I received the Men’s Citizen EcoDrive Black Ion-Plated Watch as a Christmas gift. The watch is part of Citizen’s EcoDrive line, which use both natural and artificial light to charge the watch, eliminating the need for a battery or winding mechanism. The EcoDrive is designed for men who want a stylish, inexpensive watch that can be worn daily. When evaluating a watch there are three things I consider; durability, style and comfort. First and foremost, the watch is extremely durable. The nylon band is tough and resists fraying and fading. The face of the watch is encased with a strong, scratch resistant glass crystal that has taken a few good knocks on door frames without leaving even the smallest mark. The clasp and buckle are the only possible limitations on the watch’s durability. Although they seem to be to lightweight compared to the rest of the watch, neither the buckle nor the clasp have yet to break. Not only is the watch durable but it has a simple design perfect for everyday wear. The Black Canvas strap has a very utilitarian design without feeling like army surplus wear. The all black case, lug and dial combination create a very modern, minimalist look. In addition to the case and dial, the hands and crown are also black. The crown is also textured with an almost studded design to it. Although I appreciate the usability of the larger crown, from a style standpoint it distracts from the simplicity of the watch’s design. Likewise, the eyelets and buckle are an area of questionable design. The buckle and eyelets are steel instead of black to match the rest of the watch, however since both are positioned on the underside of the wrist they are mostly unseen. Even if a watch is durable and stylish, if it’s uncomfortable to wear then it won’t be suitable as a daily wear watch. Citizen EcoDrive however, is durable, stylish and comfortable. The nylon band is thick and padded. It is textured enough that it doesn’t slide around on your wrist without having to keep the band overly tight. The buckle is smooth and goes almost unnoticed once the watch is on your wrist. The band is large enough to accommodate larger wrist sizes without feeling awkward or small. Overall the watch is a great buy. It is durable, comfortable and features an all-black, minimalist style great for everyday wear. Read more