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Quartz watches have been a mainstay of timekeeping since the late 1970s because they’re extremely accurate, very low maintenance, and affordable. Unlike a mechanical watch, a quartz watch is battery-powered, so instead of constantly winding it, you change the battery every few years. Today, the best quartz watches are solar-powered.
Solar technology has improved significantly over the years. Instead of only having an unsightly black grid as an option, you’ll find solar panels hidden in ornate dials that even charge under artificial light, so you can find a solar-powered watch that looks great and never quits. In this article, we rolled up our sleeves, scoured the jewelry stores, and tried out some watches to find the best solar watches available.
Methodology
I’m an experienced watch collector who has written multiple articles about the subject. I’ve written extensively about dive watches and aviation watches. On top of that, if you browse the Task & Purpose library, you’ll find several more watch-buying guides covering topics like running watches, survival watches, and even the best tritium watches.
To find the best solar-powered watches, we bought and wore a variety of solar watches as well as collected input from other watch owners. We relied on people who buy solar watches not just because they want them, but because they know watches. These are people like “Shane,” the host of the trusted watch review channel Relative Time.
In our effort to find the best solar watches, we tested watches for their ability to keep time, and we judged appearance and design by comparing them to luxury watches and how they fit on the wrist. We also gave consideration to watches with original designs or unique features if they also satisfied the other criteria. With that said, in this article you’ll find the best watches that use a solar movement, no matter who you are.
Like most of our buyer’s guides, we used a combination of hands-on testing and crowdsourced information to deliver a comprehensive product list. For more information on methodology, check out our editorial guidelines for reviewing the latest and greatest in gear and technology.
Best Overall
Casio Oceanus Radio and Bluetooth Solar Watch
Pros
- Beautiful styling
- Unbelievably accurate timekeeping
- Space-age materials
Cons
- “Just a quartz watch”
- Stock clasp isn’t great
- No brand cachet
Product Specs
Timekeeping:
Radio- and Bluetooth-synchronized quartz
Stated accuracy:
+/- 15 seconds per month without radio or Bluetooth sync
Crystal:
Anti-reflective sapphire
Case material:
Stainless steel
Best Value
Casio G-Shock Multi-Band solar
Pros
- Durable beyond belief
- Military-approved
- Affordable for everyone
Cons
- Unstylish
- Doesn’t dress up well
- Scratches easily
Product Specs
Timekeeping:
Radio-synchronized quartz
Stated accuracy:
+/- 15 seconds per month without radio sync
Crystal:
Mineral glass
Case material:
Resin
Editor’s Choice
Citizen Caliber 0100
Pros
- The apex of timekeeping
- Beautifully appointed
- Stylish in every situation
Cons
- Expensive beyond belief for a solar watch
- People may still perceive it as “just a quartz watch”
- Only available from Citizen directly
Product Specs
Timekeeping:
Quartz
Stated accuracy:
+/- 1 second per year
Crystal:
Anti-reflective sapphire
Case material:
Titanium
Best GPS
Garmin Tactix 7 Pro
Pros
- THE military-standard GPS watch
- Does everything you need, and then some
- Perfectly suited to daily life, or life in the field
Cons
- Very large
- Proprietary straps
- Steeper learning curve
Product Specs
Timekeeping:
Quartz with GPS synchronization
Stated accuracy:
GPS time
Crystal:
Anti-reflective sapphire
Case material:
Fiber-reinforced polymer with titanium bezel and case back
Best Digital-Analog
Seiko SNJ025 u0022Arnieu0022
Pros
- A cool watch with cinematic and professional heritage
- Dive-certified
- Large but wearable
Cons
- Very large
- Mineral crystal
- Seiko jank
Product Specs
Timekeeping:
Quartz
Stated accuracy:
+/- 15 seconds per month
Crystal:
Seiko Hardlex
Case material:
Steel with plastic shroud
Best Field
Citizen Eco Drive 180 Field Watch
Pros
- Accurate field timekeeping
- Classic dimensions
- Affordable
Cons
- Unremarkable
- Uncomfortable strap
- Misses second markers
Product Specs
Timekeeping:
Quartz
Stated accuracy:
+/- 15 seconds per month
Crystal:
Mineral crystal
Case material:
Steel
Our verdict on solar watches
Solar watches are an easy choice for people who want a set-and-forget watch, or a watch that does a lot for less than corresponding automatic watches. All of the watches today have this in common, despite thousands of dollars in price difference, showing that even a small subset of the watch world can be very diverse. The Oceanus is proof-positive that a Casio watch can be beautiful, stylish, and practical. The G-Shock is the budget watch pick of the world over for a good reason, and for the person who wants to own the best of the best, the Caliber 0100 can be yours, for a price.
Key features of solar watches
The largest major feature of a solar watch that sets it apart from all other watches is the solar panel or solar collector. This is usually disguised behind a translucent dial that allows light to filter through and charge the battery. Oftentimes, in direct sunlight, these dial textures will have a purplish hue, or there will be visible solar cells, and this is simply a byproduct of having a solar panel below the surface.
Solar watch pricing
Solar watches span the full gamut of affordability and can cost as much as any luxury Swiss automatic, depending on factors outside the solar charging system itself. At the low end, solar watches will cost slightly more than their simple quartz counterparts, but past roughly $200, the price increases with the addition of things like solid steel bracelets, sapphire crystals, and titanium. Only at the extreme high end, like with the Citizen Caliber 0100, will you find watches that are more expensive because of the solar movement within.
FAQs about solar watches
You’ve got questions. Task and Purpose has answers.
Q: Are solar watches better than automatic watches?
A: Depends on what you consider better. Most are going to be more accurate than automatic watches, simply by virtue of being based around quartz movements. However, many people prefer the novelty of accurate timekeeping through use of springs and gears, so it really is personal preference.
Q: How long do solar watches last?
A: The batteries in solar watches are warranted to hold power for 10 years. However, users have observed that solar watches that are regularly exposed to light retain 80 percent of their battery storage capacity even 40 years after installation.
Q: Can you replace a battery in a solar watch?
A: Yes, but make sure that your watch is taken to a watchmaker who is familiar with that particular brand’s batteries and other requirements. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer to find authorized service centers.
Q: Is a solar watch quartz?
A: Yes, what exactly do you think the solar panel is charging?