{"id":10550,"date":"2026-04-10T20:01:34","date_gmt":"2026-04-10T20:01:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=10550"},"modified":"2026-04-10T20:01:34","modified_gmt":"2026-04-10T20:01:34","slug":"a-50th-anniversary-every-watch-fan-should-celebrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/?p=10550","title":{"rendered":"A 50th Anniversary Every Watch Fan Should Celebrate"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"justify-start\">\n<nav class=\"align-left col-span-full mb-base\" data-pom-e2e-test-id=\"breadcrumbs\"\/>\n<p>Citizen\u2019s Eco-Drive revolutionized timekeeping with the invention of light-powered watches in 1976 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/p>\n<p class=\"fp-leadCaption py-tight text-left font-utility text-utility3-size leading-utility3-line-height text-secondary\"> (Photo: Citizen, William Drumm)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<p>Updated April 10, 2026 01:40PM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>In the world of outdoor products, any technology that lasts 50 years is amazing. And technology that lasts 50 years and is <i>still<\/i> innovative even by today\u2019s standards? That\u2019s unheard of. That\u2019s what makes Eco-Drive, the light-powered tech that drives the majority of Citizen\u2019s watches, so remarkable. While other watch brands have chased data tracking, <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300898&amp;s=2300896\">Citizen<\/a> has remained laser focused on pioneering and perfecting the industry\u2019s most effective environmental tech.<\/p>\n<p>What makes <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300904&amp;s=2300896\">Eco-Drive<\/a> so innovative is that it\u2019s <i>light-powered<\/i>, not just solar-powered. It\u2019s passively charged by all kinds of light, including artificial light. That means that your watch is powered by both the sunshine on your morning hike and the mood lighting at your favorite coffee shop afterward. Often there\u2019s a tradeoff for eco-friendly products. Not here. Eco-Drive elevates function, and is proof that eco-forward technology can be incorporated in unobtrusive ways that make it easy to adopt.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2737598\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Citizen\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2048\" height=\"2560\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2737598\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EO2027-09L_Lifestyle_credit_WilliamDrumm_17-Rachel-Caruso-scaled.jpg?width=2048&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EO2027-09L_Lifestyle_credit_WilliamDrumm_17-Rachel-Caruso-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/EO2027-09L_Lifestyle_credit_WilliamDrumm_17-Rachel-Caruso-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">(Photo: Citizen, William Drumm)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><b>Origin Story<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Two events in the 1970s helped lead to the creation of Eco-Drive. First was the 1973 oil crisis, which underscored the importance of developing new, cleaner sources of energy. The second was the watch industry\u2019s quartz revolution, in which quartz watches began to overtake mechanical watches in popularity. While Citizen reaped the benefits of the shift to quartz, the company stayed focused on the lessons from the oil crisis; quartz batteries were popular for their accuracy and affordability, but batteries were short-lasting and thrown out quickly, leading to unnecessary waste.<\/p>\n<p>Tapping into the budding solar industry, Citizen spent the early part of the 1970s working to develop a watch that could run on a sustainable energy source. Those efforts culminated in the 1976 launch of the Quartz Crystron Solar Cell, the world\u2019s first light-powered analog watch. It was the foundation of the technology that would eventually become officially known as Eco-Drive. As Citizen was able to develop thinner solar cells, battery life improved, and by 1986, the company had developed a watch that would last for more than eight days on a full power reserve, even in complete darkness. Only a decade later, that time had increased to six months.<\/p>\n<h2><b>A Small Watch Makes a Big Impact<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Since that first watch rolled onto the market 50 years ago, Citizen estimates that Eco-Drive has saved over 100 million batteries from landfills. The company has also partnered with groups like 1% for the Planet, Unite to Light, American Forests, and the Leather Working Group to reduce its environmental impact while still working to improve Eco-Drive and its other technologies.<\/p>\n<div class=\"slideshow\">\n<div class=\"flex w-full flex-col items-center justify-center py-base-loose\">\n<div class=\"relative flex w-full flex-col items-start\">\n<div class=\"relative w-full touch-pan-y pb-base-tight select-none\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"block h-auto w-full object-cover\" src=\"http:\/\/live-pom-ool.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/BN1025-08L_CreditWilliamDrumm_1-Rachel-Caruso-scaled-e1775586471792.jpg\" alt=\"Promaster Dive E365\" draggable=\"false\"\/><\/div>\n<p class=\"min-h-[48px]\"><span class=\"text-left font-utility-3 text-secondary\">Promaster Dive E365<\/span><span class=\"ml-1 text-left font-utility-3 text-text-disabled\">Citizen, William Drumm<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"flex w-full justify-center gap-2 pt-base-loose\">\n<div class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-col justify-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/live-pom-ool.