In summary: Club de la Montre is a French watch retailer that has sold more than 3,000 watches since 1968. A solar-powered watch converts light into energy using a photovoltaic cell hidden beneath the dial: no more battery changes, a power reserve lasting several months, and quartz-level accuracy. Our catalog features 48 solar-powered watches from 5 brands, ranging from Ice-Watch Solar starting at €99 to Nixon, priced from €95.40 to €375.
Solar-powered watches are quietly winning the battle: they offer the same accuracy as quartz watches, but you’ll never have to stop by a store to replace a battery again. Long reserved for outdoor watches with busy dials, they’re now available in colorful, urban designs, with Ice-Watch Solar leading the way. Our department currently carries 48 models from 5 brands, and entry-level prices have dropped below €100.
This guide explains how a solar-powered watch works, reviews the Ice-Watch Steel Solar collection, and highlights 9 verified models available for order on August 15, 2026.
How does a solar-powered watch work?
The principle can be summed up in one sentence: a photovoltaic cell placed beneath the dial converts light into electricity, which charges a battery. This battery then powers a standard quartz movement. When you wear the watch, it charges. When it’s stored in a lighted drawer, it charges as well.
There are three common misconceptions that need to be corrected. First, artificial light works too: a desk lamp can charge the watch—more slowly than sunlight, but sufficiently for daily use. Second, the watch doesn’t stop on the first cloudy day: depending on the model, the battery stores several months’ worth of power reserve. Finally, it’s not a fragile gadget: the solar cell is protected beneath the dial and requires no special maintenance.
Compared to other power sources, solar energy occupies a unique position: it offers the reliability of quartz, without its Achilles’ heel—the button cell battery that needs to be replaced every 2 to 5 years.
| Engine | Energy | Routine Maintenance | Entry-level models at CDLM |
|---|---|---|---|
| Battery-powered quartz | Button cell battery | Batteries every 2 to 5 years | 19,90 € |
| Solar | Light, whether natural or artificial | None in everyday life | 95,40 € |
| Automatic | Wrist Movement | Service every 4 to 6 years | 175 € |
Ice-Watch Solar: The Color That Runs on Light
Founded in 2007 in Belgium by Jean-Pierre Lutgen, Ice-Watch has built its success on a simple idea: a watch is worn like a color. The ICE Steel Solar line applies this philosophy to solar energy: a steel case, a chic Milanese-style design, silver, green, black, or blue dials, and an invisible photovoltaic cell beneath the dial. Six models are available for order from us at the time of publication, ranging from €99 to €119: this is the most affordable entry point into the solar watch market outside of Pierre Lannier’s INTI line.
To help you understand where the line fits into the brand's overall portfolio, our comprehensive guide to the Ice-Watch collections reviews all 294 active models in our Ice-Watch section, and our article "Summer According to Ice-Watch " explores the Belgian brand's vacation-themed offerings.
Ice-Watch
Steel Solar, Silver
The Solar Front Door
A sleek, urban mix of silver-colored steel.
99 €
Ice-Watch
Steel Solar, Silver Green
The green dial is right on trend
Green, a rising color, is bathed in light here.
99 €
Ice-Watch
Steel Solar, Gold Blue
Gold and midnight blue
The dressier version of the line, still battery-free.
119 €
French Sunglasses Brands: Pierre Lannier and Kelton
Solar-powered watches are no longer the exclusive domain of Japanese outdoor watch giants. Two French brands in our catalog have joined the fray, each in its own way. Pierre Lannier, based in Alsace, presents the INTI collection: sunburst and smoked dials that live up to their names, as they draw their energy from what they celebrate. Kelton has launched a fashion collaboration with Ines de la Fressange Paris: a solar-powered field watch with a casual elegance.
Pierre Lannier
INTI Solaire, Milanese Blue
The most affordable solar product in the aisle
Blue sunburst dial and Milanese mesh bracelet, by the Alsatian brand.
95,40 €
Pierre Lannier
INTI Solaire, Smoked Green Dial
The smoky hue that catches the light
A deep green gradient on steel—the INTI in its evening attire.
169 €
Kelton
x Ines de la Fressange, Field Sand
The Solar Fashion Collaboration
A signed sand-colored field watch featuring the iconic Parisian style.
