The Solar Three
When I started buying watches, one of the first purchases I made was a solar watch. Ever since then I have become enamoured with the idea of a maintenance free watch. The pinnacle to me came with the G-Shock GMW5610; no moving parts, solar powered, atomic radio update (if youre in the right area), plus all the normal rugged perks.
The picture is my three solar watches thus far. I bought the dress watch first oddly enough. When I first read about Citizen Ecodrives I thought they were brilliant, only to realize it was common tech with a fancy name later on. But nonetheless, I got it because I liked it, the solar power was just a nice plus.
Then Casio had to find another way to take my money and released new Casioaks. I already owned two by then, but I had to have a solar one!
My latest plan is to replace a watch in my collection with a Seiko solar diver. The SNE569 or SNE591 should do it (if I can ever decide on one). And honestly, I may even replace a mechanical watch. A thing I always remind myself of is that watches are living things that need to be looked after constantly. Thats a nice way of saying they are maintenance liabilities. And the more you own the more responsibility and money you have to set aside to keep them going. Solar watches are a nice sigh of relief though, because even if all your watches stop working, you can always rely on that one watch to keep you going.
Well rounded nerd, into music, guitar pedals, all things DIY, and watches!
Lovely collection!
I also fell in love with the idea of solar quartz watches because I liked the idea of a super low maintenance watch. Winding and adjusting mechanical watches is a joy, but when it's 6AM and I'm getting ready to go out, this is what I'm going to grab.
Lovely collection!
I also fell in love with the idea of solar quartz watches because I liked the idea of a super low maintenance watch. Winding and adjusting mechanical watches is a joy, but when it's 6AM and I'm getting ready to go out, this is what I'm going to grab.
I am not a morning person and can definitely say the same haha. Thats a nice piece, Citizen Titanium watches are a big under-the-radar value IMO. Must be nice and light despite its size
I am not a morning person and can definitely say the same haha. Thats a nice piece, Citizen Titanium watches are a big under-the-radar value IMO. Must be nice and light despite its size
Yes! I actually was looking to buy a different watch when I bought the Skyhawk, but when I tried it on I fell in love with how well it wore (and how maximalist the watch is). I also think the finishing is superb on the watch.
How does that nato adapter work. Does it "lift" the watch when you tighten the strap or does it hug the wrist? I'm waiting for my jays and kays adapters as we speak 😊
I have been thinking about getting a solar quartz watch for some time. My oddly specific fear is that I will find it too useful and that it will sideline all of my quirky "once a month" type of watches.
I’m also a big fan of solar powered quartz movements and currently have five of them.
I love my mechanical watches so can’t replace them with solar watches but I can see myself eventually replacing the rest of my quartz watches with solar ones.
Yeah solar powered watches are great especially for dive watches as they don't require a battery change (unless the capacitor goes) and in turn a pressure test is never required. I have a Citizen Diver and a Casio Edifice chronograph. The great thing about the Casio is that it has a sapphire crystal and an ion coated bezel. So it should still look good when it's a few years old.
Solar watches are about 25% of my collection. I’ve gotten new bands for 5 of the Citizens, but otherwise they are pretty maintenance free. Most are over 10 years old.
The AT Worldtimer (second from right, top row) has radio control, so it’s the closest to maintenance free. It’s got the correct time 07:46:34, so you can see the others are all pretty accurate as I set them to a reference time 1-2x year. All-in-all a nice group.
There is definitely a great degree of utility in a solar watch. My G-Shock is always set and ready to go. Along the same line I have a dress watch with a white dial (Seiko) that I can wear if I don't feel like setting a watch in the morning.
I've tried solar twice with Seiko and they've crapped out on me after a year or two, despite having decent light at all times. Never again. And I say that as a genuine Seiko fan boy.
How does that nato adapter work. Does it "lift" the watch when you tighten the strap or does it hug the wrist? I'm waiting for my jays and kays adapters as we speak 😊
It adds very little vertical height and still hugs the wrist since the adapter has the same end link design as the normal gshock strap. It depends more on the nato since some are a bit stiffer than others.
Shot below on my 6.75" wrist.
I have been thinking about getting a solar quartz watch for some time. My oddly specific fear is that I will find it too useful and that it will sideline all of my quirky "once a month" type of watches.
Most solar watches can go without charge for a few months! So it could be your once every two months watch haha. Just dont let them drain too often or you will have to replace the solar charge and battery components.
Cant argue there - i have one solar... a pathfinder which I wore for about a week before going back to my mechanical.
What you call maintenance I call forming a bond. if its not automatic then every day or so you gotta stare at it for a while and admire it while you wind it up.
I've tried solar twice with Seiko and they've crapped out on me after a year or two, despite having decent light at all times. Never again. And I say that as a genuine Seiko fan boy.
Which generation were these? I've heard the Seiko solar tech has improved in recent years. I really want to believe they would fix issues like what you described because Ive seen others complain as well, but it was about older models.
Cant argue there - i have one solar... a pathfinder which I wore for about a week before going back to my mechanical.
What you call maintenance I call forming a bond. if its not automatic then every day or so you gotta stare at it for a while and admire it while you wind it up.
I'm more so referring to the maintenance that has to happen evey few years. And the more complicated the mech watch the higher the effort/bill.
To be fair solars need maintenance too, just not nearly as often or nearly as expensive. Also to be fair I own more mechanical watches than solar or quartz, but I'm forming bonds with all of them :)
It adds very little vertical height and still hugs the wrist since the adapter has the same end link design as the normal gshock strap. It depends more on the nato since some are a bit stiffer than others.
Shot below on my 6.75" wrist.
Tacticool 😎 Thanks for answers
Very nice, I've put together a solar collection and I love it. Make sure to keep your solar watches in a sunny or well lit location for the best performance. I'd recommend a Seiko Arnie as a nice add to your collection, if you buy a used one you can pick it up very reasonably. A Solar Tuna could also be a nice add.
At last, a fellow believer! I have five Citizens and two Omegas. Over the years, the Omegas have cost me in maintenance pretty much what I paid for them. The Citizens, not a bean slides from their purchase costs and any straps I fancied but didn't need...solar is hard to deny the logic of but I understand people's affinity with mechanical. I prefer the ease of ownership of solar power.
Which generation were these? I've heard the Seiko solar tech has improved in recent years. I really want to believe they would fix issues like what you described because Ive seen others complain as well, but it was about older models.
Most recent was the Prospex Diver Solar SBDJ011.
Most recent was the Prospex Diver Solar SBDJ011.
Sorry to hear that. I just aquired an SNE569 so hopefully dont have the same issues. Citizen seems to be leading the pack on this thread in terms of popularity and reliability for solar.
Sorry to hear that. I just aquired an SNE569 so hopefully dont have the same issues. Citizen seems to be leading the pack on this thread in terms of popularity and reliability for solar.
All I can say is, make sure it gets light... and god speed!
Sorry to hear that. I just aquired an SNE569 so hopefully dont have the same issues. Citizen seems to be leading the pack on this thread in terms of popularity and reliability for solar.
Citizen field watch I posted in a pic earlier in this thread was bought in 2009, still going strong.