17 Best Solar Watches

If you’re looking for the most reliable watches on the market, it’s best to steer clear of battery-operated options. To be clear, there are plenty of nice battery-operated watches on the market. But if you spend a lot of time on the road or out in nature, Murphy’s law dictates that your battery will start to die when you’re nowhere near a jewelry store that can change it for you.

To find a watch that will keep on ticking just about indefinitely, your best options are automatic and solar. Today, we’ll be looking at the best solar watches available online.

To find the best solar watches, we looked at several factors. We first looked for rugged construction, since you want your watch to last. We looked for accurate, well-reviewed movements. Finally, we’ve looked at a wide variety of options, so we’ve got you covered whether you want a stylish analog watch or a multi-featured solar digital watch.

Best Solar Watches

1. Casio Men’s Master of G

The Casio Master of G is a digital solar watch with multiple features for exploring the outdoors.

Key Features

• Digital watch
• Built-in compass, altimeter, barometer, and stopwatch
• Atomic timekeeping
• Water resistant to 200 meters
• 2mm diameter
• 2mm thick
• Weighs 11.5 ounces

The Casio Master of G is the first of several watches we’ll look at in Casio’s G-Shock series. There are enough of these watches that they might as well be a brand in and of themselves, and they’re designed to be as tough as a brick house.

The Master of G is the digital entry in the series, and it’s designed to be a lot more than just a watch. It features several pushers for switching to the compass, altimeter, barometer, and stopwatch. It also includes an atomic movement, which means that once you set it, you’ll never need to set it again.

Pros

• Exceptionally rugged
• Several survival and recreation functions
• Never needs resetting

Cons

• Very thick and chunky

This juggernaut of a solar watch comes at a very reasonable price.

2. Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive

The Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler is a compact watch that’s suitable for men or women.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Small scala with small stopwatch numerals and large main dial numerals at 5-minute intervals
• Day and date window at 3 o’clock
• Built-in stopwatch
• Water-resistant to 200 meters
• 2mm diameter
• 5mm thick
• Weighs 7.2 ounces

The Citizen Eco-Drive Chandler has a clean, understated face that still makes room for a stopwatch. The stopwatch numerals are easily visible but unobtrusive, positioned discreetly between the scala. The primary numerals are large, so much so that we didn’t even notice the stopwatch markings when we first looked at them.

Pros

• Compact and lightweight
• Sturdy canvas band
• Affordable

Cons

• Crystal is prone to scratching

This affordable watch includes a canvas band that’s both rugged and breathable.

3. Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster is a wide, slim watch with a sturdy, rubbery band.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Fine scala with large dots for numerals
• Built-in stopwatch
• Date window
• Water resistant to 200 meters
• 48mm diameter
• 12mm thick
• Weighs 15.2 ounces

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster is a modernized version of the Citizen Drive that was so popular in the 90s. The face is mostly the same, with a wide, flat profile minimalist scala, and a small date window. The scala and hands illuminate in the dark for easy viewing.

This is a very affordable watch considering what you’re getting, and there’s a whole lot to like. It even doubles as a stopwatch. You’ll need to be careful about the crystal, though; it scratches relatively easily.

Pros

• Tough enough for diving
• Chunky weight
• Affordable

Cons

• Crystal is easy to scratch

If you don’t want to break the bank on a dive-worthy solar watch, this is a solid choice.

4. Casio Men’s ‘PRO TREK’

The Casio Pro Trek PRG-650 is the second hybrid watch on our list, with an easy-to-read display.

Key Features

• Digital/analog hybrid watch
• Deep grey/green numerals and scala
• Built-in thermometer, stopwatch, barometer, and altimeter
• Day of week display
• Water resistant to 100 meters
• Screw-down crown
• 6mm diameter
• 4mm thick
• Weighs 8.8 ounces

The Casio Pro Trek PRG-650 is a solar watch that’s designed to charge all day and stay strong all night. It features a stealthy black face with dark, grey/green numerals and scala. It also has a cutaway for a digital display, which includes the day of the week and can be set to a 12-hour format if you so desire.

This watch includes Casio’s Triple Sensor. This is a built-in thermometer, barometer, and altimeter, which makes it a good choice for hiking, camping, or hunting.

