Wondering how Seiko Solar vs Citizen Eco-Drive compare in 2024, we explore this discussion in detail to see which is superior in this match up.
If you’re tired of replacing watch batteries every so often, you should consider buying a solar watch.
A solar watch recharges its battery by exposing it to any light source, which means the batteries will never run out of power.
When properly maintained, a solar watch can last a lifetime.
Seiko and Citizen are two of the most famous brands that offer solar watches to consumers.
They have a wide range of products that cater to every customer, from budget-level to luxury-class.
So, which of the two brands has better solar watches?
The Seiko Solar
Seiko is a trusted household brand when it comes to watches.
They deliver reliable and affordable timepieces that do the job they’re exactly designed for.
Seiko solar watches are no different from the brand’s previous creations, giving Seiko a trustworthy reputation in the use of solar technology.
Seiko Solar watches use quartz movements and a self-recharging battery to make the accessories virtually maintenance-free.
With most Seiko Solar watches, even a few minutes of exposure to sunlight or any other light source is enough to put an hour’s worth of power reserve in the tank.
The Seiko Solar collection consists of a variety of watch styles for specific purposes.
They have watches designed for diving, casual, travel, hiking, and formal use.
Here are the top Seiko Solar watches to consider buying:
Seiko Solar SNE102
The 37mm SNE102 has a stainless steel case, a solid case back, a gold-tone bezel made of stainless steel, a brown leather strap, a day-date window, luminescent index hour markers, luminescent hands, and a Caliber V158 solar movement.
The SNE102 is a basic men’s watch that’s excellent for users who want an entry-level, solar-powered accessory.
Pros:
- Legible watch face
- Looks classy and vintage
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Low-quality strap
- Weak lume brightness
- Size is too small for its numerous features
Seiko Solar SUT217 Ladies Watch
The 28mm SUT217 has a stainless steel case and bracelet, a solid case back, a scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal, a date window, Roman numeral and index hour markers, silver-tone hands, and a Caliber V187 solar movement.
The SUT217 is an entry-level solar watch for women.
It’s equipped with the most basic features needed for an everyday watch and it’s elegantly designed for formal and everyday use.
Pros:
- Thin and lightweight
- Inexpensive but looks luxurious
- Power reserve of up to 2 months
- Water-resistant up to 30m
Cons:
- No lume on hands
- Hard to read under low-light conditions
- Expect it to gain/loss a few seconds every week
Seiko Prospex SSC093 Adventure Classic
The 41mm SSC093 has a silver-tone, stainless steel case, band, and bezel.
It also has a corrugated, stainless steel bezel, an inner rotating ring with compass markings, a Hardlex crystal, a date window, an alarm function, Arabic numeral and index hour markers, luminescent hands, and a Caliber V172 solar movement.
The SSC093 has three chronograph subdials with 60-second, 30-minute, and 12-hour measurements.
The yellow-on-black color theme of the SSC093 helps it stand out among outdoor watches.
It has a sophisticated look that makes it seem more expensive than it actually is.
Pros:
- Color combination makes the watch face very legible
- Power reserve of up to 6 months
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Oversized crown and pushers
- Small date window
- Chronograph measurements are hard to read
Seiko Coutura Chronograph SSC198
The 41mm SSC198 has a stainless steel case, a solid case back, a stainless steel bracelet, a two-tone bezel, a scratch-resistant Hardlex crystal, an alarm function, a date display, luminescent hands and markers, and a Seiko Caliber V172 Japanese movement.
It has three chronograph subdials with 60-second, 60-minute, and 12-hour measurements.
The Coutura SSC198 is known for its gold and silver color combination.
Pros:
- Legible watch face
- Comfortable to wear
- Power reserve of up to 6 months
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Small date window
- Lume brightness isn’t that good
- Faint alarm sounds
Seiko LUKIA SSVV012
The 28mm LUKIA SSVV012 has a stainless steel case and bracelet with a gold-plated coating, a bezel with time zone labels, a date window, a synthetic sapphire crystal, a date window, luminescent Roman numeral and index hour markers, luminescent hands, and a Caliber 1B25 solar quartz movement.
