In today's world, people are becoming increasingly conscious of their environmental impact and are looking for ways to reduce it. One way to do this is by choosing eco-friendly products, such as solar watches. These watches are powered by the sun's energy and offer a sustainable and reliable alternative to traditional watches that require frequent battery replacements.

In this blog post, we'll be sharing the 15 best solar watches in 2024. We've researched and tested a wide range of solar watches to bring you a curated list of the top performers. Whether you're an outdoor adventurer, a fashion-conscious individual, or simply looking for a watch that's low maintenance and accurate, we've got you covered.

Our list includes watches from established brands such as Garmin, Citizen, Seiko, Casio, as well as up-and-coming brands that offer innovative features and designs. We'll explore each watch's key features and benefits to help you make an informed decision about which watch to choose.

In addition to being eco-friendly, solar watches offer several benefits over traditional watches. They are typically more durable, accurate, and cost-effective in the long run. Plus, they come in a variety of styles, from sporty to dressy, so you can find one that suits your personal taste and lifestyle.

So, if you're in the market for a new watch and want to make a sustainable choice, keep reading to discover the 15 best solar watches in 2024.

15 Best Solar Watches in 2024

1) Garmin Instinct Solar Watch

The Garmin Instinct Solar Watch is a GPS-enabled smartwatch that has been designed to withstand the toughest conditions and last longer than other smartwatches. With solar charging technology, the watch is able to provide unprecedented battery life to those who explore under the sun. The Instinct Solar Watch offers up to 54 days of battery life in smartwatch mode, which is a significant increase from other smartwatches that require frequent charging.

The watch is built to the U.S. military standard 810 for thermal, shock, and water resistance, making it a durable and reliable option for those who enjoy outdoor activities. It is also equipped with GPS, GLONASS, and Galileo, providing accurate location data for outdoor adventures.

In addition to its toughness and endurance, the Instinct Solar Watch offers a range of built-in sports apps that allow users to track and monitor their fitness activities right from their wrist. The watch also features a Power Manager that allows users to view how various settings and sensors impact the battery life, so they can make battery-extending changes on the fly.

The design of the Garmin Instinct Solar Watch is bold and purpose-built, with high contrast displays and eye-catching colors that turn heads at every glance. The fiber-reinforced polymer case and chemically strengthened, scratch-resistant Corning® Gorilla® glass ensure that the watch can withstand the rigors of everyday wear and tear. 

2) Timex Expedition Scout Solar Watch

The Timex Expedition Scout Solar Watch is a durable and reliable timepiece designed to keep ticking no matter where your adventure takes you. It features a classic analog design with a gray dial and full Arabic numerals, complete with a date window at 3 o'clock. The luminous hands make it easy to read the time in any lighting conditions.

One of the key features of the Expedition Solar Watch is its ability to draw power from any light source, including indoor lighting. With a power reserve that lasts for up to four months between charges, this watch is always ready to go when you are. The solar technology ensures that you don't have to worry about replacing batteries, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly choice.

The watch is well-built for any adventure, with a durable natural leather strap that is adjustable to fit up to an 8-inch wrist circumference. The strong resin case and tactical top ring make it tough enough to withstand even the most rugged terrain.

With a water resistance rating of 50 meters (165 ft), the Timex Expedition Scout Solar Watch is suitable for short periods of recreational swimming, but it is not recommended for diving or snorkeling. It is also important to note that the leather strap may not hold up well with extended exposure to water. 

3) Casio Men's ECB-900 Series Tough Solar Watch

The Casio Men's Tough Solar Watch is a sleek and sophisticated analog-digital combination timepiece that is designed to project speed and intelligence. The bold octagonal bezel evokes the lines of a race car mechanic's tools and adds to the watch's overall sporty design.

One of the key features of this watch is its smartphone connectivity, which allows for precision timekeeping no matter where you are in the world. The watch can be synced with your smartphone via Bluetooth, allowing you to effortlessly manage functions like selecting a city from the World Time list. This makes it easy to keep track of time and stay organized no matter where your travels take you.

The watch is easy to read in darkness thanks to the fully automatic LED light that illuminates the dial and LCD with just a tilt of the wrist. It is also water resistant up to 10 bar, making it suitable for swimming and other water activities.

The Casio Men's Tough Solar Watch is powered by stable solar power, which charges the watch from sunlight or even fluorescent lamp light. This means that you don't have to worry about replacing batteries, making it a sustainable and eco-friendly choice.

4) Citizen Men's Promaster Dive Solar Watch

The Citizen Men's Promaster Dive Solar Watch is the perfect combination of style and function for any diving enthusiast. Certified by ISO, this dive watch is a reliable companion for any underwater adventure.

The watch is equipped with Eco-Drive technology, which means it is powered by any light source and will never need a battery replacement. With its stainless steel case, dark blue polyurethane strap, and aluminum ring on the bezel, this watch is not only functional but also stylish.

