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Recommendations for a solar / eco-drive watch?

DaveK
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My 20yr-old Timex Ironman is failing. I went to look at another drug store replacement and my wife intervened, saying that no self-respecting horologist would by those (I am so lucky ::psy::)

I’d like a quartz apx 40mm or smaller - nothing to worry about - watch for mountain biking, hiking, swimming and kayaking etc. So, do I don’t need to get regular battery replacements, I’m looking at a Citizen Eco-Drive, but can’t tell the difference between the various eco drive movements, and how the seiko solar movements compare.

Any guidance or ideas?

These are what caught my eye so far

IMG_7190.jpeg IMG_7192.jpeg IMG_7191.jpeg
 
IMG_7191.jpeg
Spruce
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I once, about seven or eight years ago, owned a Citizen Eco-Drive (which I passed on to my son in law). Initially I liked it but I became irritated with it for three reasons:

First, the second hand clicked round rather than swept round, and
Second, I found the case too deep and uncomfortable, particularly on my skinny wrists, and
Third, I kept looking for a window ledge to perch it on to charge it before it ran down - which was probably a bit silly of me.

Anyway, it wasn’t a good match.

In the last year or so, I’ve bought two Dan Henry watches with the mechaquartz movement.

The sweep hands sweep, the watch (to my hearing) is pretty silent and the bracelets are comfortable. Obviously they do have batteries but I much prefer them to the Eco- Drive

IMG_1337.jpeg IMG_7884.jpeg
 
wagudc
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Seiko makes a cool 38mm Solar diver that has tempted me. They come in a few different colors, but I like the PADI edition, partly because I'm PADI certiifed.

Seiko SNE575 38mm Prospex PADI Edition
upload_2023-12-30_20-15-14.png
 
Canuck
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Don’t count on the Kinetic Seiko or the Eco-Drive Citizen saving you money by not having to buy batteries.That is unless you are going to change the capacitors yourself. Some folks get lucky and have the capacitor last for many years. Others have to replace the capacitor about as frequently as they’d have to change a battery. If you’re not planning on doing the capacitor change yourself,
check around for prices on having it done.
 
CBM1590
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Spruce Spruce
I once, about seven or eight years ago, owned a Citizen Eco-Drive (which I passed on to my son in law). Initially I liked it but I became irritated with it for three reasons:

First, the second hand clicked round rather than swept round, and
Second, I found the case too deep and uncomfortable, particularly on my skinny wrists, and
Third, I kept looking for a window ledge to perch it on to charge it before it ran down - which was probably a bit silly of me.

Anyway, it wasn’t a good match.

In the last year or so, I’ve bought two Dan Henry watches with the mechaquartz movement.

The sweep hands sweep, the watch (to my hearing) is pretty silent and the bracelets are comfortable. Obviously they do have batteries but I much prefer them to the Eco- Drive

IMG_1337.jpeg IMG_7884.jpeg
I second the Dan Henry. Love mine. That said, I’m going to buy a true field watch for the activities you describe. My son has the Lorier Falcon III. Much better water resistance and wears quite well (although it is an automatic). My eco drive died years ago…
 
JimInOz
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I've been wearing a Titanium Citizen Airwave Solar GPS since 2014 almost 24/7.
Hasn't let me down yet, but if the accumulator/capacitor dies it will have to go to a Citizen service centre as it has one of those "unopenable" cases.

The only other negative is the integrated bracelet, but as I prefer it on the bracelet it is of no consequence.

CitizenAirWave.JPG
 
S
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For solar, I think the Citizen has the edge. This with the capacitor is true, but on the recent Citizens it is in a form of replaceble cell and not a soldered component, so the exchange is easy (it seems to last ~10 years). In this regard, there are quartz watches with estimated battery life of 8-10 years, so you can take a look at them too (the Tissot Seastar 1000 of my wife has a movement with 8 years battery life, while many Casio models have 10 years).
Out of your choices I particularly like the second one with the blue dial.
 