Pros

• Perfect for nighttime use
• Can be used for 24-hour time
• Comfortable medium weight

Cons

• Barometer accuracy suffers in the cold

If you want a discreet watch for night time use, this watch is a good choice.

5. Seiko SSC143

The Seiko Two-Tone Chronograph is a stylish analog watch that’s an excellent value for what you get.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Fine scala with larger scala at 5-minute marks
• Three chronograph complications for minutes, seconds, and hours/alarm
• 60-minute chronometer
• Small date window at 3 o’clock
• Water resistant to 100 meters
• 5mm diameter
• 65mm thick
• Weighs 12.8 ounces

The Seiko Two-Tone Chronograph’s stainless steel case sports a flat black finish, with sharp silver highlights that really pop. The dial features three complications.

The first two measure minutes and seconds, while an additional hand in the hour complication is used to set your alarm. The face also features a small date window, which brings a sense of balance to the right side of the dial.

Pros

• Sharp black ion finish
• Useful alarm and chronometer features
• Excellent value

Cons

• Crystal is very reflective

If you’re looking for a versatile watch that’s stylish and built to last, this is a good choice.

6. Casio G-Steel

The Casio G-Steel is a brushed black stainless steel version of the G-Shock, with a few extra features.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Slim scala with lugs at 5-minute marks
• Three multi-function digital complications
• Atomic timekeeping
• 31 pre-set time zones
• Water-resistant to 200 meters
• 47mm diameter
• 16mm thick
• Weighs 9.6 ounces

The Casio G-Steel is a casual solar watch that’s great if you need your watch to take a serious beating. It’s comparable to other watches in the G-Shock series, with a thick, chunky design with flush lugs and protective protrusions around the pushers and crown.

This watch features an atomic movement, which is pre-set at the factory for 31 different time zones. With its perpetual calendar, it will keep track of daylight savings in countries where that exists, so you simply set your time zone and forget about it. If you’re traveling, simply select your new time zone, and the watch will do the rest.

Pros

• Never needs to be set
• Rugged, shock-resistant design
• Several useful functions
• Comfortable medium weight

Cons

• The dial is hard to read at a glance

Rugged and accurate, this solar watch is an excellent choice.

7. Citizen Classic Dress

The Citizen Classic Dress is an elegant piece with a classic appearance.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Fine scala with longer scala at 5-minute marks and Roman numerals at 12 and 6 o’clock
• Date window at 3 o’clock
• Water resistant to 30 meters
• 40mm diameter
• 9mm thick
• Weighs 1.6 ounces

The Citizen Classic Dress Eco-Drive is a fantastic value. At less than the cost of many uglier watches, you get a beautiful watch with a slim stainless steel case, a white brushed silver dial, and slender bronze hands.

The smaller scala is tiny black ticks, and the 5-minute scala is fatter, longer marks that match the hands. The 12 and 6 o’clock positions feature the only numerals and are written as XII and VI respectively.

Just be aware that this is strictly a formal watch. With limited water resistance, it’s fine to take a shower, but it’s not suitable for swimming.

Pros

• Slim and lightweight
• Clean, elegant design
• Great choice for business wear
• Affordable

Cons

• No nighttime illumination
• Not suitable for swimming

This analog watch is a great choice to pair with your everyday business wear.

8. Casio G-Shock

The Casio G-Shock is the original resin beast, built for superior shock absorption.

Key Features

• Digital watch
• Day, date, and month display
• Water resistant to 200 meters
• Atomic timekeeping
• 41 pre-programmed time zones
• 5mm diameter
• 6mm thick
• Weighs 1.76 ounces

The Casio G-Shock was built specifically to be exceptionally rugged. Its resin case is very durable and forms a tight seal around the crystal that provides water resistance to 200 meters, which means it’s suitable for diving.

This watch comes loaded with the same reliable atomic chronometer as the others, so your watch will be accurate to the second for all eternity. It comes with 41 time zones already pre-programmed, which is perfect for travelers, or for anyone who likes their phone to keep track of daylight savings time.

Pros

• Beefy and durable
• Shock-resistant
• Comfortable and lightweight
• Affordable

Cons

• Hard to read in the daytime

If you want the reliability of a G-Shock without paying extra for any of the special variants, the original is still a solid choice.

