Solar Watches

Solar watches were created to move away from the "throwaway culture” often linked to quartz watches, and to raise awareness of environmental issues.
These timepieces have been available in Switzerland for some time now. Unfortunately, as “eco-friendly watches” they have not yet achieved widespread popularity, although this is beginning to change. An increasing number of watchmakers are producing them. The largest selection of solar watches for men and women comes from Swiss heritage brand Tissot, German brand Junghans and the Japanese pioneers Citizen, Seiko and Casio. This extensive range features everything from classic wristwatches to modern solar smartwatches. Wearing these timepieces shows a personal commitment to environmental protection, a commitment that is more important today than ever before. While purchasing a solar watch may not single-handedly change the climate, it certainly demonstrates the wearer's awareness of the issue.

How does a solar watch work?

The solar cell is discreetly integrated into the dial. It captures sunlight and, in some cases, artificial light, converting both into electrical energy to charge the watch’s battery. This rechargeable battery then powers the quartz movement. Some models on the market use solar cells primarily as a back-up source for the battery. These watches are not part of our product range. "True" solar watches, on the other hand, use rechargeable batteries (or even capacitors) to store the excess energy generated by their solar cells. The earliest generations could only operate for around 48 hours in darkness after a full charge. This is referred to as their power reserve in darkness. Storage technology has improved over the years, reducing power consumption while increasing battery capacity. Modern solar watches can remain in darkness for several months. However, manufacturers often advise against leaving solar watches in the dark for long periods of time. Even minimal daylight can recharge the solar cells, which in turn maintains the energy store and extends the watch’s lifespan.

What is the lifespan of a solar watch?

Manufacturers often claim that solar watches last indefinitely. Of course, this is only theoretical, as every rechargeable battery gradually loses capacity and eventually becomes unusable after a few years. However, since a watch movement puts very little strain on the battery, it should wear out relatively slowly.

How long a watch lasts without needing a battery replacement depends on the manufacturer and the technology used. Nowadays, almost all manufacturers use special rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. Thanks to its power reserve, a fully charged solar watch will on average run for between 150 and 240 days in the dark before stopping. This varies depending on the manufacturer and model. The most advanced models can have a power reserve in darkness of up to 7 or 8 years. These long running times are achieved through special techniques, such as stopping the hands when the watch has been in darkness for more than 24 hours in order to conserve energy. Of course, time measurement does not stop, but continues within the mechanism. According to the manufacturer, such a watch's battery capacity is still around 80 per cent after 20 years. However, even with the more affordable models from our range or from our selection of Swiss Made solar watches, you should be able to enjoy your watch for many years without worrying about maintenance or replacing the battery.