Best Solar Powered Dive Watches | We Test & Review 14 Dive Watches Powered By Light
Are you looking for the best solar dive watch around? Well, it’s actually a tougher mission than you might have thought!
Updated August 2025: Finding the best solar dive watch isn’t as simple as picking whatever’s on sale at Amazon. The truth is, most solar divers run on the same handful of movements — with Seiko Epson supplying the bulk of them.
That’s actually a good thing: these movements are reliable, proven, and require virtually no maintenance. But it also means the real decision comes down to build quality, features, and looks.
This is my third major update to this guide. I’ve revamped it again to reflect discontinued models, new releases, and the latest solar technology. And just like before, every watch on this list is one I’ve actually worn, tested, and used in the field — not just researched online.
So whether you’re looking for a no-nonsense budget diver, a compact everyday beater, or a professional-level tool, I’ve narrowed the options down to the models that stand out right now.
If you’ve been searching, you’ve probably noticed the same thing I did — the options are surprisingly limited. Solar divers are a small field, mostly dominated by Seiko, Citizen, and Casio. Beyond those, the choices get slim fast.
The following list is made up of watches I handpicked based on real-world use, trusted reviews, input from fellow collectors, and brands I’ve personally tested, owned, or spent serious time with. Every watch here earned its spot — nothing was added just to pad the list.
To make the cut, a solar diver needed to meet a few non-negotiable standards:
- A screw-down crown
- A screw-down case back
- At least 200 meters of water resistance
- Reliable lume
- A functional rotating bezel
Citizen Eco Drive Promaster BN0150-28E
See The Black Dial Here & The Blue Dial Here
Why I Picked It:
After more than five years of owning the black dial version, this has proven to be the most reliable solar diver I’ve ever worn. It’s always charged, always ready, and built tough enough to handle real-world use. I find myself grabbing it as a daily beater more often than not, simply because it never lets me down.
Who They Are and Specs:
Citizen has been making professional-grade divers for decades, and the Promaster line is their backbone. This model brings 200 meters of water resistance, ISO certification, a screw-down crown, and Citizen’s tried-and-true Eco-Drive solar movement. The case is 44mm, with a smooth-action unidirectional bezel and a durable silicone strap (though Citizen once offered a bracelet version that now only pops up on eBay).
What Stands Out:
The bezel action is crisp and satisfying, lume is strong, and the watch just feels like it can take a beating. I own both the black and blue dial versions, and both have shrugged off years of abuse. It’s also one of those watches that looks more expensive than it is — simple, classic diver styling that works in the water or at the office. Price fluctuates a lot, and Amazon often has it heavily discounted around Black Friday, which is when I picked up both of mine.
Verdict:
Probably the best-known and best-value solar diver out there. It’s handsome, rugged, and backed by Citizen’s bulletproof Eco-Drive tech. Whether you’re buying it as a dependable daily wear, a first real diver, or even as a gift, this one is hard to beat.
Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive Professional Diver BN1024-01E
- CITIZEN PROMASTER Professional Diver 300 m – For over 35 years, the Citizen Promaster series has been providing professional performance at the highest level. This analogue watch has a calendar function: date and is equipped with solar power, luminous hands and luminous numbers.
Best Professional-Grade Solar Diver With 365-Day Power Reserve
Why I Picked It:
Citizen took one of their most popular Promasters (the BN0150) and made it tougher in every way. The BN1024-01E ups the water resistance to 300 m, adds a helium escape valve for saturation diving, swaps mineral glass for a 4 mm thick sapphire crystal, and packs Citizen’s new E365 Eco-Drive movement with a full year of power reserve on a single charge. It’s built for real diving, not just poolside bragging rights.
Who They Are and Specs:
Citizen has been building professional dive watches for decades, and the Promaster name carries real weight in the tool-watch world. This model brings:
- 46 mm stainless steel case (16.3 mm thick, 161 g)
- ISO-rated 300 m water resistance with helium escape valve
- Eco-Drive E365 movement (365-day reserve, end-of-life indicator, ±15 sec/month)
- AR-coated sapphire crystal (4 mm thick)
- Benebiol™ eco-friendly strap (plant-derived, hydrolysis-resistant, softer than Citizen’s old rubber straps)
- Unidirectional 120-click bezel with highly grippy serration and recessed minute track
What Stands Out:
The E365 caliber is a big deal—365 days of solar power is a game changer for a quartz diver. The sapphire upgrade means real durability in saltwater and rough use. The new strap material is surprisingly comfortable, while the case shape (lugless) helps the oversized 46 mm diameter wear better than expected. The lume and legibility are classic Promaster: bright, functional, no nonsense. Downsides? The watch is thick, and its professional spec sheet means it may not be the best daily wearer for everyone.
