Citizen

The patented Eco-Drive technology was presented in 1995 and is a particularly environmentally friendly and technically very sophisticated drive system. Every artificial or natural light source is used for the energy supply, a dark power reserve ensures reliability even in longer phases without incidence of light. In addition, Eco-Drive watches have an energy-saving function that automatically switches on in poor lighting conditions or permanent darkness. The hands no longer move, but the movement continues to run in the background. This temporarily reduces energy consumption to up to 80%. The watch wearer is informed via the charge status function that light is needed again.

Citizen watches with Eco-Drive: this is how it works

The Eco-Drive drive works in a very sophisticated way: Light penetrates through a transparent dial and is converted into drive energy by a highly sensitive light cell. The resulting energy is transmitted to the precise quartz movement and stored in a powerful, rechargeable microcell. The Eco drive is ready to start after just one minute of incidence of light. Depending on the model, the dark power reserve lasts between 180 days and 4 years when the secondary battery is fully charged.

Revolution in light-powered watches: Eco-Drive with metal dial

The first Citizen solar watch was launched in 1976. For a long time, this type of watch posed a great challenge to designers, because the required solar cell always had to be integrated as harmoniously as possible into the dial design. Citizen presented a groundbreaking revolution in the field of light-driven watches with the metal dial, which is also used in modern Eco-Drive watches. The highlight: the solar cell was replaced by a solar ring that surrounds the dial on the side. This means that there are no limits to creativity in dial design.

Citizen watches with radio module convince

Citizen attaches great importance to future-oriented technologies. The radio-controlled clocks also work with the Eco-Drive drive and also impress with their automatic time setting and absolute accuracy. Citizen radio-controlled clock technology is based on three independently operating atomic clocks, each of which generates a radio signal. The time signals are compared with each other, then the master clock from the Mainflingen location transmits a signal via long-wave within a radius of 2,000 kilometres.

Extra hard and scratch resistant: Citizen watches made of Super Titanium

High-tech know-how proves Citizen also with the materials used. The Super Titanium collection combines lightweight titanium material with the ion-plating process developed by Citizen. With this surface refinement, titanium carbide is applied at 2,000 °C in a vacuum chamber using an electron process. The result is a surface that is five times harder than that of a stainless steel or pure titanium housing. The models in this series are protected with high-quality sapphire glass, making them extremely scratch-resistant. In addition, sapphire glass is clearer than commonly used mineral glass.