Solar Watch, G-SHOCK Tough: Digital Solar-Powered Watches

A solar watch is a blanket term to describe a watch that utilizes solar panels to convert light into electrical energy. Casio has two categories of the solar watch. Tough Solar--Casio’s proprietary solar-charging system--powers all watch functions. Solar-assisted charging combines solar-powered timekeeping with USB charging for the watch’s other functions.

Solar-powered watches utilize a solar panel to convert light into electrical energy. The electrical energy is stored in a rechargeable battery, ensuring solar watch functions have all the energy they need for continued performance. Casio has developed many ingenious ways to blend the solar panel with an aesthetic dial. Explore watches such as the MRGB2100B and the MRGB2100D which utilize a beautiful lattice-work structure in the dial to allow light to strike the solar cells.

There are a few answers this question based on circumstance. Solar watches store electrical energy in a rechargeable battery, and if that rechargeable battery is not recharged through exposure to light, many G-SHOCK solar watches can last for months. For example, the GAB2100-1A can last for 7 months on its rechargeable battery without the battery being recharged (7 months is the operation period with normal use of the solar watch without exposure to light after a full charge). Also, if the GAB2100-1A solar watch is given a full charge and then stored in total darkness, the rechargeable battery can last 18 months with the power-save function turned on. Otherwise, with normal use and daily solar charging, a solar watch can last for years.

G-SHOCK solar watches charge differently depending on the charging system. G-SHOCK’s Tough Solar feature powers all watch functions and charges with exposure to light, including fluorescent light. Exposure to direct sunlight is best, but Tough Solar allows for charging based on many forms and intensity of light sources. G-SHOCK solar-assisted charging powers the timekeeping function with solar charging and powers many other functions such as a heart rate monitor with a USB cable.

Yes. Solar watches utilize rechargeable batteries which store electrical energy converted from light energy by solar cells. G-SHOCK solar watches utilize rechargeable batteries generally in two forms: the battery in Tough Solar solar watches powers all watch functions, while the battery in the solar-assisted charging solar watches only powers the timekeeping function.