Verdict:
If you want a true professional solar diver that’s ISO-rated, saturation-ready, and tough enough for serious use, the BN1024-01E is one of the best values on the market. It’s bulkier and pricier than the older BN0150, but the upgrades—sapphire, helium valve, and year-long power reserve—make it a clear step up.
Citizen Titanium Promaster BN0200-56E
My favorite watch on the list, hands down, and one I wear often. This guy is a real diver with 200m of water resistance, a screw down crown and case back and comes on either a rubber strap or bracelet. I should mention that Citizen lume is stellar in most cases, and it certainly is here on these Promaster. What sets this watch apart is the Titanium case and bracelet.
It has a cool gray look to it and you’ll forget you’re wearing it. This is the watch, in fact, that started me on my journey of finding the best solar diver. Not only is it wicked cool with the titanium, but the seconds hand lines up with the dial markings almost perfectly….a tough feat for any quartz watch.
What also makes this one of the best is that it has no recoil of the seconds hand when ticking. You may have noticed on some quartz watches, the seconds hand will bounce back slightly on each tick, but not with the Promaster.
This Promaster also is available on a rubber strap and matching titanium bracelet and it’s the version I recommend you buy. Even if you’re not a bracelet guy, the few extra dollars is worth it.
I have the bracelet for mine and have gone back to wearing it on the metal almost exclusively. With solid end links and lots of micro adjustments, it’s too good to pass up.
Seiko Prospex “Arnie” SNJ025
- ANALOG & DIGITAL: this classic sports watch features both hybrid displays. Digital display offers time, date, alarm and chronograph readouts with a stopwatch function, power reserve indicator and dual time capability
Best Hybrid Solar Diver With Movie-Star Cred
Why I Picked It:
The “Arnie” is a cult classic. Originally worn by Arnold Schwarzenegger in Predator and Commando, the modern SNJ025 brings that same unmistakable look with updated solar power and a ton of useful digital functions. It’s one of the few dive watches that doubles as a survival-ready tool and pop culture icon.
Who They Are and Specs:
Seiko has been making tough, adventure-ready watches for decades, and the Arnie is one of their most recognizable. This modern Prospex version includes:
- 47.8 mm stainless steel/plastic “Tuna” case (14.4 mm thick, 51.3 mm lug-to-lug)
- Solar quartz caliber H851, ±15 sec/month, 6-month power reserve
- ISO-certified 200 m water resistance
- Analog + digital hybrid display (time, alarm, stopwatch, second time zone, battery check)
- Hardlex mineral crystal
- Silicone strap with unique stainless keeper ring
What Stands Out:
The analog-digital hybrid is what makes this watch special. You get classic dive watch looks with modern digital features — and the trick hand-sync function that lets the analog hands instantly match the digital time is addictive. Despite the nearly 48 mm case size, the Tuna-style shroud and compact lugs make it wear smaller than expected, and the lume plus backlit LCD ensure legibility in any conditions. It’s chunky, rugged, and unmistakably Seiko.
Verdict:
If you want a solar diver that’s as tough as it is unique, the SNJ025 “Arnie” deserves a spot on your list. It’s not the cheapest option — and yes, it uses Hardlex instead of sapphire — but its hybrid tech, movie-star history, and rugged presence make it one of the most distinctive dive watches you can buy.
Citizen Promaster BN0190-82E
This watch is a guilty pleasure. I had seen this on Amazon forever, but the stock pictures made it look big, bulky and, how shall I say….a little gaudy. However, in person, it’s such a beautiful watch! If you want a nice, dressy, sports watch, something that can do it all and still perform when the chips are down, then this guy is a good choice.
Pictures just don’t do this watch justice. It’s a little hard to photograph with the black sunburst dial, but the watch has some amazing details: from a slanted chapter ring, dial markings, handset and more. The stock bracelet isn’t too shabby either – a little bit of a pain to adjust, but does have solid end links and micro-adjustments.
