The Citizen Eco-Drive One is a family of exceptionally thin light-powered quartz watches, not one watch with a single set of specifications. The current U.S. example, reference AR5064-57L, is listed at 3.88 mm thick, with a 38.6 mm case, 50 m water resistance and up to 12 months of operation on a full charge. Earlier and other-market versions differ: Citizen’s 2016 design measured 2.98 mm thick, while its Super Titanium models are listed at 3.53 mm.
Is the Citizen Eco-Drive One worth it?
It may be worth considering if an unusually thin, light-powered quartz watch is your priority and you are willing to pay a premium for that design. It is a less obvious choice if you mainly want broad model choice, a low price, or a watch whose everyday comfort and durability have been independently assessed: the available specifications establish the engineering proposition, not hands-on wear performance.
Citizen’s U.S. product page lists the AR5064-57L at $4,995.00. That is a page-listed price, not a guarantee of the price or availability you will find when buying; check the current U.S. listing for the exact reference. The practical buying decision starts with identifying that reference, then comparing its dimensions, materials, strap or bracelet, water-resistance rating and local price with the particular Eco-Drive One you are considering.
How thin is the Citizen Eco-Drive One?
It depends on the reference and generation. Citizen’s March 2016 launch release described the original Eco-Drive One with a 1.00 mm movement and a 2.98 mm case. The current U.S. AR5064-57L listing gives a case thickness of 3.88 mm. Citizen’s Global catalog lists its Super Titanium models at 3.53 mm thick.
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- Two-Tone Stainless Steel
- Sapphire Crystal
- 50M Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
Those figures describe different watches, so “the Eco-Drive One is 2.98 mm thick” is not a safe general specification. Citizen’s 2017 release also cautioned that the 2.98 mm design thickness for its leather-strap references could be up to 0.22 mm greater on the actual product because of tolerance.
Citizen called the watch the world’s thinnest light-powered analogue quartz watch in a statement qualified as of February 2018, based on Citizen’s own research. That is a dated manufacturer claim, not an independently verified current record.
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Which Eco-Drive One models are different?
The key distinction is the exact reference: thickness, case size, materials, strap or bracelet, and published water resistance vary. These examples illustrate why the family should not be treated as one fixed specification.
| Reference or group | Published dimensions | Materials and configuration | Power, accuracy and water resistance |
|---|---|---|---|
| AR5064-57L (U.S. listing) | 38.6 mm case width; 3.88 mm thick | Black stainless-steel case, blue metal dial, stainless-steel bracelet, anti-reflective sapphire crystal | Cal. 8826 Eco-Drive; up to 12 months on a full charge; 50 m / 5 bar / 166 ft. Citizen describes it for still-water swimming. |
| Original 2016 references: AR5014-04E, AR5000-50E, AR5000-68A, AR5004-59H | 2.98 mm case; 1.00 mm movement | Materials differ by reference, including cermet on the limited model’s case and on bezels of several stainless-steel models; sapphire with anti-reflective coating | Cal. 8826. The 2016 release’s narrative says 10 months on a full charge, while its specification table lists 12 months. Refer to the documentation for the exact watch. |
| 2017 leather-strap references: AR5025-08E, AR5024-01E, AR5026-05A | 39.0 mm diameter; 2.98 mm design thickness, with actual thickness potentially up to 0.22 mm greater according to Citizen | Leather straps; finishes include Duratect DLC steel and cermet bezels, varying by reference | Cal. 8826; ±15 seconds per month and 12 months on a full charge in Citizen’s release; water resistance is listed, but no numeric rating is given there. |
| Super Titanium: AR5030-59L, AR5034-58E, AR5034-58A | 36.5 mm case width; 3.53 mm thick | Super Titanium; sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating | Cal. 8826; ±15 seconds per month; 12 months of runtime; water resistant, with no numeric rating stated on the cited Global page. |
Specifications come from Citizen’s U.S. AR5064-57L page, Global Eco-Drive One catalog, 2016 launch release, 2017 release and Super Titanium page. Citizen describes Super Titanium and Duratect α in promotional terms; the material labels identify the construction, not an independent assessment of performance.
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How long does the Eco-Drive One run on a full charge?
For the AR5064-57L, Citizen’s U.S. page states up to 12 months after a full charge. Citizen’s Global Cal. 8826 catalog also lists 12 months of runtime and ±15 seconds per month for several models. These are manufacturer specifications, not independent test results, and the 12-month figure should not be applied indiscriminately to every reference without checking its own documentation.
There is a specific historical inconsistency: Citizen’s 2016 launch release says in its narrative that the watch runs for 10 months on a full charge, but the same release’s Cal. 8826 specification table says 12 months. For buying or ownership decisions, use the documentation for the exact reference rather than treating the launch copy as a universal figure.
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- Timeless styling that effortlessly takes you from work to play.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Sapphire Crystal, Blue Dial
- 100 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
Can you swim with the Citizen Eco-Drive One?
For the AR5064-57L, Citizen specifies 50 m / 5 bar / 166 ft water resistance and describes the model as suitable for still-water swimming. That is the precise claim supported for this reference; it should not be expanded into a claim that it is suitable for every kind of swimming, water sport or diving.
Other Eco-Drive One references may have different published information. Some Global catalog pages say only “water resistant” without giving a numeric rating. Check the rating and guidance for the exact reference you plan to wear near water.
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- 3 Hand, Day / Date
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- Featuring our Eco-Drive technology – powered by light, any light. Never needs a battery. 100 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty.
What to check before buying
- Confirm the reference. Match the model number on the watch and listing; family-wide descriptions can conceal meaningful specification differences.
- Compare dimensions, not just the name. The cited examples span 2.98 mm, 3.53 mm and 3.88 mm thickness, and case widths or diameters also differ.
- Choose the material and fit you want. The catalog includes stainless steel, cermet details and Super Titanium, as well as bracelet and leather-strap configurations. Specifications alone cannot establish how a particular version will feel on your wrist.
- Check the local listing. Price, stock and warranty details can change by market and date. The U.S. AR5064-57L page links to a five-year limited warranty; confirm its current terms on the listing for your purchase.
- Use model-specific water guidance. Do not infer a numeric water rating for one model from a different Eco-Drive One.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
