Category: Watch Reviews

These cutting-edge timepieces blend eye-catching design with unrivaled technicality, providing golfers with a digital, caddy-like experience right on their wrists, whether you’re a seasoned pro or just teeing off your golfing journey.

From the sleek and stylish to the rugged and sporty, each watch on this list boasts countless features tailored to your unique needs. Expect precise GPS tracking, swing analysis, hazard mapping, and even smart notifications to keep you connected on and off the green.

We’ll delve into tech specs and pricing aspects to help you make a hole-in-one investment. So, gear up and join me on this tech-driven tour as we tee off to explore the ten best Garmin golf watches!

Tee Time – About Garmin Golf Watches

Fore! Calling all golf aficionados – Garmin golf watches are here to revolutionize your swing! These digital innovations are more than just stylish accessories; they’re a modern golfer’s best-kept secret for unlocking peak performance on the green.

So, what sets Garmin apart in the golf watch arena? Perhaps it’s their winning combination of cutting-edge technology and meticulous design. Maybe it’s their precise GPS tracking, swing analysis, and hazard mapping.

Garmin’s smart notifications feature keeps you in the loop without missing a beat, even during the most intense matches, so you’ll stay connected without losing focus. Gone are the days of guesswork and guesstimates. Garmin golf watches bring virtually complete accuracy to the tee. So, grab your clubs and prepare to experience golf like never before.

Finding a Hole In One – What To Look For In Golf Watches

Teeing off on the green has never been more high-tech, and golf watches have fast become the caddies of the future for discerning players. Let me offer some brief guidance to up your game.

Course Coverage

Like a well-prepared golfer, your watch should have an impressive knowledge of the terrain. Look for a golf watch that offers extensive course coverage, preloaded with thousands of golf courses worldwide. You never know when you might find yourself on a new course.

GPS Accuracy

In golf, precision is the name of the game. The best sports smartwatches provide pinpoint GPS accuracy, offering detailed yardages to the front, back, and middle of the green. Bonus points for watches that account for hazards and doglegs!

Battery Life

The last thing you want is your watch dying on you mid-game, so a solid battery life that can endure multiple rounds on the course is crucial. Remember, you’ll likely be using other features like GPS all through play, so a reliable battery is a must for uninterrupted golfing.

Top 10 Best Garmin Golf Watches

With that said, let’s have a look at which are the best Garmin golf watches for all golf aficionados:

1. Garmin Approach S62

The Approach S62 has a rechargeable battery that provides an impressive 14 days in smartwatch mode and 20 hours in GPS mode – keeping you in play both on and off the course.

Bigger and bolder, the 1.3-inch color touchscreen display is 17% larger than its predecessor, Approach S60, and you can personalize it endlessly on Garmin’s web store. Navigate the green like a pro with PlaysLike Distance and Green View, which lets you visualize each green’s shape. Handy.

Stay ahead of the game with PinPointer, providing directional assistance on blind shots and Hazard View, quickly highlighting critical distances to avoid obstacles. And, with over 41,000 preloaded CourseView maps, your global golfing adventure knows no bounds.

At 47mm, the case sits boldly on any wrist but remains surprisingly unobtrusive when worn, and at $499, it’s a great throughroad between affordability and functionality.

2. Garmin Approach S70

Garmin’s Approach S70 is a top contender in the world of golf watches, thanks in part to its dazzling 1.4-inch AMOLED touch display. With access to over 43,000 (yeah, that many) full-color CourseView maps, it brings the world’s finest golf courses to your wrist, ensuring you’re always a step ahead, no matter where you’re playing. The new and improved Virtual Caddie provides club recommendations based on wind, elevation, swing data, and more. 

You’ll never second-guess your club choice again. Immerse yourself in the details with the Green Contour Data, revealing the slope direction of select greens, enabling you to strategize your approach and sink the perfect putt.

While you’re not conquering the course, take advantage of the sports apps, offering preloaded activity profiles for strength, HIIT, yoga, running, and more. This timekeeping marvel also keeps a keen eye on your health and fitness, featuring wrist-based heart rate monitoring, stress tracking, and HRV status insights. This is truly an all-bases-covered watch, and you can get it for just $699.

3. Garmin MARQ Golfer (Gen 2)

The MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) is purpose-built for, let’s say, more devoted connoisseurs of the game.

As with the S70, this model has a 1.4″ AMOLED touchscreen display featuring traditional button controls, all encased in a 46mm Grade-5 titanium case for unrivaled durability. Sporting a tritone green jacquard-weave nylon strap, this watch is design-forward, which certainly means something to some of us.

Powered by a rechargeable lithium battery, revel in the freedom of up to 16 days of use (6 days in always-on mode). All of this power enables you to make use of the Virtual Caddie, PlaysLike Distance feature, and Green View without interruption. 

Furthermore, optimize your energy levels with Body Battery energy monitoring, and check your body’s oxygen saturation day or night with the Pulse Ox sensor. Enjoy animated workouts, adaptive training plans with Garmin Coach, and use PacePro technology to master your runs with grade-adjusted guidance.

The Garmin MARQ Golfer (Gen 2) is more than just a golf watch – it’s a digital do-it-all for fitness fiends and green-goers of all persuasions, and it can be yours for $2,300.

4. Garmin Approach S12

With an astounding 30 hours of battery life in GPS mode, the Approach S12 is the perfect wrist companion for long-driving, full-time golf addicts. The new round watch design boasts a high-resolution screen, effortlessly readable even on the sunniest days, guaranteeing a good view of over 42,000 preloaded CourseView maps from around the globe. 

Wireless updates for your favorite courses ensure you stay on top of your game, as does the advanced green-mapping functionality of the Approach S12. Avoid hazards and doglegs with ease, as the course maps meticulously detail their locations, no matter where you stand.

Rendered in full black with a 43.7mm case, the S12 sells for a meager $199, making it an entirely approachable timepiece that is neither stylistically nor compositionally offensive.

5. Garmin Approach S42

With up to 10 days in smartwatch mode and 15 hours in GPS mode, the Approach S42 offers a fitting amount of power for the part-time golfer to really get under the skin of any course. Its 1.2″ color touchscreen display, complemented by a sleek metal bezel, ensures elegance without compromising on weight.

There are over 42,000 CourseView maps preloaded on your watch, allowing you to stay in tune with your game as AutoShot game tracking effortlessly records shot distances. Enhance your tracking capabilities further with the optional Approach CT10 club tracking sensors if you’re really after complete data representation on the green.

Pair your Approach S42 with the Garmin Golf app for strokes gained analysis, leaderboards, tournaments, and in-depth data insights into your game.

Given that life doesn’t stop, even when you’re mid-put, it’s important that the S42 enables you to stay connected with smart notifications, receiving emails, texts, and alerts right on your wrist when paired with a compatible smartphone.

As with other entries on the list, the S42 offers health and fitness tracking, and given its sporty, bright design with a white rubber strap and silver case, it also grants its wearer a stylish representation of a tool watch for just $299.

6. Garmin Fenix 7S Pro Solar

As its name may suggest, the Fenix 7S Pro Solar is one of Garmin’s highest-performing outdoor watches, thanks in no small part to its fantastic battery life, fortified by solar charging – 14 days in smartwatch mode with just 3 hours of direct sunlight (50,000 lux) per day, and an incredible 46 hours in GPS mode in fair solar conditions. 

The Fenix 7S is certainly built for the outdoorsman who golfs rather than the golfer who occasionally hikes. It can do uniquely cool things, such as combining training data from your athletic pursuits to provide deeper insight into your overall fitness and tracking your running progress more accurately over time, based on your VO2 max and training history. If you’re serious about sports beyond your swing, only a few timepieces can compete with this Garmin.

Resilient and athletic, the S7 Pro has got a 42mm fiber-reinforced polymer case with a steel bezel and rear cover, all of which grant it stellar shock, thermal, and water resistance. It’s built to be used, rough, and ready, and will serve you more than dutifully on both rugged hikes and mowed greens. And all that for just $799.

7. Garmin Epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition

The Epic Pro 2’s second-generation model is a serious bit of gear built for fitness-minded, fresh-air addicts. Mindful of the fact that, much like the Fenix 7S Pro, this is overtly an ‘outdoorsman’ offering, first and foremost, the Epix Pro does offer 43,000 preloaded maps of courses around the world, so if you’re a hobbyist golfer who travels to play, this degree of insight might be just enough for you. 

I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention that there’s an astonishing 31-day battery life in smartwatch mode (or up to 58 hours in GPS mode), which is, quite frankly, bonkers. This makes sense when you understand how much the Epix Pro’s battery needs to power; a built-in LED flashlight, a red strobe safety light, full fitness tracking, outdoor mapping, stress tracking, a surf camera, and ski maps, along with so much more.

Built to withstand the elements, the Epix Pro is sturdy and relatively unassuming, despite its brilliant 1.4″ scratch-resistant sapphire AMOLED touchscreen display and 51mm fiber-reinforced polymer case with a titanium bezel and rear cover. Despite its size and heft, after a few minutes on the wrist, you’ll forget all about this watch, I swear. 

And although it may not provide the in-depth analytical power that previous entries on this list can, it’s got more detailed golf maps than you can shake a wedge at. You can get the Epix Pro (Gen 2) Sapphire Edition for $1,099.

8. Garmin Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar Edition

Garmin’s Fenix 7X Pro Sapphire Solar Edition is a multi-sport GPS watch that is equal parts lifestyle assistant, health tracker, sports coach, and timekeeper. It’s got a 51mm case not dissimilar to that of the Epic Pro, with all of the screen do-dads and button bits that $899 will buy you, plus solar charging. That last bit gets you up to 89 hours on GPS mode.

For the sportsman in you, there’s an abundance of capability in the 7X Pro, from surf camera tracking to ski slope grading and extensive home workout training help. Not to mention the multi-dimensional running performance functions. 

If you jog to the golf course (or from it), this is your dream watch. The same could very easily be said for swimmers, climbers, mountain bikers, and hikers too. 

The jet lag adviser, respiration tracking, hydration tracking, and ‘body battery’ monitoring are but a few of the health monitoring features present on the Garmin (usual suspects included). There’s not much to miss with this on your wrist.

9. Garmin Epix (Gen 2) Standard Edition

How is the Epix Standard different from the Epix Pro, I hear you ask. Well, first of all, it’s got a steel bezel instead of a titanium one, and it’s 4mm smaller, but at 47mm is still a sizable watch. 

