Just three questions
I'm interested in upgrading my present watch which has a dial face which makes the time difficult to read. My three questions are
1) I notice that from the citizens datasheet on an eco drive watch, it takes 4 hours of ordinary office light per day for the watch to stage charged. Do solar panel watch owners find themselves consciously thinking about charging their watches and making sure that it gets enough light?
2) I notice that the mad watch collector recommends trying before you buy. Do most people think this is good advice? After all I'm not a collector and only want one more watch to last a life time.
3) Do people find they prefer a digital readout or the normal hands on a watch?
I enjoy cycling, poetry, browsing the web, playing the piano and listening to youtube videos with the Mrs.
I think solar is a gimmick, and am aware that people make comical efforts to maintain reserve in something that is supposed to be convenient, like many self-winding watch collectors do.
If you don't really know what you like from experience, try things on or accept the risk that it may not be for you.
The Technology Connections guy on Youtube had a video on how an analog watch face is like a pie chart and one can fairly intuitively grasp what it actually means. It gives a sense of time. Digital characters can be read, but they don't give innate context.
1) My Solar G-Shock has never dropped to medium power even with a week indoors in the case. But I’m not familiar with the Eco Drive.
2) It’s excellent advice if you are in a position to do so. In major cities, yes. For me, I have to purchase online so a good no questions asked returns policy is crucial. “Buy to try” can work after much research.
3) That will vary a lot from person to person. I don’t know if your current watch has a poor layout (in which case many watches will be better) or if you have eyesight issues (in which case a Timex Easy Reader may be better for you than any Rolex).
I think solar is a gimmick, and am aware that people make comical efforts to maintain reserve in something that is supposed to be convenient, like many self-winding watch collectors do.
If you don't really know what you like from experience, try things on or accept the risk that it may not be for you.
The Technology Connections guy on Youtube had a video on how an analog watch face is like a pie chart and one can fairly intuitively grasp what it actually means. It gives a sense of time. Digital characters can be read, but they don't give innate context.
Thank you so much for your considered response. I might stay away from solar.
In a perfect world I spend a day trying on watches
I'll have to check out the video. Thanks
I think solar is a gimmick, and am aware that people make comical efforts to maintain reserve in something that is supposed to be convenient, like many self-winding watch collectors do.
If you don't really know what you like from experience, try things on or accept the risk that it may not be for you.
The Technology Connections guy on Youtube had a video on how an analog watch face is like a pie chart and one can fairly intuitively grasp what it actually means. It gives a sense of time. Digital characters can be read, but they don't give innate context.
Just caught the video. So far he's coming down on analogue
1) My Solar G-Shock has never dropped to medium power even with a week indoors in the case. But I’m not familiar with the Eco Drive.
2) It’s excellent advice if you are in a position to do so. In major cities, yes. For me, I have to purchase online so a good no questions asked returns policy is crucial. “Buy to try” can work after much research.
3) That will vary a lot from person to person. I don’t know if your current watch has a poor layout (in which case many watches will be better) or if you have eyesight issues (in which case a Timex Easy Reader may be better for you than any Rolex).
Thanks my watch face has a bright metallic band in the middle. I got it cheap. I now know why.
1) My Solar G-Shock has never dropped to medium power even with a week indoors in the case. But I’m not familiar with the Eco Drive.
2) It’s excellent advice if you are in a position to do so. In major cities, yes. For me, I have to purchase online so a good no questions asked returns policy is crucial. “Buy to try” can work after much research.
3) That will vary a lot from person to person. I don’t know if your current watch has a poor layout (in which case many watches will be better) or if you have eyesight issues (in which case a Timex Easy Reader may be better for you than any Rolex).
I can't imagine citizen solar being that different from casio. Depends if your casio is mechanical I suppose
I can't imagine citizen solar being that different from casio. Depends if your casio is mechanical I suppose
The citizen is using power to drive mechanicals. The casio will draw less power from its solar battery as digital takes very little current.
Check out the WRUW section of this site. It will give you a wide range of options. See what appeals to you.
The citizen is using power to drive mechanicals. The casio will draw less power from its solar battery as digital takes very little current.
Yes I thought that too. Just did a YouTube search on solar g shocks.
