We’re no longer dealing with dead watch batteries. Solar watches don’t need batteries since they can be fueled by almost any light source and can last for months between charges. If you want the most environmentally friendly timepieces for your collection, solar watches are an obvious choice.
Citizen was the first company to develop solar watches over half a century ago. These clocks can convert light from any source into energy and store it in small power cells incorporated into the case. Even in full darkness, the watches can reliably keep track of time for months.
When it comes to simple convenience, solar watches are far superior to quartz or mechanical timepiece. The greatest thing about these solar watches is that they’re always set and ready to go, even if you just wear them sometimes as part of a large watch collection.
Things to Think About Moving Things
Solar watches with an analogue or digital movement are available. The former will give the watch a more classic appearance but, with the exception of a few premium outliers, will have fewer inbuilt complexities. Regardless of price, a digital watch is almost certain to include more functions.
Fortunately, many hybrid watches have both an analogue and a digital display for further complexity. These are the things to choose if you want an old-school aesthetic with greater utility.
Case Dimensions
You have the option of getting a small or large solar timepiece. Watches with cases greater than 42 millimetres are almost always larger on the wrist. Digital watches and watches with complications are often larger than traditional watches.
The cost of solar watches, like other watches, is determined by their design, workmanship, and onboard complexity, regardless of the movement type. The more money you spend on a new timepiece, the finer it will be.
Top 10 Best Solar Watches of 2022
Check out our list of the top solar-powered watches on the market, which includes everything from low-cost options under $40 to high-end, over-$1,000 options for serious collectors.
1. UTILITARIAN DESIGN Casio MTPS120L-1AV Classic Watch
- The case measures 46.9 millimetres in length and 46.9 millimetres in width.
- It is resistant to water for up to 100 metres.
- Other: Military time indexes (12/24 hours)
Casio’s solar-powered MTPS120L-1AV Classic watch is inspired by diving watches and has a distinctively utilitarian look. A stainless steel case with a textured bezel, an easy-to-read dial with contrasting markings, and a day/date complication are among the product’s prominent features.
The MTPS120L-1AV is available with a black or green dial. Each colourway features a soft fabric strap with a matching finish.
2. Casio Pro Trek PRW-3500T Solar Watch Casio Pro Trek PRW-3500T Solar Watch
- Characteristics
- Case dimensions: 56 millimetres
- Up to 200 metres of water resistance.
- Atomic timekeeping is a type of timekeeping that uses atoms to keep track.
Our favourite solar-powered watch with a digital movement is the Casio Pro Trek PRW3500T. It comes with a built-in triple sensor that can measure direction, air pressure, and altitude, among other useful functions. The watch is also incredibly precise since it can sync with atomic clocks all around the world for ultra-perfect timekeeping.
The timepiece’s large design features a contrasting bezel with compass indications. The watch has a titanium band that is both lightweight and robust.
3. THE MOST ECO-FRIENDLY ELEVEN SWII SOLAR WATCH
- Characteristics
- Case dimensions: 42 millimetres
- It is resistant to water for up to 100 metres.
- Bioplastic carrying case
The One-Eleven SWII solar-powered watch features an eco-friendly, plant-based plastic casing with a casual-cool aesthetic. There’s also a slightly more expensive One Eleven Field wristwatch with a stainless-steel case and a polycarbonate bezel.
The One-Eleven SWII is available in a variety of colours with a comfortable strap. The latter is also environmentally beneficial, as it is produced from recycled plastic bottles.
4. Casio AQS810W Classic Solar Watch
- Characteristics
- Case dimensions: 47 millimetres
- It is resistant to water for up to 100 metres.
- Another option is LED lighting.
If you are looking for a cheap and durable solar watch, this Casio Classic offering is your best option. For less than $40, this watch has a rugged case and an analogue dial with a convenient digital complication. In addition to date functionality, the latter also includes the ability to display time in multiple locations, five alarms, and a stopwatch.