After owning this watch for over three years, I still love it as much as the day I got it. Over that time I have come to appreciate it even more and how good looking it is. I have actually started to wear it on a rubber quick release strap from Ritchie even more than usual. The Ritchie silicone are thinker than most and feels more substantial on the wrist with matches the watches presence. The nice thing about this Citizen Solar Diver is it wears much smaller than the 45mm diameter size would lead you to believe. The sloping bezel meets the case just right and that is one reason it looks just right on the wrist.
It quickly has become one of my ‘grab and go’ watches. Like most Citizen divers, the lume is excellent. If you like big divers like a Seiko Marine Master, then you will really love this watch. See the blue dial version here.
SEIKO PROSPEX SBPK001 – Solar Sumo GMT
- Blue dial With a GMT hand function
- Diver’s 200 meter
- Anti-reflective coating on inner surface
- Sapphire crystal
- Unidirectional rotating bezel
One of my most favorite dive watches ever is the Seiko Sumo and I recently wrote a review about it here. So when Seiko launched the Solar GMT version a while back, Iknew it would also be a must own watch. Like many Seiko watches, my main complaint is the cheap bracelet, but there are a lot of after market options out there.
Seiko dropped a bomb with the SBPK001—also known as the Solar Sumo GMT—and after spending real time with it, I can say it’s one of the most refined solar divers they’ve released in years. It takes everything we love about the Sumo line—serious case presence, robust build, and professional specs—and adds a solar-powered GMT movement that’s actually useful. Whether you’re traveling, diving, or just keeping tabs on another time zone, the SBPK001 does it all with classic Seiko style.
The Solar Sumo was a surprise release and is more than a cult classic now. The lume is insane, the GMT function is great even if you are never going to use it, and the quartz movement keeps spot on time. The watch features the iconic “Sumo” case, known for its robust and hefty build, yet balanced with elegant curves that make it comfortable to wear. The case is crafted from high-grade stainless steel, ensuring it can withstand the rigors of outdoor activities. The dial has an inner ring with a 24-hour scale, allowing for easy tracking of a second time zone.
Lum-Tec Solar Marine 2
This watch caught me by surprise and I have instantly fallen in love with the Solar Marine 2. The best thing about this watch is how fast it will charge. Put this guy outside or under bright light for an hour and you get a full day charge. This works great if aren’t wearing the Solar Marine 2 every single day and pull it our for duty only to realize it’s dead or low. I think this also must be one of the fasting charging solar dive watches out thee, it will last almost 6 months on a solid 5 hour charge.
Other highlights for me that I love are the sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, it’s got an anti-shock mounting system that holds the movement and in’s only 10.5MM tall. The watch goes beyond the traditional diver watch rating and has 300m of water resistance and has drilled lugs, so changing straps is made easier. It’s easy to see that a lot of thought went into this watch and it shows. Retail price is around $545
Seiko Prospex SNE573
- WATER-RESISTANT: these water-resistant men’s dive watches are ISO scuba-approved to depths of 200 meters
- SOLAR & AUTOMATIC: this men’s automatic wrist watch is powered by any light source, with a 10-month power reserve
- STAINLESS STEEL: features a durable stainless steel watch case and rugged black silicone strap
- LUMIBRITE DISPLAY: this men’s automatic watch features a highly-legible display with LumiBrite hands and markers
- V147 CALIBER: equipped with the reliable V147 caliber solar movement, these precise men’s watches ensure the most accurate automatic timekeeping
This is a newer Seiko solar powered diver that recently was released. This time, Seiko went towards the slimmer und of the spectrum for a diver. Coming in at 38mm in case width and under 1mm in overall height. It’s a little smaller than I like to wear, but for those with a thinner wrist or want a more compact package you will love it. This is really a great watch and it shows Seiko for once is listening to what customers want!
The watch has a sapphire crystal, screw down crown, screw down case back and that famous Seiko lume. Running this guy is Seiko’s V147. I am not sure of the slight difference between the V157 that’s in the Tuna, but Seiko say this has a 10 month power reserve. Pretty impressive for a solar diver in this price range. Speaking of price, these pop up all over Amazon for under $400
The 20mm lugs are drilled, another nice feature that Seiko doesn’t always do in this price range. The bezel is really done well on this one, it’s slightly stiff which I like and is 120 clicks to get it all the way around. My watch was aligned perfectly but a few YouTube videos I saw complained that it was slightly off.
