Abstract: In an electronic timepiece provided with an electrochromic display device, temperature monitor circuit means are provided for periodically sampling the ambient operating temperature of the timepiece, to detect if that temperature is above an upper limit temperature. If that is detected, then a control circuit causes the display drive circuit of the timepiece to be inhibited from applying new write drive signals to the electrochromic display device, i.e. signals for setting display elements into the colored state. As a result, reduction of the operating lifetime of the electrochromic display device due to write-in operations being performed thereon under high temperature conditions is prevented.