While it doesn’t offer quite the spread in terms of sports functionality, the Standard edition caters to the average person’s fitness needs just fine, with HIIT workouts, stamina readings, and recovery suggestions, among other functions. 

If you have an outdoor bent, the extensive satellite coverage grants precise positioning to navigate the world with unwavering confidence, thanks to TopoActive mapping options on the Epix.

There’s a very ergonomic blend of button controls and touchscreen interfacing on this watch as well, granting seamless access to selections and map features (courses included). I’d say if you don’t need to spend $1099 on an Epix Pro, the $799 that this model will cost you is well worth it. 

10. Garmin Fenix 7 Standard Edition

The Fenix 7 Standard is the Ford Fiesta of the Garmin multi-sport watch range. It’s accessible in more ways than one, being uncomplicated, inexpensive ($649), and visually modest. With much the same functionality as the Epix, minus a few more specialized functions and some battery life, the Fenix 7 is about as reliable and as capable as 90% of the people on this planet would ever need a watch of its kind to be.

The juice is good for 18 days in smartwatch mode, an impressive 57 hours in GPS mode, and an astonishing 57 days in battery-saver mode, making this an excellent watch for long stretches away from the world and, indeed, for traveling. It’s got a 47 mm case, complemented by a 1.3-inch display, which is plenty even when you’re on the move.

Empower your athletic pursuits with preloaded sports apps catering to trail running, swimming, biking, and more, along with advanced metrics like running dynamics, VO2 max, and trail running adjustment. Your home workout plan will be served just fine by the Fenix 7 as well, don’t worry. Interestingly enough, this standard version still has ski and surf features, which is pretty impressive for a watch in this price bracket.

I personally think if you’re on the fence about any of the watches on this list, the Fenix 7 is probably the one you should go for. It’s a great upper-entry-level watch to get you into the swing of things, and if you’re just after golf maps on the go while still requiring the host of lifestyle functions that you’d expect of a smartwatch, this one will never disappoint.

Nothing But Aces

One thing is certain: whether you’re a golf enthusiast or a sports aficionado, Garmin has raised the bar and elevated the game for watches. So, make your choice, and get into it with one of these tech-pioneering and boundary-pushing timepieces. 

With Garmin golf watches, you can achieve so much more with so much less, both on and off the green. The added bonus is, of course, that you’ll likely never have to hire a caddy again.

When it comes to the world of smartwatches, two titans reign supreme: Garmin and Apple. These powerhouses bring distinct flavors to the table. Apple watches boast sleek aesthetics, seamless iPhone integration, and a bustling app universe.

On the other side, Garmin caters to fitness fanatics and athletes, flexing its muscles with advanced tracking and navigation features. In this electrifying battle, we’ll dissect every aspect, from design prowess to health monitoring, battery life, and more.

Choosing between Garmin and Apple Watch boils down to your individual style, goals, and priorities. But wait, if these contenders don’t tickle your fancy, we have a lineup of other extraordinary alternatives to explore. The ring is set. Let’s get ready to rumble!

About Apple Watches

In the world of smartwatches, few names are as iconic and influential as Apple Watch. Launched in April 2015, the Apple Watch has revolutionized the wearables market and become an essential companion for millions of users worldwide. Created with the signature Apple flair for design and innovation, the Apple Watch collection has evolved over the years, setting new standards for both fashion and function.

The Apple Watch lineup is characterized by its sleek and elegant design, seamlessly blending fashion and technology. The latest Apple Watch models boast a stunning OLED display, which provides vibrant colors and sharp details. From the early generations to the present, Apple has continuously improved the device’s performance, introducing faster processors, improved sensors, and expanded health and fitness tracking capabilities.

As of today, Apple offers a diverse range of Apple Watch models to cater to various preferences and budgets. At the forefront is the Apple Watch Series 8, the flagship model that packs cutting-edge features like ECG monitoring and blood oxygen saturation tracking. 

For those seeking a more budget-friendly option, the Apple Watch SE is a compelling choice, providing the most essential features without compromising on performance. The Apple Watch Ultra also appeals to adventure enthusiasts with its superb water resistance and scuba diving features.

With a strong emphasis on user experience and a commitment to continuous innovation, Apple Watch remains the go-to choice for tech enthusiasts, fitness aficionados, and style-conscious individuals alike. Whether you’re tracking your workouts, managing notifications on the go, or simply expressing your personal style, the Apple Watch collection has something to offer everyone.

Popular Models:

Apple Watch Series 8: The flagship model, featuring ECG, blood oxygen saturation, and a dazzling display.

Apple Watch SE: A cost-effective option without compromising essential features like fitness tracking and notifications.

Apple Watch Ultra: Ideal for adventure seekers, with superb water resistance and scuba diving capabilities.

Apple Watch’s journey from a pioneering concept to a global phenomenon is a testament to the brand’s dedication to pushing the boundaries of technology and style. As the wearable industry continues to evolve, Apple Watch remains at the forefront, setting new benchmarks and redefining what a smartwatch can be.

About Garmin Watches

When it comes to rugged durability and an unwavering commitment to fitness and outdoor enthusiasts, Garmin stands as a trailblazing force in the world of smartwatches.

Established in 1989, Garmin started as a navigation technology company, providing GPS devices for various applications. Over the years, Garmin expanded its portfolio, introducing a wide range of GPS-enabled devices tailored for specific activities like running, cycling, swimming, and more.

Garmin’s smartwatch collection embodies the spirit of adventure and precision. Designed to withstand the harshest environments, Garmin watches are known for their rugged build, making them a favorite among athletes, explorers, and outdoor enthusiasts.

What sets Garmin apart is its dedication to crafting watches that cater to specific needs, ensuring that every individual, from amateur athletes to seasoned professionals, finds a perfect match for their lifestyle.

The Garmin lineup is extensive, with several popular models catering to different user preferences. Among them are the Forerunner series, known for its excellent running and cycling features, and the Instinct range, designed for extra toughness and endurance.

For those seeking a more smartwatch-oriented experience, the Venu collection offers a blend of style and functionality. The Fenix series is at the pinnacle of Garmin’s offerings, an all-rounder flagship watch packed with advanced features to support even the most extreme adventures.

With its extensive experience in GPS technology and a relentless pursuit of innovation, Garmin continues to expand its horizons, incorporating features like heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and even controlling bike smart turbo trainers.

For individuals seeking a watch that seamlessly integrates into their active lifestyle and provides in-depth fitness insights, Garmin watches stand as an exceptional choice.

Popular Models:

Garmin Forerunner Series: Known for its running and cycling features, offering a wide range of enthusiast options.

Garmin Instinct Range: Designed for rugged durability, ideal for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.

Garmin Venu Collection: A blend of style and smartwatch functionality, appealing to a broader audience.

Garmin Fenix Series: The all-rounder flagship watch, equipped with advanced features for extreme adventures.

Garmin has maintained its commitment to quality, precision, and performance from its inception as a GPS pioneer to its current status as a dominant force in the smartwatch market.

The brand’s relentless dedication to serving the needs of active individuals ensures that Garmin watches continue to inspire and accompany users on their remarkable journeys.

Garmin vs Apple Watch: Which One is Best for You?

Let’s dive deeper into the two wearables to see which one fits your needs more.

Design

When it comes to design, Garmin and Apple Watch have adopted distinct philosophies catering to a diverse range of tastes and preferences.

The Apple Watch, with its iconic and elegant design, has become a symbol of modern luxury. The Series 8, with its premium materials like aluminum and stainless steel, exemplifies Apple’s commitment to aesthetics and craftsmanship.

However, Apple also offers the more affordable Watch SE, which maintains a sleek appearance while utilizing different materials to balance elegance and accessibility.

Garmin, on the other hand, adopts a more rugged approach to design, focusing on durability and practicality. The use of “resin” plastics in many of their watches ensures that they can withstand harsh conditions and the demands of outdoor activities.

The Garmin Instinct range, built to military standards for thermal, shock, and water resistance, is a prime example of its commitment to durability.

For those seeking more unconventional designs, Garmin offers the Garmin Lily and Vivomove series, which showcases a more delicate and fashion-forward style compared to their other offerings.

Build Quality & Durability

Garmin is renowned for producing smartwatches that are built to withstand the rigors of an active lifestyle.

The brand has a history of creating durable and robust timepieces, and this tradition carries on with its smartwatch lineup. Garmin watches are designed to meet military thermal, shock, and water resistance standards, making them ideal companions for outdoor enthusiasts and adventure seekers.

The Garmin Instinct series, in particular, stands out for its rugged construction, ensuring it can endure the harshest environments.

Apple Watch also emphasizes on build quality, and with each iteration, they have improved the durability of their watches.

While they may not match Garmin’s military-grade standards, Apple Watches are built with high-quality materials that withstand daily wear and tear. The Series 8 and Ultra models, in particular, offer impressive water resistance, making them suitable for swimming and water-based activities.

Additionally, Apple’s attention to detail and premium materials, such as stainless steel and titanium in the Ultra model, contribute to its reputation for excellent build quality.

Display

Both Garmin and Apple Watch incorporate state-of-the-art displays that provide excellent visibility and responsiveness. Apple’s use of OLED displays in all their watches results in vibrant colors, high contrast ratios, and deep blacks, creating an immersive visual experience.

The Series 8 and Ultra models, in particular, showcase the full potential of Apple’s OLED technology, offering stunning visuals for both smartwatch features and fitness tracking.

Garmin offers a choice between OLED and MIP (Memory in Pixel) displays in their smartwatches. While OLED displays deliver vibrant colors and excellent visibility, MIP screens provide constant visibility without using significant power when the pixels are not lit.

This feature is particularly advantageous for fitness tracking, where users may want to keep the display on throughout their workouts.

The selection between the two types of displays allows users to choose the option that best aligns with their preferences and usage patterns. However, it’s essential to note that Garmin’s displays may not match the visual richness of Apple’s OLED screens.

Smartwatch Features

In the realm of smartwatch features, Apple Watch takes the lead with its comprehensive app store and seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.

Apple’s app store for smartwatches is unparalleled, offering a vast selection of visually rich and sophisticated apps, ranging from productivity tools to entertainment and health apps.

The Apple Watch’s ability to interact seamlessly with iPhones, iPads, and Macs enhances its appeal to users already embedded in the Apple ecosystem.

