When questioning the virtues and coolness of solar powered watches, picture this: imagine the feelgood factor of a vintage-grail chronograph or slim Cartier without worrying about the fragility of micro-mechanics, batteries or servicing?
Quartz is back on the cool list, but solar powered watches take it up a notch. Even the geekiest of watch lovers finds joy in an ever-accurate watch that doesn’t need winding, despite the lack of cogs and hairsprings (nope, we don’t know what they do either). Big dog brands like Seiko and TAG Heuer are finding the market for quartz rising, and are quietly taking a step or two up the sustainability ladder with great results.
You might not have panels on your roof yet to stave off increased leccy bills, but your wrist is a great place to start. Here are some banging choices for added sustainability without losing the edge, depth rating or taste for fine watchmaking.
TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 Solargraph
TAG Heuer has an instinctual feel for the wrist-zeitgeist, touching all bases from Connected watches to mad carbon-fibre tourbillons and LAB-made diamond encrusted bad boys. Its legendary Aquaracer diver series now includes solar powered watches, and our fave is from the dark side. The stealth-fit steel case is aced by its bezel, where carbon fibre is fused with luminous material, emitting an eerily attractive green glow at night. On supple rubber, it’s a no-nonsense 200m depth rated diver, suave and tech-packed to boot. £2,700. At goldsmiths.co.uk
Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SSC813
An evocative name with a surprisingly easy-going nature thanks to Seiko’s superb Solar quartz movement. This is your choice for monochrome looks straight out of a ’60s racing flick, with everyday wearability. Nothing beats the clean-cut look of a crisp panda dial, especially when framed inside a 39mm case. £590. At goldsmiths.co.uk
Citizen Promaster Eco Drive
Chunky with whopping big numbers on the diver’s bezel, this Promaster delivers the goods. Black might be slimming, but that ain’t going to shrink a 46mm case down to a shirt-cuff fit. Who cares though, when you’re gazing into the toughest diving tool money can buy? While the Eco-Drive movement charges up in the sun, you’ve got time to psych yourself up for your next career as a dive instructor (optional). The 200m print on the dial means you can explore down in the depths, not just round the corner at the pub. £399. At goldsmiths.co.uk
Junghans Max Bill Mega Solar
You don’t need a degree in Architecture from Central Saint Martins to enjoy the crisp minimalism of the slim 38mm Junghans Max Bill Mega Solar. A dramatic name for an elegant watch, serving as a ruse to draw you into its quiet German Bauhaus design. The balanced dial graphics are cheered up by a slim font of eye-popping pink, matched by a vivid leather strap. Sunny as you like for £1,075. At jurawatches.co.uk
Cartier Tank Must Large Solarbeat
Chic rectangular pieces of French horology from Cartier will always give you the edge when caught in a cocktail party wrist-battle, just ask Rami Malek. The Solarbeat packs a Photovoltaic tech-punch (sounds sexy) letting the sun’s rays filter through the dial to keep you on time. In a sleek 33.7mm case with a mere 6.6mm thickness, we’re calling this kinda flex the future of dress watches. £2,940. At cartier.com & goldsmiths.co.uk
Casio Edifice Mens EFS-S550BL-1AVUEF
We’ve all bought into the digital reign of Casio before, but there’s equally stonking value in its Edifice range of unashamedly big tool watches. At 47mm, this 100m rated bargain is packed with functions and tangy satsuma-orange details. It works a charm with a scruffy tee for the summer as well as some ironic ‘I’m a billionaire but wear a cheap watch’ flex, because with a Casio any vibe is possible. £199. At jurawatches.co.uk
Seiko Prospex Tuna Solar Hybrid
This reminder of the ’90s is called the “Arnie” for a reason, and it’s not because of a thick Austrian accent. Far removed from AI making conversation, it sat on Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger’s wrist in Commando and Predator. If that doesn’t work as a pick-me-up in the morning, what will? Its battle-ready nature includes a multifunctional chronograph, a 200m depth rating and general gung-ho attitude in spades. £420. At jurawatches.co.uk
