20 Best Solar Watches From Affordable to Luxury
Often, watch movements get clumped into two major categories - Mechanical and Quartz (battery operated). One that very often get’s overlooked, are solar-powered watches. Oftentimes, Solar watches utilize sunlight to power their cells - Sometimes battery, or other electronic means, sometimes modules for mechanical components. Citizen’s “Eco Drive” line is arguably the most well-known solar watches on the market, though there are many other brand’s with their hat in the ring. Today we’re taking a loot at some of our favorite solar watches. So without further ado, let’s get into it.
Junghans Max Bill MEGA Solar Titanium
The Junghans Max Bill “Mega” Solar watch is one of the more “if you know, you know” watches on our list. The titanium watch comes with Junghans typical Bauhaus design language, but with a solar twist. The solar powered dial is minimalistic in nature, like much of Junghans catalog, and interestingly, the watch comes with the Junghans “MEGA App” for your phone. This allows for some simple things like setting the time, changing time zones, and adjusting the perpetual calendar. The watch measures in at a modest 38mm, in lightweight titanium and comes fitting with a mesh titanium bracelet. You can pick up the Max Bill Mega Solar for $1,400 USD.
Timex Expedition North Field Solar
When it comes to affordability, you'd be hardpressed to find something better than a Timex. Not only are they widely available (I've even seen this model in a Wal Mart), they're reasonably priced. The Timex Expedition North Field Solar is a solid entry for anyone looking to dip their feet into the Solar Watch pool. The watch comes in a variety of monochromatic colorts, on various strap and bracelet options, but for us, the integrated stainless steel bracelet is the way to go for any field watch. It provides value and ruggedness well beyond it's relatively attainable $189 USD price tag.
Jack Mason Solar Watch
Out of Dallas Texas, Jack Mason is a brand that has really started catching on with enthusiasts. Their prices are fair, their products are high quality, and the designs and colorways are both unique and wearable. Jack Mason has recently created a Solar watch with some colorful options in the Jack Mason Solar Watch line. Both in green or a really cool black, red, blue, and yellow colorway, the watch is bold and utilizes sustainable materials in the recycled plastic strap. The honeycomb dial houses the solar movement behind it, and also provides a cool textured. Price for the Jack Mason Solar is typically $289, but is on sale for $144 USD right now..
Vaer D4 Meridian Solar
Dive watches are often the most popular segment of solar watches, though still, finding a nice tool-centered solar dive watch can be a chore. In comes Vaer and their d4 Meridian line. The tool dive watch features a water resistance of 300 meters in a stainless steel case, with copious amounts of lume to allow for really clear visibility under the water. Interestingly, and a rarity, the watch is offered in two different sizes - 38mm or 42mm, making it a much easier decision for divers with smaller wrists. Further, the D4 Meridian features a stainless steel integrated bracelet, which makes the price a real win-win for us enthusiasts. Price for the Vaer d4 Meridian Solar is $469 USD.
Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
One segment that often gets overlooked when discussing watches, is the smart watch segment. Yes, many enthusiasts balk at the idea of a smart watch, but if you're in the market for a tool-drive smart watch, the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar is the right choice. Most Enthusiast's largest complaint with smart watches is constantly having to take it off and charge it - Which is where the Garmin is a little different. It adds the ability to switch to "Smartwatch" mode, or GPS mode for hiking. In GPS mode, the watch lasts over 2 days with solar charging. Not only is this a really cool safety feature, it allows for people to have some comfort taking the watch out on a long hike, with traditional smart watches lasting typically less than 24 hours using the GPS. This gives Garmin a leg up on it's competition as the best all-around GPS watch on the market. You can pick up the Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar for $510 USD.
Seiko Speedtimer Solar
A Solar Chronograph? If anyone is going to do it, it's Seiko - And they have. The Seiko Speedtimer is a solar powered chronograph that comes in a slew of colorways for an insanely reasonable price. And realistically, when it comes to Solar watches, the Speedtimer is really the full package. It measures in at a perfect 39mm in stainless steel, and it comes on an integrated bracelet to boot. And since it comes in a number of different colorways (including a Pepsi and Coke configuration) it really feels unrivaled in the solar chronograph market at just $540 USD.