Garmin watches also offer access to an app store, although it may not match the sheer size and variety of Apple’s store. Instead, Garmin focuses on delivering features tailored to its users’ sports and fitness demands.

Their app store emphasizes fitness tracking, training, and outdoor activities, making them an excellent choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.

While Garmin’s app ecosystem may not be as extensive, it excels in providing in-depth fitness tracking and enthusiast features that cater to specific activity needs.

Health Monitoring & Fitness Tracking

Both Garmin and Apple Watch excel in health monitoring and fitness tracking, setting the industry standard for accuracy and reliability.

Apple Watch’s health monitoring capabilities have evolved significantly, with the Watch Ultra introducing various new features.

These include custom workouts, running power measurements, heart rate zone alerts, and recovery insights, allowing users to optimize their activities and overall health.

The Series 8 and Ultra models come equipped with an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor, enabling users to monitor their heart’s electrical activity and detect signs of arrhythmia.

On the other hand, Garmin has been a long-time frontrunner in fitness tracking, offering a comprehensive suite of tools to cater to fitness enthusiasts.

The brand’s watches provide in-depth workout tracking, including running, cycling, swimming, and more. Garmin’s training load feature, available in high-end models, analyzes exercise exertion over time, providing valuable insights into workout effectiveness.

Garmin’s top-tier watches like the Fenix and Epix also have a heart rate data broadcasting feature, allowing users to share their heart rate data with other compatible devices.

Some Garmin watches, like the Forerunner series, offer features such as recovery advisor, race predictor, and even the ability to control bike smart turbo trainers.

Both Garmin and Apple Watch offer menstrual cycle tracking features, but Apple’s Watch Ultra takes it a step further with advanced tracking that includes temperature sensors to estimate ovulation.

Garmin’s health monitoring features, while useful, tend to be more generalized, as seen in their Body Battery score, which balances sleep, stress, and exercise to suggest the user’s readiness for physical activity.

Apple’s focus on the possibilities of their tech allows for more advanced and specific health monitoring features.

GPS & Navigation

In the realm of GPS and navigation, Garmin’s expertise shines through, making their watches ideal for outdoor adventurers and those who rely heavily on accurate navigation.

The top-tier Garmin watches like the Fenix and Epix series can store maps on the watch itself and provide route-finding without an internet connection.

This feature is highly advantageous for hiking, running, and exploring remote areas with limited internet access. Additionally, Garmin watches are compatible with various navigation tools and features such as back-to-start, which helps users retrace their steps to their starting point.

While offering reliable GPS tracking, Apple Watch does not match Garmin’s advanced navigation capabilities. Apple’s focus on GPS lies more in fitness tracking and mapping workouts rather than in-depth navigation.

While Apple Watch users can use mapping apps and receive route guidance during activities, it may not cater to the same level of outdoor exploration as Garmin’s watches.

Companion Apps & Platforms

Apple Watch’s most significant advantage in this category lies in its seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem.

Apple Watch functions as an extension of the iPhone, allowing users to receive notifications, make calls, and interact with Siri directly from their wrist. The watch’s compatibility with Apple Pay enables contactless payments, adding convenience to daily tasks.

Furthermore, the extensive app ecosystem designed for iPhones also translates to a wide range of apps and features available for the Apple Watch.

While also offering some integration with smartphones, Garmin excels more in interfacing with fitness and outdoor equipment.

Many Garmin watches can broadcast heart rate data to other devices, which is particularly useful for fitness enthusiasts who want to analyze their performance using third-party apps.

Additionally, Garmin watches can control smart bike turbo trainers, and specific models are compatible with Garmin’s Varia bike lights, offering a more specialized set of features compared to Apple Watch.

Battery Life

Garmin’s watches set the standard for battery life in the smartwatch market, with some models boasting an impressive duration of up to 46 days between charges.

The Garmin Enduro 2, in particular, stands out for its long-lasting battery, making it an excellent choice for endurance athletes and those who prefer not to worry about frequent charging.

Thanks to its solar charging panels, the Garmin Instinct 2 Solar model offers “unlimited” basic use battery life, ensuring reliable performance during extended outdoor activities. While known for its other strengths, Apple Watch tends to have a shorter battery life than Garmin.

Watches like the Apple Watch SE and Series 8 typically require daily charging for heavy users. However, Apple has made improvements in this area, with the Watch Ultra offering a couple of days of battery life or even longer in its Low Power mode.

While Apple has addressed battery life concerns, Garmin still stands out as the go-to option for users who prioritize extended battery life and minimal maintenance.

Strap Options

Both Garmin and Apple offer a range of strap options to cater to different preferences and activities.

Garmin’s strap offerings focus on functionality, with durable and comfortable materials designed to withstand outdoor conditions. They offer silicone and nylon straps suitable for sports and outdoor activities. Garmin also provides quick-release options for easy swapping of straps.

Apple Watch, on the other hand, offers a more diverse selection of straps that appeal to both style and comfort. Apple’s bands range from sporty options like silicone and nylon to more luxurious choices like stainless steel, leather, and even titanium.

The ability to easily switch between bands allows users to customize their watches to match their daily attire or specific occasions.

Bottom Line

In conclusion, both Garmin and Apple Watch offer unique strengths and cater to different user needs.

Apple Watch excels in its comprehensive app ecosystem, seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, and elegant design, making it a top choice for users seeking a sophisticated smartwatch experience.

On the other hand, Garmin watches are renowned for their durability, in-depth fitness tracking capabilities, long battery life, and specialized features for outdoor enthusiasts and athletes.

Choosing between the two will depend on individual preferences, activity levels, and desired features, ensuring that users can find the perfect companion for their lifestyle.

Should You Get a Garmin or an Apple Watch?

Choosing between a Garmin and an Apple Watch ultimately comes down to understanding your priorities, preferences, and lifestyle. Each smartwatch type caters to distinct audiences, and making the right decision depends on what you value most in a wearable device.

For the Fitness Enthusiast

If you prioritize fitness and outdoor activities, Garmin is a strong contender.

Their watches offer unparalleled durability, specialized features for various sports, and in-depth fitness tracking tools. Garmin’s GPS navigation and route-finding expertise make them a reliable companion for outdoor adventurers, hikers, and cyclists.

The extensive battery life of Garmin watches is also a key selling point, allowing users to focus on their activities without worrying about frequent charging. Garmin is the way to go if you are an athlete or outdoor enthusiast seeking a smartwatch that complements your active lifestyle.

For the Apple Ecosystem Lover

If you are deeply ingrained in the Apple ecosystem and rely on Apple products for your daily tasks, an Apple Watch becomes a natural extension of your digital life.

The seamless integration with iPhones, iPads, and Macs makes the Apple Watch a convenient hub for notifications, calls, and other smart features. The wealth of apps available in the Apple app store provides a vast array of possibilities, from productivity tools to entertainment.

Additionally, if you value a sleek and elegant design and appreciate the premium materials used in Apple’s watches, the Series 8 and Ultra models will likely appeal to your sense of style.

For Those Who Seek Balance

If you find yourself torn between fitness tracking and smartwatch features, the decision might come down to finding a balance between the two.

The Apple Watch Series 8 and Ultra models have significantly improved their fitness tracking capabilities, making them more appealing to those with an active lifestyle.

Likewise, Garmin’s smartwatch offerings, such as the Venu series, have incorporated more advanced smart features, bridging the gap between fitness and convenience. If you want a watch that provides a decent balance of both worlds, either of these options might be the right fit.

For the Budget-Conscious

While both brands offer watches at various price points, Garmin tends to have more affordable options with robust fitness tracking capabilities.

The Garmin Forerunner 45, for example, provides essential fitness tracking features without compromising on quality.

On the other hand, Apple Watches, particularly the Series 8 and Ultra models, offer premium features and materials that come with a higher price tag.

If budget plays a significant role in your decision-making process, Garmin might offer more accessible options.

Ultimately, the choice between a Garmin and an Apple Watch boils down to what you value most in a smartwatch, what features you are willing to compromise on, and your budget.

Consider your activity level, the type of activities you engage in, the platforms you are invested in, and your aesthetic preferences.

Whether you prioritize durability, in-depth fitness tracking, seamless integration with the Apple ecosystem, or a combination of these factors, both Garmin and Apple Watch offer exceptional options to cater to your needs.

The 7 Best Alternatives to Apple and Garmin Watches

If you’re in the market for a smartwatch but not necessarily keen on getting an Apple or Garmin watch, there are several other brands and models that offer compelling alternatives, compatible with both iPhones and Android devices.

Amazfit GTS 2 Mini

For those seeking a budget-friendly Apple Watch alternative, the Amazfit GTS 2 Mini fits the bill.

Despite its low price, it boasts a beautiful 1.55-inch AMOLED touchscreen display with 450 nits of brightness, providing a cool bezel-less look.

It offers essential health monitoring features like heart rate tracking, blood-oxygen saturation measurement, sleep monitoring, stress level, and menstruation tracking.

The watch includes 68+ sports modes, supports voice control with Alexa, and has a battery that lasts up to 14 days on a single charge.

Fitbit Sense

If health and wellness are your priorities, the Fitbit Sense makes an excellent alternative.

Focused more on health than just fitness, it includes features like portable ECG, stress sensing, skin temperature sensor, sleep tracking, heart rate zones, and meditation tools. It can also track and record 20 exercises and provide detailed workout stats.

The Fitbit Sense has a battery life of up to six days and offers voice control via Alexa or Google Assistant.

Fitbit Versa 4

The Fitbit Versa 4 is an overall great Apple Watch alternative, offering built-in GPS, excellent features, and impressive battery life of up to six days.

It caters to those with an active lifestyle, tracking various exercises and providing essential health and fitness features like sleep tracking and swim tracking.

Though it lacks some of the high-tech features found in the latest Apple Watches, it comes close and is available at a more affordable price point.

Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

For those who prioritize a stylish smartwatch focusing on features other than fitness, the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3 is an appealing option.

Offering IP68 water resistance, fall detection, wireless charging, an ECG, and a blood pressure monitor, this watch has an impressive range of health and fitness features.

It may not compete with Apple or Garmin in terms of advanced fitness tracking, but it caters to users who desire other smartwatch functionalities.

Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2

If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly alternative to the Samsung Galaxy Watch 3, the Samsung Galaxy Watch Active 2 is a suitable choice.