It has a surge and overcharging protection, an automatic correction function, and a daylight-saving function.
The LUKIA SSVV012 is known for its cute and feminine color theme.
Its pink dial perfectly complements the two-tone, silver and rose-gold combination of the timepiece.
Pros:
- Looks chic and luxurious
- Has anti-magnetic properties
- Thin and lightweight
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Weak lume brightness
- Crown is hard to grip
- Small date window
Seiko Prospex SSC263P1
The 46mm SSC263P1 has a black, ion-plated, stainless steel case and band, a bidirectional rotating bezel with a conversion scale, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a date window, minute markers on the outer rim, Arabic numeral and index hour markers filled with luminescent material, luminescent hands, and a Caliber V175 solar movement.
The Prospex SSC263P1 has three chronograph subdials with 60-second, 60-minute, and 24-hour scales.
The Prospex SSC263P1 is a pilot watch with solar-powered features.
It’s popular for being a versatile, multi-functional timepiece available at an affordable price.
Pros:
- Accuracy of -/+ 15 seconds per month
- Affordable price for its incredible features
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Tiny date window
- Complicated watch face
- Large and bulky
Seiko Astron SBXA100 Solar GPS Titanium
The 47mm SBXA100 has a titanium case, a ceramic bezel, a leather strap, a date window, a chronograph subdial, a power reserve indicator, a signal reception indicator, UTC markers on the outer dial, luminescent hands and index hour markers, and a GPS solar movement.
The watch can automatically adjust the time according to the GPS satellite signal it receives, thanks to the smart sensor that can respond to 39 different time zones.
The SBXA100 is a limited-edition model designed for the 100th anniversary of Kintaro Hattori, the infamous founder of Seiko.
Pros:
- Sporty and sophisticated design
- Lightweight despite its size
- Comfortable leather strap
- Excellent lume brightness
- Extra strap included in the package
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Limited to 5,000 pieces
- It’s thick and massive
- It’s expensive
Seiko Astron SSE060 Limited Edition
The 45mm SSE060 has a stainless steel case with rose-gold coating, a ceramic bezel, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a solid case back, a crocodile leather strap with a three-fold clasp, a date window, an AM/PM indicator, a 12-hour subdial, luminescent index hour markers, luminescent hands, and a Caliber 8X53 GPS dual-time movement.
The timepiece also features a power-saving mechanism, a daylight-saving function, and a signal reception indicator.
The SSE060 is famous for having Novak Djokovic as its major endorser.
The tennis superstar traveled to several cities worldwide to play in 20 tournaments within a year.
The SSE060 is designed for people like Djokovic who need a reliable watch that can automatically adjust to the current time zone.
The SSE060 is available in another color variant under a different model.
The SSE077 has a black and silver theme and isn’t a limited-edition timepiece, making it cheaper and easier to find compared to the SSE060.
Pros:
- Accuracy of -/+ 15 seconds per month
- Perpetual calendar function
- Good magnetic resistance
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Limited to 3,000 pieces
- It’s quite expensive
- Not for people who have small wrists
Seiko Astron SSE117 GPS Solar 5th Anniversary Limited Edition
The 45mm SSE117 has a titanium case, a ceramic bezel, a solid case back, a stainless steel bracelet, a sapphire crystal, a date window, luminescent hands, a combination of Roman numeral and index hour markers, UTC markings on the outer dial, and a GPS solar movement.
The SSE117 is equipped with an overcharge prevention mechanism, a power save option, a perpetual calendar function, a world time function, and an automatic time adjustment function that works with the satellite signal it receives.
The SSE117 is a limited-edition timepiece known for its gem-studded dial.
Between the 4 o’clock and the 1 o’clock positions, you’ll find 5 natural blue sapphire crystals scattered throughout the area.
