{"id":30964,"date":"2021-07-12T13:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-07-12T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.firstclasswatches.co.uk\/blog\/?p=30964"},"modified":"2022-09-14T12:32:59","modified_gmt":"2022-09-14T11:32:59","slug":"the-history-of-solar-powered-watches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.firstclasswatches.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/07\/the-history-of-solar-powered-watches\/","title":{"rendered":"The History of Solar Powered Watches"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Solar\npowered watches have been growing in popularity since the history of solar\npowered watches began in the 1970s. Throughout the push for more renewable energy\nduring the 21st<\/sup> century so far, many people have searched for small\nways that they can lessen their personal impact on the environment. Solar\npowered watches have become a favourable option for many as they use renewable\nenergy, meaning that the need for battery changes is greatly reduced. These\nwatches are also enjoyed by technology lovers due to the impressive expertise\nrequired to create them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solar\npowered watches are directly powered by light sources. This light can either\ncome from natural or artificial sources, and the more light the watch is\nexposed to, the more charged the battery will be. Most solar watches work using\nsolar cells which are imbedded into the dial or designed to be part of the\nbezel. These cells harvest light and convert it from light energy into\nelectrical energy. The electrical energy is then used to charge the battery,\nkeeping the watch running. This means that unlike in quartz watches, the\nbatteries of solar watches do not need to be changed regularly so long as they\nare exposed to light. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nHistory of Solar Powered Watches<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The\nworld\u2019s first solar powered watch was developed by an American engineer named\nRoger W. Riehl in 1972. Riehl created the watch in his own home and named it\nthe Synchronar 2100. He gave the watch this name as an abbreviation for \u201cSYNchronous\nCHRONometer calendAR\u201d. \u201c2100\u201d was used to refer to the watch\u2019s perpetual\ncalendar that was said to be able to run until the year 2100. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prior to the Synchronar 2100 being built, electrical clocks and solar cells did already exist, but had not yet been used in this manner. The first properly usable and efficient solar cells were produced by Bell Laboratories in the 1950s and Hamilton<\/a> launched its famous Hamilton Electric 500 in 1957. This was the world\u2019s first electric wristwatch. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The time of the invention of the Synchronar was a time of great advancement in the horological industry. A couple of years prior in 1969, Seiko<\/a> had introduced the first quartz watch. This was an event that shook the industry and sparked the quartz crisis. Riehl seemed to be greatly influenced by pop culture of the time as the design of the watch appears to be inspired by the aesthetic of Star Trek<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nSynchronar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The\noriginal Synchronar watch did not have much in common with other watches of the\ntime. It had a very angular body and displayed the time using red LED lights on\nthe edge of the watch. The space where a dial would normally sit was occupied by\nphotovoltaic cells in order to maximise light absorption. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This\nwatch was ground-breaking in many ways. The watch claimed the title of the\nfirst LED light watch display that could be clearly read in full light. It had\na 5000G shock resistance and was water resistant up to 750 feet (around 230\nmetres). It had unusually wide temperature tolerances and claimed an accuracy\nto within one minute per year. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Riehl\ncreated multiple generations of the Synchronar throughout his lifetime, with\neach model using the latest technological advances to improve upon the last.\nSadly, production of the watches ceased in 2005 when Riehl passed away. However,\nall was not lost as much of Riehl\u2019s work has inspired other watchmakers to\nincorporate solar powered technology into their own watches. The technology we\nhave today is much more effective that what Riehl would have had access to when\ncreating the very first Synchronar, so modern solar powered watches are much more\nreliable and have a longer battery life. Perhaps if solar technology continues\nto advance it may be able to effectively and efficiently power smartwatches\nwith full colour screens. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Solar\nPowered Watch Recommendations <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Seiko Prospex PADI Compact Solar Scuba Diver SNE575P1<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Seiko<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This\nwatch comes from the Seiko Prospex collection which was given its name as it is\na hybrid of the words \u2018professional\u2019 and \u2018specifications\u2019. The watch lives up\nto the name of its collection with its elegant diver\u2019s watch look and incredible\nrange of functions. The dial of this watch features the PADI \u2018Earth\u2019 design\nwith a date aperture at 3 o\u2019clock. Dot and baton indices are used to denote\nhours and complement the white and blue hour, minute and second hands. A black unidirectional\nbezel surrounds the dial and features a minute track with blue detailing. The powerful\nsolar movement of the calibre V147 is housed in the stainless steel case which\nmeasures 38.5mm in diameter. The watch is water resistant up to 200 metres (20\nbar), making it suitable for most water-based activities. The watch is secured\non the wrist using a stainless steel bracelet that will be easy to style with\nany outfit.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citizen Women\u2019s Eco-Drive Chronograph Bracelet FB1444-56D<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