It’s slimmer, lighter, and better suited for workouts. Although it has a limited battery life of up to two days, it still provides several smartwatch features and works well with both Android and iOS devices.

TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS

Rugged outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS, which offers a dual-display design and long-lasting battery life of up to 45 days in Essential Mode.

This waterproof GPS smartwatch is equipped with a Snapdragon Wear 4100 processor, providing fast and smooth performance. It tracks various health metrics, including heart rate, stress levels, sleep, and more.

Although the app might not be as user-friendly as other brands, the TicWatch Pro 3 Ultra GPS comes at a competitive price point and offers sophisticated features.

Withings ScanWatch Horizon

For those seeking a hybrid smartwatch with a classic watch appearance, the Withings ScanWatch Horizon is a compelling option.

It combines old-school looks with advanced smart features, such as an ECG, SpO2 monitoring, heart monitoring, and sleep tracking.

With a battery life of up to 30 days on a single charge, it strikes a balance between a traditional watch and a smartwatch, catering to users who prioritize both aesthetics and functionality.

Note that it lacks onboard GPS and has a smaller display compared to high-end smartwatches, but it offers an attractive middle ground.

Conclusion

All in all, the Garmin and Apple Watches stand tall as the ultimate contenders in the smartwatch arena.

The Garmin excels in robust fitness tracking and navigation capabilities, making it an ideal choice for athletes and outdoor enthusiasts.

On the other hand, the Apple Watch boasts a powerful ecosystem with advanced smartwatch functionalities and seamless integration with iPhones.

Your choice between the two depends on your priorities: fitness prowess or smart features. And if you can’t decide between the two, then consider one of the appealing alternatives we’ve lined up.

Regardless of your decision, these two giants have revolutionized the way we stay connected and fit in the digital age.

An elegant timepiece sitting firmly on my wrist gives me absolute confidence anywhere I find myself. Wristwatches are one of the most worn pieces of ornament in the world, and no matter how dressed up you are or how expensive your outfit looks, you almost feel incomplete without a beautiful timepiece on your wrist. And one of the most important parts of the watch is the object that keeps it locked onto your wrist, which is the clasp.

The clasp attached to the strap of a wristwatch is not just an object for securing the watch on your wrist. It also styles the timepiece differently and adds personality to your look. Today, you can find different types of watch clasps, each with a unique style and feel. 

This is a dive into the world of clasps to understand how they function and some of the types used for watches.

About Watch Clasps

This device secures both ends of a timepiece together on the wrist. It is small, yet, one of the most critical systems used to secure the wristwatch, as it ensures your watch stays on your wrist even during rigorous activities. There are various types of clasps, and they each have different advantages and disadvantages. 

Purpose of a Watch Clasp

Aside from keeping the watch secure on your wrist, it also helps prevent it from falling off, getting damaged, or even getting lost. On top of that, some clasps are used to adjust the strap size, which can be helpful if you want to resell your watch or your wrist size changes. 

Brief History About Clasps

Though still one of the most famous clasps today, but not as secure as some of the most recent ones, the pin buckle clasp was the first-ever watch clasp. They were originally made of metal with a pin inserted into a hole in the strap, but today they are often crafted from titanium, plastic, and other materials.

To better secure wristwatches of military officers on the battlefield, the deployant clasp was invented in the early 1900s and did a better job than the pin buckle clasp. It has two folding arms that collide to hold the straps together. The deployant clasp is still the most used on wristwatches.

Types of Watch Clasps

Aside from the famous Pin Buckle and Deployant clasps, there are other watch clasps available, each with unique features and style. 

Some of the most used clasps include:

Folding Clasp

The folding clasp is mostly seen on metal bracelet watches, and it always takes the same material used on the watch strap. The class it gives every watch is just unmatchable, and aside from that, it circles perfectly under your wrist without pinching the skin in any way. 

The Folding clasp folds over to secure each watch strap, consisting of two or three arms that fold over each other and are held by a spring. You press the button or lever in some cases to open this type of clasp, and then, you fold the arms back once you’ve slipped it over your wrist. 

They are much more secure than most clasps because it is difficult to open by accident. And they’re so firm, so it is very comfortable on the wrist. Some timepieces, like the famous Rolex Submariner, Omega Seamaster, and the Patek Philippe Nautilus, all use the folding clasp.

The folding clasp comes in different types. The single-fold clasp, which is my favorite and also the most popular of them. This type has just two arms that fold over each other, while the double-folding clasp has three components that fold. The triple-fold clasp is the most uncommon of the three of them, and this one has four folding arms that fold over each other. 

Pin Buckle Clasp

The Pin Buckle is not the fanciest type of clasp, but I can tell you it is one of the easiest to use. It is efficient, simple, and doesn’t have any complications to it. Insert the pin into the strap hole, and just like magic, your timepiece is secure. 

Although it is a vintage style, the security that comes with this type of clasp can’t be overlooked. Without removing the pin from the strap hole, the security of your wristwatch is guaranteed.

The versatility of the Pin Buckle clasp is something I love. Unlike other clasps, it can be used on various strap materials like leather, rubber, metal, and fabrics and still look excellent. The Pin Buckle clasp is a good choice if you like styling your watch with different straps.

The Pin Buckle clasp is so ubiquitous that you might be wearing one right now. If you’re looking for a classic, simple, and versatile clasp for a timepiece, the Pin Buckle Clasp is a good option.

Butterfly Clasp

Aside from being more secure than ordinary watch buckles, they are more elegant and stylish, especially on dress timepieces. The name Butterfly is derived from the two hinged parts of the watch that look like butterfly wings. The two parts of the strap separate and spread when the clasp opens, allowing the timepiece to slide over your wrist. The two parts snap when the clasp closes, and the watch is secure on your wrist.

The butterfly look of the clasp gives it an elegant and sophisticated appearance that is mostly attributed to luxury timepieces. They are designed with top-notch materials like platinum, stainless steel, or gold. 

Watches like the Cartier Tank, Rolex Datejust, and Cartier Santos use this type of clasp. The Butterfly clasp is a great option if you’re looking for a secure and stylish way to wear your timepiece. 

But, one minor downside is the lack of micro-adjustments, so you’ll need to wear it slightly loose or tight on your wrist.

Deployant Clasp

The Deployant clasp was crafted with gold and silver back in the day. Today, materials like titanium and stainless steel are also used. This type of clasp has two parts, the pin buckle and clasp. 

The clasp is made up of two plates that fold and is held by a safety catch. The buckle allows you to adjust the clasp to your preferred size, it slides across the clasp, and it can be easily adjusted to any size.

A few timepieces that feature the deployant clasp include Patek Philippe Nautilus, Cartier Tank, and IWC Portugieser. This clasp is a great choice to add a touch of comfort and luxury to your wristwatch. 

Sliding Buckle Clasp

Having this clasp on my Tudor Black Bay has got me hooked on it. The Sliding Buckle has one of the best features of any clasp. It makes it easy for you to adjust the strap to fit your wrist perfectly, and I also have a guilty pleasure in sliding it open and close multiple times; it can be so satisfying at times.

It works with a small lever used to release the clasp, and once it is released, you can adjust the size by sliding the buckle across the watch strap. You can close the clasp by pushing the lever back inside. The Sliding Buckle clasp was initially designed for Scuba Divers for them to be able to quickly adjust their strap to the perfect size for the depth and temperature of the water. 

This type of clasp can now be found on watches like the Tudor Black Bay, Longines HydroConquest, TAG Heuer Aquaracer, Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean, and many other timepieces. I recommend this clasp for anyone that fancies a convenient and easy-to-use clasp.

Velcro Strap

This clasp was designed by a Swiss engineer in 1955 called George De Mestral. He devised this design on a hike when he saw tiny hooks on his dog’s fur and fell in love with the pattern it created. He designed the Velcro strap using this pattern, and it became popular among watches and many other ornaments at that time.

It is commonly used on nylon or textile straps by attaching one end of the strap to a hook fastener and the other is rooted with a loop fastener. The surfaces stick together when you press them against each other, forming a stronghold across your wrist.

Velcro straps are one of the easiest to use, they can withstand up to 50 pounds of force and are also adjustable. This clasp features in watches like the Casio G-Shock, Suunto Core, and Timex Expedition. This clasp is a great option for people wanting something durable and adjustable.

Diver Clasp

Dive watches are one of my all-time favorites because they are durable. The special dive clasp is one of the things that make them very secure, and Rolex designed the first dive clasp in the 1950s. They are designed with two locking mechanisms. It has a folding clasp that helps close the watch when it’s not worn,  and the other makes it adjustable. These complications add some class to dive watches and are very easy to use.

Some diver clasps come with a micro-adjustment system that allows you to adjust how the clasp fits on your wrist. Watches like the Citizen Promaster, TAG Heuer Aquaracer, and Rolex Submariner use this clasp. 

Glidelock Clasp

This clasp makes adjusting your watch bracelet very easy without using any tools. The Glidelock clasp works by opening the clasp and pulling or pushing the bracelet till you find the perfect fit for your wrist. It has 20 increments, so your watch bracelet can take up to 20mm of adjustments. 

The Glidelock clasp has similar features as the Diver, but it is a Rolex invention, and its name is derived from the way it glides with ease across the bracelet. They are featured on the Rolex Submariner, Panerai Luminor, Rolex Sea-Dwellers, and Rolex GMT- Master II watches. 

Conclusion

Clasps help secure watches on the wrist and add to the overall beautification and value of a timepiece. Before deciding on any clasp, you must consider the watch type and what sort of activities you will be engaging in.

There are various types of watch clasps, and they each come with different levels of versatility, comfort, and style. So there is a wide variety for you to choose one that perfectly suits your specifications and purpose. Make sure you go for clasps made with high-quality materials to ensure your watch is always secure on your wrist.

When people see the words “power reserve”, “jewel”, “vph”, “caliber”, or “movement”, few (even among watch enthusiasts) understand how they translate to performance. Most luxury watch owners, especially first-time owners, buy for brand prestige, appearance, or resale value. And rarely because of the watch movement. 

I spoke to a Rolex Datejust owner who was unaware of the caliber or function of his watch, saying he got it for the status and investment value Rolex offers. He’s now on the lookout for a Sky-Dweller, still with no idea what makes his timepiece tick. 

While this isn’t uncommon or ignorant, it backs up a 2008 study by IJMASS that found that a significant portion of consumers value brand reputation over technical aspects when purchasing watches. 

