A pioneer in solar-powered watches, Citizen has hundreds of such models in its catalogue. But the brand’s latest solar-powered offering, the Eco-Drive 365, is different. Distinctly 1970s in style, the oversized and chunky case is modelled on the Quartz E.F.A. of 1973, the brand’s first quartz watch.
Named after its 365-day power reserve, the Eco-Drive 365 makes its debut in three variants: a pair of regular-production models in muted colours as well as a limited edition remake of the Quartz E.F.A. that celebrates the 1970s with its ruby-and-gilt dial.
Initial thoughts
Most Eco-Drive watches are either chunky sports watches or conservative and plain. The Eco-Drive 365, on the other hand, is bold and retro. In other words, it is a different solar-powered watch.
Almost over the top in style, the large case easily evokes the chunky forms typical of the 1970s. On its face the combination of 1970s design and a solar-powered movement might seem peculiar, but the styling makes this far more interesting than the typical Eco-Drive. Citizen would certainly do well to install the Eco-Drive movements in more watches like this.
I’ve yet to see the Eco-Drive 365 in the metal, but assuming the build quality is on par with similarly priced Citizen watches, it should have good tactile feel, particularly for the US$500-ish price tag.
And while it costs slightly more at over US$800, the limited edition is undoubtedly the coolest watch of the trio. It’s essentially a remake of the Quartz E.F.A. but bigger and bolder. The large size combined with the ruby hour markers and gold chapter ring are 1970s style almost to excess, but it is striking and original.
Retro tech
The Eco-Drive 365 has the Quartz E.F.A. to thank for its shell-like watch case. Short of “Extra Fine Adjustment”, the 1973 watch was Citizen’s first quartz watch. Like most quartz watches of the era, it was a high-end watch and featured an aventurine-glass dial as well as synthetic ruby indices.
For the Eco-Drive 365, the design has been scaled up to 42.5 mm wide and 11.1 mm high (while the original was under 40 mm wide). The limited edition retains the styling of the original, right down to the aventurine-like dial finish and ruby markers. But importantly it does away with the date – an improvement for purists no doubt.
The sparkly dial finish comes courtesy of a lacquering process that embeds “glittering accents” on the dial. As with all Eco-Drive watches, the dial is actually a solar panel, but that’s not apparent at arm’s length so the technology doesn’t detract from the aesthetics.
Sitting around the dial is a chapter ring with integral hour markers. The limited edition features four synthetic rubies set into the hour markers at the quarters. Like the movement, the rubies are products of Japanese technology: they are a type of synthetic gemstone known as Crescent Vert that was developed by Japanese materials giant Kyocera.
The regular production versions of the Eco-Drive 365 retain the same overall design, dimensions, and sparkling dial, but are rendered entirely in muted colours. Both feature a radially brushed case – a finish typical of the 1970s – along with a matching steel bracelet.
One version is entirely black thanks to an ion-plating process, while the other retains the natural steel finish with a black-coated bezel for contrast.
All three models are powered by the E365, a solar-powered movement that will run for 365 days on a full charge. The E365 is rated to within 15 seconds a month – half a second a day on average.
Key facts and price
Citizen Eco-Drive 365
Ref. BN1014-55E (steel case)
Ref. BN1015-52E (black case)
Ref. BN1010-05E (steel with lab-grown ruby indices)
Diameter: 42.5 mm
Height: 11.1 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100 m
Movement: Cal. E365
Features: Hours, minutes, seconds, and date
Frequency: Quartz
Winding: Solar
Power reserve: One year
Strap: Matching steel bracelet for BN1014-55E and BN1015-52E; calfskin strap for BN1010-05E
Limited edition: 1200 pieces for the BN1010-05E, otherwise regular production
Availability: Starting last quarter of 2023 at Citizen boutiques and retailers
Price:
BN1014-55E – US$480
BN1015-52E – US$530
BN1010-05E – US$875
For more, visit Citizenwatch-global.com.
This was brought to you in partnership with Citizen.