Other key features of this timepiece include a 100-meter rating for water resistance, a stellar LED light with an afterglow effect, and the ability to last up to 10 months on a full charge. You can order the watch in black or green.
5. FOR ATHLETES: Garmin Instinct 2S Solar Fitness Watch
- Characteristics
- Case size: 40-45 millimetres
- It is resistant to water for up to 100 metres.
- Other: heart rate sensor, monochrome display
The solar-powered Instinct 2 by Garmin, one of the premier makers of fitness-tracking watches, is the best for workout warriors. Thanks to an onboard heart rate sensor and pulse oximeter, the timepiece offers continuous health-and-fitness tracking. Plus, it can deliver notifications from your phone.
Depending on how you use it, the product can deliver unlimited freedom from chargers. All it needs is 3 hours’ worth of sun exposure per day. There are two case sizes and many colours to choose from.
6. Eco-Drive Corso AW0090-11Z Solar Watch by Citizen
- Key Features
- Size of the case: 40 millimetres
- Waterproofing: up to 100 metres
- Other materials: sapphire crystal
If you’re looking for a stylish dress watch without wanting to overspend, consider this solar offering from Citizen. Powered by the company’s legendary Eco-Drive movement, it has an elegant case, a textured dial with separate day and date complications, and a sapphire crystal which belies its sticker. A variant with a striking green dial is also available.
The product comes with a leather strap. Like all Citizen watches, the latest Corso has a robust 5-year warranty.
7. Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar Smart Watch
- Key Features
- Case size: 47.5 millimetres.
- Waterproofing: up to 100 metres
- Other: titanium case, colour display
Tissot’s T-Touch Connect solar-powered watch looks incredible, sporting a lightweight titanium case with a ceramic bezel as well as a colour display that’s integrated into its analogue dial. As its name suggests, the timepiece is the smartest T-Touch product to date. In addition to standard watch complications, it can deliver smartphone notifications as well as basic fitness stats.
The watch is water-resistant to 100 meters, and it has a 2-year warranty. There are multiple versions to pick from, with various case finishes on a strap or a titanium bracelet.
8. Casio G-Shock GWM5610 Solar Watch IS AN ICONIC G-SHOCK
- Key Features
- Size of the case: 43 millimetres
- Waterproofing: up to 200 metres
- Other than that, atomic timekeeping
This Casio G-Shock is a solar-powered take on the brand’s first-ever timepiece from four decades ago. Its digital movement is incredibly accurate because it is designed to sync with the nearest atomic clock.
The timepiece has a lightweight case and a comfy resin band. It is water-resistant up to 200 meters, and it can last up to 10 months on a full charge.
9. Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster BN0220-16E Solar Watch is the best diving watch.
- Key Features
- Case size: 45.8 millimetres.
- Waterproofing: up to 200 metres
- Other: Super titanium case
This Citizen Promaster watch has a utilitarian diver design, headlined by a scratch-resistant super titanium case that’s built like a tank. Despite its massive size, the timepiece is lightweight and surprisingly comfortable to wear daily. It comes with a rubber strap.
The product’s solar-powered Eco-Drive movement has a date complication. As expected from a diving watch, it has oversized hands and dial indexes with superb illumination. It’s backed by a 5-year warranty.
10. Citizen Garrison BU2055-16E Solar Watch, INSPIRED BY THE MILITARY
- Key Features
- Size of the case: 43 millimetres
- Waterproofing: up to 100 metres
- Other: time indexes for 12/24 hours
This Garrison model by Citizen has a movement that’s packed with handy complications. The latter include subdials for the 24-hour and weekday clocks, as well as one for keeping track of seconds.
This badass timepiece has a black stainless steel case and a matching dial with contrasting markings. A comfy green Cordura strap and a 5-year warranty round out the product’s noteworthy highlights. Citizen also offers a Garrison version with a khaki dial and band.