Another nice touch is the strap Seiko included here. It has more of a retro / tropic rubber vibe to it and is very comfy right out of the box. If you are looking for a traditional styled diver then this Seiko is a good choice. Seiko also has the PADI SNE575 version which comes on a bracelet and has a slightly different dial. I have not worn the bracelet one but I imagine it’s regular push pins and cheap stamped clasp.
Momentum Splash Eclipse Solar
![MOMENTUM Splash Eclipse Solar [38mm] - White (Navy Blue/Navy Blue Twist Rubber)](jpg/41i98fyrcxl.jpg)
- SPLASH OF COLORS, SERIOUS STYLE: Fun, vibrant colors meet exceptional specifications, making this watch a perfect blend of playfulness and performance.
Best Lightweight Solar Diver That Actually Fits Your Wrist
Why I Picked It:
Not everyone wants a 47 mm tuna can on their wrist. The Momentum Splash Eclipse proves you can have a capable solar diver without the bulk. At 38 mm, it’s compact, comfortable, and legit dive-ready. Fun color options make it stand out, but underneath is a serious tool built to take abuse.
Who They Are and Specs:
Momentum is a Canadian brand focused on practical, affordable tool watches. The Splash Eclipse packs 200 meters of water resistance, a sapphire crystal, and an Epson solar quartz movement with a six-month reserve. At just over 11 mm thick, the stainless case wears slim, and the OceanFlex rubber strap is flexible and comfortable — a big step up from the stiff rubber you find on most budget divers. Backed by a six-year warranty, it’s built to last.
What Stands Out:
The size and comfort are the wins here. At 38 mm, it disappears on the wrist but still feels solid. The sapphire keeps it scratch-free, the lume is bright, and the strap actually conforms to your wrist instead of fighting it. It’s also one of the few affordable divers that doesn’t look ridiculous off the beach — clean enough for daily wear, tough enough for real water use.
Verdict:
For just over two hundred bucks, the Splash Eclipse is one of the most wearable solar divers out there. Light, durable, and sized right, it’s a true grab-and-go watch that works in the real world.
NorthEdge Triton Solar Dive Watch
- Solar-Powered Movement for Continuous Performance.This men’s solar dive watch converts any light source into energy, eliminating battery replacements and ensuring reliable timekeeping for outdoor sports, diving, and daily wear.
- Professional 300M/1000FT Waterproof Rating.Designed for diving and water sports with a robust build, threaded screw-down crown, and tightly sealed case structure that offers real underwater durability.
- Durable 316 Stainless Steel & Hardened Mineral Glass.The watch case is built from corrosion-resistant stainless steel, while the hardened mineral glass offers exceptional impact and scratch protection—ideal for adventure environments.
- Rugged Outdoor Design for Divers & Explorers.With a 45.8mm case diameter, bold dial design, and 131g weight, this men’s dive watch offers a strong presence on the wrist, delivering both durability and style for everyday life.
- Comfortable Vapor-Phase Silicone Strap.The flexible 24mm silicone strap provides a secure, breathable fit, making this waterproof sports watch suitable for long wear, training sessions, and all-weather conditions.
Best Budget Tank for Real-World Abuse
Why I Picked It:
For under $100, it’s rare to find a true 300-meter rated dive watch with solar charging, ceramic bezel, and a case that feels like it can take a beating. The Triton offers durability and function that usually costs three times as much.
Who They Are and Specs:
NorthEdge isn’t a heritage Swiss house, but they’ve carved out a niche for rugged, affordable tool watches aimed at divers, outdoorsmen, and adventure travelers. The Triton brings 300 meters of water resistance, solar charging with up to 180 days of autonomy, a unidirectional ceramic bezel, stainless steel case, luminous hands/markers, and both a silicone strap and stainless bracelet. Case size is 45.8 mm with a thickness of 16.1 mm, giving it real wrist presence without feeling like a boat anchor.