Check out the WRUW section of this site. It will give you a wide range of options. See what appeals to you.
Wruw what is that
I’ve never been conscious of having to charge my Oceanus S100 and I’ve never had any issue with it holding charge.
I own a 20yr old Citizen Eco Drive and my sheet indicates that it will retain a charge for months after a full day of sunlight. Perhaps yours is a different model/spec.
I like to visit my AD or repair shop and try on or handle a particular watch I am interested in. However, I have made three on-line purchases in the last 6 months so I guess it just depends on how you go about a particular watch hunt.
I currently do not own any digital watches and prefer the analog hands and dials. For me, it is as much the aesthetic of the watch as it is its time telling function.
1) I expose my solar watches to indirect sunlight while storing them, and never had to purposely expose them to the sun. Similar to the old Kinetic movement, you are tempted to play with it. But it really wasn't necessary.
2) I would try on the watch for anything expensive. Sometimes certain things, such as a weird lug angles, are something you won't necessarily be aware of by looking at a photo.
3) True, at least for me. I may look at a watch dial and read "nearly lunch".
A cheap solar watch - like my 90s-cool new-old-stock Swatch Solar - is borderline unusable. With 3 days of power reserve and a 4-hour charge time, it cannot function without being permanently stored on a south-facing windowsill.
Newer model Citizens perform much better and their power reserves are rated for months (and even years). With the charge time still only being a few hours of direct sunlight, you'd have to try really hard to kill one.
Citizen is also probably the most advanced brand when it comes to hiding the solar panel - they have developed a lot of translucent dial materials that allow a solar watch to have a completely traditional look.
I have a friend who daily wears a Seiko solar for 24 years. Never had one problem, just wears it normally. Cant speak about Citizen eco drive, but not seen negative comments at all.
Visiting a actual shop better than online, but not as much choice. If nothing else go to a store so you can get an idea about size and what size best on your wrist.
I have no preference to digital or analogue. Both work well but if I had a preference a good analogue with clear dial would edge it for me.
I'm just trying to enjoy the journey at the moment. The whole process of looking at watches, making up my mind and even the forum is quite interesting. It will be sad when the journey is over. I'm with you; I could never go into a shop just to get my measurements and find a watch and only then go and purchase it on line. That is very rude in my opinion and is taking the piss out of the watch shop. I'm also a hands guy but I'm going to borrow my father in law's digital to see how I get on with it.
I've had an automatic watch in the past but it got lost somewhere. I don't know where. It's just that the eco drive manual says that the watch should have at least 4 hours of internal daylight a day to keep topped up. Unless I'm reading the manual wrong. Which wouldn't be a first.
Just looked in the manual... Guess this is what makes the difference: "your watch will run for approximately 7 months from a full charge...". So, take it to the garten now and then - wearing a polo or tshirt - and can sleep well again ;O).
Yes, I just checked the manual again. If it is the right manual and it says that at 500 lux which is the measurement of internal light the watch has to be in this light for 4 hours.
It's interesting how a lot of people have more than one watch. I was always under the impression that everyone just had one watch. Thank you for looking at my questions and answering them.
You are welcome. I guess some have one watch, but those who frequent forums like these, and watch heaps of YouTube vids tend to call it a hobby, and refer to themselves as collectors. When you take an interest in the dimensions, calibers, and specs it's a hobby. You don't have to have 10 watches tho, just as long as you have an interest in Horology. Personally, I like the colours, the styles, the calibers, the brands, so I ended up buying one after another once the bug took hold. It has been over years, but it still happened.
I'm a hands guy myself. Although I'm going to borrow my father in law's watch to try digital. I think actually buying a watch and trying to choose one from the myriad that's out there is actually more fun than finally tracking it down and buying it. The fun is in the chase. I even quite like this website.
I don't want to have to consciously remind myself everyday to put my watch in light if it's under my sleeve.
You don't have to do that every day. These watches have around a month of power reserve. The only thing you most like need to remember is not storing them in a drawer and leaving them exposed to indirect light. That's really all that's to it.
Even if it is your only watch it will get enough light.
Thanks for letting me know. It's just that the manual says it needs 4 hours of internal daylight a day and I'm wondering if you have an eco drive do you consciously feel as though you have to expose your watch to light at any time during the day.
