Many of us still love the look of a standard watch and do not want to have a smartwatch on our wrists. However, some of the smart features that have come to the market over the years would be a welcome addition. So you may be in the position of trying to find a watch that does it all.
Rather than opting for an expensive and modern option, the Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity may be the perfect solution. It offers an eco-friendly design. You can be safe in the knowledge that your passion for watches will not cause any harm to the planet.
What is the Design Like?
If you are looking for a smartwatch that looks like a standard watch, then the Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity is the watch for you! With a large, metal face, this watch is predominantly black. It also offers models with either blue or green highlights that draw your attention to the hands of the clock face and the minute markers.
This watch looks like a sports watch and offers comfort when it is on your wrist. The strap is made of a green/blue and black polyurethane materials that work to accentuate the watch face design. Ultimately, this watch is big and bold and looks great when it is on your wrist.
Features
The Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity has a control panel for its smart capabilities at the bottom of the watch. However this is a very small section and can be hard to use. You can pair it by pulling out the control to the halfway mark and then turning it. It pairs with iPhone models via Bluetooth but not with Android phones. The main features that come as standard with this model include:
- A calendar
- Alarm
- Light level indicator
- Time and date phone sync
- Dual time option
- Power reserve
There is also an iPhone app that you can use with the watch that is easy to download and use. You can set the watch up from your phone with ease and get to use the features that come with it right away. The app has a range of options for you to use and works well to give you the information you need when you need it.
How Easy is it to Use the Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity?
When it comes to using this model, you will find that it is very simple to use. The reason for the simplicity is because there is very little in terms of smartwatch capability to get used to. So you will probably end up using it as a regular watch.
When you do want to make use of the smart features, you can find them on the companion app. You will certainly be impressed by how easy it is to navigate to get to what you want. The downside is that this watch will not be able to alert you to who is calling or let you control your music, but it still functions well and is a good quality watch. When it comes to notifying you, then you will notice that it comes with a vibration function that alerts you, coupled with the second-hand turning to either 9,10 or 11 so that you know what the alert is for.
How Good is the Battery Life on the Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity?
When it comes to battery, the Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity is solar-powered, meaning that you will never have to worry about recharging it and can wear it 24/7 without any hassle. Offering a watch like this with some smart capabilities and solar power means it is easy to keep up to date without worrying about planning charging time into your schedule. The fact that there is no battery in this watch gives it its Eco name, and it is purely powered by light and nothing else.
What Are the Pros and Cons of Owning a Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity?
As with any new piece of kit, there are some positives and negatives that you need to weigh up before splashing the cash. Take a moment to read through the main pros and cons of this device so that you can feel fully informed.
Pros
- The time and date sync with your phone so that it is always accurate to your time zone.
- There is a phone finder alert when you press and hold the two watch buttons down.
- The watch is good looking and will withstand the test of time.
- The solar power means that you will never need to plug your watch in again.
- It is simple to set up, meaning that you can get to using it right away.
Cons
- It loses connection a lot, and so you will need to resync it at regular intervals.
- There is no screen from which you can see notifications of messages.
- The Bluetooth range is limited, and so you will need to have your phone close by at all times to get alerts and stay synced.
- The inability to differentiate between notifications means you will end up looking at your phone more than ever before.
- It is a pretty expensive choice for very little in the way of smart features.
The Verdict: Should I Buy a Citizen Eco-Drive Proximity?
If you are looking for a watch that looks like a watch and offers limited smart capability, then the Citizen Ec0-Drive Proximity may be for you. It is stylish and comfortable and will look great on your wrist with its stylish black and green or black and blue options.
However, the lack of smart features means that it will not do for those people who want a watch that does everything! It’s wise to decide precisely what you want from a watch and then seeing if this model would actually work for you. We think it looks great but maybe lacks the substance we were looking for.
If you’re looking for a watch with much more tech capabilities then the new Apple Watches may be for you, check out our comparison of the Apple Watch 6 and Apple Watch SE here.
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Last Updated on December 13, 2020
A top of the line copywriter with more than a decade of writing experience with many high-end and diverse multinational clients. Lots of experience and interest in writing about and implementing technology. Scott manages the creation of content for us as a freelancer service and even though he is based in the UK, his writers can adapt and cater to our audience which is mostly US based.
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