Citizen Eco-Drive AT0200-05E Watch Review

About the Citizen Eco-Drive AT0200-05E Watch

Japanese company Citizen has been producing timepieces for over 100 years. Although it’s built a reputation through affordable pricing and collaborations with brands likeStar WarsandDisney, Citizen’s most popular styles come from itsEco-Drive collection, a line of solar-powered timepieces. These watches convert any source of light into energy that’s stored in a power reserve, meaning they don’t have batteries to run out. Citizen claims one of its fully charged Eco-Drive watches can be stored in total darkness for up to six monthswithout losing power.

Within the Eco-Drive collection is theBM8180-03E, also known as The Chandler, a bestselling military-inspired watch frequently recommended as an affordable, entry-level timepiece and that retails for around $200 at Citizen. TheAT0200-05E我对本次评论进行了评估，是对钱德勒的功能升级，配备了计时码表，该计时码表测量长达60分钟，一个24小时的亚部门和第二次接轨，以秒数为单位，以236美元的公民为$ 236。两只手表都有一条尼龙带，最多100米的防水性，一个约会窗口和发光的手。

What we like

It’s easy to read

I’ve been wearing this watch daily for the last two weeks and haven’t experienced any issues with its readability in bright sun or low light alike. Like mostfield watches, the AT0200-05E has bold numbers on its face. Even though its predecessor, the BM8180-03E, has much less busyness around its dial, the AT0200-05E is just as simple to use to tell time. The numbers around its dial are large and white, which looks terrific contrasted against its black background. The sword-shaped minute and hour hands look as cool as they are prominent against the face. The watch’s design is also nicely tied together with the face’s outer ring of dashes and luminous hour dots, which to me resembles train tracks.

The AT0200-05E’s chronograph feature—in laypeople terms, that’s a stopwatch—is easy to follow and read. To start the count, press the button above the crown (the screwable piece that also allows you to adjust the time), and push the button below to reset it. That long, skinny red hand ticks up the seconds, while the tiny subdial at the 10 o’clock position tracks how many minutes have passed by. The bottom subdial counts the seconds of the actual time that’s ticking, while the top right gives you a 24-hour clock. Even though the watch’s hands are on the wider side, they never cover up too much of the subdials that they’re unreadable.

It’s good for daily use

This watch offers a great mix of form and function: It’s stylish enough to wear daily, yet durable enough to not have to worry about wear and tear. When I wear a watch, I try to reach for casual styles that stick out for time-telling functionality over luxury signaling—hence why I’m aG-Shockfan. This Citizen watch fills that bill as well.

Its tough green nylon strap, shiny silver case, and large print numbers make it a versatile accessory to practically anything in my closet. Its 39mm case makes it sleek on my wrist and unobtrusive during daily outings. The added flair of three subdials, the long, skinny, red second hand, and two buttons for operating a chronograph elevate its otherwise basic appearance. Whether it’s a quick lunch or a trip to the farmer’s market, there’s yet to be an occasion where this watch doesn’t feel appropriate.

The leather lining the inside of the nylon strap makes it comfy for all-day wear, while the nylon itself doesn’t bother me when I’m sweaty or if its wet from doing the dishes—a stinky wrist can be a real problem, and I thankfully didn’t smell any of that here. The watch’s case, meanwhile, is hefty stainless steel that I’ve knocked against my car more than a few times, yet it remains unscuffed and polished.

No battery necessary

Undoubtedly, the best part about the AT0200-05E is that it’s solar-powered. I can wear this watch without ever having to worry about replacing its battery, as it pulls energy from the light around it. To spend roughly $230 on a versatile, functional watch that can practically last a lifetime seems like a no-brainer. I’m all for this low-maintenance kind of deal.

What we don’t like

Questionable strap design

Although I like the appearance of the dark military green strap, its buckle clasp has an awful design. Instead of simple punched holes, each of the seven notches for size adjustment is encircled with a metal grommet. This may be better for durability, but it makes threading the watch strap through its buckle fussy and time-consuming, as the grommets catch on the clasp.

同样令人不安的是：对于旨在防水的手表，用皮革衬里衬里衬里的手表很奇怪。皮革可以吸收水，细菌并繁殖气味。尽管我在两周的测试期间没有任何戴AT0200-05E的问题，但任何定期湿wit的人都应该将这支乐队拒之门外。皮革和水不是一个好的组合。

Should you buy it?

Yes, if you’re looking for a field watch with flair

The AT0200-05E may not be as barebones as other field watches out there, but the added features of a chronograph, three subdials, and red accents gives it just enough flair to make it an interesting timepiece. If you’re on the hunt for a tough watch that can take more than a few accidental nicks and never needs a battery change, this is a worthy piece.

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Prices were accurate at the time this article was published but may change over time.