional beater for rough out n about

[@jimbrown8842]

I've an early eco drive I was given as a present in 1996.its never actually stopped in all that time,I keep it in daylight if I'm not wearing it.also have a promaster "Excalibur"and a gold plated dress style eco drive,both great watches.

[@perfectwrist23]

Thanks for watching!

[@simply_psi]

I bought a Citizen Titanium Eco Drive watch in 1996 and it is still going strong, never missed a beat, it was my daily 'beater' watch for at least 15 years, more recently I have grown the watch collection, but it is still in my rotation, as it keeps great time, think how many batteries I would have bought for a standard quartz watch or the cost of servicing my automatic movement watches, and the Citizen hasn't cost a penny since I bought it.

[@perfectwrist23]

Totally. And these are rarely mentioned by the ' connoisseurs '

[@simply_psi]

@perfectwrist23 I can't understand why. I can understand the watch snobs not liking them because they are not Swiss and don't make you wait 18 months to buy one of their watches but the self same watch snobs love Seiko, even though their quality control is woeful

[@Anonymous-sw9zd]

@@simply_psi I did use to own 2 entry-level Swiss brand: Tissot and Hamilton. Now I only have 3 Japanese watches. I sold the 2 Swiss all as I found... nothing too speical but the "Swiss made" on the dial. Compared to the same price, Japanese brands offer more subtle quality.

[@simply_psi]

@Anonymous-sw9zd I have also recently managed to get hold of a 1972 Citizen Cosmotron a high beat electronic watch with a smooth sweeping 2nd hand a beautifully made silver dial and applied indices, it still had the hand tags on, the only down side was the rolled links in the bracelet, but I have just bought replacement, the high end Citizen and Grand Seiko watches rival any Swiss Made timepiece, also look at some of the new brands coming from the US, UK and Germany and they are making some great watches too and Swiss watches have gone up so much 2 years ago you could get brand new automatic Longines Hydroconquest for around $900 now one will set you back nearly $2000 and these are one of the better value Swiss brands

[@TopTierTicker]

Good take, I think Citizen are massively underrated

[@paulsalmon4771]

I'm also a huge lover of CITIZEN watches and I was look at the seiko SSC777P1 as an addition to my watch collection but now I definitely have to look closer at the piece before purchasing. Great video by the way

[@perfectwrist23]

Hey thanks!!

[@hectormonclova7563]

All photovoltaic Seikos I had had failed, having to change the capacitors, so for solar technology I trust Citizen, which are accurate to a second plus every two months.

[@perfectwrist23]

Interesting

[@ahha6304]

I have 2 Citizen in auto and one in Eco, a Promaster Chronograph, these 3 never got any problem at all, working at the same rate even one was Citizen 7 from 30 years ago (while my Seiko Prospex have speed problem since the first date and it just had calibre changed), also that Eco-Drive is way cheaper than Seiko Solar, lifetime warranty on the Eco-Drive system (Seiko only guarantee 5 years of I'm not wrong). Believe me, Citizen QC is not lucky, but Seiko is, even at the same level of watch line (Prospex vs Promaster), Citizen is priced only a half of Seiko.

[@perfectwrist23]

Totally agree with all of that! Thanks

[@ChiralityPracticality]

Just got my Eco-Drive chronograph today and I'm happy, look's great feels good! Definitely happy so far. Paid 219 Australian dollars

[@perfectwrist23]

They're great! My Chrono has a special place

[@remoromolo8703]

got mine 8 yrs ago(2016)still going strong,i just keep it expose to sunlight when not in use(2024)

[@SlapShotRegatta22]

I wish Citizen offered more modest sized dive options with eco drive. The featured dive watch is great looking but too big at 44mm

[@perfectwrist23]

Agree I'm surprised they don't. Orient seem to have perfect proportions

[@watchluster]

Great video, I really love Citizen watches myself and share all your sentiments, they never miss a beat and got their QC down unlike *cough* Seiko *cough*. I love both brands but I really have to give my hat off to Citizen, so under-appreciated by the global market but they just execute and execute so well it's hard to deny their place atop the horology pantheon. I got my sights on that chicken....one day.

[@perfectwrist23]

Ha. Totally agree. Never seem to get the promotion in the West

[@raccoonbigg]

Got myself a citizen eco drive as my first timepiece as ive been wanting to get into building a nice collection, so far i love it, looks great with any outfit, and didnt absolutely nuke my wallet like some of the automatics i was looking at 😅

[@Liberty-rn4wy]

I agree. I have one. VERY accurate. But the second hand marker doesn't always hit the second.

