With the global warming scenarios presented in An Inconvenient Truth becoming less of a theoretical discussion and more of a survival of the species affair, we all need to make a conscious effort to liberate ourselves from an battery-reliant existence. After all, the batteries needed to power everything from wristwatches to alarm clocks, remote controls, digital cameras, stereos, computers, recorders, cell phones, and electric razors all involve an environmentally hazardous manufacturing process — mainly, the manipulation of toxic substances like cadmium, cobalt, and lead. Rechargeable batteries represent a change in the right direction, but they can hardly be considered green — after all, once they end up in landfills, they can crack and leak toxins that pollute the soil in which they're buried, the surrounding air, and even nearby water sources. A truly environmental approach, then, involves the complete eradication of batteries and the search for alternate sources of power — chiefly, solar and wind power.
Luxury watch brand Citizen has been at the forefront of this eco-conscious effort thanks to its Eco-Drive collection, which consists of quartz watches that rely on solar conversion panels and energy cells that harness this converted light energy to properly function. These energy cells don't have a life span so that, technically speaking, you may never have to worry about replacing a battery again (score!).
The latest addition to the Citizen Eco-Drive collection is the Silhouette Crystal Bangle ($200; visit CitizenWatch.com to locate a retailer), a slip-on watch with black dial, a round case measuring 21mm in diameter, and Swarovski crystals encrusted into the bezel. Not only is the water resistant timepiece a greener alternative to standard watches, but it's notably sleeker thanks to a streamlined design that's dainty without feeling too precious or princess-like. Along the top and bottom of the dial, you'll find a glistening, high polish, lengthy, rectangular link with a cut-out shape at its center. The other watch links are smaller in size, square with off-center bars connecting them together.
I've rarely found a woman's watch I was compelled to wear regularly, finding them either too cumbersome and bulky or too precious, with pink metallic details and pearl dials that made me positively nauseate. The Citizen Eco-Drive Silhouette Crystal Bangle, however, is small enough in size to feel feminine, but it still has enough of an industrial edge to maintain its cool factor.
Does that make me an environmental law-abiding citizen? I like the sound of that!
