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Bernie Sanders is reported to wear a Citizen Eco-Drive, an affordable solar-powered quartz watch. The exact model has not been officially identified. One Japanese watch magazine believes it is a black-dial, three-hand Eco-Drive with a date window in the $180 to $200 range, but that is a visual match rather than a confirmation.
Quick answerSenator Bernie Sanders wears a Citizen Eco-Drive. Trade press has noted the brand for him, but no reliable source names the specific model or reference.
Where to buy
Compare the same watch on both sites: eBay for pre-owned and vintage pieces, Amazon for new stock.
Citizen BM7390 Field Watch
Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler
Prices and availability change; check the listing before you buy.
What we know
Two independent trade outlets agree on the brand. JCK’s May 2016 roundup of the presidential candidates’ wrists said Sanders wore a Citizen Eco-Drive, and webChronos, a luxury watch magazine, wrote in 2021 that a watch “believed to be identical to Sanders'” had been on his wrist for several years.
The jewelry-trade publication JCK, in a roundup of the watches worn by presidential hopefuls, noted that Sanders wore a Citizen Eco-Drive “before it was popular.” It gave no model name or price. We looked for photos and other coverage that would pin down the model and found nothing reliable, so we are not going to guess a reference number. Sanders has not discussed the watch publicly in anything we could find.
The webChronos match
webChronos describes the watch it believes matches his as a stainless steel Eco-Drive with a black dial, three hands, bar indexes and a calendar display, which Citizen first sold in North America in May 2003, priced at about $180 to $200. Its photo file is named “BM0910-57E,” which may be the reference, but the article gives no model number in the text and we could not verify the reference independently. Treat it as a good lead, not a fact.
The 2016 candidate lineup
The JCK piece is a fun time capsule. In the same roundup Hillary Clinton favored a gold charm bracelet rather than a watch, Ted Cruz wore a TAG Heuer alongside a Fitbit, and Donald Trump was reported in a Vacheron Constantin. You can see how that compares with what Trump wears. Sanders was the only one in the group described as wearing a mainstream, inexpensive watch, and the article treated his as a point of pride.
That vagueness is common with simple, inexpensive watches. They rarely get the close attention that a Rolex or Patek does, and a plain steel Citizen with a black or white dial looks similar to dozens of other models.
| Spec | Details |
|---|---|
| Watch | Citizen Eco-Drive (exact model not confirmed) |
| Case size | Not confirmed; Eco-Drive men’s models typically range from about 37mm to 44mm |
| Material | Not confirmed |
| Movement | Eco-Drive, a light-powered quartz movement that charges from any light source and needs no battery changes |
| Water resistance | Varies by model; commonly 50 to 100 meters |
| Approximate price | Reported around $180 to $200 for the model webChronos suggests; about $100 to $300 for typical Eco-Drive men’s models |
Why an Eco-Drive?
Citizen launched Eco-Drive in the 1970s and refined it through the following decades. The watch converts light into energy through a solar cell under the dial and stores it in a rechargeable cell, so it can run for months in the dark and does not need a battery replacement for many years. That makes it an easy “set and forget” watch, which fits what we know about Sanders’ famously plain, practical style.
It is also a good choice for anyone who values function: Eco-Drive watches are accurate, tough, and widely sold at modest prices.
How to choose a similar Eco-Drive
If you want what Sanders wears in spirit, three things matter more than the exact model. First, size: a case around 38 to 42 mm is the sweet spot for a classic three-hander. Second, water resistance: 50 meters covers handwashing and rain, while 100 meters is better if you swim. Third, keep it in the light. An Eco-Drive that lives in a drawer can drain its stored charge, but a few hours near a window restores it. Eco-Drive watches are designed to keep running for months on a full charge.
Other watches
We found no verified reports of Sanders wearing any other watch, and there are no known luxury pieces associated with him. Accounts that claim otherwise should be treated with caution.
Similar watches you can buy
If you want a similar low-fuss watch, these Citizen Eco-Drive models are well known and widely sold, though they are examples and not a claim about which one he owns:
- Citizen BM7390 Eco-Drive Field Watch: a 42 mm military-style field watch with a clean dial and 100 meters of water resistance, list price about $200 and often seen closer to $120.
- Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler: a rugged chronograph-style watch with a military look, around $150 to $250.
- Citizen Eco-Drive Corso or Eco-Drive dress models: slim, simple dress watches, around $150 to $300.
Prices change frequently, so check current listings before you buy. For other dress watches at modest prices, see the best dress watches under $500. If you like practical watches worn by well-known people, read about George W. Bush’s Timex, Barack Obama and Bill Gates.
FAQ
What watch does Bernie Sanders wear?
A Citizen Eco-Drive, according to JCK (2016) and webChronos (2021). The specific model is not publicly confirmed; webChronos suggests a black-dial, three-hand version.
How much does a Citizen Eco-Drive cost?
Most men’s models cost about $100 to $300, though some titanium and chronograph versions cost more.
Does an Eco-Drive need a battery?
It runs on light, so it does not need regular battery changes, although the rechargeable cell eventually needs replacing after many years.
Does Bernie Sanders wear a luxury watch?
We found no reliable source saying so.
Sources
- JCK: Wrist watching, what the would-be presidential candidates are wearing
- webChronos: Celebrity Watch Hunting, Bernie Sanders
- NY Watch Store: Citizen BM7390-14E