Eco Drive or Casio Atomic Solar?

S

SpyderJon

Joined
Jan 27, 2002
Messages
2,038
Howdy all! I'm in the market for a new watch and wondered what you all thought of these particular watches. I don't really want a watch like an automatic, because I may not wear the watch every day and I don't want to buy one of those autowinder boxes (which are often VERY expensive). So, I've come down to these. Which is better? Or, am I wrong about automatics? What watches would you suggest? Thanks!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
IMO citizens look "classier" - if you're in it for a watch that fits in with the civilized world.

gshocks are as tough as they look. huge, clunky, nuclear war resistant.



i think gshocks are great in terms of function and durability. but i got rid of mine because i couldn't get over the plastic look or the bulkiness. it does NOT go well under the cuff of your long sleeve shirts.


try a few on at a local department store and see for yourself which you think is appropriate. nobody can tell you what watch to wear. ;)
 
Howdy and thanks for the insight! I'm trying to narrow it down, if you could suggest particular models... I tend to like bigger watches, if only for the ease of reading the dial. I ALSO wear my watches on the INSIDE of my wrist and so I'm hoping to find one with a good crystal that will resist scratches. What say ye?

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
Anthony, I currently wear a Casio Tough Solar Atomic in the massive metal format. You can get the same system in plastic, to reduce the weight.

I have terrible eyesight but this watch has large digits, easy for me to read. The crystal is recessed below the outer edge of the case, so you won't scratch it in any kind of ordinary use. It resets itself every night, even though I don't follow the instructions to put it in an unobstructed area pointing roughly toward Denver :) It reset itself for Daylight Savings Time.

I have no idea how long the battery will continue to take a charge, but I think that's going to be as tough as the rest of the watch, which is a tank. I also wear my watches on the inside of my wrist, and this hasn't interefered with charging the battery.
 
My daily-wear watch is my Casio Protrek Triple-Sensor Tough Solar PRG-50-1VDR. This is an excellent, VERY accurate watch, but it's so large that I think of it more as a wall-clock that I wear on my arm, than a "wrist-watch".:D.
 
From a purely functional standpoint, it's hard to beat an Atomic Solar G-Shock.
 
I have a Citizen EcoDrive GMT and love it. It is big but not bulky, very solid and runs perfectly. My only complaint is that the lume on the face is pretty lame, so mine is currently at IWW getting re-lumed.

The Citizen Ecodrive GMT

You might also look at the various Citizen and Invicta automatics. Most of these in the sub $200 range use the Miyota 21 jewel movement and can be hand wound.
 
Thanks for all the advice! I think that the G-shock could be pretty good, but what is Casio's CS like? I mean, if I were to get one of these G-shocks, then if it has a problem with holding a charge, then what do I do? I'm leaning toward buying both, just to have the Citizen for when I need to upgrade in the dress department. Say, can someone tell me if there really is much of a difference between the SS and Ti models of the Citizen, other than weight?

Thanks for the additional suggestions Revolvergeek. I had an early Seiko automatic, but I didn't really like it because it kept running down because I don't wear my watches at night and it would lose a charge overnight. I've been kind of weary of automatics since then. The Citizen model I've been looking at is either a Ti or SS perpetual calendar model. Anyone have experience with these? Thanks, again!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
I vote for the Citizen.
The G-Shocks just do nothing for me.
In fact, I think they're down right ugly.

Allen.
 
The Gshocks are ugly. I've worn one (tough SOLAR) for 8 months and the battery impresses me. I took it to Svalbard Norway in the dead of winter (79 north = no daylight whatsoever), and it held a full charge for over a month before seeing the sun again. It saw indoor light, but I paid no special attention to it, and I used the backlight at least once a day.
 
Off-hand, I would recommend the Casio Pro-Trek Triple sensor with titanium strap. It is a killer of a watch. In fact, it is on my wrist right now.

But then, I have also heard about the Citizen Eco-Drive. Since there are several versions of the Eco-Drive, I would recommend the Eco-Drive 4X4 (Asian edition).

The trouble is this watch is so limited that even I can't find it. And it is supposed to be available in Asia, but then that was sometime ago.

It is pretty rugged and comes with a set of tools. That one is a collector's item.
 
My watch is very similar to Minjin's, mine has the blue face though. I love it my citizen, Casios just look too fugly.

If you're willing to spend the money, definatly consider a citizen with a perpetual calender.

Edited to add: I've never managed to scratch the crystal on mine, despite scraping it against all manner of metal shelving. The numbers are huge and very easy to read even in low light, and the case is very rounded, it doesn't snag on anything. If you decide on a Citizen and want an asian model I'd definatly recommend higuchi-inc, I got great service from them.
 
I've got a titanium Citizen Eco-Drive that has taken a lot of hits over the last 5-6 years but it still keeps perfect time.
 
I agree, the Casios ARE ugly, but I wouldn't wear them anyplace that it mattered. I'm REALLY likeing that Citizen that andymp posted, say where would one find something like that? JUST what I had in mind!

Sincerely,
Anthony
 
My only complaint is that the lume on the face is pretty lame, so mine is currently at IWW getting re-lumed.
Click to expand...

Revolvergeek, what or where is this IWW? It sounds like a place that customizes watches- I'm definitely interested!

Paul
 
International Watch Works

If you're looking at getting a customized watch for not much money, you might want to check out Seiko automatic divers with Bill Yao modifications. That's what I'm going to do with my SKX007, perhaps with the help of IWW for installation and bead-blasting. Not sure if Bill Yao will install dials and hands for mailed-in watches.
 
I recently sold a small Sebenza just so I could get a decent watch to replace the one I had been wearing for the last 12 years. Heres a pic of the Citizen Titanium Eco-Drive watch I got on ebay.
 
I think most of the above comments say anything, I don't have time to say right now. I just wanted to mention I was looking for a titanium solar watch, and while looking at the very nice eco-drive models, found a deal I could not refuse on the titanium Bulova Marine Star 100m Solar watch. It has been a great watch. I generally set it with a magnifying glass every few months from an atomic clock. It is within a couple of seconds per month.

I needed a titanium watch because the nickel in most stainless steels gives me contact dermatitis. Armitron DuraSteel may be an exception-but I like titanium ;)

I am not comparing it to the above mentioned watches, but since a quick glance does not see it mentioned, just wanted to mention it as a possibility.

I did recently buy an titanium solar eco-drive for my daughter, and she is happy with it.

Now off to post my question in a new thread regarding battery chargers, which is why I dropped by.... so if anyone has advice on that, please stop by that thread here in Gadgets.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top