It\nmay be incorrectly assumed by some that solar powered watches have to be chunky\nand practical, but this Citizen model proves that this is absolutely not the\ncase. It is feminine and pretty and will be able to add a touch of elegance to\nany outfit, whilst also being eco-friendly and technologically advanced in its\ndesign. The mother-of-pearl dial features three sub dials and a date aperture\nat 4 o\u2019clock, making it easy for the wearer to keep track of a variety of time\nperiods. A gold minute track features around the edge of the dial and is\nprotected by mineral crystal. A stainless steel case frames the dial and houses\nthe solar powered movement. The watch is finished with an attractive two-tone\nsilver and gold stainless steel bracelet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Maserati Successo Solar Gents Gold Plated Watch R8873645002<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"The<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

This\nMaserati watch is perfect for those who like to make a statement with their\naccessories. The black chronograph dial features three sub dials and a date\naperture. These are accompanied by gold baton indices and gold hour, minute and\nsecond hands. A tachymeter bezel encircles the dial and a gold PVD plated\nstainless steel case frames it. The case measures 45mm in diameter and 11.5mm in\ndepth. The watch is powered by a precise and reliable solar quartz movement\nthat omits the need for regular battery changes. The watch is water resistant\nup to 100 metres (10 bar), making it a perfect companion for daily wear. This\nmodel is finished with a gold PVD plated stainless steel bracelet. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bering BERING \/ Watch \/ Solar \/ Women 14331-369<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Bering<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Bering\nwatches are all inspired by the beauty and colour palette of the Arctic. These stunning\nlandscapes fascinated the founders and have influenced the designs of the brand\u2019s\ncreations ever since. Bering solar watches are powered by a unique rechargeable\nbattery that allows them to be powered by any kind of light. The battery in\nthis watch can last up to 6-12 months on a single charge. This model features a\nvery simple grey dial with rose gold hour, minute and second hands. The dial is\nprotected by scratch-resistant sapphire glass. A polished rose gold case frames\nthe dial. It measures 31mm in diameter and 9mm in height. This watch is secured\non the wrist using a grey stainless steel Milanese bracelet that fastens with a\nsafety clasp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Citizen Men\u2019s Eco-Drive Perpetual Calendar BL5570-01E<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n
\"Citizen<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Citizen\nhas become internationally renowned for its Eco-Drive technology with the brand\u2019s\nsolar powered watches having some of the best movements on the market. The brand\nis passionate about environmentalism and the Eco-Drive technology showcases its\ndedication to better the world. This watch features a black complicated dial\nwith a date display, chronograph, perpetual calendar, a dual time zone and a\n12\/24 hour format. Key features on the dial are highlighted in red and the dial\nis framed by a stainless steel tachymeter bezel. The Eco-Drive movement is\nhoused in a stainless steel case that measures 43mm in diameter. The watch is\nfinished with a black perforated leather strap that is detailed with red. This\nmodel is water resistant up to 200 metres (20 bar) making it perfect for all\noccasions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\nare your thoughts on the history of solar powered watches? Would you consider\nadding one to your collection? Let us know in the comments below! <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Solar powered watches have been growing in popularity since the history of solar powered watches began in the 1970s. Throughout the push for more renewable energy during the 21st century…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":30994,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false},"categories":[11,28],"tags":[801,136,135,130,10420],"yoast_head":"\nThe History of Solar Powered Watches - First Class Watches Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.firstclasswatches.co.uk\/blog\/2021\/07\/the-history-of-solar-powered-watches\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"The History of Solar Powered Watches - First Class Watches Blog\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Solar powered watches have been growing in popularity since the history of solar powered watches began in the 1970s. 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