The one-way rotating elapsed time and WR200 make it easy to keep track of your dive time and water resistance, respectively. This dive watch is built to last and will provide you with a reliable timekeeping tool for all your diving needs. 

5) Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch

The Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar Watch is a lightweight smartwatch designed for athletes who want to push their limits. With a Power Glass™ solar charging lens, the watch can extend its battery life, making it an ideal companion for long training sessions and competitions. The watch offers up to 20 days of battery life in smartwatch mode and up to 49 hours in GPS mode with solar charging.

The watch features a responsive touchscreen that allows users to swipe through stats and maps. It also includes full-color built-in maps and multi-band GPS, making it easier to navigate any route. Additionally, the watch provides training readiness data, helping users determine the right time to start a productive session.

The Forerunner 955 is tailored for the dedicated athlete, weighing just 52 grams, ensuring that it won't weigh down the wearer during their activities. With traditional button controls and a new responsive touchscreen, the watch offers the perfect balance between traditional and modern controls.

6) Nixon Light-Wave Solar Watch

The Nixon Light-Wave Solar Watch is an eco-friendly watch that combines a progressive design with sustainable materials, solar charging, and recycled ocean plastic construction. The watch features a translucent face that showcases the solar panel within, as well as head-turning dial details and a unique case and strap design. This timepiece is powered by an Epson solar-powered quartz movement, eliminating the need for disposable batteries, while the #tide recycled plastic case and band remove ocean plastic from the environment.

In addition, the watch has a water rating of 100 meters or 10 ATM, making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling, but not for diving. The Nixon Light-Wave Solar Watch is perfect for those who value sustainability and style, as it incorporates sustainable materials wherever possible and features signature Nixon details, like custom hands and applied indices. With this watch, you'll never have to change another battery and can feel good about your contribution to a greener future.

7) Casio G-Shock Full Metal 5000 Solar Watch

The Casio G-Shock Full Metal 5000 Solar Watch is a modern update of the original G-Shock model from 1983, the DW-5000C. This watch has a square design and has been given the full metal treatment with upgraded features including smartphone linking. The full-metal case is made with a shock-resistant fine resin cushioning material inserted between the case and the stainless steel metal bezel. The watch maintains its size due to high-density mounting technology.

The back of the watch has a solid Screw Lock Back and is DLC treated for resistance to wear. The metal band has been dimple processed, inheriting the Resin Band design of the original. The watch's visibility has been enhanced with the use of a film solar cell and STN-LCD (liquid crystal).

This watch comes with Bluetooth® communications and can link with a dedicated app to obtain precise time information. The watch has practical features including a time correction system that uses standard time and frequency signals (Multi-Band 6), a reliable source of power with Tough Solar technology, high-luminance Full Auto LED backlighting, World Time, and day of the week display in six languages.

The Casio G-Shock Full Metal 5000 Solar Watch is shock resistant and water-resistant up to 20 bar. The beautiful polished metal design of the watch adds a touch of style to its durability and functionality. 

8) Skagen Grenen Solar Watch

The Skagen Grenen Solar Watch is a sustainable and stylish timepiece with a number of features. The watch has a 4-month power reserve with only a 5-hour outdoor or 2.5-day indoor charge, making it energy-efficient. The case is made with at least 50% recycled stainless steel, further adding to its eco-friendly credentials.

The watch has a 24-hour inner track and K1 crystal, which is known for its scratch and shatter-resistant properties. It also has Swiss luminous minute hands, hour hands and Arabic indexes for easy readability in low-light conditions.

The design of the watch features a hidden crown for a sleek look. The Grenen Solar Watch is a part of Skagen's iconic Grenen collection, which has been updated with solar power technology to make it more sustainable than ever.

9) Seiko Prospex "Arnie" Solar Watch

The Seiko Prospex "Arnie" Solar Watch is a reissue of the Seiko H558 watch from 1982, which was considered the world's first hybrid diver watch and was famously worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger in movies such as Commando and The Predator. The new Seiko SNJ025 Solar Arnie follows the same design style as the original, with an all-black aesthetic that looks striking on the wrist and is fastened by a soft black matching silicone strap.

The case of the watch is crafted from polished stainless steel and measures 47.5mm in size, which is slightly larger than the original. The watch is powered by Seiko's famous Solar H851 movement, which has a six-month power reserve when fully charged by strong light. The H851 movement equips the timepiece with chronograph function, alarm, calendar, and dual time. These functions are presented beautifully beneath hardlex crystal glass by a digital display and luminous hands and indices.

The Seiko Prospex "Arnie" Solar Watch is water-resistant to 200 meters and has a 120-click bezel, a screw-down crown, and pushers. It also has a 22mm lug width and is ISO 6425 rated as a diver's watch.

10) Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T Solar Watch

The Citizen Promaster Skyhawk A-T Solar Watch is a high-tech timepiece designed for pilots and adventurers. The watch is powered by Citizen's Eco-Drive technology, which harnesses the power of any light source and converts it into energy to power the watch. This means the watch never needs a battery replacement and can operate continuously for months on a single charge.

