Home » Watch Education Center » Watch Movements » Forget About Battery Replacement – Eco-Drive Technology of Citizen Watches
Eco-Drive technology, featured in many Citizen Watches, is a system that generates and stores power. It is an extremely simple, efficient and eco-friendly technology that provides quartz watches with electrical energy, generated by the use of light. It does not require complicated maintenance and it utilizes a power source that is limitless and totally free. Furthermore, no harmful chemicals are necessary for its production.
Watches with Eco-Drive technology include a very thin amorphous silicon disk, located beneath the dial. This solar panel converts solar into electrical energy which is then stored. This efficient type of charging enables the use of various kinds of dials. Besides, Eco-Drive system has a special storage cell that guards it from negative effects of a charging cycle. This means that its owner never needs a battery change. Wristwatches with Eco-Drive are thus equipped to last for a lifetime of use, which is highly impressive for any product.
Up to 5 Years of Functioning when Fully Charged
After a full recharge, Citizen with Eco-Drive system will be able to function from 45 days to as much as 5 years in conditions where there is no additional light. However, most Citizen watches possess power reserves of 180 days.
Prolonged functioning after a charge is characteristic of timepieces that possess a Power Save Feature. This function conserves energy and it is activated as soon as the watch is not exposed to the amount of light that is necessary for charging (e.g. when under a sleeve). The power save feature conserves energy by seemingly shutting some of the functions. However, the right time is always kept internally.
Warnings for Low Energy and Complete Depletion
If your watch is close to stopping and in need for a charge, the Low Charge Warning will activate. Different models include different types of these visible clues. Usually, the second hand will jump two seconds at the time. Models that do not include a second hand will change the movement of the minute hand. Instead of moving three times for 1/3rd of a minute, the minute hand will move only once every 60 seconds. More advanced models will have their indicator hands positioned in a special manner.
Another important function of Eco-Drive technology is a Time Reset Advisory that is activated after the compete depletion of the cell (which indicates that the displayed time isnot correct). Once the watch is exposed to enough light to start running again, the second hand starts hitch movement that warns you of the complete emptying of the cell. When you recharge it and reset the correct time, the functioning switches back to normal.
The best and the fastest way to charge watches with Eco-Drive system is by using sunlight, though they can also be charged with artificial light. Excessive heat can sometimes damage the watch, so you should make sure not to expose your timepiece to temperatures over 140⁰ Fahrenheit.
