Round-UpRunning On Sunshine: A Spotlight On Solar-Powered Watches

It hasn’t been too long since the first solar-powered watches arrived on the watchmaking scene in the 1970s, just as the advent of quartz movements caused a ‘crisis’ for mechanical watches. Undeniably more accurate, efficient, and infinitely more affordable, quartz-powered watches soon found their audiences. The argument against quartz—snobbery aside—was the issue of disposal of used batteries. Enter solar-powered movements that combined the efficiency of quartz with a sustainable energy resource—the sun. Citizen, Seiko and Casio, watchmaking brands from the land of the rising sun, led the solar revolution. Although their developments came many decades after their Japanese counterparts, Swiss watchmakers Tissot were pioneers in solar technology, followed by Cartier and TAG Heuer. Today, many more brands have joined their ranks. Advancements in solar technology means that the watches are more compact in size, more refined in their aesthetic, and the movements powering them are much more efficient.

As Strong As The Sun: How Solar-Powered Watches Harness Light Energy 

First things first, how do solar-powered watches harness the energy of the sun? Photovoltaic cells use a light source to charge the battery that then drives the quartz movement. These photovoltaic cells used to be miniature versions of the solar panels seen on rooftops in most cities, but as solar technology evolved, so did these cells. Nowadays, solar cells can be positioned under a transparent dial, around hour markers, or even beneath the glass protecting the dial. Naturally, solar-powered watches too evolved to become more compact and sophisticated.

Despite being dubbed ‘solar’, the movement can be charged by any light source, and movements today offer whopping reserves. In the case of certain movements, exposing the watch to natural or artificial light for up to one minute can charge the watch for the rest of the day. In others, 10 minutes of light exposure can power the timepiece for almost two days. Average battery life, as claimed by brands today, is in the 15-year range, and some have exceeded even that. This makes solar-powered watches both efficient and sustainable.

Photovoltaic cells use a light source to charge the battery that then drives the quartz movement, and solar cells can be positioned under a transparent dial

Tissot use technology that integrates photovoltaic cells into the glass that protects the dial for their PRC 100 series

Despite being dubbed ‘solar’, the movement can be charged by any light source, and movements today offer whopping reserves

In some watches, exposure to light for up to one minute can charge the watch for the whole day, and in others, 10 minutes of exposure can power it for almost two days

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By The Power Of The Sun… I Have The Power: A Brief History Of Solar-Powered Watches

Developed in 1972 by an American engineer, the Synchronar 2100 was a chunky timepiece with an angular digital, LED display, while photovoltaic cells took centre stage on the watch face. Citizen followed with their Crystron Solar Cell in 1976, with photovoltaic cells on the watch face. A few years later, Seiko released a timepiece that was driven by light, but instead of covering the dial with their solar panels, photovoltaic cells were positioned next to the hour markers. Solar-driven movements today power dive timers, chronographs, racing-inspired and everyday-wear timepieces, dress watches, et al. Here are some of the best solar-powered watches and the brands that chanelled the light and paved the way.

Seiko and solar-powered watches

Early Birds And The Race For The Sun: Seiko Astron GPS Solar

In 2012, Seiko released the first Astron GPS Solar, which readjusted local time based on its geographic location by connecting to a network of satellites, and was fully powered by light. And while the Astron GPS Solar has since become a pillar for the brand, it is by no means their only solar-powered watchmaking venture. Available in a variety of sizes based on its functions, the Seiko Astron GPS Solar is a true multi-tasker. Besides tracking the wearer’s location and adjusting the time accordingly, the collection offers a vast range of functions including a perpetual calendar, world-timer, chronograph, power reserve indication, etc. 

Seiko Prospex Speedtimer

Available in 41.5mm and 39mm case sizes, the Seiko Prospex Speedtimer is a racing-inspired timepiece whose functions include a chronograph, tachymeter scale, date and a power reserve indicator. Driven by the solar-powered calibre V192, the watch offers autonomy of six months when fully charged. And its water resistance rating of 100m makes the Prospex Speedtimer a handy daily-wear tool.

Seiko Prospex Diver

With a water resistance of 200m, the Seiko Prospex Solar Diver collection includes stunning tool watches suited for everyday use, mainly because of their robust steel cases and 200m water resistance. Its unidirectional rotating bezel, screwed down crown and caseback, and bold, lume-filled indexes and hands, makes the timepiece a certified dive tool as well. Housed within the 41mm case of the Seiko Prospex Solar Diver is the calibre V157. When fully charged, the watch stays powered on and accurate for up to 10 months.