9. Casio Solar Sport

The Casio Solar Sport is a functional analog watch with a multi-function digital display window.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Fine scala with fat scala at 5-minute marks and large numerals at 9, 12, and 3 o’clock
• Day and date display at 6 o’clock
• Digital stopwatch and timer
• Water-resistant to 100 meters
• Atomic timepiece
• 31 pre-set time zones
• 46mm diameter
• 12mm thick
• Weighs 3.84 ounces

The Casio Solar Sport is a budget-rate offering that still features Casio’s reliable atomic timepiece. It also comes with 31 pre-set time zones, so you simply select your time zone and the watch will keep track of everything else.

This watch also features a digital day and date display that can also be used as a stopwatch or a timer. That said, you get what you pay for. The crystal scratches easily, and the lugs aren’t very rugged.

Pros

• Never needs to be set
• Multi-function display
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Not very durable

If you want an atomic timepiece at a Timex price, this watch will be up your alley.

10. Casio Men’s G-Shock

The Casio G-Shock Stainless is a bright stainless version of the G-Shock, complete with a matching band.

Key Features

• Digital watch
• Day, date, and month display
• Waterproof to 200 meters
• Atomic timepiece
• 31 pre-programmed time zones
• 46mm diameter
• 7mm thick
• Weighs 8 ounces

The Casio G-Shock Stainless comes with the same atomic timepiece and pre programmed time zones as the rest of the G-Shock line, so we won’t beat you over the head by repeating them. It has large, easy-to-read numbers, and is relatively lightweight thanks to its slim design.

Pros

• Never needs to be set
• Large, easy-to-read display
• Rugged, shock-resistant design
• Affordable

Cons

• Band requires professional adjustment

This shock-resistant watch has a large display that’s very easy on your eyes

11. G-Shock Atomic

The G-Shock Atomic is the nautical entry in Casio’s G-Shock series.

Key Features

• Digital watch
• Day, date, and month display
• Digital stopwatch and timer
• Tide and moon graph
• Waterproof to 200 meters
• Atomic timepiece
• 31 pre-programmed time zones
• 50mm diameter
• 7mm thick
• Weighs 8.8 ounces

The Casio G-Rescue is a chunky black watch that’s constructed from the same durable resin as the original G-Shock. It’s waterproof to 200 meters and features a tide and moon graph. These are great features for boating and fishing, but the display itself is very faint and can be hard to read on a bright day.

Pros

• Never needs to be set
• Ideal for surfing, fishing, or boating
• Shock-resistant
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Poor readability

This tide-tracking watch is perfect for a fishing trip, or for any water activities.

12. Casio Slim Solar

The Casio Slim Solar is affordable, lightweight, and has a high-visibility display.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Fine scala with large scala and numerals at 5-minute intervals
• Digital day and date display at 6 o’clock
• Water-resistant to 200 meters
• Atomic timepiece
• 31 pre-programmed time zones
• 5mm diameter
• 16mm thick
• Weighs 1.12 ounces

The Casio Slim Solar comes with the atomic timepiece and programmed time zones as the G-Shock series, but without the rugged case. It’s a solid budget option and comes with high-visibility orange hands, scala, and numerals that pop even more at night when the lume etching lights up.

Pros

• Lightweight construction
• Good night visibility
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Flimsy construction

The Casio Slim Solar is another inexpensive way to get your hand on Casio’s atomic timepiece.

13. Citizen Pro Master Nighthawk

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk is designed for nautical use, but not for scuba diving.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Small scala with large numerals
• Pilot’s slide rule dial ring
• Date window at 3 o’clock
• Water-resistant to 200 meters
• Stopwatch, chapter, and tachymeter rings
• 42mm diameter
• 42mm thick
• Weighs 15 ounces

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Nighthawk is a heavy-duty watch that’s perfect for boating, sailing, and even kayaking. It features multiple chronographic rings, plus a pilot’s slide rule for making quick conversions. This might be an outdated feature in the age of Google, but it gives the Nighthawk an old-school look that we appreciate.

Pros

• Beautiful appearance
• Multiple chronographic features
• Affordable

Cons

• Heavy

In addition to its many chronographic features, this watch is exceptionally beautiful.