Well, that’s fine. But the team at Exquisite Timepieces values building a community of watch owners that understand the intricacies and facts about their prized possession. Hence, we made this comprehensive overview of the most popular automatic watch movements and how they work.

About Automatic Watch Movements

Watch movements have captivated the interest and attention of hardcore horologists and enthusiasts for centuries. From the precision of the quartz movement to the artistic glide of the mechanical ones, timekeeping and its intricacies have continuously evolved. And the automatic watch movement is today’s blueprint and hallmark of top-tier watch engineering.

Automatic or self-winding watch movements keep time without batteries or constant hand winding. Contrary to popular belief, magic does not power watches with automatic movements. 

They simply testify to the law of physics by using the wearer’s motion to power the watch’s mainspring – the power source. This way, it never runs out of juice unless it’s inactive after the exhaustion of the power reserve. 

The x-factor in automatic watch movements is the semicircular weight/rotor that rotates on the back of the movement/caliber. You’ll see this clearly in watches with transparent case backs. The “rotor” uses kinetic energy – as it swings back and forth on a pivot with the wearer’s movement, it winds the mainspring, so it charges automatically.

The energy stored up in the mainspring is released in a controlled manner to power the watch with the help of the escapement and balance wheel. Acting as the watch’s brain, the escapement produces a tick-tock motion that controls energy flow to the balance wheel. Then the balance wheel oscillates back and forth at a precise frequency, ensuring that the watch’s hands glide seamlessly across the dial.

History Of Automatic Watch Movements

The creation of the first automatic movement is often attributed to a Swiss watchmaker from Le Locle, Abraham-Louis Perrelet. Perrelet unveiled a pocket watch with a self-winding mechanism in 1777 with a rotor or oscillating weight that moved up and down, harnessing the wearer’s motion to wind the mainspring. It took an estimated 15-minute walk to fully wound the watch.

Perrelet’s invention inspired other watchmakers to improve this design, including Abraham-Louis Breguet, founder of Breguet. He got it right, using a barrel remontoir instead of a rotor. But it was too expensive to be mass-produced.

The Harwood Breakthrough

While several other horologists successfully created a self-winding mechanism, they were rare prototypes. It took almost two centuries to produce one for the public. Harwood obtained the patent for the first mainstream automatic wristwatch in 1923, which opened room for the sophisticated calibers we use today. 

His self-winding mechanism used a pivoting rotor that only moved back and forth – now called the bumper or hammer – in a 180-degree motion. Harwood’s movements had a power reserve of up to 12 hours when fully wound.

Harwood’s automatic watch movement soon gained widespread popularity and was quickly embraced by other manufacturers.

Rolex refined the design in 1930 with adjustments to the oscillating weight – giving it a full 360-degree. This simple workaround stored more energy in the mainspring – providing the Oyster Perpetual a 35-hour power reserve. 

In the same year, Glycine released the world’s first widely produced automatic watch movement. Eterna also made a notable contribution in 1948 by introducing ball bearings to these movements. This ingenious addition ensured that the internal structures of the watch stayed in place even when subject to trauma.

Why enthusiasts love high beat movements?

Another way to classify high beat movements is those with roughly 36,000 vph. What I personally love about this is the precision that you can visibly see in the watch movements. Another selling point to enthusiasts here is better stability in timekeeping. More specifically, high beat movements mean faster oscillations, which lead to better resistance to physical disturbances.

Even if you don’t think much about it, there’s a lot that can throw off a watch’s timing. With a high beat movement, you get a more fluid visual with the peace of mind from consistency and accuracy.

I can’t ignore the craftsmanship aspect of this as well, as enthusiasts love everything about technical complexities in watchmaking. From another angle, it’s important to know that high beat movements are seen as somewhat rare.

The internet can help you track them down, but high-beat movements, quality ones at that, aren’t necessarily the norm. From the movement to the history of the watch collection, and many other factors can play into a collector’s interest. In the same vein, the presence of a movement like this doesn’t necessarily equate to rare quality or a high price tag.

You always want to look at a watch from every angle. However, any enthusiast will notice a high beat movement, which will likely lead to many more questions. A sight to see and impressive functionality, there’s a lot to appreciate about high beat movements.

Most Popular Automatic Watch Movements

Now that we’ve shed some light on the automatic watch movement and its history, here are some of the most popular automatic movements in the watch industry. From iconic classics to innovative brands, we’ll unravel each movement’s history, specifications, and unique characteristics.

Automatic Movements	Height	Diameter	Power Reserve	Jewels	VPH	Hacking Seconds	Hand Windable	Shock Protector	Accuracy
SW200-1	4.6mm	25.6mm	41 hours	26	28,800	Yes	Yes	Novodiac/Incabloc	Depends on the grade
ETA 2824-2	4.6mm	25.6mm	38 hours	25	28,800	Yes	Yes	Novodiac/Incabloc
Seiko NH35A	5.32mm	27.4mm	41 hours	24	21,600	Yes	Yes	Diashock	-20 to +40 s/d
Miyota 9015	3.9mm	26mm	42 hours	24	28,800	Yes	Yes	Prashock	-10 to +30 s/d
STP1-11	4.6mm	25.6mm	44 hours	26	28,800	Yes	Yes	Incabloc	-0 to +20 s/d
ETA/Valjoux 7750	7.9mm	30mm	48 hours	25	28,800	Yes	Yes	Incabloc	Depends on the variant
Soprod A10	3.6mm	25.6mm	42 hours	25	28,800	Yes	Yes	Incabloc	+/-4 s/d

Sellita SW200-1

The SW200-1 automatic watch movement, crafted by Sellita, a renowned Swiss movement manufacturer, is often said to be a clone of the ETA 2824-2. It came to the fore after ETA cut off deliveries to third parties, and its patent on the caliber expired in 2003. Sellita, who was formerly assembling the parts of watch movements, decided to start producing the parts in-house. The plan was successful, and it resulted in the SW200-1.

This movement has now come to be known for its precision, reliability, and economical nature. The SW200-1 measures 25.6mm in diameter and 4.6mm in height. It bears 26 jewels and operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. The caliber also comes with hour, minutes, sweep center seconds, stop seconds hacking feature, and ball bearing.

The presence of a date feature depends on whether your watch comes with the SW200-1a or b. The SW200-1a has a built-in date window with quick setting, while the SW200-1b doesn’t. Additionally, when fully wound, the movement has an impressive power reserve of 41 hours. However, the watch’s accuracy is determined by the quality level of your movement. SW200-1 automatic movement has four (4) quality levels:

• Standard – accuracy of +/-12 s/d to +/-30 s/d
• Special (Elabore) – accuracy of +/-7 s/d to +/-20 s/d
• Premium (Top) – accuracy of +/-4 s/d to +/-1 s/d
• Chronometre – accuracy meets COSC criteria

The versatility of the Sellita SW200-1 is evident in its widespread adoption by watch brands across various styles and designs. It powers several watches, such as the C60 Trident Pro 600 by Christopher Ward, the Serket Reef Diver 2.0 Microband, and the Invicta Meteorite Ocean Ghost Diver 5015. Also, the Oris 773 Caliber, found in some watches in the Oris Divers Sixty-Five line, is based on the Sellita SW200-1.

ETA 2824-2

ETA 2824-2 has to be the most popular of all the industry’s automatic watch movements. Produced by ETA-SA, a renowned Swiss movement manufacturer and a subsidiary of the Swatch Group, the evolution of this highly esteemed movement dates back to 1982. It is a secondary generation of the ETA 2824 caliber and is based on the earlier mentioned Eterna Calibre – hence its ball bearings.

This self-winding movement, often described as a “workhorse movement”, shares similar features with the Sellita SW200-1 because the latter was based on its design. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, boasts a power reserve of 38 hours, 25 jewels, and an Etachron regulator. 

Like the SW200-1, it measures 25.6mm in diameter and is 4.6mm thick. It also has central hour, minutes, sweep seconds, and a date window – the position could differ depending on the manufacturer). Plus, it is designed with a hacking feature and can be wound by hand.

There is a manual wind version of the ETA 2824-2, known as the 2804-2 caliber. Ever since the ETA-SA lost its patent of the 2824-2, manufacturers have proceeded to make clones of the automatic movement. 

One notorious clone is the Sellita SW200-1. Also, Seagull’s ST2130 caliber, Hangzhou’s caliber 6300, and Valanvron’s VAL-24 are all clones of the 2824-2. Moreover, Tissot Visodate and Hamilton Khaki King watch models feature the ETA 2824-2 automatic movement.

Seiko NH35A

The NH35A is an unbranded version of the Seiko 4R35, proudly crafted by the esteemed Japan watch manufacturer Seiko. Note that this caliber could be manufactured in Japan or Malaysia – the country of manufacture is often inscribed on the rotor. Regardless of where it is manufactured, the Seiko NH35A is prized for durability, ruggedness, and affordability.

This self-winding movement has a slimmer profile when compared to the ETA 2824-2 and SW200-1. It is only 5.32mm thick with a 27.4mm diameter. Operating at a frequency of 21,600 beats per hour, the NH35A delivers accuracy within the range of -20 to +40 seconds per day. It is also designed with a hacking feature, a bi-directional rotor, 24 jewels, and a diashock protector. The crown reinforces the anti-shock and waterproof feature.

Speaking of the crown, it is worth noting that its three positions each have different functions. At 0 position (against the case), the crown is used to wind the caliber manually. The NH35A has a 41-hour power reserve at full charge, which can be achieved after manually turning the crown 55 times. 

The crown can adjust the date at the 1 position (a click away from the case). And for the hacking stop-seconds feature, the crown should be placed at the 2 position (two clicks away from the case).

This unbranded Seiko automatic watch movement has an incredibly long lifespan, with a tendency to last 5 to 25 years. It’s no wonder that the NH35A is featured in rugged watches from brands like Invicta, Vostok, Orion, Helm, and Lum-Tec.

Miyota 9015

With a 26mm diameter and 3.9mm thickness, the Miyota 9015 has to be our list’s thinnest automatic watch movement. Its height makes it a great fit for dress watches. But don’t be fooled by its sleek design; this caliber is a workhouse movement with powerful features.

For one, it does spot a highly impressive power reserve of up to 42 hours when fully wound, allowing it to keep time accurately for almost two days. And its accuracy, between -10 to +30 seconds per day, has been vetted by third-party micro brands like Marc & Sons Pilot Watch. It can be hand wound, ensuring accurate and precise timekeeping.

