Not deer related..... Eco Drive watches?

[Brithunter]

I see to recall reading a post about these and thought it was on these forums. Due to Autumn being here and winter approaching with the need to wear coats I find that using the pocket watch is a little awkward what with having to undo the coat to access it. I see Citizen are one maker whom actually list the watch case material and I need one with a stainless case as well as back.

So does anyone here own/wear/use an Eco Drive watch?

Are they really worth the money?

I bought an Avia Marina some years back but the sweat has eaten away the case edge so it's now uncomfortable to wear for long. Thought a watch meant for salt water use would be good but it seems I was wrong.

Thanks in advance .

 

[kennyc]

I see to recall reading a post about these and thought it was on these forums. Due to Autumn being here and winter approaching with the need to wear coats I find that using the pocket watch is a little awkward what with having to undo the coat to access it. I see Citizen are one maker whom actually list the watch case material and I need one with a stainless case as well as back.

So does anyone here own/wear/use an Eco Drive watch?

Are they really worth the money?

I bought an Avia Marina some years back but the sweat has eaten away the case edge so it's now uncomfortable to wear for long. Thought a watch meant for salt water use would be good but it seems I was wrong.

Thanks in advance .

I've used Casio solar powered watches for the last 7-8 years, never had a problem with them other than attrition due to workplace conditions

 

[Hornet 6]

Seiko kinetic titanium, still going strong after nearly 17 years of abuse.

Neil.

 

[Moray Outfitting]

One of those people that is able to destroy most watches in short order; genuinely without really knowing how. Greatest claim to fame is being requested to test a military spec watch ( name withheld as sure it was me not the watch ) - the rep handed me the watch and went to his car to put the box away - yup, bust by the time he walked back )

In that context, I have worn a Citizen Eco Drive Wr100 for four years solid - will never again pass as 'mint' but still going strong and keeping good time. No idea model - it is a plain one with black face and white numbers, day & date. was something like £59.99 from Argos.

Gets my vote.

​Must add Casio G Shock held previous position on my wrist with honour...

 

[Rake Aboot]

Rolex submariner (non date)
Very hard wearing watch. And if you keep it long enough it becomes more valuable than when you bought it, so effectively it`s free.

 

[rab]

i bought a eco drive in 1999 it keeps great time well worth the money.i wish i could say the same about another watch i bought at 10 times the price...

 

[old man]

I suppose on the bright side any watch that doesn't need opening for a battery change must be good.

Had an Omega kinetic once then the adjuster started coming out, they couldn't fix it so gave it away.

 

[Loki]

Hi
I have, amongst others (mechanical) a Citizen, titanium case etc., solar powered and seems to be going well.
Other 2x Seiko Eco-Drive still working well after 5/8 years. One failed and Seiko serviced & replaced the whole movement for 79£ - effectively a new watch again, retailing at 300£+.
Mechanical watches should be considered seriously - Rolex (Sub-Date), Omega (Speedmaster/Seamaster) as these just get better with age.......ok initial outlay and all that but good pre-owned are available at fair prices.

Cheers, L

 

[dlz90]

I use one of these have had it for years automatic Japanese movement, great time keeper and requires no batteries you can get a good deal on a used one on the bay, of all the watches I have owned over the years this is my favourite by far.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Seiko-5-A...es_Watches_MensWatches_GL&hash=item43b80f391e

 

[Uncle Buck]

I have a WR200 titanium which has'nt missed a beat in almost 3yrs, great watches...

 

[flyingfisherman]

Ive got one, had it for 4 ish years now, it keeps very good time, normally perfect time hacks, but never more than 3 seconds out before it seems to re-jig itself. I smashed the glass on it, sent it back and it came back like new for £95 (i think that they gave me a new mechanism and just gave me my old strap back) either way, very good customer service. Very good watch.

 

[Brithunter]

Thank you all for the replies.

I had better say I'll never buy another Seiko. My original one, one of the first Quartz analogue watches made, is laying in a drawer some where as Seiko refuse to repair it. The bracelet came undone whilst in a bar in Benal Beach, Cost del Sol, and it hit the marble floor and cracked the crystal glass. Eventually a jeweler got Seiko to send it to Japan and they returned it minus the after market bracelet and refused to fix the watch.

