Technology
Eco-Drive
For 50 years, we've harnessed the power of
light, any light, to sustainably power our
Eco-Drive timepieces.
How it works
Inventing a technology to ensure a watch that never stops anywhere in the world was one of the challenges for CITIZEN. In 1976, we invented the world’s first light-powered analog quartz watch that runs using only light as a power source. This technology, now known as “Eco-Drive,” can generate power from any light source, artificial, natural and even dim light to keep watches running without ever replacing batteries. As a pioneer of the field, we set new challenges for ourselves to bring forth the full potential of power generation using light.
Powered by light
Eco-Drive is designed to convert both natural and artificial light into energy to power watches. Watches with Eco-Drive do not require any battery replacement, charging or winding to maintain constant operation.
Easy to charge
Eco-Drive is designed so that any light source, no matter how dim, will generate the energy needed to power the watch. Light itself is the only energy source required to tell the time with an Eco-Drive watch.
Runs even in darkness
In an Eco-Drive timepiece energy is stored in a cell within the timepiece and with a power-reserve of at least 6 months these watches will carry on running, even in the dark.
Awards
CITIZEN's Eco-Drive technology has won acclaim in Japan and other countries for its contribution to environmental protection. In 1996, an Eco-Drive watch was nominated as the first watch to qualify for the Eco Mark, a label managed by the Japan Environment Association (JEA). In 2014, CITIZEN became the first watchmaker to earn a Gold Prize in the JEA's Eco Mark Awards.