SEIKO PROSPEX SNE573 SOLAR 38MM
The second Seiko entry on this list (Seiko and Citizen do a surprising amount of Solar watches) is the Prospex SNE573. It's a relatively straight-forward diver in black, with a clean silicone strap. It takes some vintage inspiration with it's curved arrow hands and yellow-ish lume profile. It measures in at a superbly wearable 38mm, with a formidable 200 meters of water resistance. It's really simple, but still we love it and feel it has a solid spot on any Solar powered watch. You can pick up the Seiko Prospex SNE573 Solar for $360 USD.
Seiko Prospex SNJ025P1 "Arnie" Solar Diver
Third, and the final Seiko on this list, is the SNJ025P1 "Arnie" Solar Diver. Getting it's name for being associated with Arnold Schwarzenegger in the Predator movie, the oversized solar diver was re-issued in 2020 so fans can get the full experience without paying the large vintage premium of the original 80's model. Measuring in at a whopping 46mm, the solar powered over-sized diver features a calendar, stop watch, alarm, and date. Further, it's rated for 200 meters of water resistance, so it's a pretty big "go-anywhere, do anything" sport watch. Price is a very reasonable $393 USD.
TAG HEUER AQUARACER PROFESSIONAL 200 SOLARGRAPH
Firmly rooted in the more luxury segment, Tag Heuer has introduced a Solar powered watch to it's Aquaracer line. The Tag Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph (a mouthful for sure), is a top quality dive watch that is also solar powered. What sets this apart from some of the more affordable options, is Tag Heuer's finishing. The "ultralight" titanium case is sandblasted and rugged, while the brushed stripe dial simply looks fantastic. And Tag Heuer has added it's "Polar Blue" color to the watch which makes it really well rounded, and a fantastic luxury diver. Price for the Solargraph is $3,050 USD.
Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar
Tissot has released a lot of variations of it's T-Touch line of watchess over the years. The model hasn't exactly been the most popular amongst enthusiasts, however it does have it's place amongst the electronic tool-watch market. It's superb build quality, and many functions make it a solid utility-driven option, and with the addition of a solar powered version, it's hard to argue with it's viability. It features a TON of features, including an altimeter, a barometer, alarms, and call notifications along with the many other features one would associate with a smart watch, like fitness tracking and even a compass. Overall, if you're in the market for a solar powered smart watch, that doesn't look like a smart watch, the T-Touch Solar is a solid option at a reasonable price of around $1,000 USD.
Cartier Tank Must SolarBeat
We'd argue that probably one of the better bargain watches out of Cartier, is a lesser-known Tank Must call the "Solarbeat". It's all the classic thing that a modern Cartier Tank Must features, but can be found for a more reasonable price because it's powered by a solar-powered quartz movement. The model wasn't exactly the brand's most popular model, so it was quickly discontinued after the initial batches sold, but is simply a beautiful option. The model is currently sold out online, but can be found for around $3,500 USD on secondary markets.
Matte Works Solution-01
If you're in the market for a simple, although lovely looking solar sport watch, the Matte Works Solution-01 might be for you. It's a modest design with a dial worked around converting sunlight into the powqer cell inside the movement. It's a 40mm stainless steel sport watch, with easily interchangable straps to keep the watch fresh, without every needing to wind or charge the battery with anything other than the sun. Price for the Matte Works Solution-01 is a easily digestible $249 USD.
Orient Neo 70s Neo Solar Panda
Similar to the Seiko listed above, the Orient Neo 70S Solar Panda is another solar chronograph that doesn't break the bank. The watch is a little cheaper option compared to the Seiko, with little compromise to fit and finishing. While it may not be as buttoned up as the Speedtimer, the Orient Neo features a lovely steel integrated bracelet, with a well finished white dial. The watch is a "Panda" configuration, meaning that it features black subdials against a white dial, making it look like our favorite black and white furry friend. And being that it's powered by light, its a modestly priced solar chronograph at just $175 USD.