14. Eco-Drive Promaster

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver’s is a heavy-duty analog dive watch that weighs in at a hefty 16 ounces.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Fine scala with large dots for numerals
• Date window at 4 o’clock
• Water-resistant to 200 meters
• 42mm diameter
• 12mm thick
• Weighs 16 ounces

The Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver’s is the underwater variant of the watch we just looked at. While it doesn’t offer all the same bells and whistles, it is rated for scuba diving, and it includes a rubber band that’s perfect for wearing underwater. It also features a chronometer dial outside the watch face and the second-hand doubles as a stopwatch.

Pros

• Sturdy construction
• Flexible rubber wrist band
• Affordable

Cons

• Heavy

This dive watch features a flexible rubber band that won’t hold water or rust.

15. PROTREK

The Casio Pro Trek PRG-600 is one of the most durable lightweight watches on the market.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Slender scala with large scala at 5-minute marks, and bold numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock
• Digital day, date, and month display
• Water-resistant to 100 meters
• Built-in barometer, thermometer, and altimeter
• Atomic timepiece
• 31 pre-programmed time zones
• 5mm diameter
• 4mm thick
• Weighs 2.72 ounces

The Casio Pro Trek PRG-600 is a well-constructed analog watch that’s constructed from lightweight resin. But you don’t have to worry about durability. It features a reinforced stainless steel bezel that’s also easy on the eyes. It also includes Casio’s atomic timepiece, with all the benefits that entail.

Pros

• Never needs to be set
• Flexible silicone band
• Lightweight resin case
• Flashy stainless steel bezel

Cons

• Pricey

This watch is not just a fashion statement, it also never needs to be set.

16. G-SHOCK MT-G

The Casio G-Shock MT-G is the hands-free entry in the G-Shock lineup.

Key Features

• Analog watch
• Fine scala with lugs at 5-minute marks
• Three chronographic complications
• Bluetooth connectivity
• Waterproof to 200 meters
• Atomic timepiece
• 31 pre-programmed time zones
• 7mm diameter
• 4mm thick
• Weighs 4.32 ounces

The MT-G is the last G-Shock watch we’re going to look at, and also the last watch overall. It has the same shock-resistant design as the rest of the G-Shock lineup, as well as the same atomic timepiece. However, this watch can also be used as a hands-free device. Obviously, since it’s analog, your input options are limited to answering and hanging up.

Pros

• Never needs to be set
• Shock-resistant
• Can be used as a hands-free device
• Easy to use

Cons

• Expensive

If you want a rugged analog watch that also functions as a hands-free device, this is a great option.

17. Tissot T-Touch

The Tissot T-Touch Expert’s case is constructed from titanium, which is tougher and more lightweight than steel, as well as corrosion-proof.

Key Features

• Analog/digital hybrid watch
• Fine scala with larger scala at 5-minute marks
• Day-of-week display
• Water-resistant to 100 meters
• Digital watch illuminates hands and scala in the dark
• 45mm diameter
• 13mm thick
• Weighs 4.32 ounces

The Tissot T-Touch Expert gives you the best of both worlds, with an elegant analog face that has a large cutout in the lower half. This cutout features a minimalist digital display, which shows not just the time but also the day of week. For work or play, this is an excellent choice.

One thing we really like about the T-Touch Expert is the fact that the faint light from the digital display causes the scala to glow, so you get plenty of night visibility on both digital and analog.

Pros

• Stylish and functional
• Plenty of low light visibility
• Tough titanium case

Cons

• Expensive

If you like the look of an analog watch but prefer to read a digital one, the Tissot is hard to beat.

Bottom Line

That’s a lot of watches! As you can tell from our Seiko solar watch review of the Prospex, it’s our favorite one of the bunch. But they’re all viable options, and each one of these watches is going to be the best choice for somebody.

Why is that?

Because everyone’s needs are unique. If you’re an athlete, for instance, anything in the G-Shock series is a solid choice and offers a rugged build. On the other hand, if your job requires you to wear a suit, you’re probably going to want something that’s slimmer and more formal. And if you’re on the road a lot, a solar GPS watch can save you the hassle of constantly switching time zones.

Visit the OutdoorWorld Reviews homepage for more expert information and advice.