In addition to the power reserve, other specifics of the Japanese Calibre 9015 are a 28,800 vibration per hour, unidirectional rotor, central hour, minutes and seconds sweep, 24 jewels, date calendar, and parashock system.

Watches that feature the Miyota 9015 include Vaer D5 Dive, Lum-Tec B24 Carbon, and BOLDR Odyssey Free Diver.

Swiss Technology Production STP1-11

Here’s another automatic watch movement based on the ETA 2824-2 and the Swellita SW200-1. It is a 26-jewel movement which is one more jewel than 2824-2 – the extra jewel supports the barrel arbor. It retains the 25.6mm diameter and 4.6mm thickness, 28,800 beats per hour, bi-directional rotor, hand winding, and hacking feature of the 2824-2.

However, what sets this movement apart is its power reserve. So instead of a 41-hour power reserve, the STP1-11 can last up to 44 hours when fully wound. This extended power boost is due to a longer and thinner mainspring, which provides more room to store energy and a resulting substantial reserve.

The STP1-11 comes with a calendar complication that could be at 3 or 6 o’clock. Its accuracy rating is -0 to +20 seconds per day, and it has been tested in five (5) positions meeting COSC chronometer standards.

Unsurprisingly, the Swiss Technology Production STP1-11 has inspired many other calibers in-house and amongst other brands. The STP1-11M is a manually wound version of the STP1-11. STP2-12, STP3-13, STP5-15, and STP6-15 are all based on this prestigious self-winding movement. Plus, you can find the caliber in the BOLDR Odyssey and Stella Felix watches, among others.

ETA/Valjoux 7750

The ETA/Valjoux 7750 is a legendary automatic chronograph watch movement. Originally, the movement was designed by Valjoux and was based on the manually wound Valjoux 7733. It was first intended as a watch computer for pilots and sold on the market between 1973 and 1974. However, production stopped at some point, and it wasn’t back on sale until 1985.

The name ETA/Valjoux 7750 resulted from a 1944 merger between Valjoux and AUSAG, which owned other smaller companies, including ETA. Thus, except for the original version, the automatic movement is often called ETA 7750.

Original versions of the ETA 7750 were designed with 17 jewels, and subsequent versions with 24 jewels. The contemporary movements, however, come with 25 jewels, three sub-dials, a day/date feature at 3, a ball bearing rotor system, and 48 hours power reserve. It has a 30mm diameter, 7.9mm thickness, and 28,800vph – as opposed to the 21,600vph in earlier models.

The 7750 comes in four grades, meaning the accuracy of the movement varies with each grade. There are also several variations, such as the 7751, 7753, and 7754, which mainly differ in the position of the subdials, date feature, and the absence or presence of a GMT hand or moon phase.

The ETA/Valjoux 7750 has found its home in numerous remarkable timepieces from manufacturers like Alpina, Tag Heuer, Oris, Sinn, Chronoswiss, and Breitling.

Soprod A10

If you own a Steinhart Ocean Titanium 500 Premium, Stowa Marine Automatic, Sinn T1, T2, or EZM3, you’ll be familiar with this Swiss movement. It was designed by Soprod, a subsidiary of the Festina Group, and is now designated the Caliber M100.

The Soprod A10 is based on a caliber from the Seiko 4L family – Caliber 4L25- often found in high-end watches. It is designed with a glucydur balance, incabloc shock system, 28,800 bph, 25.6mm, and a 3.6mm thickness. In addition to these features, it has 25 jewels, 42 hours of power reserve, and hacking seconds feature.

There are three(3) variations of the A10 self-winding movement. While they share the same dimension, beats, power reserve, and jewels, they differ in the absence or presence of a date complication, balance wheel, or skeletonized dial. A10-2 is built with three regular hands and no date complications. SOP A10BV-2 has three hands and an open balance wheel, with no date complication. SOP A10SQ-2 lacks a date feature but is built into a skeletonized dial.

Conclusion

The watch industry has been graced with the most fascinating and ingenious automatic watch movements. We have explored the most popular of these movements, from legendary ones like the ETA 2824-2 and Sellita SW200-1 to the notorious automatic chronograph movement, ETA/Valjoux 7750, and other equally remarkable ones like the Seiko NHE5A, Miyota 9015 and the STP1-11.

These timeless movements, with their designs, rotor system, crown positions, power reserves and reinventions, power diverse watches – be they classic dress watches or rugged sports timepieces. And with your newly found knowledge of the most popular automatic watch movements, we hope that you make more informed decisions on your next watch purchase.

In the comment section, let us know what you think about these popular automatic watch movements. Cheers!

Harnessing the power of the sun. It’s something even ancient civilizations like the Egyptians and the Greeks considered. They designed their architecture to follow the pattern of the sun to maximize natural light and heat. 

It was the 19th-century discovery of the photovoltaic effect by French physicist Becquerel that would lay the groundwork for modern solar technology and the work of later scientists like Einstein, who won a Nobel Prize in 1921 for furthering the understanding of solar energy and, of course, the scientists at Bell Laboratories in the 1950s (and others) that got us to where we are today. 

Facing environmental challenges and an energy crisis, many have turned to solar as a solution. Time and battery technology will tell if that’s realistic, but no one can argue that solar tech has come a long way. Whether it’s powering homes, cars, or watches, the modern tech is pretty impressive. 

In this article, we’ll examine 20 of the best solar watches, from affordable to luxury brands and everything in between. Whether you’re driven by environmental virtues, cutting-edge technology, or convenience, there’s something here for everyone and every budget. We’ve thoroughly examined each of the timepieces we’ve selected to consider solar efficiency, aesthetics, consistency, ruggedness, luxury, and value for the money. 

For those that want style and sustainability without compromise, let’s discover some remarkable watches that blend nature’s power with the best of human engineering and artistry. 

About Solar Watches

Sustainability. It’s a corporate buzzword and a powerful movement. Not easy being green? No more. Kermit’s day has arrived. Everyone wants to be seen as “green”. Solar watches are one way to show you care for the planet. 

They are also a modern technology alternative to quartz battery-powered watches. Let’s further explore the history of solar watches and why they’ve become a popular choice among watch experts and technology enthusiasts. 

A Brief History 

Solar watches have their roots in the space race. The final frontier of outer space demanded a way to power watches in remote places. The Hamilton Watch company was actually the one to pioneer this technology in the mid-1950s. 

Hamilton’s Ventura model was powered by a miniaturized solar cell and really pushed the technology forward. However, this model wasn’t entirely solar-powered, as it required a battery to store the power. 

By the 1970s and 80s, watch companies like Seiko and Citizen found ways to refine the technology and mass-produce it for the public. 

Solar Advantages Over Quartz Movements

Green: Using the abundant power of the sun as the energy source for a timepiece requires significantly less reliance on disposable batteries. Those batteries eventually end up in landfills and can be a potential hazard. 

Convenience: With solar power, replacing your watch battery is unnecessary. This saves the consumer time and money. 

Long reserves: Today’s solar watches have long power reserves that, once fully charged, can last for months, even in complete darkness.

Low maintenance: Solar watches are more energy efficient than battery-powered quartz watches, making the timepieces more reliable, less likely to fail for mechanical reasons, and less likely to be out of commission for repairs. 

Accurate: Solar watches have proven to be just as precise timekeepers as quartz battery watches, making them reliable for both professional and daily use. 

Wide-ranging styles: Whether one is shopping for something modern, sporty, or classic and dressy, there’s a solar-powered timepiece out there to suit every need and taste. 

Overall, solar watches have become quite popular, with the technology only getting better, more effective, sustainable, and more powerful. 

What To Look For in Solar Watches?

One might understandably feel overwhelmed by the wide variety of solar timepieces on the market, and it can be difficult to sort through the blizzard of internet ads to determine the winners from the losers and which ones suit one’s specific needs best. That’s why we’ve done the research for you. We’ll detail all the critical things to consider when purchasing your next solar watch. 

Build Quality 

As with any quality timepiece, one should consider the materials used to make the watch. Materials like high-end stainless steel, ceramic, and titanium will not only be durable and scratch resistant but will last and, as a bonus, look the most luxurious. 

Power Reserve

The top solar watches, once fully charged, can last for months, even in complete darkness. If you have professional responsibilities in the field or you lead an active lifestyle, you’ll want to consider a watch with a long power life without the need to constantly be recharged. 

Solar Panel Location

Obviously, a solar panel on the case back would be rather ineffective. While I can’t imagine most watch engineers would make a mistake like that, be sure there’s a large panel on the dial or bezel of the watch. This way, you can be sure that it will harness the most solar power. 

Water Resistance

Make sure the timepiece you’re considering is at least water-resistant to 50 meters. This will ensure your watch is protected against rain and accidental splashes. It will also allow one to wear the watch in more active settings, including swimming and snorkeling (for a dress watch, 30 meters is acceptable).

Readability

Look for a timepiece that has a clean, readable layout and strong luminous hands and markers so everything is clear and visible even in the lowest light conditions, including total darkness. 

The Best Solar Watches

With that said, here’s a list of the 20 best solar watches you can buy today at different price points:

1. BERTUCCI DX3 FIELD REF. 11015

The Bertucci DX3 Field is a simple, no-nonsense, classic three-hand field watch design. The watch case is made of polycarbonate, which is a pressed plastic that’s quite rugged. It’s not stainless steel or titanium, but it will do the job. 

The case has a sleek matte black finish and measures 40mm; it’s 11mm thick and 49.5mm from lug to lug. The bezel is smooth and fixed. The dial is also a matte black with painted white numerals and white sword-style minute and hour hands. The hands and indices are properly illuminated and visible even in low-light settings. 

The timepiece offers a Japanese quartz movement powered by solar and is water resistant to 50 meters, which is suitable for swimming and snorkeling; however, this watch is not to be used for diving. The face of the timepiece is protected by an R-Type mineral crystal, which doesn’t have the scratch resistance and strength of a sapphire crystal. But this watch isn’t expected to last generations, and the reasonable price reflects that. It is paired with a black nylon strap with a simple tang buckle. 

Price: $75

2. CASIO G-SHOCK GWM5610-1

The G-SHOCK is all business. To my eye, there’s nothing especially beautiful about this watch, but if you’re looking for a solid, reliable digital watch, this will deliver. The case is some type of resin, as is the fixed bezel, which is a smooth matte black. Resin is perfectly capable but not as durable as stainless steel. When would this matter? 