[@perfectwrist23]

I must've hit lucky

[@leelane7437]

Their Garrison Chronograph is a total sleeper...I have a black dial and a blue dial. Love em!

[@perfectwrist23]

Will check that out

[@LoranHarding]

Where did you get the black dial Garrison? That is what he is showing here at six minutes and at 10 minutes. He never gives the model number. Please, what is the model number of the black dial Garrison?

[@LoranHarding]

What is the model # of the black dial Garrison PLease.

[@gusthesailor4885]

I own some citizen watches .. automatcs Ecodrive and Eco Drive radio piloted watches and I'm happy Casio' is also a good brand ... and for Seiko I like more their Grand Quartz or the Dolce from the eighties 😀

[@snix7613]

I owned a fair share of Seiko and love most of them... Until I found this "CITIZEN Eco-Drive BJ7110 Super-Titanium GMT Promaster Diver". 200m diver, sapphire, eco-drive, super-duper-whatever-titanium case and bracelet, TRUE GMT, inverted cyclop date window.... All of the above, for 350$ish... holy cow. I bought one and couldn't believe the sheer value of it, used it for a week and then bought another one lol (diff color, of course).

[@perfectwrist23]

Mmm I may look at that. Am after a gmt

[@professorofficer9609]

Pros: - Reliable - Quality watches. Function over form. - Solar powered Cons: - Big (most of them), perfect for old eyes - Ugly - Heavy - Their bracelets are mediocre on the mid tier and hideous on the cheapos You cannot go wrong buying one. I personally love them.

[@perfectwrist23]

Agree! Never had too much trouble with any bracelets though

[@joeycan6801]

Great video, I subscribed, I have 4 of them and love them…. Thank You

[@perfectwrist23]

Thanks!!

[@folksurvival]

Agreed, they're great watches.

[@luisalejandroacuna9879]

No, you're wrong when you say it doesn't need a battery. Of course it needs one! If it didn't have a battery it would work only when there's light and it would stop when it's dark. Eco-Drive watches collect energy from light, store in a BATTERY (of course they have one) and that lets them keep running for months even in the dark.

[@perfectwrist23]

Yes, effectively prolongs life for at least 10 years. In the long run we are all dead. Famous quote by Keynes

[@zubungothebest3825]

He probably meant you never need to buy a replacement battery

[@williambottaci5320]

I like citizen, you show them off well, make a good case for them. But, the incidental background music, not to everyone's taste, too loud if it's louder than you - didn't you notice? Off-putting; if you can redo that please... Also, when showing the seconds hand hitting the marker, you need to hold/place the watch square to the camera. And, try not to have reflections that prevent one seeing the dial...

[@perfectwrist23]

Quite an early video that. Hopefully more recent ones are better

[@herberar]

Great review! I have just received my first eco drive (8180 used like new) and I love it . I 'd like to know the model of the field watch with the metal strap in your review. Thanks!!!

[@perfectwrist23]

I believe its in the BM6838/6835 family. E111 case

[@LoranHarding]

AND I would as well!! You show it at 6 min. in the video and again at 10 minutes. It looks great with a black dial. I see plenty with the green or blue dial, but search though I do, I cannot find the black dial with the bracelet. It is not on AMZN. KZbin, other than your vid above, not on Google. Please help us out and tell us the model number and where you got it. Many thanks. Was it exclusive to Scotland maybe?

[@jax02zerotwo]

I have one.. but the strap is killing me. Am looking for a replacement band at the moment.

[@perfectwrist23]

Thanks for watching

[@jdssurf]

What am i missing, I can't keep them in a safe to not get stolen because they die and then you have to put it somewhere safe to recharge it...........major pain, how do you guys put up with this? I have one in rotation but It's not worn enough and dies.

[@perfectwrist23]

Yes they do have to be kept in light. I keep my eco drives in a watch roll not to far from the window. It works. They aren't valuable enough to be stolen. The more exotic ' THE CITIZEN' watches I'd likely wear a lot if I had them

[@jdssurf]

@@perfectwrist23 i'm in california, the drug addicts steal anything, it's the sentimental ones i worry about

[@perfectwrist23]

@@jdssurf really!?.....eeehh to some in this country California would be paradise

[@GapBahnDirk]

The problem that I have had consistently with Citizen Eco-drive watches is that the movements fail after a couple of years.