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/BN1025-08L_CreditWilliamDrumm_1-Rachel-Caruso-scaled-e1775586471792.jpg\" alt=\"Promaster Dive E365\" width=\"120\" height=\"80\" class=\"max-h-10 object-cover transition-all duration-200 hover:opacity-80 border-4 border-brand-primary\"\/><\/div>\n<div class=\"flex cursor-pointer flex-col justify-center\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/live-pom-ool.pantheonsite.io\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/BN1025-08L_Catalog-Rachel-Caruso.jpg\" alt=\"Promaster Dive E365\" width=\"120\" height=\"80\" class=\"max-h-10 object-cover transition-all duration-200 hover:opacity-80 opacity-60\"\/><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>As of 2026, models like the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300912&amp;s=2300896\">Promaster Dive E365<\/a> can run for an entire year on a single power reserve thanks to Eco-Drive 365, an update to the tech released in 2023. Meanwhile, select models with power save functions can achieve a running time of up to <i>seven years<\/i>. That\u2019s in addition to features like Satellite Wave GPS, which automatically syncs your watch to local time within three seconds, anywhere on earth, and Atomic Timekeeping, which has a margin of error of just one second every 100,000 years.<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s all part of Citizen\u2019s commitment to creating sustainable technology that won\u2019t ask the wearer to compromise. And Eco-Drive has proven to be more than just a eco-gimmick\u2014according to Citizen, consumers consistently cite Eco-Drive as the number one reason behind their purchase.<\/p>\n<h2><b>Eco-Drive Watches for Everyday and Uncommon Adventures<\/b><\/h2>\n<p>Ready to try Eco-Drive yourself? It\u2019s widely available across Citizen\u2019s slate of collections, including Sport Luxury, Dress Classics, Citizen L, Promaster, Tsuki-yomi, Fio, and Endeavor Chrono. While these models are best for everyday use\u2014they aren\u2019t designed for the backcountry\u2014when you head outside for some fresh air it\u2019s nice to know your watch is powered by sunshine. Just like you.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_2737603\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Citizen\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"2560\" height=\"1708\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-2737603\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/BN1025-08L_CreditWilliamDrumm_3-Rachel-Caruso-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/BN1025-08L_CreditWilliamDrumm_3-Rachel-Caruso-scaled.jpg?width=3840&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\">(Photo: Citizen, William Drumm)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When it comes to more rugged outdoor travels and adventures, the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300916&amp;s=2300896\">Promaster Land <\/a>and <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300920&amp;s=2300896\">Promaster Air<\/a> collections are what you want. They offer more durability and use-specific functionality, even far below the ocean\u2019s surface. Every watch in Citizen\u2019s <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300922&amp;s=2300896\">Promaster Sea<\/a> diving line meets the ISO 6425 standard for dive watches, with trusted features like magnetic and thermal shock resistance, unidirectional rotating bezels to prevent elapsed time errors, readable luminescence in dark waters, and much more. These dive watches range from <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300924&amp;s=2300896\">200m resistance<\/a> for everyday divers all the way up to the <a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300926&amp;s=2300896\">Promaster 1000M Professional Diver<\/a>, offering 1000m of resistance and industry-ready durability for professional divers in deep waters over prolonged periods.And one thing you can trust: Eco-Drive will still keep your watch powered through all your adventures\u2014submerged or otherwise\u2014just as it has for the past 50 years.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<p><i>CITIZEN WATCH is a true manufacture d\u2019horlogerie with the ability to carry out the entire watchmaking process in-house. Founded in 1918, Citizen is guided by the belief of \u201cBetter Starts Now.\u201d <\/i><a rel=\"nofollow\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" rel=\"sponsored\" data-afl-p=\"2\" href=\"https:\/\/sr.studiostack.com\/c\/link?l=2300928&amp;s=2300896\"><i>CITIZEN<\/i><\/a><i> has advanced watchmaking through craftsmanship, continuous innovation, and technologies such as its proprietary light-powered Eco-Drive technology.<\/i><\/p>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><br \/>\n<br \/><a href=\"https:\/\/www.outsideonline.com\/outdoor-gear\/tools\/a-50th-anniversary-every-watch-fan-should-celebrate\/\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Citizen\u2019s Eco-Drive revolutionized timekeeping with the invention of light-powered watches in 1976 (Photo: Citizen, William Drumm) Updated April 10, 2026 01:40PM In the world of outdoor products, any technology that lasts 50 years is amazing. And technology that lasts 50 years and is still innovative even by today\u2019s standards? That\u2019s unheard of. That\u2019s what makes<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":10551,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[35],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-10550","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-wild-living"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10550","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=10550"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10550\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/10551"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=10550"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=10550"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wildgreenquest.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=10550"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}