Pros:
- Accuracy of -/+ 15 seconds per month
- Has magnetic resistance
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
- Fully recharged battery can last from 6 months to 2 years
- Water-resistant up to 100m
Cons:
- Oversized crown
- It’s a bit thick
- Expensive for its features
The Citizen Eco-Drive
Just like Seiko, Citizen is a known brand in the budget and mid-range level.
They’re popular for making reliable sports watches that can survive rugged use.
With the introduction of the Eco-Drive technology, Citizen further strengthened its position as the authority in creating solar watches.
The Eco-Drive collection became available in the market as early as 2007.
The innovation to mount solar cells under the dial marked the development of more efficient and stylish solar watch models.
Citizen’s mastery of the technology has enabled them to take things to the next level by adding other features to their solar watches like GPS reception, atomic timekeeping, perpetual calendar complications, and chronograph functions.
Citizen is widely known as a brand that dominates the area of solar watches.
They offer a range of products that cater to both sportswear aficionados and dress wear collectors.
Here are the best Citizen Eco-Drive watch models available in the market today:
Citizen Perpetual Chrono AT4010-50E
The 42mm AT4010-50E has a titanium case, bezel, and band, a solid case back, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a tachymeter bezel, a day indicator, an alarm function, a power reserve indicator, a date window, luminescent hands and markers, and a Caliber E650 Eco-Drive movement.
It has three chronograph subdials with 1-second, 12-hour, and 24-hour measurements.
The Chrono AT4010-50E is a multi-functional, multi-purpose sports watch designed for rugged use.
Aside from the chronograph features, it also has a radio-controlled timekeeping mechanism that automatically adjusts the watch to keep it accurate.
Pros:
- Sporty, sophisticated look
- Accurate timekeeping feature
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Oversized crown
- Large and bulky build
- Setting it up can be a hassle at first
Citizen Eco-Drive AT8125-05E
The 43mm AT8125-05E has a stainless steel case, a calf leather strap, a sapphire crystal, a tachymeter bezel, a date window, a day subdial, an outer rim with UTC markings, a power reserve indicator, a date window with perpetual calendar features, index and Arabic numeral hour markers filled with luminescent material, luminescent hands, and a Caliber H800 Eco-Drive movement.
The AT8125-05E has three chronograph subdials with 1/10th-second, 60-second, and 24-hour scales.
The orange highlights on the black theme of the AT8125-05E makes the watch stand out.
Its modern, sporty appeal gives the watch an impressive look that’s perfect for the stylish gentleman.
Pros:
- Large date window
- Clear and legible watch face
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Oversized crowns
- A bit expensive for its usual pilot watch features
- Strap is hard and thick
Citizen Promaster Sky PMV65-2271
The 44mm Sky PMV65-2271 has a combination of analog and digital display.
It has a titanium case and bracelet, a fixed bezel, a slide rule on the outer rim, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, an alarm function, an AM/PM indicator, a power reserve indicator, a 24-hour subdial, luminescent hands and markers, and a Caliber U680 Eco-Drive movement.
The PMV65-2271 has a digital display that shows the current time zone, the time, and the date.
The watch is known for being an affordable, multi-functional pilot watch.
The PMV65-2271 has everything a frequent traveler needs to keep track of time on at least two time zones.
Pros:
- Accuracy of +/-15 seconds per month
- Has anti-magnetic features
- Lightweight despite its size
- Power reserve of up to 3.5 years
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Large and bulky
- Complicated watch face makes it hard to read
- Challenging to resize the band
Citizen Promaster Navihawk CC9025-85E
The 47mm Navihawk CC9025-85E has a titanium case and bracelet, a bidirectional, rotating, titanium bezel with a slide rule scale, a solid case back, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, a date window, an alarm function, a day display, a dual time function, a power reserve indicator, world time cities on the outer rim, luminescent index hour markers, luminescent hands, and a Caliber F900 Eco-Drive movement.
The sporty watch has two chronograph subdials with 1/20-second and 24-hour measurements.
