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Buffy Acacia
For homeowners of manually-wound mechanical watches, winding them up turns into a part of the day by day routine. It’s a bit extra annoying for automatics, however in the end, it’s nonetheless to be anticipated. For a quartz watch, which ought to simply work on a regular basis, there’s nothing extra annoying than a lifeless battery. In fact, it’s only a new battery, so that you’re not going to take it to a watchmaker – regardless that you maybe ought to. As a substitute of rummaging round the home to search out that tiny button cell you got three years in the past and scratching your watch as you open the caseback to pop it in, you may as nicely get a solar-powered watch that can basically run perpetually with minimal intervention.
RZE Urbanist
RZE specialises in rugged watches comprised of titanium, embodying an adventurous spirit that begs to be put by its paces. The RZE Urbanist is its most inexpensive watch but, however it’s nonetheless filled with as a lot worth as it will probably squeeze in. The grade 2 titanium case is coated with UltraHex to provide it a hardness of 1,200HV, guaranteeing its scratch resistance together with the sapphire crystal. It’s a average but highly effective 36mm on account of its 12-sided bezel and flowing lugs, whereas the intensely textured dials stay simple to learn because of daring, luminous numerals. What’s extra, the Miyota quartz motion is solar-powered (no doy), so that you by no means want to fret about battery life. Worth: US$259
Casio G-Shock Powerful Photo voltaic GWM5610-1
For those who’re the form of one that wears a watch purely to inform the time, a Casio G-Shock ought to all the time be certainly one of your earliest issues. Not solely are they mainly indestructible, however the sq. G sequence has been a design traditional since its introduction in 1983. The Powerful Photo voltaic replace has made it much more sensible, with photo voltaic charging together with a receptor for receiving atomic time indicators in lots of elements of the world. It could be double the price of the battery mannequin, however it’s price each penny. Worth: US$150
Timex Expedition Freedive Ocean
The pursuit of solar energy doesn’t want to return at the price of aesthetics, and we’re far previous the purpose of needing obtrusive photo voltaic panels labored into watch instances. The Timex Expedition Freedive Ocean is a behemoth at 46mm, however the case comprised of #tide recycled ocean plastic takes heaps of weight off and goals to help the pure setting this watch was constructed to discover. The white 12 and 24-hour shows are extremely legible towards the black backdrop, which disguises photo voltaic cells beneath for charging. It’s undoubtedly an excessive look with the neon highlights, however there’s nothing incorrect with unabashed energy. Worth: US$139
Vaer DS4 Meridian
Unashamedly impressed by the Rolex Submariner, there’s undoubtedly nonetheless numerous demand on the market for that no-nonsense dive watch look. Vaer’s method with the DS4 Meridian is an admirable one, holding issues easy however well-built and with simply the correct amount of aptitude. Out there in 38mm or 42mm sizes, the case has some superbly sculpted lugs in addition to an simply gripped scalloped bezel. The dial’s markings are clear, and the sword hour hand provides it numerous character. The black dial hides its photo voltaic charging with easy sunburst brushing, and it’s additionally a succesful diver with 200m of water resistance and a screw-down crown. By default, it comes on a Tropic-style rubber strap, however there may be additionally a khaki strap or a metal bracelet out there for an additional price. Worth: US$279
Tissot PRC 100 Photo voltaic
Tissot will get loads of recognition, but in some way nonetheless feels a bit underrated. As one of the crucial accessible manufacturers beneath the Swatch umbrella, it brings a style of Swiss luxurious in so many shapes and kinds. The PRC 100 Photo voltaic is a incredible and sporty all-rounder in a 39mm case with 100m of water resistance, and its method to photo voltaic charging is remarkably completely different. Somewhat than utilizing a translucent dial for photovoltaic cells beneath, you may faintly see a honeycomb grid utilized to the underside of the sapphire crystal. Not solely does that enable for a beautiful sunburst end on the normal analogue dial, however it additionally provides a advantageous and refined grain as a cool impact. Additionally, the metal dodecagonal bezel and the stable bracelet give it a pleasant heft with out feeling overly cumbersome. Worth: US$495
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Marine
