Enough With the Battery Replacements — Switch to a Solar-Powered Watch

We're done dealing with dead, disposable watch batteries. Solar watches don't require battery replacements since they power up from just about any light source and run for months between charges. Solar watches are a clear choice if you want the eco-friendliest possible timepieces for your collection.

Best Solar-Powered Watches

Solar-powered watches were pioneered by Citizen almost half a century ago. These timepieces can convert light from any source into energy and store it in built-in, tiny power cells. This allows the watches to keep track of time for months accurately ... even in complete darkness.

A solar watch is infinitely more convenient than a quartz or mechanical offering when it comes to sheer practicality. My favorite bit about these timepieces is that they are always set and ready to go, even if you wear them sparingly as part of an extensive watch rotation.

What to Consider

Movement

You can choose between solar-powered watches with either analog or digital movement. The former will give the timepiece a more traditional look but — save for a few pricey exceptions — less integrated complications. A digital watch is all but guaranteed to pack more features, regardless of its price point.

Thankfully, plenty of watches with hybrid movements offer an analog dial and digital display for additional complications. These are the products to go for if you're looking for old-school looks with more up-to-date functionality.

Case Size

You can choose between a compact or an oversized solar timepiece. Watches with cases larger than 42 millimeters are guaranteed to take up more wrist space. In particular, products with digital movements or complications are typically bulkier than analog-only watches.

Price

As is the case with all watches, regardless of their movement type, the pricing of the solar-powered ones depends on their design, craftsmanship, and onboard complications. The more you spend on your next watch, the nicer it will be.

From entry-level finds under $40 to luxurious, over-$1,000 picks for dedicated collectors, check out our guide to the best solar-powered watches you can buy.