[@perfectwrist23]

Wow. Unlucky

[@dazjackson1972]

Unlucky indeed. Many owners claim to get 20+ years from eco drive. Also Citizen watches usually come with a 5 year warranty - so you should be able to do something about that.

[@RampartPh]

Citizen watches are somewhat victims of their own success. They've become a "boring" brand because of their efficiency. Even their automatics have been overshadowed because of their ground breaking and proven eco drive tech.

[@AldoFelt]

correct.

[@javi7602]

whats the model number for the black chronograph citizen diver watch in the intro of the video? beautiful

[@perfectwrist23]

Never knew. Was a gift. There were plenty used on ebay last Yr but I can't find any now

[@javi7602]

​@perfectwrist23 no problem boss. Thanks anyway. Im sure il be able to find it sooner or later. Enjoy👍

[@SeanBoyle]

@@javi7602 @perfectwrist23 The model number is CA4330-57E

[@tmnk2631]

6:03 what's the model No.?

[@perfectwrist23]

It's the Garrison range. No longer new in black with brushed Bezel. This was used example. I thought I'd put it in the video notes. If not, it's on one of the comments

[@user-iw9nm1mv8o]

Hello can u plz tell me the model number of that promaster 44mm that had the brown strap on it.

[@perfectwrist23]

Hi there's a video on the channel. They also are available plenty on ebay

[@sardendibs]

What's the model number of the field watch? Cheers.

[@perfectwrist23]

It's an E111 case. There's one video on KZbin with the same dial but black case. Search citizen e111 field watch

[@perfectwrist23]

Garrison BM6838 family

[@recumbentrevolution6540]

I haven't worn a watch since I was Early 20's, Now at 58 years Old I am looking for a time piece, Something keeps pulling me to the citizen watch. Afraid to purchase from Amazon because some reviews say the backing plate does not say eco drive like it's supposed to. Afraid they might be China knockoffs.

[@perfectwrist23]

I've found amazon ok

[@stephenhaskins5736]

Agree, better build than seiko.

[@perfectwrist23]

Thanks for watching

[@joseluismalagagranda4785]

How long a eco-drive tick with out service?

[@perfectwrist23]

I don't think they ever need one

[@Jamcam99]

I have both Seiko and Citizen and think Citizen is way better quality for the £££, specially if you buy them right.

[@perfectwrist23]

Agree. Bit of research

[@Seajay2016]

What is the model of the watch at 6,09?

[@perfectwrist23]

It's the Chandler. BM 6838 family

[@Ahmed-oq3ug]

Seiko is an Automatic first manufacturer

[@perfectwrist23]

Yes

[@JamesEvans-uh7nu]

Prefer citizen to seiko

[@perfectwrist23]

Mmmm....both have appeal

[@jasonclarke7422]

I don’t want to start a war as we have enough of that going on in the world, but I think that citizen is far superior to seiko. I have had both and will never give another penny to seiko.

[@jasonclarke7422]

​@@BrianDPrice1 The Casio Lineage is also another good watch to consider, I think it looks good and is radio controlled and has solar charging..

[@johnmcburnie2857]

I have a citizen brown tank ,hasn’t dropped a beat in 9 years.

[@perfectwrist23]

They're great

[@Ferien7]

By the way, what is the model number of the field watch at 6:04?

[@perfectwrist23]

Think it's the Chandler

[@LoranHarding]

@@perfectwrist23 No, the Chandler has a big triangle at the 12 oclock position. This watch he shows at 6 and 10 minutes is the Garrison, but what is the model number of this black dial Garrison. I cannot find it on AMZN, Google, KZbin, other than this vid.

[@LoranHarding]

MY mistake!!!!!!!!!! The Garrison has a triangle at 12.. Then in this vid. we see thew Chandler. What is the model number of the black dial Chandler??

[@perfectwrist23]

@@LoranHarding I did find the reference a while ago. It was through a lengthy search under 'eco drive field watch' . Something like 8638 or 3868

[@IlyaSolodky]

My fifty cents: 12.5 mm is not slim especially for a quartz movement.

[@perfectwrist23]

Yes I know. The width comes from the dive spec on that one. Mis- spoke on vid

[@denodan]

I perfer leather as steel watches never fit totally correctly, either a little to tight or loose. Leather fits better

[@perfectwrist23]

Yes. I swap around

[@trubadyr99]

Do not have money for overpriced Grand Seiko with its highly accurate movements? Go for Citizen! Do your homework and I guaranty you'd be pleasantly surprised.

