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The Best Solar Watches Harness the Sun to Power Up Your Style

The best solar watches for men don’t just offer freedom dead batteries, they also happen to be some of the slickest—and most wallet-friendly—timepieces on the market. Introduced in the ‘70s as an upgrade to the era’s cutting-edge digital watches, the idea of powering a watch entirely using ambient light hasn’t lost one shred of appeal in the last five decades; quite the contrary. As watch brands scramble to make their products more eco-friendly, cutting dependence on disposable watch batteries has led to a bumper crop of stylish solar timepieces, from burly G-Shocks to dressy Seikos to classic divers. The shift to solar isn’t just happening at the entry-level, either. Cartier dropped a solar version of its iconic Tank in 2020 and this year TAG Heuer introduced its first-ever solar-powered dive watch, the Aquaracer Solargraph. With long waiting lists for the Cartier, and the TAG Heuer expected in stores later this year, however, there are plenty of other stylish ways to get on the solar train. Check out the selects below for our top picks, and bask in the satisfaction of never having to buy another watch battery again.

All products featured on GQ are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

  • Timex Expedition Scout watch

    Timex’s perennially cool field watch recently got the solar makeover, but don’t worry: it’ll still look just as good with hiking boots and a flannel as it does with your best city duds.

  • Casio Solar Sport Combination watch

    With 5 alarms, a world-timer, and an ultra-tough case with 100m of water resistance, this affordable Casio is already a phenomenal value. But the invisible solar panel that can hold 10 months worth of charge from any light source puts it over the top.

  • Casio Solar Sport watch

    Your weekend probably doesn’t include plans to trek through the jungle Jumanji-style, but this watch will make you feel dressed for it—with or without a khaki shirt and cargo shorts.

  • Seiko SNE549 Prospex Solar watch

    This pro-level diver’s watch has everything you need to explore the undersea realm—or just add a little Cousteau vibes to your weekend look without going full red beanie.

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