If we’re speaking photo voltaic, we’re speaking Eco-Drive. Citizen could not have invented solar-powered watches, however the Japanese model reworked the expertise from novelty into refined utility by hiding the photo voltaic panels beneath a translucent dial. Solely introduced in February 2025, the most recent Promaster Eco-Drive Diver 300m is about as severe as dive watches come, initially out there with black or burgundy gradient dials. The 46mm case wears surprisingly nicely with basically no lugs, and its biomass-based polyurethane rubber strap ensures consolation even with its 16.3mm thickness, as does its 4 o’clock crown which prevents it from digging into the again of your hand. The calibre E365 is a photo voltaic module that may energy the look ahead to a complete yr with out publicity to mild. Worth: US$675
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Photo voltaic Chronograph SSC911
Regardless of having a prolific catalogue of chronographs all through the ‘60s and ‘70s, Seiko’s dedication to mechanical chronographs has waned considerably. Nonetheless, if you end up craving the model of these classic items with out wanting the prohibitive prices of servicing them, the Prospex Speedtimer Photo voltaic Chronograph serves as a way more inexpensive various with beautiful seems. Many colors have been made out there – together with a Pogue-adjacent brilliant yellow – however it’s arduous to go previous the silver panda configuration with its high-contrast subdials, punchy crimson seconds hand, and refined bi-colour gray and black bezel. Worth: US$725
Junghans Pressure Mega Photo voltaic
Sure, you should buy a solar-powered Junghans Max Invoice in order for you the comfort of contemporary tech with the tasteful minimalism of Bauhaus, however it’s the Pressure Mega Photo voltaic that actually pays tribute to Junghans’ historical past with photo voltaic developments. The Mega Photo voltaic originated within the early ‘90s, pioneering using radio indicators from an atomic clock to maintain the watch synchronised always. This eradicated battery replacements, but additionally any time changes ought to the motion sway into inaccuracy. The modern Pressure Mega Photo voltaic proudly shows its photo voltaic panels on the dial as a homage to the unique, whereas the remainder of the design has been tastefully modernised. Worth: €1,590 (~US$1,770)
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Skilled 200 Solargraph
The Solargraph is just about all you want from a luxe, quartz sports activities watch, and comes with none pointless bells or whistles. The fashions are all 200 metres waterproof and have rotating dive bezels, with a slender thickness of simply 9.7mm. The calibre TH50-01 was collaboratively designed by TAG Heuer and La Joux-Perret (owned by Citizen, bear in mind), so the photo voltaic capabilities might be wonderful. There are larger variations of the Aquaracer Skilled 200 Solargraph, however the 34mm references are additionally good examples of how small watches don’t must really feel patronising. Whether or not you have got small wrists otherwise you simply desire the low-key look of classic watches, the 34mm mannequin in navy blue or polar blue (which actually seems inexperienced) captures simply as a lot edgy sportiness as their bigger counterparts, and backs it up in specs, too. Worth: ranging from US$2,150
We’d even be remiss if we didn’t focus on our very personal collaborative tackle the Solargraph, the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Solargraph x Time+Tide ‘Sundowner’. It simply made sense for our first collaboration with TAG Heuer to be a solar-powered watch – to pay homage to Australia’s famously sunny local weather – with us dialling up these sunny tones even additional with rose gold highlights throughout its dial, bezel and NATO strap {hardware}, contrasting with its grade 2 titanium case. You’ll even discover the T+T emblem in gold at 6 o’clock, and once more adorning the watch’s titanium caseback. A restricted version of 250 items, these didn’t take lengthy to promote out – however we couldn’t not embrace it. Worth: A$4,450 (~US$2,820)
Time+Tide Timeless Decide: Cartier Tank Should SolarBeat
One other honourable point out should be made for the Cartier Tank Should SolarBeat, which just about feels too good to be true. Not solely is the Tank Should meant as a extra inexpensive Tank mannequin, however it’s modelled after the Tank Louis Cartier, AKA the unique and the very best. Proportionately good, oozing with class, and with nothing on the dial to broadcast that you simply selected the price range choice, the solar-powered SolarBeat celebrates the Tank as a design everybody ought to have the ability to attain ought to they want to. The photo voltaic cells are hidden behind the black Roman numerals, and you may nonetheless spot the hidden Cartier signature throughout the V of seven o’clock. Sadly this mannequin is now not in manufacturing, however there’s loads to be discovered on the aftermarket. Worth: US$3,300 (small mannequin, retail value)