[@perfectwrist23]

Citizens are great. Check out my vid

[@markloubser2433]

Unfortunately they seldom use sapphire crystals. Deal-breaker. Are you listening Citizen?

[@joshyong0]

Does anyone have the model number of the watch at 6:09 ?

[@perfectwrist23]

It's an E111 case. There is one other video on YT but has a black case Needs scrolling along to find it amd there's a model number on ther

[@Ferien7]

I have come to learn that mechanical watches are worthless trash. Even Rolex, AP, and Patek. Mechanical watches don’t last, don’t keep time, and don’t hold value in the long run. Sure, quartz aren’t valuable, but they actually KEEP TIME and last 10-20 years before needing servicing or replacement and are dirt cheap. Mechanical watches at any level are worthless, useless trash. Change my mind.

[@perfectwrist23]

Can't argue with that really

[@LoranHarding]

FIVE five 5 5 people in the comments ask for the model number of the watch you show from 6 minutes on. Your answer is that you did a huge search and the model is 8368 or 3868????????????? You don't give the model number. Those two numbers you give go no where. No model by either number. Geez. You do a big vid on a watch and you WILL not give the model number!!!!!!!!! You just refuse, eh?

[@perfectwrist23]

Very hard to find. It's not on the case and this was a used buy. All I did was search ' citizen field' watch and kept scrolling until I saw the image. Try that

[@perfectwrist23]

Believe its Garrison family BM6838

[@LoranHarding]

@@perfectwrist23 NO IT"S NOT! You are a clever Scot having fun with us. There IS NO watch in a SS case with that black dial. Know what? What you show in this vid is the BLUE DIAL watch. If one looks very carefully at your vid, you can see that that dial is really blue. Look at the NE half of the dial, you'll see some blue. This watch in naked SS comes with a blue or green dial. There IS a version with all that black crap on the case with a black dial and little red 24 hour markings, but no version in naked SS with a black dial. And I HAVE LOOKED. I MEAN I HAVE REALLY LOOKED. Hope you really had fun with us, but this Californian has seen what you are doing. We hava a Scotish actor here, Craig Ferguson, I believe. He says that Scotland is "rain and potatoes". So you have to find fun somewhere.

[@perfectwrist23]

Haha. Love it. Our weather is truly awful

[@heastoida]

Perfect

[@perfectwrist23]

Thanks

[@neilredmond1011]

I have a few citizen eco drive watches, can I ask you a question because I can’t seem to find this out, so I bought a promaster gmt with a world time bezel I love this watch it’s got the best bracelet, as good as my Tudors and BRIETLING so comfortable, because this watch is now discontinued I bought a second one to put away, my question is you said your watch lasted 15 years so what I want to know is if I put the watch away and let it run out of charge and just use the first one till it dies will the one I put away start up as new when I take it out so if I got 10 years out of the first one theoretically I’ll get 10 years out of that one when it starts up again hope I explained that properly 😂 I just want them to last. Thanks

[@perfectwrist23]

Mmm...well I know of another ecodrive that was put in a drawer for 5 years then left on a windowsill when she found it again and it booted right up

[@neilredmond1011]

@@perfectwrist23 👍 thanks for replying I think I’ll do that 🤞

[@damyr]

@@neilredmond1011 I don't understand your concern. After the battery on your eco-drive dies (and from what I hear about solar powered watches, many are still keep running even after 2 decades), then just replace it. Put a new battery in, and keep it going for another decade (or more). Buying 2 same solar powered watches is just silly.

[@neilredmond1011]

@@damyr I bought the second one because this model is now discontinued and I really like this watch so if anything happens to the first one then I’ll have the other simple as that, I didn’t know you could change a battery in these citizens

[@damyr]

@@neilredmond1011 Only early solar powered models had capacitors, instead of batteries, which would be more difficult to change (but not impossible I presume). In last few decades, all solar powered watches have rechargeable batteries, similar to ordinary ones, and can be easily replaced. Btw, Citizen Promasters are built like tanks. So if something happens to it, I wouldn't worry about the watch, I'd rather ask what happened to your hand. :)

[@tommygustavsen4789]

A real watchlover 👍🫡 lets talk watches

[@Stampalex]

I've had mine for 11 years now -- The best watch I've ever owned. It's a simple dress watch with date and I've scuba -dived with it maybe 20 times (max depth about 30m) with absolutely no issues... Keeps very good time (about +1s every two months).

[@perfectwrist23]

All you ever need