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Great Solar-Powered Watches for Summer Sun

Never wind them, don’t worry about battery changes — simply strap on one of these great solar-powered watches and enjoy.

collage of solar watches Tag Heuer, Citizen, Cartier

By Zen Love

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Without the constant winding required of mechanical watches or the dead batteries associated with regular old quartz, solar-powered watches represent some of the most practical, useful, and reliable timepieces made today.

Products in the Guide

The inclusion of solar charging gives the wearer all the benefits of current quartz watch technology without the looming feeling of an expiration date on your watch that’s determined by its battery life.

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Casio G-Shock GW6900-1

  • Case Diameter: 50mm
  • Water Resistance: 200m

Always look for the Tough Solar technology when shopping Casio G-Shock watches. The GW6900-1 is one of the most classic G-Shock forms, and it’s also an example of the quite affordable end of Casio’s solar-powered range. The Tough Solar does, however, command a premium over otherwise very similar models that do not offer solar charging. This is a robust watch that can be beaten up and worn for years without worry, hassle, or much financial investment — one reason it is a top choice among soldiers, police and others in tough professions around the world.

One Eleven Field Watch

  • Case Diameter: 42mm
  • Water Resistance: 100m

With a mission of sustainability, a youthful and casual style and solar charging, One Eleven watches feel generally made for summer. The brand offers a range of styles of which this field watch is a great example, with a case made of 85% recycled steel. Best of all, One Eleven’s products remain at the budget end of solar watches.

Timex Expedition North Field Solar

  • Case Diameter: 36mm
  • Water Resistance: 100m

Like the One Eleven above, Timex is among a number of brands offering solar watches in the budget range. The Expedition North Field Solar is more or less at the same price level its also quite affordable quartz watches. So, if you like the brand’s Expedition North field watches, the Solar variant is easily a recommended way to go. It comes in several size options too, including 41mm and 40mm variants, but we like it in 36mm as field watches are best when they wear smallish.

Casio Protrek PRG-600

  • Case Diameter: 51.5mm
  • Water Resistance: 100m

Don’t be shocked that Casio has multiple spots on this list: they represent some of the best options at multiple price points for solar watches. Protrek is like a brand of its own within the Casio universe, and like other watches that include the brand’s Tough Solar technology, it incorporates multiple other features like censors, a compass, and more. Protrek watches are made for outdoor activities, so plenty of sun will keep them healthy.

Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Dive

  • Case Diameter: 44mm
  • Water Resistance: 200m

Notice that Citizen’s vast range of solar-powered watches, designated by their technology which they call Eco-Drive, are mostly analog and that no solar cells are visible. This solid dive watch is a great example of an affordable and rugged offering that will serve you well for years, with no winding and no need for battery replacements. We love this particular variant, but there are many more color options available (check out this very cool and colorful limited edition).

Seiko Prospex Solar Diver “Arnie”

  • Case Diameter: 47.8mm
  • Water Resistance: 200m

Seiko’s Prospex collection distinguishes itself from the brand’s more basic models with premium materials and more robust construction. The “Arnie” further offers a tough-guy take on the typically practical character of many Prospex watches, having earned its nickname by featuring in multiple 1980s Arnold Schwarzenegger films. It’s a great solar option from Seiko that doesn’t necessitate shelling out for the full-featured, premium Astron line — especially in this version, cool green paired to orange highlights.

Casio G-Shock Frogman GWF-A1000

  • Case Diameter: 53.3mm
  • Water Resistance: 200m

While one can dive well into luxury pricing territory with the G-Shock MR-G and MT-G ranges, professionally focused watches like the Frogman offer some of the same premium features — Tough Solar being one of them, of course. The newest Frogman takes the classic asymmetric design of the famous dive watch and gives it an analog dial for the first time, as well as sapphire crystal and the brand’s new carbon fiber-reinforced case structure.