205 €
Moving Upmarket: Nixon and Maserati
For watches priced above €150, solar-powered models are getting more refined. California-based Nixon has converted its best-selling Time Teller to solar power and is now offering the steel Sentry, while Maserati is applying the same concept to the Successo Lady. Three ways to never have to worry about the battery again—without compromising on style.
Nixon
Time Teller Solar, Dusty Blue
The Best-Seller Goes Solar
Powder-blue sunray dial, Californian minimalism.
155 €
Maserati
Successo Lady, Solar Edition
The Battery-Free Trident
Bright white and Italian flair.
242,80 €
Nixon
Sentry Solar, Navy Steel
The top of the solar beam
Steel case and bracelet, navy sunburst dial.
375 €
Living Well with a Solar-Powered Watch
Give it light, not sunburn. A watch worn regularly winds itself. If you’re not wearing it, place it in a small dish near a window rather than in a closed drawer for six months—that’s the only real pitfall of solar-powered watches. However, there’s no need to leave it out in the blazing sun for hours on end: excessive heat doesn’t provide any more benefit than ambient light.
Summer is its season—but only under one condition. The beach and outdoor cafes recharge the watch at full speed, but salt, sand, and sunscreen remain its enemies, just as they do for any watch: our guide , “Salt, Sand, and Sunscreen, ” details the right precautions to take. And before you go for a swim, check the water resistance rating on each model’s specifications sheet: “sunscreen-resistant” does not mean “dive-ready.”
Think about who it’s for. The person who always forgets to change the batteries, the one who wants a more eco-friendly option, the teenager heading off to college who’ll never visit a watchmaker—solar-powered watches are perfect for them. When it comes to choosing the right case size for your wrist, our size guide is still the go-to resource, whether the watch is solar-powered or not. The rest of the selection can be found in the men’s and women’s sections, just like with any other watch.
FAQ: Your Questions About Solar-Powered Watches
How does a solar-powered watch work?
A photovoltaic cell located beneath the dial converts light into electricity and charges a battery, which powers a standard quartz movement. The watch recharges simply by being worn or exposed to light—whether natural or artificial.
Does a solar-powered watch recharge using artificial light?
Yes. A desk lamp or room lighting recharges the cell—more slowly than daylight, but enough for everyday use. That's why a solar-powered watch worn regularly almost never runs out of power.
How long does a solar-powered watch run in the dark?
Once the battery is charged, the power reserve ranges from several months to more than a year, depending on the movement. A watch left in a closed drawer for a very long time will eventually stop, but will start running again after a few hours of exposure to light.
Do you still need to replace the battery in a solar-powered watch?
No, there is no battery that needs to be replaced every 2 to 5 years, as with a traditional quartz watch. The rechargeable battery is designed to last for many years; if it ever needs to be replaced—which is rare—it should be done by a watchmaker, just like any other repair.
What is the Ice-Watch Solar line worth?
ICE Steel Solar is the solar watch line from Ice-Watch, a Belgian brand founded in 2007: steel cases, an urban Milanese style, and dials in silver, green, black, blue, or gold. At Club de la Montre, six models are available ranging from €99 to €119, making this one of the most affordable entry points into solar watches.
Which brands offer solar-powered watches at Club de la Montre?
Five brands as of August 15, 2026: Ice-Watch (Steel Solar), Pierre Lannier (INTI collection), Kelton (collaboration with Ines de la Fressange Paris), Nixon (Time Teller Solar and Sentry Solar), and Maserati (Successo Solar Edition). That’s 48 active models, ranging from €95.40 to €375.
Is a solar-powered watch an eco-friendly choice?
In any case, it’s a more sustainable choice: no more button cells to be discarded every 2 to 5 years, and fewer trips to the repair shop. The rechargeable battery itself has a lifespan of several years, which reduces waste over the watch’s life cycle.
Can you go swimming while wearing a solar-powered watch?
Solar power doesn't affect water resistance: it depends on the case, not the movement. Check the water resistance rating in meters on each model's product page before swimming, just as you would with a battery-powered or automatic watch.
A Final Word
Solar-powered watches have long been the domain of specialists. With the Ice-Watch Solar starting at €99, Pierre Lannier’s INTI starting at €95.40, and a selection that includes the Nixon Sentry in stainless steel, they’ve become a no-brainer: the elegance you want, with less maintenance. The 294 models in our Ice-Watch collection and the rest of our solar watch selection await you, fully charged.