What Stands Out:
The solar endurance is a killer feature—you can leave it in your gear bag for months and it’ll still be ticking. The lume charges quickly and holds up through late nights, and the ceramic bezel gives it a premium look you usually don’t see at this price. While the bracelet lacks micro-adjustments, the included silicone strap makes it comfortable for everyday wear and travel.
Verdict:
If you want a true dive-capable, solar-powered watch on a budget, the NorthEdge Triton punches way above its weight. It’s not refined, but it’s tough, reliable, and built for people who actually plan to get their watches wet.
Seiko Solar Tuna SNE498P1 “Golden Tuna”
The Seiko Solar Tuna is one of my favorite watches of all time, and the gold accented SNE498 might just be the best of the bunch. Sadly, Seiko discontinued it, but you can still track them down on Jomashop or eBay and it is absolutely worth the hunt.
This watch is pure Seiko DNA: big, bold, and built like a tank. The lume is incredible, glowing like a torch all night, and the solar movement inside is one of the most reliable you will find on any diver. It is tough enough for daily wear, rugged enough for field use, and I have taken it camping and fishing more times than I can count.
The 47mm case has the signature Tuna shroud, a love it or hate it feature that protects the bezel and makes the watch nearly indestructible. The dial is clear and easy to read, the bezel action is solid, and the stock rubber strap with matching gold tone hardware is surprisingly good. I usually swap to a NATO, but on this watch I do not mind leaving the factory strap in place.
Forget your Luminox or G Shock, if you want a true solar powered tool watch that can handle anything, this is it. The Golden Tuna is not just a watch, it is an experience. Spend some time with it on your wrist and you will understand why so many collectors are still chasing one down years after Seiko pulled it from the lineup.
Verdict: A discontinued classic that remains one of the toughest and most iconic solar divers ever made, the Golden Tuna deserves its cult following.
Orient Solar Panda RA-TX0203S10B
- Set Includes: Main unit, box,
- Drive Type: Quartz (solar powered)
- Accuracy: within ±20 seconds per month
- Operation time: about 6 months
- Country of Origin: Japan (Made in Japan)
The Orient RA-TX0203S10B is a solar-powered dive watch that has completely won me over during weeks of real-world testing. As a watch enthusiast, I’m thrilled by the exceptional value it offers – it packs serious performance and style into a sub-$300 price point. The build quality is immediately apparent, from its solid stainless steel case and bracelet to the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and 200m water resistance
This piece is clearly ready for adventure. I took it from office meetings to a weekend kayaking trip, and it handled both with ease while remaining comfortable on my wrist.
Visually, this Orient is a stunner. Its crisp white “panda” dial with black subdials and bold unidirectional bezel strike a perfect balance between classic dive watch and sporty chronograph. The lume on the hands and indices is impressively bright, keeping the dial readable long after dark. Thanks to its solar-powered movement, I never had to worry about accuracy or battery life – even after days in low light, it kept running strong. Overall, the RA-TX0203S10B delivers on both performance and aesthetics. It’s a strong contender in the solar dive category, proving you don’t have to spend a fortune to get a dependable, great-looking watch.
Momentum Torpedo Pro Eclipse
Momentum has been putting out some serious watches the last several years and I love the Fieldwalker automatic they make. I didn’t realize they had a new model with the Torpedo Eclipse until I spotted it on their Instagram account. So naturally I wanted to try one out.
The brushed stainless steel case is solid and looks good. This is more of an adventure, do anything watch than some others on this list. I like that it’s understated in it’s look and I am always a fan of a brushed case. I don’t like when a watch is too flashy or looks more like a piece of jewelry.
This guy is on the bigger side coming it 44mm wide with a 51mm lug to lug. It will wear more like a Seiko Turtle or Orient Triton. I am happy Momentum kept the lugs width at 2mm, there are a tom of strap options out there for all lug widths now, but I think a 22mm width just looks better, especially on a watch like this.
The dial is capped off with a sapphire crystal and it has s stepped inner ring which is a very nice touch. The dial markers a lume filled with a stainless steel edge which gives the watch higher end look without taking away from it’s utilitarian purpose. I appreciated the oversized crown which made setting the time easy.
This is a diver that can be worn anywhere in any situation. I have a 6 & 3/4″ wrist, but wear larger watches most of the time. The Torpedo wore perfectly and sits just right on the wrist. It’s not that top heavy and doesn’t slide around. The bracelet was easy enough to adjust if you have a link removal tool.
