Solar Power Watches
Solar Watches
We develop and distribute Swiss Military solar watches for people who want to wear a robust analog watch and avoid regular battery changes during normal use. Our solar watches recharge their energy storage in light. They combine this power supply with Swiss Made, sporty design and features designed for everyday life, travel and outdoor activities.
Depending on the reference, features include sapphire crystal, luminous hands and indices, 100 m water resistance, and steel or rubber straps. In our Swiss Military by Chrono online shop, you'll find solar sport watches from the SMS34102 series and solar chronographs from the SMS34113 series.
For us, solar is not a promise of a completely maintenance-free watch. The energy storage can lose capacity after extended use and may require service later. "No Battery Change" therefore means: no regular battery change is required during normal operation – not that the watch runs indefinitely without light or service.
How long do our solar watches run in the dark?
The power reserve in darkness describes how long a fully charged solar watch runs without additional light. This value is particularly relevant for you if you wear the watch while traveling, camping or for extended periods under clothing.
Our solar sport watches from the SMS34102 series offer up to eight months of power reserve in darkness. Our solar chronographs from the SMS34113 series offer up to five months. Both figures refer to a fully charged watch. They do not mean that the watch runs indefinitely without light.
If the longest possible reserve is important to you, the SMS34102 is the obvious model range in our product line. If you also want to use chronograph functions, the SMS34113 offers a different focus. The features and exact specifications may vary within a model range depending on the reference.
How are our solar watches charged?
Our solar watches charge their energy storage through natural or artificial light. The charging speed depends on the light source, light intensity, distance, exposure time and state of charge. Direct sunlight generally charges faster than typical indoor light.
With daily wear and sufficient light, the energy storage can continuously recharge. If a watch is stored in the dark for an extended period, a charging phase may be required before the next use. We therefore recommend checking the charging instructions for the respective reference before a trip or extended outdoor activity.
Frequently asked questions about our solar watches
1. Does a Swiss Military solar watch need direct sunlight?
No. Our solar watches charge not only in direct sunlight, but also in normal daylight and artificial light. Direct sunlight generally charges faster. Daylight is sufficient for continuous recharging in everyday life, while artificial light requires more time depending on light intensity and distance.
2. How does a Swiss Military solar watch work?
Beneath the dial, solar technology converts light into energy. This energy is stored in the rechargeable energy storage and powers the analog quartz movement. When worn, the energy storage can continuously recharge with sufficient light.
3. Does the battery need to be changed in our solar watches?
During normal operation, no regular battery change is required for our solar watches. However, "No Battery Change" does not mean that service will never be required. The rechargeable energy storage can lose capacity after extended use and may then need to be replaced.
4. What can I do if my solar watch stops?
First, place the watch in sufficient light according to the charging instructions on the respective product page. After extended storage or complete discharge, it may take time for the watch to restart. If it doesn't run despite sufficient charging time, contact our customer service so we can review the next steps.
5. Are Swiss Military solar watches waterproof?
The relevant models are specified with 100 m water resistance depending on the reference. You'll find the binding specification on the respective product page. Water resistance is not a permanently unchanged property: seals can age, and after any intervention on the case, water resistance should be checked.
6. Which solar watch suits me: SMS34102 or SMS34113?
The SMS34102 is our solar sport watch series with up to eight months of power reserve in darkness and a clear analog focus. The SMS34113 combines our solar technology with chronograph functions and offers up to five months of power reserve in darkness.
If maximum power reserve in darkness is important to you, the SMS34102 is the obvious choice. If you want additional stopwatch functions, you should look at the SMS34113. You'll find the binding details on size, strap, functions and features on the respective reference page.
7. What does "Swiss Made" actually mean?
"Swiss Made" is not a marketing term, it's a legally protected label governed by the Swiss Federal Act on the Protection of Trade Marks. It sets strict requirements for the movement, manufacturing process and quality control. Not every watch with a Swiss-sounding name qualifies. Swiss Military by Chrono is officially licensed by the Swiss Confederation and assembles its watches in Solothurn, Switzerland. That's the difference between a label and a guarantee.
8. Is a solar watch a good gift?
Yes, a solar watch can be a suitable gift if the recipient wears an analog watch, values robust materials or wants to avoid regular battery changes. The combination of a classic dial and modern power supply is particularly suitable for birthdays, anniversaries, work anniversaries and other personal occasions.
When choosing, you should pay particular attention to case size, strap, color and style. Our solar watches are predominantly sporty in design and measure approximately 42 to 43 mm. The SMS34102 offers up to eight months of power reserve in darkness. The SMS34113 adds chronograph functions to solar technology and offers up to five months of power reserve in darkness.
If you don't know the recipient's preferences or wrist size, the specifications on the respective product page, a gift receipt or prior consultation can be helpful. For people who specifically want a mechanical watch, a smaller dress watch or smartwatch functions, a solar watch may not be the right choice.
What functions do our solar watches offer?
Our solar watches are analog watches. Luminous hands and indices support readability in the dark. Depending on the reference, a date display or chronograph functions are added.
The SMS34102 is designed for you if you're looking for a clear analog display for everyday life, travel and sporting activities. The SMS34113 adds chronograph functions to timekeeping. This offers more functionality, but also makes the dial more complex.
You can see which functions and displays are actually included on the respective product page. We recommend opening the specific reference before purchase and not judging the features based solely on the model range.
What materials and straps do we use?
For our solar watches, we use materials that suit active use, depending on the reference. Sapphire crystal is more scratch-resistant than mineral glass and therefore offers greater scratch protection. However, it is not unbreakable and does not replace careful handling.
The strap also changes the watch's range of use. A rubber strap suits movement, water and outdoor activities. A steel strap is more versatile and can also be worn in business-casual everyday life. For the corresponding models, Easy-Click straps enable quick changes.
The visible solar watches from Swiss Military by Chrono are predominantly 42 to 43 mm. This supports the distinctive sports watch character, but doesn't automatically suit every wrist. On the individual product pages, you'll find the respective specifications for diameter, height, strap and case.
What does "No Battery Change" mean for service and warranty?
"No Battery Change" for our solar watches means: no regular battery change is required during normal operation. The energy storage recharges via light. However, it is a wear part and can lose capacity after extended use.
Replacement of the energy storage or a water resistance check may become necessary during the watch's lifecycle. Our five-year international warranty contains the applicable warranty conditions and exclusions. For repairs and service, we refer you to our certified service centers.
Learn more:
What "No Battery Change" really means for Swiss Military solar watches. In our article, we explain how light, energy storage, power reserve in darkness and later service are connected.
Discover Swiss Military solar watches
In our online shop, you'll find solar watches from the Swiss Military by Chrono brand directly from the manufacturer and distributor. We show you for each reference which power supply, power reserve in darkness, functions, materials and dimensions the respective model offers.
The SMS34102 is our solar sport watch series for you if the longest possible power reserve in darkness and a clear analog display are priorities. The SMS34113 combines our solar technology with chronograph functions.
Compare the specific features, case and strap of individual references. This way, you'll find a solar watch in our product line that suits your everyday life, your travels and your outdoor activities – without hiding the limits of solar technology.
