Best Solar Watches for Men

Although I own all these watches, if I had to pick one to roll with, it would be the Citizen Nighthawk. It’s got the venerable Eco-Drive movement, can be worn with a suit or t-shirt, and can stand up to almost any outdoor adventure including recreational diving and snorkeling.

Mechanical watches depend on you to manually wind them, as they rely on your energy to function.

Even with quartz watches, the battery must be changed every 1 to 3 years.

In contrast, a solar watch is specifically engineered to operate continuously by utilizing solar energy from the sun as a light source. This type of energy yields exponential benefits, surpassing any other movement mechanism.

Just a few minutes of sunlight can provide several hours of power reserve. Furthermore, sunlight and artificial light sources can charge some solar watches, such as the Citizen Nighthawk Eco Drive.

Best Solar Watches at a Glance

• Citizen Nighthawk EcoDrive
• LumTec Vortex D6
• Casio G-Shock Tough Solar
• Casio Tough Solar
• Timex Expedition Solar
• SEIKO PROSPEX Solar Diver’s Watch [SNE591]

Best Solar Watches

Citizen Nighthawk EcoDrive

Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology stands as the pinnacle of solar-powered movements. With its marathon battery life and widespread integration into its watch collection, it’s evident that Citizen crafts reliable and trusted timepieces.

The Citizen Nighthawk exemplifies the perfect fusion of functionality, timeless elegance, and affordability in a solar watch. Kudos to Citizen for consistently delivering exceptional quality.

Generally, you can purchase the watch for approximately $300 or less. At that price, given its features, the Nighthawk is an excellent value, particularly since you’re acquiring a durable watch that will last for nearly ten years without any issues.

This is quite possibly one of the best tool watches available.

For an in-depth look at this watch, read our article titled THE ULTIMATE PILOT’S WATCH: OUR IN-DEPTH CITIZEN NIGHTHAWK REVIEW.

Specs

• CASE SIZE: 42 mm
• CASE THICKNESS: 12 mm
• CASE COLOR: Silver-Tone
• CASE MATERIAL: Stainless Steel
• BAND MATERIAL: Stainless Steel (I swapped mine out for a green canvas strap)
• BAND WIDTH: 22 mm
• MOVEMENT: Eco-Drive
• ENGINE: Citizen Caliber Eco-Drive B877
• WATER RESISTANCE: 200 meters / 660 feet

SEIKO PROSPEX Solar Diver’s Blue and Red Bezel Stainless Steel Watch [SNE591]

Introducing the SNE591 Solar Dive Watch, a marvel of precision engineering and sleek design. This timepiece features a robust 42.8mm case crafted from brushed and polished stainless steel, complemented by a striking matte black dial. The watch is a standout with its bi-colored red and blue (Pepsi) rotating bezel, offering a uni-directional 120-click mechanism for accurate elapsed timing, essential for professional divers.

Key Features:

Professional Diving Capability: With a water resistance rating of up to 200 meters, this watch is perfectly suited for professional diving activities, ensuring performance under pressure.

• High-Visibility Design: The dial boasts a red bulbous-tipped seconds hand, luminous hands, and circular markers, all designed for maximum readability in various environments, from the ocean depths to dimly lit conditions.
• Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal: Protecting the dial is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, ensuring clarity and durability, with a date window conveniently positioned at the 3 o’clock mark.
• Advanced Solar Technology: At the heart of this watch is Seiko’s solar caliber V157, absorbing light to power the watch and boasting an impressive 10-month power reserve.
• Secure and Adjustable Bracelet: The watch is fitted with a stainless steel bracelet, featuring both brushed and polished finishes. It includes a deployment butterfly safety clasp, adjustable by 5 positions, ensuring a secure fit for any wrist size.

This SNE591 Solar Dive Watch is more than just a timekeeper; it’s a testament to Seiko’s commitment to precision, durability, and style, making it an ideal companion for diving enthusiasts and watch aficionados alike.

LumTec Vortex

The LumTec Vortex series of watches Features the Seiko caliber VS42 (also known as VS42A), this movement harnesses solar power through a solar cell beneath the dial. It efficiently converts light energy into electrical energy, which is then stored in a capacitor, acting as a secondary battery.

According to Seiko, the caliber VS42A ensures remarkable accuracy, with a claimed deviation of only +/- 20 seconds per month under normal operating temperatures ranging from approximately 5°C to 50°C (41°F – 122°F).

Once fully charged, the VS42A caliber boasts an estimated running time of approximately 6 months (with 5 hours of sunlight). Likewise, just 1 minute of sunlight produces a full day of power.

However, when the power levels drop, the second hand will exhibit a skip, moving in 2-second intervals to conserve energy.

Specs

• Solar-powered VS42A movement from Japan
• 42mm Forged 316L Surgical grade stainless steel case
• 22mm lug width
• 48mm lug-to-lug length with curved lug profile
• 13.5mm case thickness
• Internal rotating 120-click luminous diver bezel operated via crown
• 200 Meters of water resistance
• Military-grade Titanium Carbide gunmetal-tone PVD hard coating
• Bead blast finish for extra durability
• Screw down crown with double Viton® seals
• X1 grade Super-Luminova with MDV technology
• Premium, diamond-cut hands with X1 grade Super-Luminova
• Solid, 316L Stainless steel threaded caseback with Viton seals
• Curved double dome sapphire
• Military-grade polarized double-side anti-reflective coating
• Anti-shock movement mounting system
• Free lifetime pressure testing and seal cleaning
• Two-year limited warranty
• Designed, assembled by hand, and fully tested in Ohio

Casio G-Shock Tough Solar

The Casio G-Shock GW-M500A offers excellent usability. Its buttons are recessed instead of protruding, minimizing the risk of accidentally changing the time.