The Skyhawk A-T features a sleek and sporty design with a stainless steel case and bracelet. The black dial is adorned with luminous hands and markers for easy readability in low light conditions. The watch also features a slide rule bezel for quick and easy calculations.

One of the most impressive features of the Skyhawk A-T is its atomic timekeeping technology, which ensures the watch is always accurate to the second. The watch receives a signal from atomic clocks around the world, adjusting the time automatically and keeping it synced with the most accurate time.

The Skyhawk A-T also boasts a range of features designed for pilots and travelers. The watch can display time in 43 cities around the world and has a world time function that can display up to 30 time zones.

11) Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar Watch

12) G-Shock Solar Atomic Rescue 7900 Series Solar Watch

The G-Shock Solar Atomic Rescue 7900 Series Solar Watch is a durable and functional timepiece designed for outdoor enthusiasts and professionals. This watch features a four point protection design, large case, and oversized buttons, all of which are designed to withstand the toughest conditions.

The watch is equipped with a Solar Atomic timekeeping system, which ensures accurate timekeeping through radio-controlled time synchronization and solar power. This system eliminates the need for manual time adjustments and battery replacements, making the watch a low-maintenance and reliable companion for outdoor activities. 

In terms of durability, the watch is water-resistant to 200 meters, making it suitable for swimming and diving. It is also shock-resistant, which means it can withstand shocks and impacts without affecting its accuracy or functionality. 

13) Timex Men's Expedition Gallatin Solar Watch

The Timex Men's Expedition Gallatin Solar Watch is a rugged and reliable timepiece designed for outdoor enthusiasts. It is powered by solar energy and can run for up to 6 months on a single charge. The watch also features a durable resin case and strap that can withstand tough outdoor conditions.

14) Garmin fēnix 6 – Pro Solar Watch

The Garmin fēnix 6 Pro Solar Watch is a high-end smartwatch designed for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes. It is equipped with a Power Glass solar charging lens and customizable power management modes that allow the watch to stay charged for weeks. The solar charging feature allows the watch to get up to 14 days of battery life indoors or up to 16 days when solar charging in smartwatch mode. In GPS mode, the watch can get up to 36 hours indoors or up to 40 hours when solar charging.

In addition to its solar charging capabilities, the fēnix 6 Pro Solar Watch features wrist-based heart rate and Pulse Ox sensors that provide users with detailed information about their physical health and well-being. The watch also includes PacePro, a feature that provides customized pace guidance based on the terrain of the user's running route.

The watch comes with preloaded topographical maps that allow users to navigate every adventure with ease. It is also compatible with music streaming services, allowing users to listen to music directly from their wrist without the need for a phone.

The fēnix 6 Pro Solar Watch is designed to be rugged and durable, featuring a large 1.3-inch display and tested to U.S. military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance.

15) Seiko SNE516P Solar Watch

The Seiko SNE516P Solar Watch is a reliable and stylish timepiece that runs on solar power, eliminating the need for frequent battery changes. The watch features a durable stainless steel case and bracelet that are scratch-resistant and hypoallergenic.

One of the most noteworthy features of this watch is its solar-powered mechanism, which allows it to run for up to 10 months on a full charge. The power reserve indicator on the dial lets you know when the watch needs to be recharged.

Additionally, the watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters (330 feet), making it suitable for swimming and snorkeling. The luminous hands and markers allow the watch to be easily read in low-light conditions, and the Hardlex crystal provides high resistance to scratches and impacts.

What is a Solar Powered Watch? 

A solar powered watch is a type of watch that is powered by a solar cell or photovoltaic cell, which converts light energy from the sun or artificial light sources into electrical energy to power the watch. The solar cell is typically located under the watch dial, where it can capture sunlight or other light sources to recharge the watch's battery.

Solar powered watches are environmentally friendly and more convenient compared to traditional battery-powered watches, as they eliminate the need for battery replacements. They also offer a reliable and long-lasting power source, as most solar watches can operate for several months on a single charge. Additionally, solar watches often have power reserve indicators on the dial, letting the wearer know how much charge the watch has left. 

What should I look for in a solar watch?

Solar watches are a fantastic choice for those who want to reduce their environmental impact while still enjoying the convenience and reliability of a timepiece. With advancements in solar technology, these watches can now run for months on a single charge and come equipped with features that rival traditional watches. From fitness tracking to GPS navigation to smartphone integration, the best solar watches offer a wide range of capabilities to suit any lifestyle.

We hope this list of the 15 best solar watches in 2024 has been helpful in guiding you towards the perfect timepiece for your needs. Whether you're looking for a stylish dress watch, a rugged outdoor watch, or something in between, there's sure to be a solar watch on this list that fits the bill. So go ahead and make the switch to solar – not only will you be doing your part for the planet, but you'll also be sporting a top-of-the-line accessory that's sure to turn heads.

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