Tissot and solar-powered watches

How The Honeycomb-Pattern Optimises Solar Power: Tissot PRC 100 Solar

Pioneers in solar technology among Swiss watchmakers, Tissot first introduced their light-powered timepieces in the early 2000s. Their T-Touch Connect collection has been powered by a solar movement since 2014, and they recently reintroduced the redesigned PRC 100 Solar collection just last year. Its name is an abbreviation for its qualities—precise, robust and classic—with the ‘100’ being a nod to the watch’s water resistance rating. Currently available in two sizes, 39mm and 34mm, the PRC 100 Solar collection features round cases crafted from stainless steel. Some variants feature PVD-coated steel cases in black or yellow gold, with other versions are available with two-tone cases in steel with yellow or rose gold accents.

Tissot reintroduced the redesigned PRC 100 Solar collection just last year. Its name is an abbreviation for its qualities—Precise, Robust and Classic—with the ‘100’ being a nod to the watch’s water resistance rating

An angular, dodecagonal bezel frames the dial, which is protected by a sapphire crystal glass featuring minute honeycomb-shaped solar cells that maximise the watch’s efficiency. Exposing the timepiece to 10 minutes of daylight charges the battery that drives the F06.615 quartz movement for up to 24 hours. When fully charged, the timepiece remains active for up to 14 months, even at the back of a darkened drawer. And on the off-chance one forgets to charge it at all during this time, all it takes to restart the timepiece is minimal exposure to natural or artificial light.

An angular, dodecagonal bezel frames the dial, which is protected by sapphire crystal glass featuring honeycomb-shaped solar cells that maximise the watch’s efficiency

₹55,500

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Exposing the timepiece to 10 minutes of daylight charges the battery that drives the solar-powered quartz movement for up to 24 hours

₹66,000

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Super-LumiNova-filled hour markers and timekeeping hands on the sunray-brushed dials ensure that the timepiece doesn’t go dark even in darkened conditions. A date window at three o’clock enhances the functionality of the dial. Paired with a variety of bracelet and leather strap options, the PRC 100 Solar, with its precise timekeeping, robust construction and 100m of water resistance, is a handy everyday watch with a classic design and contemporary functionality.

Frederique Constant and solar-powered watches

Layers Of Efficiency And Elegance: Frederique Constant Classics Moneta Solarmetre

Frederique Constant’s first solar-powered calibre was developed in collaboration with La Joux-Perret, the movement manufacturer owned by Citizen, the same parent company as both Alpina and Frederique Constant, and creators of the earliest solar-powered watches. Housed in the brand’s round case sized at 39mm, the steel case of the Frederique Constant Classics Moneta Solarmetre stands at a thickness of only 8.52mm. This is especially noteworthy because solar-powered watches were rarely ever this sleek and sophisticated. Presented with two strap options—a leather strap with an alligator pattern and a Milanese mesh bracelet—the watch offers enhanced versatility owing to its easy interchangeability.

Housed in the brand’s round case sized at 39mm, the steel case of the Frederique Constant Classics Moneta Solarmetre features a height of only 8.52mm. This is especially noteworthy because solar-powered watches were rarely ever this sleek and sophisticated

A fluted flange inspired by the edges of a coin frames the dial and gives the watch its name (the word ‘Moneta’ is Latin for coin). The dial itself is a work of art in its layered construction that conceals the photovoltaic cells beneath. A grained finish on the dial enhances its translucency, and faceted wedge indexes and dauphine hands complement the polished finishes of the case. While the burgundy dial offers stark contrast against the case, hands and indexes, the ice blue dial variant ensures a more classic appeal. At three o’clock is an aperture that displays the date. The Classics Moneta Solarmetre is fully powered by light, courtesy of the FC-120 calibre. One minute of exposure to light powers the watch for a full day, and even without light, if fully charged, the timepiece offers autonomy of 10 months.

The dial of the Frederique Constant Classics Moneta Solarmetre is a work of art in its layered construction that conceals the photovoltaic cells beneath

₹1,32,300

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A grained finish on the dial enhances its translucency, and faceted wedge indexes and dauphine hands complement the polished finishes of the case

₹1,32,300

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TAG Heuer and solar-powered watches

Divers And Drivers Driven By Light: TAG Heuer Solargraph

TAG Heuer presented their first ever solar-powered movement in their Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph, at Watches and Wonders in 2022. Developed in collaboration with La Joux-Perret, the calibre TH50-00 was based on Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology. Just two minutes under light can charge the watches for up to 24 hours, while fully charged timepiece have an autonomy of up to 10 months. Recently, the brand updated this line with a sharper, more angular case structure and a redesigned bezel. They also introduced the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 100 Solargraph in a smaller case size of 28mm, powered by the Calibre TH51-00, an evolution of the TH50-00. So great was the success of their solar-powered movement that the brand have also incorporated the Solargraph calibre in their Formula 1 timepieces as well.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph

With a diameter of 40mm, the Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph was first presented in sandblasted grade 2 titanium, or in steel and paired with a carbon epoxy resin bezel. Six rider tabs dominate the bezels of the 2026 update, and recesses between these tabs feature a grained texture that enhances the geometry of the timepiece. The sunray brushed finish on the dial is enhanced by horizontal recesses, and applied indexes are generously filled with Super-LumiNova. Green and blue dial variants are available in steel cases, with three-link steel bracelets that offer easy interchangeability. Two other versions feature black dials and are housed in titanium.

The TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph in sandblasted titanium with a black dial and polar blue highlights

₹4,08,000

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TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph in a 40mm steel case with a green dial

₹3,48,000

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In 2024, the brand released 34mm variants of the collection with translucent dials in mint green. They later followed this up with a pink dial version that featured diamond hour markers, and other models display two-tone cases.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 100 Solargraph

Smaller 28mm timepieces in the Aquaracer Professional 100 Solargraph line offer a water resistance rating of 100m, which is usually more than enough for those odd daily splashes. Rider tabs on the bezel are more pronounced than those on their larger counterparts. Photovoltaic cells on the Calibre TH51-00 are positioned just beneath the mother-of-pearl or sunray-finished dials, where diamonds serve as hour markers.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 Solargraph

In 2025, TAG Heuer showcased the first Formula 1 Solargraph collection with nine timepieces in racing-inspired pops of colour. Sized at 38mm, cases were in steel with or without or a DLC coating, or in bio-polyamide. A coloured ring around the dial for the minute/seconds track enhances the edgy character of the dial, where hour markers are a mix of luminous dots and shields. An aperture displays the date at three o’clock. By changing the engine of their Formula 1 collection, TAG Heuer have infused a new energy into the line. These solar-powered watches have a unique appeal for a whole new generation.

By changing the engine of their Formula 1 collection, TAG Heuer have infused a new energy into the line, as these solar-powered watches have a unique appeal for a whole new generation

Alpina and solar-powered watches

Rugged And Ready For Adventure: Alpina Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre

Unveiled around the same time as sister brand Frederique Constant’s Classics Moneta Solarmetre, the Alpina Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre is an outdoor-friendly watch that plays up the autonomy of its solar-powered calibre AL-140. One minute in natural or artificial light charges the watch for a whole day, and when fully charged, the watch stays powered for up to 10 months even without any further exposure to light. On the 37.5mm by 38.9mm cushion-shaped case, a round bezel is held in place by six screws with Alpina’s triangle logo. Angular lugs and the watch’s multi-piece case construction enhance the rugged aesthetic of the timepiece. Dial hues in blue, mint green, ice blue and white are framed by a minute track on the flange. A three-dimensional texture on the dial also resembles the Alpina triangle, which, in turn, is reminiscent of mountain peaks. This geometric pattern continues on the blue and black rubber straps that the blue and white timepieces are mounted on. Burgundy and mint green versions are paired with integrated steel bracelets.

Maurice Lacroix and solar-powered watches

Sporty, Vibrant And Charged By Light: Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Solar

Swiss watchmaking’s newest entrant into the world of solar-powered timepieces, the Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Solar and Pontos S Solar Chronograph offer a sporty chic vibe in cool colourways. After their Pontos S Diver’s sporty appeal and 300m water resistance, the Jura-based brand present a collection of chronograph and time-and-date watches driven by solar-powered movements. Photovoltaic cells sit discreetly beneath a translucent blue or black dial. Powered by the Swiss-made solar-quartz Ronda 215 movement, the Pontos S Solar offers eight months of autonomy on a full charge. Meanwhile, the Pontos S Solar Chronograph, driven by the Ronda 2040.D calibre, lasts five months when charged.

Both chronograph and time-and-date watches are housed in steel cases sized at 42mm. Equipped with a functional dive bezel in black, blue or green, depending on the variant, the timepieces offer a water resistance of 200m. The Pontos S Solar timepieces feature a crown at three with guards, while on the Pontos S Solar Chronograph watches, pump style pushers are integrated into the crown guards. Timepieces with the DLC steel cases feature fluorescent rings on the flange—green for the date watch and in orange on the chronograph. With fluorescent highlights on the dial and matching rubber straps, these timepieces may just be the coolest additions to the growing world of solar-powered watches.