I wore an Eco-Drive for a decade, and never went out of my way to make sure it got light. When fully charged I believe Eco-Drives are supposed to run for 6 months or so without any light, so even if on an off week you missed turning on a light in your home you'd be fine.
I'm glad you are happy with the eco drive as I'm thinking of going for one of those. I'm sort of vacillating. You know I can't make up my mind. I've got a sekonda, an old one but the hands are a bind as it's so difficult to read them against a very bandy watch face.
The Citizen lineup is excellent offering a huge variety of styles. You should find something to your liking there. Good luck.
I love solar watches. I don’t have to think about batteries. My watch case has a glass panel and my watches are fully charged. 🤷🏻♂️
I love solar watches. I don’t have to think about batteries. My watch case has a glass panel and my watches are fully charged. 🤷🏻♂️
That's cool. I'm thinking of following you into the world of Solar. Just enjoying the chase at the moment.
I wore an Eco-Drive for a decade, and never went out of my way to make sure it got light. When fully charged I believe Eco-Drives are supposed to run for 6 months or so without any light, so even if on an off week you missed turning on a light in your home you'd be fine.
But that's just it. From the manual downloaded. Presumably from the citizen website it appears to suggest that you need to give the watch 4 hours of internal light per day so it doesn't drain. I don't wont to be watch conscious all day long. But apart from that I am thinking of going solar.
You don't have to do that every day. These watches have around a month of power reserve. The only thing you most like need to remember is not storing them in a drawer and leaving them exposed to indirect light. That's really all that's to it.
Even if it is your only watch it will get enough light.
I thinking of going solar. It's just that the downloaded manual says the watch needs 4 hours of internal day light for it not too drain.
You are welcome. I guess some have one watch, but those who frequent forums like these, and watch heaps of YouTube vids tend to call it a hobby, and refer to themselves as collectors. When you take an interest in the dimensions, calibers, and specs it's a hobby. You don't have to have 10 watches tho, just as long as you have an interest in Horology. Personally, I like the colours, the styles, the calibers, the brands, so I ended up buying one after another once the bug took hold. It has been over years, but it still happened.
I suppose it's good to have a hobby. At the end of the day though they are just another item of clothing; if not a useful one. I'm really looking for my forever watch. But I am enjoying the hunt, browsing the internet, looking at youtube videos and even going on this forum.
But that's just it. From the manual downloaded. Presumably from the citizen website it appears to suggest that you need to give the watch 4 hours of internal light per day so it doesn't drain. I don't wont to be watch conscious all day long. But apart from that I am thinking of going solar.
That would be to ensure the power reserve never goes down, not that it's a requirement for the watch to function. Like I said, I wore one for a decade and never had a single issue with it not working, despite wearing long sleeves, working indoors, and working night shifts throughout that period.
A few hours of sunlight will charge the watch for months. As long as you occasionally sit near a window, go outside, or when not wearing the watch put it somewhere were it gets even indirect light (like on a dresser/nightstand), you would have zero issues with a solar watch.
You're overthinking it. If solar watches didn't work well, they would be Citizen's biggest seller, and Citizen is one of the largest watch companies in the world.
I see what you are saying. I'm sure they work fine. I suppose I'm just being over cautious or overthinking it as you would say. It's more of a hobby for me at the moment anyway.
I thinking of going solar. It's just that the downloaded manual says the watch needs 4 hours of internal day light for it not too drain.
Yes, on average. Artificial and indirect light also works. Unless it is your only watch, you wear it under your sleeve all the time, or live close to the polar circle, it would likely work for you. Direct sunlight will fully charge it relatively quickly.
I have two solar watches and I never had to do anything other than storing them in a way that they get indirect light when not in use. The one with a charging indicator has always shown fully charged.
Yes, on average. Artificial and indirect light also works. Unless it is your only watch, you wear it under your sleeve all the time, or live close to the polar circle, it would likely work for you. Direct sunlight will fully charge it relatively quickly.
I have two solar watches and I never had to do anything other than storing them in a way that they get indirect light when not in use. The one with a charging indicator has always shown fully charged.
That is interesting. Thanks for your comments.