Solar-powered watches: The power of light on the wrist
You see them more and more on balconies and rooftops, but also on wrists. We’re talking about solar power. When it comes to watches, Japanese brands are particularly strong. But the Swiss and German watch industries are also increasingly tapping into light as a free source of energy.
Current solar-powered watches: Alpina, Citizen, Frederique Constant, G-SHOCK, Junghans, Mondaine, Pointtec, Seiko, TAG Heuer
Solar-powered watches from the Land of the Rising Sun
Casio relies on its Tough Solar concept, and Seiko also uses its own proprietary technology and corresponding movements for solar-powered watches. Citizen has been the most committed to sustainable power generation using light—and has been for 50 years. The Japanese watchmaker calls its conversion of natural and artificial light into electrical power “Eco-Drive.” Around 80 percent of Citizen’s quartz watches are equipped with corresponding solar movements. “More efficient light processing and energy storage automatically result in greater design freedom. Whether through translucent dials or a ring-shaped solar cell—the limits of what’s possible are far from being reached,” explains Kai-Erik Strehle (Product & Marketing Manager, Citizen Watch Europe).
Light-driven systems from Switzerland and Germany
The Citizen Group also includes the Swiss watch brands Frederique Constant and Alpina. Both have just launched their first solar-powered watches. Both models bear the suffix “Solarmetre” and feature light-powered quartz movements from La Joux-Perret. The Swiss manufacturer is also part of the Japanese group.
In turn, LVMH’s watch division acquired a minority stake in the company late last year. The French luxury watch group has been leveraging La Joux-Perret’s expertise in solar-powered quartz movements for years and incorporates them into the TAG Heuer “Aquaracer” and “Formula 1” collections. “Together, we aim to play a pioneering role in sustainable, high-precision movements while leveraging our unmatched expertise in solar energy,” commented Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of LVMH’s watch division, on the minority stake in La Joux-Perret.
Since 2014, Tissot has also been offering solar-powered timepieces in the form of its light-powered “T-Touch” models. Here, the solar cells—as with most other manufacturers of such watches—are located beneath the dial, capturing light for the quartz movement and the battery. With Lightmaster, the Swatch Group brand introduced its own new technology last year in which the solar cells are integrated into the watch crystal.
In addition to mechanical and battery-powered watches, the Schramberg-based watchmaker Junghans also focuses on the benefits of light, incorporating its own solar movements across various collections—often combined with smart features and the precision of a radio-controlled watch.
Alpina: Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre
Designed for outdoor use, featuring a long power reserve of ten months, and sustainable—the “Alpiner Extreme Solarmetre,” released earlier this year, combines these features with the proven ruggedness of the “Alpiner” collection. Alpina deliberately chose the “Alpiner Extreme,” the brand’s top collection, as its solar debut. This demonstrates that the brand is serious about solar technology and isn’t just jumping on a trend. If the watch ever runs out of power, it only needs to be exposed to light for ten seconds to start running again. And a single minute of light exposure is enough to charge the energy needed for a full day of operation. alpinawatches.com
Case: Stainless steel, 37.5 x 38.9 x 10.19 mm Water resistance: 10 bar Movement: Caliber AL-140 (La Joux-Perret) Power reserve: 10 months, 4 years (with crown pulled out) Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date Dial: Burgundy, light green, light blue, dark blue, or white, with a triangular pattern Strap: Stainless steel or rubber MSRP: €1,195
Citizen: Eco-Drive Photon
To mark the 50th anniversary of Eco-Drive, Citizen’s solar technology, the Japanese company is introducing two limited-edition anniversary models called “Eco-Drive Photon.” The light-powered watches are equipped with the new E036 movement, which runs for 365 days on a full charge without any additional light input. citizenwatch.eu
Case: Super Titanium (Duratect titanium carbide or Duratect DLC amber yellow), 39.6 x 9.9 mm Water resistance: 5 bar Movement: Caliber E036 (new) Power reserve: 365 days Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds Dial: Two overlapping metal plates with wave-shaped cutouts and an underlying textured colored foil, blue or amber-yellow Strap: Super Titanium (Duratect titanium carbide) Special feature: limited to 5,000 pieces each MSRP: €895 or €995
Frederique Constant: Classics Moneta Solarmetre
The “Classics Moneta Solarmetre” is the first model from Frederique Constant to feature the solar-powered FC-120 caliber developed by La Joux-Perret. Launched in 2024, the “Classics Moneta” collection is distinguished by its fluted bezel, inspired by coin edges. The “Solarmetre” version features a new case diameter and, for the first time, a grained dial. After a complete discharge, ten seconds of light are enough to make it operational again. And a single minute of light exposure is sufficient to charge the energy required for an entire day. frederiqueconstant.com