DaveK
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wagudc wagudc
Seiko makes a cool 38mm Solar diver that has tempted me. They come in a few different colors, but I like the PADI edition, partly because I'm PADI certiifed.

Seiko SNE575 38mm Prospex PADI Edition
upload_2023-12-30_20-15-14.png

The ecodrive watches are often huge (to me) at 44mm, that Seiko seems nice. Thx!
 
DaveK
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Spruce Spruce
I once, about seven or eight years ago, owned a Citizen Eco-Drive (which I passed on to my son in law). Initially I liked it but I became irritated with it for three reasons:

First, the second hand clicked round rather than swept round, and
Second, I found the case too deep and uncomfortable, particularly on my skinny wrists, and
Third, I kept looking for a window ledge to perch it on to charge it before it ran down - which was probably a bit silly of me.

Anyway, it wasn’t a good match.

In the last year or so, I’ve bought two Dan Henry watches with the mechaquartz movement.

The sweep hands sweep, the watch (to my hearing) is pretty silent and the bracelets are comfortable. Obviously they do have batteries but I much prefer them to the Eco- Drive

IMG_1337.jpeg IMG_7884.jpeg

I took a look, those Dan Henry’s are sweet! https://danhenrywatches.com/products/1975-skin-diver-watch
 
Waltesefalcon
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I had a girlfriend who had a Citizen eco-drive. It was a pain in the butt and a simple capacitor change wound up costing as much as many watches.

I personally would not recommend one of these. I have an automatic Seiko as my beater watch. Sturdy and trustworthy, a hard to beat combination.
 
abrod520
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The TAG Aquaracer Solargraphs are fantastic, in the 40mm case. The titanium one is particularly awesome. More expensive than the other options though I guess.

IMG_1690.jpeg IMG_2282.jpeg upload_2023-12-31_14-32-48.jpeg
 
Spruce
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Spruce Spruce
… and I deliberately chose the no date version so I don’t need to adjust it at the end of February, April, June, September and November 😀

Not that it’s a particularly time consuming problem
 
DaveK
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MDubs MDubs
This is my solar powered option.
IMG_0379.png

The G Shock is a very sensible option. I really dislike the experience of figuring out all the buttons
 
TexOmega
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I bought one of these a few years ago that I am very happy with its' accuracy and durability.

And it was not the size of a dinner plate.

Stock Photo
 
Solar Seiko.JPG
MDubs
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DaveK DaveK
The G Shock is a very sensible option. I really dislike the experience of figuring out all the buttons
@DaveK, generally I agree with you about G-Shocks and all of their buttons. I have a Casio Oak and a non-Multiband 6, non-solar version of the 5600 series which are never worn because they’re a drag to set with all the flipping buttons. However, the Multiband 6 receiver within the watch I shared allows the time to be reset nightly, and I’ve figured out how to get to the timer and chronograph functions most of the time and use them when I wear the watch. Have fun making your decision, and enjoy the hunt!!
 
STANDY
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I went the Casioak metal case.
IMG_7434.jpeg IMG_7501.jpeg

While my Trusty Luminox was getting a new battery
IMG_0593.jpeg IMG_0595.jpeg


If you want a robust beater that’s as light as a feather, and has a battery that lasts a good 4+ years. Try a Luminox. Had mine 15 years and it’s a beauty that gets a swim nearly every day.
 
Foo2rama
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STANDY STANDY
I went the Casioak metal case.
IMG_7434.jpeg IMG_7501.jpeg

While my Trusty Luminox was getting a new battery
IMG_0593.jpeg IMG_0595.jpeg


If you want a robust beater that’s as light as a feather, and has a battery that lasts a good 4+ years. Try a Luminox. Had mine 15 years and it’s a beauty that gets a swim nearly every day.

that’s the non solar CasiOak.
They have 2 models, one has the original movement the other has the Bluetooth/ solar movement.
 
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