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It seems that everyone is jumping on the solar-powered bandwagon these days. From solar yard lights to solar phone chargers, the sun is working overtime when it comes to our personal devices. You can even find solar-powered outdoor security cameras at a good price if you want extra peace of mind. One place you might not expect this trend to be spreading is into the realm of luxury watches. Nevertheless, solar-powered watches are indeed a thing, and a few of our favorites are currently available at Amazon. Now is definitely the time to get in on this trend of the future.
The economic outlook for consumers is rather mixed at the moment. While job cuts impact workers and inflation affects shoppers, there’s one area of increasing costs where the public feels they can ease the pain, at least slightly. And that’s in energy costs. While those prices are fluctuating as well, making the most of solar power is one way to offset those increases. While your watch doesn’t cost you anything on your monthly electric bill, your yard lights, security camera, and most other things in the home do. Jumping on the solar train simply makes smart financial sense, and it begs the question, “Why isn’t everything solar powered, including watches?” As luck would have it, some of them are, including a few gorgeous pieces from Seiko and Citizen.
Seiko Solar Spirit Watch
The Seiko Solar Spirit Watch is available at Amazon for just $210. Not only is it affordable, but this watch is an impressive example of high-end watchmaking at its best. It has a reasonable case diameter of 40 millimeters. The case and bracelet are both made from lustrous 316L stainless steel, and each is rustproof and corrosion resistant. Not only that, but the watch has 30 meters of water resistance, which means you can wash dishes or take a stroll in the rain without worrying about damage to the internals. Speaking of the watch’s inner workings, it’s powered by a quartz-regulated solar movement. It has a solar cell beneath the dial that captures sunlight throughout the day to power the watch. That energy is stored in a rechargeable battery that should never need to be changed for the life of the watch. It’s a brilliant design that you’d expect from an expert luxury watchmaker like Seiko.
Citizen Eco-Drive Odyn Sports Watch
The Citizen Eco-Drive Odyn Sports Watch is another great example of a luxury solar-powered watch that won’t cost an arm and a leg. It’s also made from sturdy 316L stainless steel. The case diameter is slightly larger than the above Seiko model at 41 millimeters. One advantage this model has over the Seiko is that it features a full 100 meters of water resistance. That means you can swim in a pool or the ocean with this watch, and it’ll be no worse for wear. What’s more, it has a gorgeous textured blue dial, a handsome 3 o’clock date window, and a sporty everyday vibe. The technology within is similar to the Seiko in that it has a hidden solar panel underneath the dial that helps to power the watch 24 hours a day.
Benefits of a solar-powered watch
The practicality of a solar-powered watch cannot be overstated. One of the less conspicuous advantages of these watches has to do with their water resistance. Because standard battery-powered quartz watches require regular battery changes, they’re designed for the casebacks to be popped off and on in a hurry. That can degrade the watch’s seals over time and allow water to enter the case and damage the movement. A solar-powered watch doesn’t have that problem. There’s virtually no reason you should ever have to open the back of a solar watch for the life of the timepiece. Therefore, the factory seal set at the time of production should never have to be broken, keeping the water resistance consistent for the life of the watch.
Additionally, the fact that they never require a battery change is just a convenient feature that other quartz watches can’t claim. For starters, buying a new battery every year or two is an added cost that nobody wants. What’s more, you have to either change the battery yourself or take the watch to a watchmaker who can change it for you. That’s to say nothing of the inconvenience of your watch stopping mid-tick because you weren’t aware that the battery was almost out of power. An everlasting rechargeable battery is one of the most convenient things about watches of this ilk.
When it comes to watches dying, that’s a problem that can impact even mechanical watches (which also don’t require a battery). While non-automatic hand-wound watches only work for as long as you’ve wound the mainspring for, solar-powered watches have what’s called a long power reserve. That means that the solar power is stored in the rechargeable battery and continues working even when there’s no sunlight. This allows a solar-powered watch to sit on your nightstand throughout the evening, and it’ll still be right on time in the morning when you wake.
More solar-powered watches
If the Seiko Solar Spirit Watch or the Citizen Eco-Drive Odyn Sports Watch aren’t exactly what you’re looking for, then there are surely other solar-powered timepieces that can fit the bill. Below is a list of some favorites that we’ve found at Amazon, and we think you’ll like them, too. Just be sure to click the buy button quickly if you find one you want, as these watches tend to sell out often because of their affordability and their convenience.
Seiko Solar Reinforced Titanium Watch
Seiko Solar Chronograph Speedtimer Watch
Citizen Eco-Drive Weekender Chronograph
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