Case: Stainless steel, 39 x 8.52 mm Water resistance: 5 bar Movement: Caliber FC-120 (La Joux-Perret) Power reserve: 10 months Functions: Hours, minutes, date Dial: Ice blue, burgundy, or cloud white, grained Strap: Leather or Milanese RRP: €1,250
G-SHOCK: GMW-BZ5000RC
With the limited-edition “GMW-BZ5000RC,” G-SHOCK combines the signature design of the Casio brand with a rainbow-colored all-metal look and a MIP display. The “GMW-BZ5000” series was developed in collaboration between watch designers and AI and has been on the market since 2025. The shock-resistant all-metal construction features a bezel connected to the top and bottom cases and an integrated resin protection system. The “GMW-BZ5000RC-1ER” offers features such as Smartphone Link connectivity, automatic Multiband-6 radio control, and the sustainable Tough Solar charging function. gshock.casio.com
Case: Stainless steel with resin protection system, 49.3 x 43.6 x 13 mm Water resistance: 20 bar Movement: Module 3575 Power reserve: 6 months, 22 months (in complete darkness with power-saving mode activated) Functions: World time, timer, calendar, stopwatch, alarm Dial: Digital Strap: Stainless steel MSRP: €799
Junghans: Meister Mega Solar
True to the “Meister” style, the line’s “Sun Worshipper” model is an elegant unisex timepiece featuring a slim case, slender baton hands with luminescent coating, stick indices, and a domed sapphire crystal. The model is powered by the J101.85 Connected Radio-Controlled Solar movement, featuring a perpetual calendar, radio signal reception in Europe, the UK, Japan, and the US, as well as a three-year power reserve in darkness. junghans.de
Case: Stainless steel or PVD-coated stainless steel, 38 x 10.3 mm Water resistance: 5 bar Movement: Connected radio-controlled solar movement J101.85 Power reserve: up to 3 years Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date Dial: White Strap: Leather or Milanese RRP: €1,190, €1,290, or €1,390
Mondaine: essence Solar
The Mondaine Group, which includes the Mondaine and Luminox brands, is one of the first watch companies in the world to have been fully carbon-neutral since 2020. However, its commitment to protecting the environment began at a time when sustainability was still a niche concern for many. “Our sustainability journey began in 1973 with the world’s first analog solar watch, developed by our father,” reports co-owner and board member André Bernheim. Today, Mondaine watches are manufactured in the company’s own Swiss factory, whose photovoltaic system covers up to 80 percent of its energy needs. The remaining 20 percent is supplied by a local hydroelectric power plant. In addition, the company uses sustainable materials. mondaine.com
Case: renewable castor oil composite, 41 x 8 mm Water resistance: 3 bar Movement: Ronda 215 Power reserve: 8 months Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date Dial: White Strap: Recycled PET textile, cork lining MSRP: €349
Pointtec: Bauhaus Pure
The “Pure” series from Pointtec’s “bauhaus” collection features models with a particularly minimalist design. Light-colored dials, subtle gold and blue accents, and a wide selection of movements characterize the line. The models are available with mechanical movements as well as quartz or solar movements. pointtec.de
Case: Stainless steel, 41 x 12 mm Water resistance: 5 bar Movement: Epson VR43 Power reserve: 5 months Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve indicator Dial: White or blue Strap: Leather MSRP: €329
Seiko: GPS Solar Dual Time Chronograph Limited Edition
The new limited-edition “Astron” models, “HAB005J1 Crystal Green” and “HAB006J1 Crystal Pink,” translate the concept of light and energy into a modern design statement. The dials echo the structure of crystals, bringing them to life as a vibrant pattern on the surface. Each model has its own distinct character—from fresh green, inspired by green quartz, to a soft rose tone as a tribute to rose quartz. Inside, the Caliber 5X63 keeps time. seikowatches.com
Case: Titanium, 43.4 x 12.4 mm Water resistance: 10 bar Movement: Caliber 5X63 (new) Power reserve: 6 months (with a fully charged battery), 2 years (power-saving mode) Functions: GPS-controlled time and time zone setting, stopwatch function, perpetual calendar until February 28, 2100, signal reception indicator/world time, automatic daylight saving time function, second time zone with 24-hour display/power-saving mode Dial: Green or pink, faceted texture Strap: Titanium, integrated quick-change system Special feature: Limited to 1,200 pieces MSRP: €3,000
TAG Heuer: Aquaracer Professional 100 Solargraph
The name “Aquaracer” was officially introduced by TAG Heuer in 2004 and stands for six key features: a unidirectional rotating bezel, a screw-down crown, water resistance, luminous markers, sapphire crystal, and a double-locking folding clasp. Over the years, the collection has evolved, expanding its range to include outdoor activities and establishing the brand’s Solargraph technology. The “Aquaracer Professional 100 Solargraph” was designed specifically for slimmer wrists. tagheuer.com
Case: Stainless steel, 28 mm Water resistance: 10 bar Movement: Caliber TH51-00 Power reserve: 8 months Functions: Hours, minutes Dial: Blue, black, or mother-of-pearl, diamond hour markers Strap: Stainless steel with micro-adjustment Special feature: 1 model with diamond bezel MSRP: €3,000, €3,250, or €5,350