It probably doesn’t matter for most purposes, but resin isn’t as capable of withstanding underwater pressures as other materials like steel or titanium. The case is a hexagon-type shape, measures 46.7mm by 43.2mm, and sits on the wrist at 12.7mm thick. The watch weighs 51.7 grams. The dial is black with a digital display that can brighten in low-light situations. 

The timepiece has some solid specs. It’s shock-resistant and capable of 200 meters of water resistance, which means it’s rugged and ready for those with an active lifestyle and quite capable in most diving situations. The face is protected by glass, which isn’t as durable as sapphire crystal. 

The watch is powered by the sun, and its battery, when fully charged and in power save mode, can last in total darkness for up to 22 months. The timepiece is accurate to 15+/- seconds per month. The watch includes features like a 12 or 24-hour format, date and day display, and stopwatch capabilities. All this is paired with a resin strap and a tang buckle. 

Price: $150

3. TIMEX EXPEDITION NORTH FIELD SOLAR REF. TW2V41600JR

TIMEX has been a widely known and trusted watch brand since 1854. The Expedition North Field is an excellent timepiece for the price that offers everything a budget-conscious buyer would be looking for. The stainless steel, brushed, and bead-blasted case measures 41mm, sits on the wrist at 12mm thick, and has a lug width of 20mm. 

The watch has a smooth steel bezel and a black dial with numerals, except at 12 o’clock, where it’s marked with a triangle. At 3 o’clock, there’s a date window for added functionality. The dial has sword-style hour and minute hands and a gray seconds hand. Of course, the hands and markings are luminescent in the dark. The face is protected by sapphire crystal. TIMEX describes the watch design as military-inspired and made for the outdoor enthusiast.   

The timepiece is solar-powered and will last for 4 months on a single charge. The watch offers a screw-down caseback and crown, making it water-resistant to 100 meters. The timepiece is paired with a stainless steel bracelet with a fold-over clasp for added security. It’s a solid, clean everyday watch. If you’re looking for something with solar, but a classic steel design, this watch hits all the right marks for the right price. 

Price: $189

4. CITIZEN PROMASTER DIVER ECO-DRIVE REF. BN0151-09L

Citizen delivers on a good dive watch that’s paired with their eco-drive technology. The stainless steel case with alternating gear-edged bezel measures 44mm, sits on the wrist at 12mm thick, and has a lug width of 20mm. The unidirectional bezel has a blue aluminum ring insert with white markings. The blue dial is also clean and easy to read. The dial has a stubby sword-style hour and minute hands. 

The hour and seconds hand are gray, and the minute hand is orange. The indices are white and a mix of round and triangle-like shapes. There’s a date window at 4 o’clock. The hands and markings are luminescent in low lighting. The face isn’t protected by sapphire crystal, which is disappointing, but it’s impact and shatter resistant. 

The watch is powered by Citizen’s eco-drive technology, which means it can be charged by any light source and will last up to six months in the dark on a full charge. The timepiece has a screw-down crown and case back and is water-resistant to 200 meters. All this is paired with a blue polyurethane strap with a steel tang buckle. It’s a good-looking, performing driver with some of the best solar tech on the market. 

Price: $375

5. ORIENT NEO 70’S SOLAR PANDA CHRONOGRAPH REF. WV0041TX

If you’re in the market for a “panda-style” chronograph that’s solar-powered at a steal of a price, this is it. The Neo 70’s Solar Panda Chrono by Orient has all the right stuff and checks all the right boxes. The stainless steel case measures 42mm and sits on the wrist at 11.7mm thick. The watch looks more expensive than it really is, which is something Orient does well. 

The milky-white dial features three registers, two large and one small, with black backdrops. The silver hands and silver-lined black indices look sharp. There’s a date window at 4 o’clock. The face is protected by a mineral crystal. 

The watch is powered by solar and, with its screw-down crown and caseback, is water resistant to 100 meters. The timepiece offers hacking seconds and is paired with a stainless steel bracelet with twin push button release, fold over clasp. It seems this model has been discontinued by Orient but is still available through other retailers. 

Price: $218

6. CITIZEN ECO-DRIVE DRESS WATCH REF. AW0100-19A

This Citizen Eco-drive is a handsome, classic dress watch. The timepiece has a stainless steel case that measures 40mm. The case is relatively thin and should easily slip under a dress shirt. The fixed bezel is smooth and paired with a light ivory dial with silver hands and indices. There’s a day display window at 12 o’clock and a date window above 6 o’clock. Even with all these functions, the dial is simple, clear, and easy to read. 

The timepiece is powered by a caliber J800 movement, which is charged by Citizen’s Eco-drive. The watch is splash resistant, with a 30 meters rating. The timepiece also features 12 and 24 hours and has an eight-month power reserve. All this matched with a brown leather strap with stitching and a tang buckle. It’s a handsome watch that competes very well with other brands like Seiko and Hamilton. 

Price: $350

7. CASIO EDIFICE SOSPENSIONE ECB-2000 REF. ECB-2000TP-1A

The Edifice Sospensione is perfect for the guy whose Corvette dream is out of reach and who is willing to settle for a sporty watch. The black and red design looks like a sports car. It comes in a few different configurations, some more gray, some more red. The case and bezel are made of carbon and stainless steel, and the watch’s measurements are 51mm by 47.8mm by 10.8mm. 

For a beefy sports watch, it’s relatively thin. The dial offers a mix of digital and analog displays, with white sword-style hands and white indices. There’s a date and day window at three o’clock, along with other registers. 

The timepiece is solar-powered and can run for 7 months on a single charge, with typical daily use and 18 months in total darkness in “low power mode”. The watch is full of features, including stopwatch functions, a countdown timer, an alarm, and 38 timezones (displaying the city name), to name a few. It’s accurate to within 15 seconds +/- per month. The watch syncs with Bluetooth and offers smartphone link capabilities, and even displays battery levels. It’s water resistant to 100 meters and fitted with a black resin strap with a tang buckle. 

Price: $300

8. SEIKO PROSPEX SOLAR DIVE WATCH REF. SNE585P1

Seiko makes a number of stylish divers, and the Propex Solar Dive is no exception. The stainless steel case measures 38.5mm and is thin enough to slip under a dress shirt. The unidirectional bezel is blue with a circle pattern. 

The dial is a sunray blue with syringe-style hour and minute hands and a lollipop-style seconds hand. There’s a date window at 3 o’clock. The white indices are a mix of circles, rectangles, and a triangle at 12 o’clock. The case has a satin finish with some contrasting polishing. 

The watch is powered by Seiko’s caliber V147 movement, and its battery is solar-powered with a reserve of 10 months. The screw-down crown and caseback offer water resistance of 200 meters, which is perfect for most divers. The face of the timepiece is protected by a sapphire crystal and is fitted with a stainless steel three-link bracelet with a tri-fold clasp for additional security. This watch reminds me of a Tudor Black Bay but for a fraction of the price. 

Price: $495

9. CITIZEN PROMASTER NIGHTHAWK REF. BJ7138-04E

This timepiece puts out military vibes. I can see this on the wrist of some special operative behind enemy lines. Citizen says the Promaster Nighthawk was inspired by stealth helicopters. The two-tone steel and black case is made of stainless steel, measures 42mm, and has a lug width of 22mm. 

The smooth fixed black bezel paired with the busy black dial is sleek, and while there’s a lot of information displayed, the time is easily readable. The hands are white, and there’s a 24-hour hand in the style of an airplane on a runway. There’s a date window at 3 o’clock. 

The watch is powered by Citizen’s B877 movement, which is charged by their Eco-Drive solar technology. The timepiece is water-resistant to 200 meters. It features dual time, date, and slide rule. The watch is fitted with an olive green leather strap, inspired by military uniforms, with a tang buckle. This is a cool, sporty, casual watch that looks great on the wrist of a commando or just a world traveler or a weekend warrior with an active outdoor lifestyle. 

Price: $396

10.  SEIKO PROSPEX SNJ025 “ARNIE”

The Arnie is another sharp solar diver from Seiko. The timepiece is all black and steel with an analog and digital dial. The stainless steel case, with its lightweight high-tech protective shell, measures 47.8mm, sits at 14.4mm thick, and 51.3mm from lug to lug. The dial features sword-style white hands and white indices. There’s a digital display showing the time at the top of the dial. The black unidirectional bezel has a gear-style edge. 

The watch is powered by Seiko’s caliber H851 movement and is solar-powered with a six-month reserve. The timepiece is full of functions from power reserve display, local time indication, stopwatch function, and alarm. 

The watch has a screw-down crown, pushers, and screw-down caseback. It’s water resistant to 200 meters, suitable for scuba diving. The timepiece is fitted with a black silicon strap with a tang buckle. The Arnie has great 80s-style diver vibes and is worth considering. 

Price: $525

11.  CASIO FULL METAL G-SHOCK GM-B2100 REF. GM-B2100D-1A

Casio is known more for their functionality than their sense of style, but they’re trying hard with this model to do both. The G-Shock full metal is pretty similar to the other G-Shock we reviewed, just in an all-steel style. The octagonal bezel and case is the design feature that first grabs one’s attention. 

That stainless steel case measures 49.8mm by 44.4mm by 12.8mm. It’s a chunky, sports-style watch design. The black and gray dial, hands, and indices offer a sleek look. The dial is a combination of analog and digital. The style cues with this model take one back to the 80s with the dimpled band and bezel shape. 

The Full Metal G-Shock, as the name implies, is shock resistant and durable. It’s water resistant to 200 meters. The mineral glass protecting the face is disappointing, but these watches aren’t expected to last multiple generations like a luxury watch might. On the bright side, this timepiece has many useful functions and features. 

The watch is solar-powered and will run for about 7 months on a single charge, with typical daily use and 18 months in total darkness in “low power mode”. It offers time, date, 38 timezones, an alarm, a battery level indicator, and Bluetooth, among other functions. The timepiece is fitted with a dimpled stainless steel bracelet with a fold-over clasp. 

Price: $550

12.  CITIZEN WORLD CHRONOGRAPH ATOMIC TIMEKEEPING REF. AT8020-54L

I’ve always thought these Blue Angels Citizen watches were pretty darn cool and packed with tech. They have busy dials, which I don’t typically favor, but there’s something about the design I like. It’s sporty and attractive. 