I was a little disappointed in the lume, it’s on the weaker side and doesn’t last the night. I am not an actual diver so I can deal with the lackluster lume and the watch is awesome in so many other respects I can overlook it. However, if you’re getting ready for an Instagram #lumebattle, look someplace else.
The bezel isn’t as tight as some divers I have owned, but I didn’t notice that it moved on accident when bumped or brushed against something.
Overall, this is a fantastic watch that sees a lot of wrist time. It’s got the right amount of good looks and function. The watch also comes on a rubber strap for about $25 less.
Vaer DS4 Meridian Solar Dive Watch
- 38MM OR 42MM SIZES (Model: DS4) – Available in 38mm or 42mm sizes. Choose 38mm for a smaller, more retro size or 42mm for a medium / large fit.
- 20ATM WATER RESISTANCE (Model: DS4) – Dive deeper with the Vaer DS4 Solar Dive Watch’s 20ATM feature. Perfectly designed for marine explorers, this watch ensures uncompromised performance & and precision at 200 meters underwater.
- SUN-POWERED & BATTERY WORRY-FREE (Model: DS4) – Vaer’s DS4 Solar Dive Watch requires just 6 hours of any ambient light (sun, lamps, even candlelight) to power this dynamic timepiece for 6 months, ensuring a decade of precise timekeeping.
- TWO QUICK-CHANGE 20MM STRAPS (Model: DS4) – an FKM Tropic strap & a Seatbelt-Style Nylon strap. They can be swapped easily using quick-release pins, ensuring the watch’s adaptability for extended marine use.
- WARRANTY & GUARANTEE (Model: DS4) – Experience peace of mind with the Vaer DS4 Solar Dive Watch, boasting a 2-year waterproof warranty & a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. Dive into an adventure knowing you’re fully covered. This durable and stylish watch makes an excellent choice for gift ideas, especially as a gift for dad who loves exploring the outdoors or enjoys quality timepieces.
Vear makes a lot of my watch lists lately and with good reason. They put out some of the most durable watched in both quartz and automatic around. I have two of their Auto Feild Watches and love what the brand does. Especially challenging folks to use the watches! They really stand behind their watches.
The Vaer DS4 Meridian Solar Dive Watch boasts a sleek, minimalist design that doesn’t compromise on functionality. Its stainless steel case is both corrosion-resistant and durable, built to withstand the pressures of deep diving. The unidirectional rotating bezel is easy to grip and read, even in low-light conditions, ensuring that you can safely track your dive time.
Its solar-powered movement, robust construction, and user-friendly features make it a standout option in the category of solar dive watches. It’s also nice to add other watch brands besides the two big guys.
Bertucci A-2TS Solar Classic
The Bertucci A-2TS Solar Classic might not be the first watch that comes to mind when thinking about solar divers—but it absolutely deserves a place on this list. After testing it, I was genuinely impressed by how much capability Bertucci packed into this compact, no-nonsense field-style watch. The titanium case keeps things light, but don’t let that fool you—it’s built like a tank. With 200 meters of water resistance and a screw-down crown, this watch can handle more than just the occasional splash.
What I love most about the A-2TS is that it bridges the gap between a dive watch and a tough field watch. It’s solar-powered, meaning you’ll never have to pop the case or worry about battery swaps. The dial is clean and legible, and the lume is solid—plenty bright enough to check time at night or in murky water. It wears easy thanks to the ultra-light build and classic NATO strap.
For under $300, you’re getting a solar-powered, titanium-cased, screw-down crown tool watch that’s ready for real outdoor adventures. It’s the kind of piece that thrives on the wrist of hikers, campers, and weekend warriors who want reliability without flash. Quietly tough and purpose-built—just the way we like it.
Honorable Mention
These watches don’t meet the official criteria as a true dive watch, but they are definitely worth mentioning here. If you just want something that has a dive watch look, but is still reliable and well-built, then consider the following watches.
- Solar Powered
- 100M Water Resistant
- Mineral Glass
- Day/Date Display
- Module: 5272
Casio MTP-S110-1AVCF
It was a tough decision to put this Casio on the list. It’s a good looking watch, and at $100 it makes a great option. Besides the water resistance not being 200m, the watch does have one terrible flaw….the bezel is fake.