​Seems it was one of a limited number made and they just don't give a fig. back in 1978 it cost me almost two weeks wages before stoppages and said it was a watch to last a lifetime............... hence I don't trust them. The Seiko bracelet was broken in the motorcycle accident where I broke both wrists in 83. Seiko wanted more than the watch for a new bracelet hence the after market one. It came undone in about 1991.

​I bought a Timex Expedition with Indiglo in August 2003 and the case on that is badly eroded now. I thought it was stainless but it's just pot metal plated

So this time it will have a stainless case as well. Currently looking at these:-

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Citizen-Eco...1382178482&sr=1-15&keywords=eco+drive+watches.

http://www.watchshop.com/mens-citizen-eco-drive-watch-bm7090-51a-p99937897.htm

Just want a pretty basic watch all the dials etc was what I wanted at about 13 years old.

 

[Rake Aboot]

Have a look at automatics from Sinn and Glycene

 

[Blodwen Price]

I have a Citizen Eco drive, titanium case and stainless steel backplate. It's a superb watch, the only damage after 5 years of 24/7 wear is some pitting on the crystal. Entirely my own fault as I was angle grinding and just wincing as the sparks were crashing into my wrist, I only needed to walk one pace to pick up my gauntlets but oh no, I'm far too clever for that.
​

 

[private fraser]

Have a look on this site.
The Tritium illuminated ones are not cheap but very good.

http://www.mwcwatches.com/

 

[Brithunter]

Have a look at automatics from Sinn and Glycene

Sorry old chap but there is no way I could spend half a years income on a watch.

​I had also never heard of either make until you posted their names.

 

[Harry mac]

Kev, I've worn Citizen eco-drive now for about 20 years. The first one I had lasted 18 years before it got some condensation behind the glass. When I sent it for repair Citizen told me that the seals for that model are no longer made, so, in effect it couldn't be repaired. I bought another and this one is working as expected. I've found they keep perfect time. I think the base model starts at about £95.

 

[adam whyte]

I always wear "animal" watches with fabric Velcro strap. Been shooting and in the construction industry as long as I can remember and they last at least 7 to 10 years for just £40

 

[bewsher500]

surprised about your Seiko experience

I was given a Stainless Kinetic for my birthday 14 years ago.
Its been diving to 35m, regularly subjected to sea and chlorine water. no external failures or band issues, glass is scratch free even after abuse.
I had to send it back to be serviced about 3-4 years ago as the kinetic module was giving a double tick to indicate the low charge.

If I don't wear it it will go several weeks without moving and still keep time. shows the double tick to indicate you need to give it a shake!
doesn't appear to lose time at all...ever

In contrast the same year my then boss was given a Rolex Submariner for his 40th
he was losing 4-5mins a week!!
if he didn't wear it constantly it died in a matter of a few days

Seiko - £250
Rolex - £4k

 

[Brithunter]

surprised about your Seiko experience

I was given a Stainless Kinetic for my birthday 14 years ago.
Its been diving to 35m, regularly subjected to sea and chlorine water. no external failures or band issues, glass is scratch free even after abuse.
I had to send it back to be serviced about 3-4 years ago as the kinetic module was giving a double tick to indicate the low charge.

If I don't wear it it will go several weeks without moving and still keep time. shows the double tick to indicate you need to give it a shake!
doesn't appear to lose time at all...ever

In contrast the same year my then boss was given a Rolex Submariner for his 40th
he was losing 4-5mins a week!!
if he didn't wear it constantly it died in a matter of a few days

Seiko - £250
Rolex - £4k

Yes it surprised and shocked me too. It had been back to Japan twice before for repairs. At about two years old I scratched the crystal glass whilst working on the car so took it in and Seiko sent it back to Japan for repair. Some years later I chipped the bevel of the crystal and again it was sent back to Japan. They flatly refused in 93 to repair it and it was still running. The bevel inside on the edge of the face was loose and the crystal glass cracked across it's face. over the years the cost of the replacement glasses have added up to getting on for the purchase price.

I told Seiko I would never buy another of their products and I mean it.

Rolex are vastly over rated IMHO. I know a chap who I used to shoot with whom collects the steel cased ones. He brought one for a shop in Brighton and after a year or so it started playing up so it was sent back to Rolex who wanted about £400 to service and clean it... he was not amused.