Junghans Max Bill Mega Solar

  • Case Diameter: 38mm
  • Water Resistance: 30m

Junghans is one of the very few European companies that has invested in technology like solar charging and radio-controlled watches while also being strong in design (Bauhaus-influenced design, specifically, is their biggest claim to fame) and in mechanical watchmaking. They offer a different aesthetic and approach from the vast majority of their competitors and watches like the Max Bill Mega Solar remain relatively affordable and showcase the brand’s strengths.

Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar

  • Case Diameter: 47.5mm
  • Water Resistance: 100m

Tissot’s T-Touch collection is unusual in the wider world of watches in that it includes a touch screen to operate a host of features integrated with analog hands — and in that Tissot is one of the few Swiss brands focusing on this kind of watch and technology. T-Touch watches are rugged and seem made for actual outdoor use, but the addition of solar charging on more recent models in combination with mobile connectivity truly rounds out a strong package.

Seiko Astron 5X53 Dual-Time Sport Titanium

  • Case Diameter: 42.8mm
  • Water Resistance: 200m

In the race among Japanese watch companies to make the ultimate practical watch with satellite and radio-synching technology, it’s ultimately the consumer who wins. The mighty Seiko’s entrant is the Astron, the latest edition of which is the 5x series. It includes a more compact titanium case than ever at 42.9mm wide and 12.2mm thick, solar charging, Seiko’s zaratsu polishing, sapphire crystal, and essentially every premium detail the brand offers at this price level.

Cartier Tank Must SolarBeat

  • Case Diameter: 22mm
  • Water Resistance: 30m

You probably didn’t expect to see a name like Cartier on this list. Nobody expected it when Cartier announced new versions of one of the most iconic, classical and conservative dress watches ever, with a solar-powered movement. Even more interesting was that the brand developed the tech in-house — and integrated it in a way that wouldn’t compromise the Tank’s famous elegance. Those unmistakable Roman numerals are where the light enters through the dial to charge the solar cells.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

  • Case Diameter: 40mm
  • Water Resistance: 200m

Following Cartier, TAG Heuer’s release of a solar-powered watch started to feel like the tech was gaining wider popularity and traction in a new way. Here, you have established, historic Swiss brands going solar, and many wondered: who’s next? And the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph was a smash hit, with a 40mm titanium case and restrained design, you might even say there’s some hype behind it. The latest model features a black DLC steel case and carbon fiber bezel insert.

What Is a Solar-Powered Watch?

Solar-powered watches absorb light through solar cells and convert it into energy that’s stored in the batteries. You knew that. (It’s important, however, to address a common misunderstanding that solar-“powered” watches don’t use batteries, which is incorrect — they are battery-powered and the batteries are recharged by light.)

Perhaps not everyone knows, however, that while the common term is “solar,” any light source will do the job — and not just the sun. One can identify solar cells on the dials of many watches by their purplish tint — however, many companies have developed clever technology whereby the solar cells are hidden but light absorption remains efficient, resulting in more options for traditional dials.

Do Solar Watches Last Forever?

It’s important to note one small caveat to the common assertion that one “never” needs to change the battery of a solar-powered watch. Parts of any watch, including batteries, will age just like every other item or material does. So while they will not run out of juice if kept sufficiently exposed to light, many batteries have an expected life of about 30 years before they begin to corrode. In comparison, the many moving parts of mechanical watches mean that they will also most likely require multiple services and often even part-replacement during the same period of time.

Are Solar Watches Affordable?

Though the first solar watch was invented by an American engineer, today’s solar watch market is today dominated by the major Japanese brands, namely Casio, Citizen, and Seiko. Solar-charging technology can be found in some very affordable watches, but is generally a feature that comes at a premium compared to similar models without it. Like other quartz watches, however, solar watches certainly can be very affordable.

Many high-end quartz watches from Japanese brands combine a range of technologies and features including solar charging. The below list includes inexpensive examples for outdoor activities as well as luxury-priced solar watches with many other features and levels of refinement, and even a few from European brands.

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