The Navihawk CC9025-85E is one of the latest additions to the Promaster collection.
Its GPS satellite technology makes it the perfect companion for frequent flyers.
It can receive navigation signals within 3 seconds.
Pros:
- Automatically adjusts time according to the current time zone
- Lightweight and durable, despite its size
- Accurate timekeeping
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Large and bulky
- Complicated watch face makes subdial measurements challenging to read
- Mediocre lume brightness
Citizen Promaster Satellite Wave – GPS CC9020-54E
The 47mm CC9020-54E has a titanium case, a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, a dual time display, a power reserve indicator, a light level indicator, a GPS sensor, luminescent hands, luminescent hour markers, and a Caliber F900 Eco-Drive movement.
It has a chronograph subdial with 1/20-second and 24-hour measurements.
The Citizen Promaster Satellite Wave-GPS is the latest addition in the Promaster Sky series that’s equipped with the Eco-Drive technology.
It’s known for having excellent durability designed to survive the harsh requirements of pilots for an everyday tool watch.
Pros:
- Multifunctional design
- Accuracy of -/+5 seconds per month
- Lightweight despite its large size
- Power reserve of up to 5 years
- Water-resistant up to 200m
Cons:
- Complicated watch face makes reading the dial and subdials challenging
- Subdial readings can be challenging to read
- Because titanium is lightweight, some may think the watch feels cheap
Citizen Women’s EM0424-53A Eco-Drive L Silver Dial
The 30mm EM0424-53A has a round stainless steel case, a scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire crystal, a silver-tone bracelet, a gold-tone bezel, a Soleil-patterned white dial with index hour markers, and a Caliber E031 Eco-Drive movement.
The Citizen L EM0424-53A model is the perfect embodiment of what a ladies’ watch must be: simple, stylish, and elegant.
The fashionable watch face is matched with a trendy chain-link strap, giving it a classy appeal.
Pros:
- Affordable solar watch for women
- Stylish and elegant looking
- Water-resistant up to 50m
Cons:
- Clasp is tricky to operate
- No date window
- No lume on hands
Citizen Bella EM0120-58A
The 29mm Bella EM0120-58A has a stainless steel case and bracelet, a solid case back, a diamond-set bezel, a scratch-resistant mineral crystal, a mix of diamonds and Roman numeral hour markers, luminescent silver-tone hands, and a Caliber E031 Eco-Drive movement.
The Bella EM0120-58A is the standard for women’s watch with its feminine motif of gold, diamonds, and silver.
The understated elegance of the watch makes it more attractive and intriguing to people who see it.
Pros:
- Looks luxurious and classy
- Legible watch face
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
Cons:
- Discontinued, making it hard to find nowadays
- No date window
- Water-resistant up to 10m only
Citizen Axiom AU1065-58G
The 40mm Axiom AU1065-58G has a black, ion-plated, stainless steel case, bezel, and bracelet, a solid case back, a scratch-resistant mineral crystal, a date window, diamond-set hour markers, silver-tone hands, and a Caliber J165 Eco-Drive movement.
The Axiom AU1065-58G is a sleek fashion watch suitable for trendsetters.
The absence of the second hand adds to the watch’s intriguing design, making it a surefire conversation-starter.
Pros:
- Highly legible watch face
- Stylishness that’s perfect for a dress watch
- Lightweight and comfortable to wear
Cons:
- Small date window
- Water-resistant up to 10m only
- Watch face gets smudged easily
Conclusion
The Seiko Solar and the Seiko Citizen Eco-Drive watches practically offer the same features; you can even count on one hand the unique functions one brand does better than the other.
Solar watches from both brands offer GPS functions, chronograph complications, atomic timekeeping, automatic time zone setting, and other additional functions that may or may not be of use to you.
In terms of brand reputation, both Seiko and Citizen are well-respected in the industry.
The choice between the two brands will all depend on your preferred style and budget.
Regardless of which brand you choose to go with, rest assured you’re getting a high-quality watch that can last for a lifetime.