The stainless steel, two-tone case, steel, and blue Ion-plated bezel measures 43mm, has a lug width of 25mm, and sits on the wrist at 12.5mm thick. These atomic and radio timekeeping watches tend to be thick, but this one is pretty reasonable. The dial is blue with white, silver-lined, sword-style hour and minute hands and a yellow seconds hand. The dial has three registers, and there’s a date window at 3 o’clock. 

The timepiece syncs to the Atomic Time Clock for accuracy and has Atomic Timekeeping tech that is synced with 26 time zones. The watch is powered by Citizen’s H800 Eco-Drive movement, which is charged by the sun. The timepiece also offers a day, date, and power reserve indicator.

The watch is water resistant to 200 meters and is fitted with a stainless steel three-link bracelet with a fold-over clasp. There’s also a titanium version of this model, which offers the same features, but in a lighter weight package, but of course, that’s more expensive. 

Price: $580.00 (Source: https://www.citizenwatch.com/us/en/product/AT8020-54L.html).

13.  JUNGHANS 1972 CHRONOSCOPE SOLAR REF. 14/4202.44

Junghans is a German watchmaker that may or may not be known to Americans. They’re the official timekeeper of the Munich Games, and they make some excellent watches. The Junghans 1972 Chrono Solar was designed to capture the spirit of those 1972 games. It does just that. It’s sporty, streamlined, and like a well-conditioned athlete, there’s not much “fat” on this watch. 

The timepiece’s stainless steel case measures 43.3mm and sits on the wrist at 11.6mm thick. The bezel and case have a satin finish and a sculpted look. The bezel is black and matched with an anthracite-gray sunray brushed dial. There’s a red outer ring with a tachymeter scale. The dial has three registers and gray hour and minute hands, plus a red seconds hand. There’s a date window at 3 o’clock. 

The watch is powered by a solar-quartz movement, the caliber J622.50. It’s water resistant to 100 meters, with a screw-down caseback, a guard-protected crown, and a sapphire crystal covering of the face. The timepiece features a stop function with 1/5 seconds, date, and alarm. The watch is fitted with a stainless steel bracelet with a folding clasp. All around, this is a really nice watch that could function as a sports watch and in dressier situations. 

Price: Approx. $1,000

14.  SEIKO PROSPEX SPEEDTIMER SSC813

This is another “panda-style” chronograph from Seiko with all the right style cues. The stainless steel case measures 39mm, which is a real sweet spot for most wrists. It sits on the wrist at 13.3mm and 45.5mm lug-to-lug. The case has a satin finish and looks great with the black tachometer bezel. 

The white dial is clean and crisp, with three registers with black backgrounds, along with black hands and indices. There’s a date window at 4 o’clock. This watch has some Omega Speedmaster vibes, and there’s nothing wrong with a tribute, especially at a reasonable price. 

The timepiece is powered by Seiko’s caliber V192 quartz-solar movement. It’s loaded with features like a 6-month power reserve, power indicator reserve, date, small seconds, chronograph up to 60 minutes, and a 24-hour hand. The face of the watch is protected by sapphire crystal. The screw-down caseback adds to the seal, and this timepiece offers 100 meters of water resistance. It’s paired with a stainless steel bracelet with a tri-folding clasp.

Price: $675

15.  JUNGHANS FORCE MEGA SOLAR REF. 18/1000.00

This is another modern-style timepiece from Junghans. The all-black design is slimming and classy, but this watch isn’t just great to look at, it’s also got all the right chops. Made of a polished ceramic, the case measures 40.4mm and is ultra-thin at 8.2mm thick. 

The dial is both analog and digital, with a black outer rim with white-gray markings. The inner dial is gray with vertical lines. The hour and minute hands are gray, and the seconds hand is black. There’s a large digital date window at 6 o’clock. 

The face of the watch is protected by a sapphire crystal and is water-resistant to 50 meters. There’s even a handsome globe design on the caseback. This timepiece is packed with tech, with a radio-controlled solar movement, for the most accurate timekeeping. Functions besides date and time include a power reserve indicator for up to 21 months and easy time adjustment in the app. The watch is fitted with a black synthetic rubber strap with a titanium tang buckle. 

Price: Approx. $1,250

16.  TISSOT T-TOUCH CONNECT SOLAR REF. T121.420.47.051.00

This is a super-fly watch from Tissot, the Swiss watch company. It’s both classy, sporty, and bold. I could see this timepiece worn with casual attire or, if you’re gutsy, even a suit. The anti-magnetic titanium case measures 47.5mm, 23mm lug width, and sits pretty high on the wrist at 15.3mm. 

This watch is a big boy, and while one could wear it with a suit, in my opinion, it won’t slide under a dress shirt. But why would you want to hide this beautiful, modern timepiece anyway? Despite being a larger watch, it’s light at 92 grams, thanks to its titanium build. 

The shiny black ceramic bezel features a compass and other markings in white. The black dial is both analog and digital. The hour and minute hands are white, lined in black, with a red triangle tip on the minute hand. The seconds hand is red and in the shape of a T for Tissot T-Touch. The indices are white, and there’s a large digital display on the lower half of the dial. 

The watch is full of the latest tech and features. The movement is a Swiss-connected quartz solar movement. Despite all the digital functions, the timepiece is water-resistant to 100 meters. The face of the watch is protected by sapphire crystal. 

The functions include an altimeter, compass, perpetual calendar, alarm, multiple timezones, automatic daylight saving time, timer, chronograph split, chronograph lap, chronograph log book, step counter, calorie tracker, temperature, weather, etc. There are simply too many functions to list. The timepiece is paired with a red synthetic silicone strap with a tang buckle. If you’re looking for a Swiss watch that straddles the line between classy and modern with all the latest tech, I think you’ve found it. 

Price: $1,095

17.  JUNGHANS MAX BILL MEGA SOLAR REF 59/2022.46

This model is another great example of the modern, minimalist designs Jughans is known for. This design captures the essence of the Bauhaus style, from its simplicity to its lightweight and gentle touch on the skin. The timepiece also puts out vintage, 60s German vibes to my eye. The titanium case measures 38mm and is ultra-thin at 9mm. 

The domed sapphire crystal adds to the vintage feel. The dial is white-gray with gray hands and markings. There’s a date window at 3 o’clock and white luminescent dots at 3, 6, 9, and two dots at 12. The caseback includes a map of the world. 

The watch is powered by a connected radio-controlled solar movement J101.85 and is water resistant to 50 meters. Functions include the date, time adjustment at the crown or the MEGA App, and seconds display in half-second motions. The timepiece is fitted with a titanium Milanese bracelet with a folding clasp.

Price: Approx. $1,450

18.  TAG HEUER AQUARACER PROFESSIONAL 200 SOLARGRAPH REF. WBP1180.BF0000

This TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional looks old school, but under the hood, it’s all modern tech. The octagonal grade 2 titanium bezel with its coin edge look is complemented by a sunray, brushed black dial with a horizontal line pattern. The titanium sandblasted case measures 40mm, which is a comfortable, versatile size. The silver-lined white hour and minute hands and indices are complemented by a turquoise pop of color on the seconds hand. There’s a functional date window at 3 o’clock. 

The screw-down caseback displays a compass symbol. There’s a screw-down steel crown and a water resistance of 200 meters. The watch has solargraph technology and features a Swiss solar-powered movement. The timepiece is fitted with a sandblasted 3-link grade 2 titanium with a folding clasp, push buttons, and micro-adjustment. 

Price: $3,050

19.  SEIKO ASTRON GPS SOLAR SSH109

This Seiko Astron GPS Solar offers a fusion of a classic steel sports watch with technology, and the design captures that well. The titanium case measures 42.7mm, sits at 12.2mm on the wrist, and is 48mm from lug to lug. The face of the watch is protected by sapphire crystal. The dial has four registers, one smaller, with a date window between 4 and 5 o’clock. The dial has silver sword-style hands against a gray-blue, to my eye, and has a fine sandpaper finish at the center. 

This timepiece is powered by a GPS solar movement with a 6-month reserve and 2 years in power save mode. The watch is water resistant to 100 meters and has a plethora of options. Options include perpetual calendar, world time function in 39 time zones, dual-time function, day display, power reserve indicator, GPS signal reception function, and automatic daylight savings, among others. The timepiece is fitted with a titanium bracelet with a three-fold clasp and push buttons. 

Price: $2,500

20.  CARTIER TANK MUST LARGE SOLARBEAT™ REF. WSTA0059

If you love the Cartier Tank Must style, but you’re looking for a solar-powered timepiece, you’re in luck, Cartier has just what you’re looking for. The WSTA0059 has the iconic steel rectangular case you know and love. The case measures 33.7mm by 5.5mm by 6.6mm. This is a thin, classic dress watch. The white dial has black Roman numerals and markings with sharp blue hands that match the blue tip of the crown. 

The face of the timepiece is protected by synthetic sapphire glass. The movement powering the watch is quartz solar. The watch is water resistant to 30 meters, which is splash resistant and perfectly acceptable for a dress watch. All this is paired with a black leather strap with a tang buckle. This timepiece simply exudes class but is unique with its cutting-edge solar tech under the hood. 

Retail Price: $3,700

21. Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar 

One of the best watches in the marathon training and triathlon training communities, the Garmin Forerunner 955 features a fitness tracker with a beautiful color display and a GPS mapping system that ensures you never get lost during your training session. It also features advanced readings on stats like VO2 max levels, sleep quality, and training readiness. The best feature is the gigantic battery life, with up to twenty days of uninterrupted wear in smartwatch mode, assuming the sunlight conditions are correct. Being a smartwatch, the full-color display is crisp and legible, being extremely easy to read in direct sunlight so that you can follow the GPS with no complications.

The case size is 46.5mm, made with a silicone strap, and a fiber-reinforce bezel, with a 14.4mm thickness. For smartwatches, it’s pretty slick looking with a simple, black, rubbery texture with some fine-tuned details along the casing. I can definitely see this piece drawing major attention from any fitness fans out there. 

Price: $600

Parting Thoughts

There’s a large and growing market for solar-powered, radio, and GPS-linked watches that are full of features and have the ability to connect with our smartphones and online worlds. We hope this article has been informative and useful in your search for the right solar watch for your needs. 

There’s a wide array of timepieces in this space, from budget options to sporty and dressy possibilities from higher-end, luxury watchmakers and everything in between. We think these are 20 of the best on the market today, and one can’t go wrong with any of them.