Fossil FB-01
Those in the market for something on the "little more funky" end of the spectrum, we've got the perfect watch for you. The Fossil FB-01 is a quirkly little sport diver with a ton of character for not a lot of cash. The "Ripple" dial is accented with what we would call a "cotton candy" blue and pink indice and handset, making it pop well against the ripple texture. The case is made of "Tide" material, that's a composite plastic-like material making the watch extra-ordinarily lightweight. And, of course, the movement is solar, so there's no need to charge the battery. The watch comes on a textile bracelet with "Like A Ripple" printed into the material. Price for the Fossil FB-01 is $109 USD.
Citizen Promaster Diver
Probably the most popular and recognized solar watch ever made, the Citizen Promaster Diver is an absolute staple in any collectors rotation, regardless of budget. It's a solid, solar-powered diver that comes in all sorts of colors and configurations, with a modest price tag. It's chunky oversized handset and indices feature copious amounts of lume, and the orange minute hand means you'll easily be able to spot the time on a dive. It also wears exceptionally well on it's flexable rubber strap. The crown at 4 o'clock was designed with comfort in mind, as crowns can often get caught on rocks or coral during a dive. You can pick up the Citizen Promaster for $220 USD.
CASIO G-SHOCK GW6900-1
Naturally, Casio would have a Solar watch in their G-Shock line. Their ruggedized sport watch is covered in a silicone coating to allow for incredible shock resistance and anti-magnetism. The GW6900-1 is probably the brand's most recognized G-Shock style, so it only makes sense to include it on our list of favorite Solar watches. The relatively inexpensive sport watch can be found for $89 USD.
One Eleven Solar Powered Field Watch
One Eleven is a relatively new watch brand on a lot of enthusiast's radars, and it's a shame. The brand makes some really decent field wtches for a really modest price - All with sustainable materials, and solar powered. The fun designs around the functional field utility makes for a really unique take on classic field watches. The watch comes in a few color options, our favorite is the green, and carries a solid 100 meters of water resistance, making it suitable for most water activities. The One Eleven Solar Powered Field Watch is simply a fun design, and you can't go wrong at just 75 USD.
Nixon Sentry Solar
Nixon has long been an outdoors extreme sports brand that a lot of young adults associate with skateboarding, surfing, and hiking. The overall urban aesthetic from Nixon in everything from handbags to watches is undeniable, but one of their more staple collections is a steel sport watch collection called the Sentry Collection. The rugged designs are fairly simple, but the brand has brought a solar-powered movement to the mix in the newest models. The design is universal enough to take out and beat up, or dress it up with a suit. The Sentry Solar comes in a bunch of different colors and strap options, so there's really something for everyone. The Nixon Sentry Solar starts at $300 USD.
Bering Solar
The simple, but elegant designs of Bering are definitely attractive. The brand has long produced watches with that classic Danish influence of minimalism and thinner profiles, to be as unobtrusive as possible. The Bering Solar is no exception. The inclusion of a solar-powered movement into a thin and subtle watch feels natural. The design language is fairly standard monochromatic, with the exception of the laser-orange second hand. The watch comes on a cool integrated stainless steel mesh bracelet called a "Milanese" bracelet, and gives the watch an overall contemporary look and feel. You can pick up the Bering Solar for $239 USD.
Solios Solar Curve
There's not very many "curved" watches in the more afffordable price bracket. Typically, curved watches tend to be more pricey because manufacturing glass with a drastic curve can be an expensive endevour. However, Solios has done it, and they've done it exceptionally well in their Solar Curve model. The relatively inexpensive stainless steel watch features a curved case with a sunburst dial in 40mm. The Solar Curve comes in a variety of dial colors and strap options, but our favorite is the blue dial on milanese bracelet. Price for the Solios Solar Curve is $355 USD.