Once you become familiar with the basic functions and button assignments, operating the watch becomes effortless.

It provides convenient timekeeping in any lighting condition, featuring an automatic backlight and a light button that allows you to check the time with a simple wrist flick, day or night.

Thanks to daily atomic updates, the watch maintains precise accuracy, ensuring accuracy down to the millisecond.

With a combination of a solar-powered movement and atomic clock sync, this is truly a set it and forget it watch. It doesn’t get much easier than this.

By utilizing its multi-band 6 radio synchronization feature, this watch can receive signals from multiple radio towers worldwide to ensure accurate timekeeping synchronized with atomic clocks. Unlike most quartz watch movements that may deviate by approximately -/+ 15 seconds per month, this remarkable feature guarantees the most precise timekeeping without fail. In fact, this watch’s exceptional accuracy allows you to rely on it for setting the time on all your other watches and home appliances.

The black resin strap offers exceptional comfort for wearing throughout the day, every day, while also proving to be highly durable. The slim profile of the Casio GWM5610 Solar Watch makes it an ideal choice for those seeking a G-Shock watch that isn’t overly bulky.

Lastly, let’s consider the price. This watch is regarded as one of the more basic G-Shock models, yet it encompasses all the features one could desire in an outdoor timepiece. While you could spend five times the amount for additional features like an altimeter or barometer, it’s worth considering how frequently you would actually utilize them.

Specs

• Movement: digital quartz
• Case: stainless steel 46mm
• Strap: Resin
• Closure: buckle clasp
• Dial: digital display
• Shock resistant
• Tough solar power
• MB6 atomic timekeeping
• World time: 48 cities
• Water resistance: 200 meters

Casio Tough Solar

The Casio Tough Solar performs in any setting. Its black design with grey accents and numerals exudes sophistication.

The digital screen features an orange backlight that illuminates the display, enabling you to view the time and access various functions easily.

With this watch, you can set up to five alarms, utilize the stopwatch and timer, select multiple cities for a second time zone, activate an hourly beep, choose between 12-hour and 24-hour time formats, and make use of daylight saving time adjustments, among other features.

The band, constructed from durable resin, has proven reliable thus far. Here’s a brief overview of the features provided by the manufacturer.

Specs

• This analog-digital watch is powered by solar energy.
• Dual countdown timers with auto-repeat functionality, a precise 1/100-second stopwatch, five daily alarms, a comprehensive auto calendar, and a world time feature.
• The option to choose between 12-hour and 24-hour formats.
• The watch boasts a sturdy 52.2 mm resin case with a mineral dial window.
• Quartz movement with an analog-digital display.
• water-resistant up to 100 meters (330 feet).

Timex Expedition Scout Solar-Powered 40mm Watch

The Timex Men’s Expedition Scout Solar-Powered 40mm Watch is an exemplary blend of rugged durability and eco-friendly innovation. Designed for the adventurous spirit, this watch features a 40mm case that comfortably fits most wrists, crafted from robust materials to withstand the rigors of outdoor activities.

Key Features:

• Solar-Powered Technology: This watch harnesses the power of the sun, eliminating the need for battery replacements. It’s engineered to stay charged with any light source, ensuring reliability and eco-efficiency.
• Durable Construction: With a case built for endurance and a scratch-resistant crystal face, this watch is ready for any expedition. Whether it’s hiking, camping, or everyday wear, it’s built to last.
• Water Resistance: Designed for the outdoor enthusiast, this watch can withstand water pressures equivalent to a depth of 50 meters, making it suitable for short periods of recreational swimming but not for diving or snorkeling.
• Luminous Hands and Markers: The watch features luminous hands and markers for easy reading in low-light conditions, perfect for camping or late-night adventures.
• Comfortable and Stylish Strap: It comes with a comfortable strap that is both stylish and functional, suitable for all-day wear and various outdoor activities.
• Simple, User-Friendly Interface: The watch has a clean, easy-to-read dial with a date function, combining practicality with a classic aesthetic.Whether you’re an avid outdoorsman or simply appreciate a watch that combines environmental consciousness with rugged durability, the Timex Men’s Expedition Scout Solar-Powered 40mm Watch is an ideal choice. It represents a seamless blend of functionality, style, and sustainability.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who makes good solar watches?

Many reputable brands are known for manufacturing high-quality solar watches. These include Seiko, with their Solar and Astron series, Citizen, famous for their Eco-Drive technology, Casio, particularly with their G-Shock and Pro Trek series, and Garmin, offering solar versions in their smartwatch range. Each brand brings unique features and designs, catering to a variety of preferences and needs.

What is the best solar powered smartwatch?

As of my last update, the Garmin Fenix 6X Pro Solar is often regarded as one of the best solar-powered smartwatches. It combines robust smartwatch functionality with solar charging capabilities, enhancing battery life. It’s designed for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes, offering a range of features like GPS, health monitoring, and a multitude of activity tracking options. However, preferences for the “best” can vary based on individual needs such as design, specific features, and budget.

What solar watch has the longest battery life?

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster series is notable for its long battery life among solar watches. Some models in this series boast an extended power reserve, with the ability to run for several months on a full charge without further exposure to light. The exact duration of the battery life can depend on the model and usage conditions. Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology is renowned for its efficiency and longevity.

Are solar powered watches worth it?

Solar-powered watches can be a worthwhile investment for several reasons. They are environmentally friendly, reducing the need for frequent battery replacements. They offer convenience, as they can charge from both natural and artificial light sources. Solar watches are also known for their durability and reliability, making them suitable for a wide range of lifestyles, from casual wear to outdoor adventures. The value proposition of a solar watch depends on individual preferences and lifestyle needs.