It doesn’t rotate, which is a real disappointment. However, if you are just looking for a dive-style watch and don’t need the bezel function, this Casio makes a compelling choice. It seems odd the bezel doesn’t actually rotate because this watch has an OK lume and a screw down caseback.
If you need a watch that is a great all-rounder, this is an option. It’s got enough water resistance for swimming and fun at the beach.
Citizen Promaster BJ8050-08E
- Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions designed to venture to the deepest depths.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Luminous Hands and Markers and Anti-Reflective Mineral Crystal
- 300 Meters Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
The Citizen Promaster BJ8050-08E—better known as the “Ecozilla”—is not just a solar dive watch; it’s a wrist-mounted tank. After finally getting one on the wrist and putting it through its paces, I can confidently say this beast earns its cult status. At 48mm wide and packing serious heft, it’s not for the faint of heart—but if you’re the kind of watch enthusiast who appreciates rugged gear that can actually take a beating, the Ecozilla delivers in spades.
Its Eco-Drive solar movement is flawless—zero worries about batteries, and it charges effortlessly even in indirect light. The monocoque case construction means no caseback, improving both water resistance and structural integrity. Rated at 300 meters, this thing laughs at rain, surf, and anything you throw at it. The lume? Nuclear. Visibility underwater or in total darkness is outstanding.
While its size may scare some away, I found it surprisingly wearable thanks to the short lugs and comfy polyurethane strap. It’s a watch that makes a statement without pretending to be flashy. The Ecozilla isn’t just a watch—it’s a tool built with purpose. For under $400, it’s a legendary solar diver that every serious collector or gear enthusiast should experience firsthand.
MOMENTUM Atlas Eclipse Solar 1M-SN18
![MOMENTUM Atlas Eclipse Solar [42mm] - White (Black Tropic Rubber)](jpg/41kqacaafvl._sl160_.jpg)
- TIMELESS ELEGANCE: Elevate your look with a classic field watch design that exudes timeless elegance, suitable for any occasion.
- LIGHTWEIGHT TITANIUM CASE: Crafted with a lightweight titanium case, this watch is the perfect companion for your daily adventures, offering durability without the weight.
- DURABLE CRYSTAL: Enjoy impeccable clarity with a domed sapphire crystal that not only enhances the watch’s appearance but also protects it from scratches and wear.
- POWERFUL SOLAR MOVEMENT: Powered by an accurate Japanese solar-powered movement, this watch is virtually maintenance-free, charging with any light source and running for up to 6 months in complete darkness.
- EFFORTLESS TIMEKEEPING: The high-contrast ultra-legible dial ensures you can check the time at a glance, even in low-light conditions, adding convenience to your daily life.
The MOMENTUM Atlas Eclipse Solar might just be the most underrated field-ready solar watch I’ve ever strapped on. Weighing in at a featherlight 55 grams, this thing disappears on the wrist—but don’t mistake light for weak. Its tough titanium case, clean design, and solar-powered movement make it a perfect everyday companion for guys who like their gear functional, no-frills, and built to last.
During testing, I wore the Eclipse while hiking, kayaking, and wrenching on gear in the garage. It took scratches like a champ, stayed accurate, and never once felt clunky or out of place. The dial is legible even in low light, with bright SuperLuminova that holds its glow. Its 100m water resistance won’t beat out a dive-rated beast, but it’s more than enough for swimming, fishing, or heavy rain.
What impressed me most? The blend of simplicity and performance. No clutter. No gimmicks. Just a solar watch that does its job and looks great doing it. At around $250, it feels like a steal—especially considering it’s titanium, solar-powered, and backed by a brand that builds watches for real-world use. If you’re looking for a lightweight solar watch with field watch DNA, the Atlas Eclipse Solar delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions About Solar Watches
View Our Gallery of the Best Solar Dive Watches
Blair Witkowski is an avid watch nut, loves pocket knives and flashlights, and when he is not trying to be a good dad to his nine kids, you will find him running or posting pics on Instagram. Besides writing articles for Tech Writer EDC he is also the founder of Lowcountry Style & Living. In addition to writing, he is focused on improving his client’s websites for his other passion, Search Engine Optimization. His wife Jennifer and he live in coastal South Carolina.