Customer Reviews

Citizen Men's BM8290-05E Eco-Drive Titanium Watch

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(8)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this watch about 2.5 years ago. The watch keeps excellent time and has been solid. However, I am on my second band for this watch. The rubber band just does not hold up. I use it alot in and around water maybe this has something to do with it. For a tight budget this is a good watch, however I would spend a little more for another Citizen watch with a Stainless watch band. The way this watch is designed you need the Citizen Band. It does not look right with an off the shelf band. By the way the bands only cost around 32.00. However if you do the math and get a watch with a good band up front you will come out ahead.

I was looking for a sports watch that was affordable yet reliable. I read reviews and became very interested in the Citizen Dive Watches. I thought they looked cool, had easily readable faces, could probably take a bit of a beating and the Citizen name is reputable. But, from what I read on the web, it seemed as though the older Citizen's were somewhat more reliable than the eco-drive watches. Eco-drive reviews circa 2000-2001 were poor, the wathces were known to fail in a short period of time or to have not worked at all (out of the box). Again, these are web reviews I read.
I found a great price on the 180 WR100 ($125 shipped) and decided to take a chance. I'm not a diver but I do like water sports and the 100M limit seemed sufficient for my needs.
Out of the box, the watch was running, I had a bit of a time setting the weekday and date functions, they are in french and in english. Yes, you could have the days of the week come up in french if you like.
The watch has been running for about 3 months now and has been problem free and accurate in and out of the water. I like the fact that it's very light weight. I own a stainless steel watch and the weight difference is very noticable. Something I didn't consider initially but am glad about. There aren't a lot of bells and whistles to this watch, no rotating bezel, no indiglow... I say all the better. Keep it simple, less things to break.
I have high hopes for the durability of the eco-drive. My last watch failed after a battery change. Supposidly there's no reason to open the back of this watch. No reason to break the waterproof seal. So, after having owned the 180 WR100 a short while, I have to say, "so far so great".

I have four Citizen Eco-Drive watches: two titanium, a Skyhawk and a Perpetual Calendar, a 300M Professional Diver, and a Calibre 6000 dress watch; listed from oldest (4 years) to newest (3 days). I have never had a single moment's problem from any of the older watches (the Perpetual Calendar is a year old). I've recommended them to friends and coworkers, and have had several buy them (and thank me afterward).

The advantage of not having to replace batteries every year or two is just a bonus to these watches. They are very accurate and very attractive.

I like to joke that if the sun were to die tomorrow, and all life on Earth with it, my Skyhawk would still be keeping time for 9 months.. :-)

I highly recommend these watches.

My husband has had this watch for three years now and it still works great. The timing is wonderful, there isn't even a small scratch in the crystal and the titanium still looks the same as when I bought it. It's very light and it's by far his favorite watch.

Just this past week, his band finally broke. The band loops broke some time ago, but I used a black plastic wire mold to recreate them a year ago and they held up fine but what broke this time is the entire band, cracked all the way across it. Not personally one to buy a $50 replacement band, I took some simple tools and checked it out. If you use a small, flathead screwdriver (similar to one to tighten the screws on glasses) you can easily pry out the spring pin holding on the watch band. Then, I used a simple metric ruler and measured the width of the pin holes - 20mm. As you fully know, that is a standard watch width. I proceeded to purchase a replacement rubber watch band and it fit great and it only cost me $16. In addition, the new band has a clasp rather than a buckle style, so it will likely not break in the future. In fact, I think I like his new band better than the original and the custom fittings do not look like they're missing.

In summary, if you are worried about this watch just because of the band, don't sweat it - it can be cheap to replace and this watch is definitely worth the buy!

The watch looks very sharp and the brushed finish contrasts nicely with the polished bezel. The hands and hour markers glow brighter than any watch I've ever owned (you can actually see the time in movie theaters!)The only reason I gave it a four was because the particular watch I received had a scuff on the front of the band (not worth returning it, but a little disappointing none the less). This is a light, classy watch great for active weekend wear.

First and foremost, if it weren't for the strap, I'd give this watch five stars. Citizen watches are excellent, and this one is no exception.

The titanium casing is great (attractive, light, and scratch resistant). This watch is very accurate (I'm kind of a freak about it). It maybe loses a few seconds after months. Never having to replace a battery is an added bonus.

I know it can seem petty to lower the rating because the rubber strap break. However, because of the design of the case/strap, you cannot use a generic replacement or find a replacement easily (google "59-K50102"). The band itself is $35, $40 if you include the cost of shipping.

Being a sports watch, rubber straps are great because it's lighter than metal, and sweat proof (won't stink like leather). Naturally, as with all rubber straps, it'll eventually break. In my case, it broke in less than a year. Beyond the cost of replacing it, there's also the hassle. And because of the peculiar design, it pretty much means you have to order it online and won't be able to use the watch in the meantime.

Yes, the watch band breaks every 2.5 years. AND... it's a proprietary band size, so it will cost you about $50 to replace the band... not a good investment for a $150 watch! I'm going to try to think of some creative re-use of my watch sans-band... maybe I'll nail it to my tool shed in the backyard (after all, it is water resistant and solar powered!)

I have 5 Eco Drive watches and I love the way that they work. This sports watch is very light weight titanium with a rubber strap. It takes abuse and does not show it either. I would repurchase.

I bought this watch based on its good looks and Citizen's excellent reputation. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that the band only last about a year. I've replaced the band twice (at roughly $50.- a piece!) and I'm done! Only a Citizen band works with this watch and you basically have to mail it to Citizen to get it replaced. The first time I had them send me a band, figuring I could replace it myself. I ended up bringing it to the local jeweler/watch store and paying them to put it on the watch! I don't know why Citizen chose to use this "cheap" and inferior band, when other manufacturers can find high quality, lasting rubber watchbands. The rubber band on my Polar Heart Rate monitor watch has lasted 5 times longer than the Citizen band and shows no signs of wear, despite always being exposed to sweat. I like Citizen watches in general but I will look for a watch that will accept a generic leather band or one with a metal watchband.

Excellent watch, could not speak higher of it. Titanium body makes it light, but tough. Never need to change batteries. Very precise time piece. Looks great. Markings and hands glow very brightly in the dark. Withstands water exposure when swimming, i did not try diving with it. But just like some other reviews say, the band lasts exactly 2.5 years and cracks. Replacement band costs whopping $45 because it is a custom fitted band. Which brigs me to the main point about the "Eco friendliness" of the thing. If i do not get replacement batteries but replace a band every 2.5 years, what is the point. Shame on Citizen for not addressing this. I will not be replacing the band this time, rather get another eco-drive watch with more of a standard band that can be obtained easy.