I'd expect a solar watch to last longer. I have Citizens that are still running 20 years. An automatic that hasn't been serviced in 20 years - if still running - probably isn't going to be very accurate. Especially compared to any of my Citizen Eco-drives.

Edit: All bets are off on Water Resistance after 2-3 years, depending on the environments they are exposed to. If you live in a very humid environment, or do any kind of water activities, either technology is at risk without servicing.

 

I have to say this is a wash.Solar has electronic parts that easily could have come from a weak or bad batch during production & crap out after a few years.Storage Caps can & do go bad as can Solar Cells,although admittedly it's not highly likely...
A good low beat,non hacking auto movement,well regulated,can easily run 20+ years without service & hold regulation better than any mechanical movement made save a true Hand Wind..
The obvious WIS conclusion is simply NEVER EVER get caught without one of each in their possession.
Shown are:Solar,well regulated Hand Wind & well regulated low beat automatic...

 

I think a Seiko 5 would last 20 years without servicing and go as long as a solar watch. Probably depends a little bit on usage.

I'm using Seiko 5 as an example because I would not pay the price to have a cheaper watch serviced.

 

Not knowing what all goes into servicing, is it an advantage that a lot of Seiko movements are cheap enough to just replace the entire movement when getting it serviced?

 

Correct , I did with a monster , had the movement replaced .

 

Solar.

So far all my solar have lasted a lifetime

 

One watch forever, and can't be serviced? Good solar...most likely a Citizen A060-based Chronomaster...this one if I could get it:

Good GADA. Understated but still interesting. Near-perfect size at 39. Will go great on black perlon or calf; could also see a racing-style strap. Accuracy means, maybe tweak it on leap year day. Perpetual calendar.

Two I wouldn't look at...the Eco Drive Ones, and the Caliber 0100's. In this context, both are too new and too different to have any gauge on their longevity.

 

All watches require maintenance in the movement. Automatics around 4-5 years till they start running slow or fast. Solar, the rechargeable battery which is usually soldered to the board.
Wear what you like and dont worry too much about the movement.

 

This will give 'The Anti-Preventive Maintenance Club' the "willies".

 

Without service and with constant use about same time if they are of comparable price.
Yet mechanical will loose accuracy way earlier.

 

I have not seen any solar with soldered battery. At least in normal sized watches. Even in lady sized watches Citizens have coin cells.

 

https://www.ablogtowatch.com/watchmaker-shares-truths-watch-service-repair/

https://us.tissotshop.com/faq

Like any high-precision instrument, a watch needs to be serviced regularly in order for it to work perfectly. The intervals of service vary depending on the model, climate, and the care taken by the watch's owner. As a general rule, three to four years inbetween services are recommended depending on the use of the watch.

So Rolex is Ok with 10 years and Tissot with 3-4 in between services. Yet one is high end chronometer and other is run of the mill mechanical watch. Cheaper mechanical watches have lesser lifespan.

Whole point compare apples to apples.
In 30-40 years without service mechanical watch may not fail but it hardly tell accurate time even within one day. By that i mean running slow by hour.

Some people don't change oil regularly in their cars or don't do it at all ( i am just topping up...) yet you usually can see or smell these cars. It's not like car not on the road rather i won't buy this piece of automobile under any condition. For sure service intervals are shorter than needed but that because you do it before you can potentially run into trouble.

 

My money is on the mechanical watch.

 

If you never had a watch serviced,

In that case solar, with proper maintenance my bet switches to the mechanical movement.

 

I reckon, after careful thought, that I’d go solar.

 

My money is on the mechanical watch./QUOTE]

Yup.

 

Here's a follow-up question for those who vote solar. Which would die first, solar analog or solar digital?

Thanks

 

Solar digital, no moving parts.

And solar all the way, no ifs ands or buts.

Sent from Capt Kirk's Communicator

 

Here's another way to think about it. You can only have one watch for the rest of your life. It must be either automatic or solar. And it can never be serviced. Which would you get, automatic or solar, to last the rest of your life?

The rest of my life without service?

Neither.

 

Solar ........... Thirty solars , including some about 30 years old, all going strong, judg69

 

Solar all the way

*****flame-suit on******

Let’s be real, fellas. People don’t buy Rolexes because they’re sick of their Citizens’ unreliable timekeeping.

This side of an EMP blast, there is no PRACTICAL benefit to a mechanical watch over a solar / quartz one and I say this as someone who only wears mechanical watches.

For every guy with a 20 year old un-serviced COSC mechanical, there are a thousand dudes wearing Casios they bought in the 90’s at Target.

 

I gotta go with a mechanical movement lasting longer. Why? Because if I am not wearing it then it just stops. X years later I can in theory pick it up, wind it, and wear it. Also, none have failed me yet.

I haven't had the best experience with solars for what I do.

 

You do realize it's all theoretical. In real life millage will vary. If you drop complexity of watches are different and people use them differently.... it's all about who will win Mickey the Mouse or Fred Flintstone in a battle of polka dancing contest? Just if we talk theoretically....
OK make it modern it will be zumba and belly dancing.
That's the battle i want to see. Which watch will last longer... is kinda too watered down.
There is no specifics.
My money on Mickey.

 

Super interesting threat OP.

As i am downsizing my collection, i started being obsessed with solar watches and debating the pros and cons of this.

...And aren’t automatics more prone to breakage too?


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Solar will last longer. I have one that is about 20 years old and working just fine, while service intervals are typically in the 5-10 years range on mechanical watches.

 

I'd lean towards solar for its reliability/ longer-lasting power reserve. I remember my brother had a Casio F-91W Solar growing up; those things are built to last!

 

The Casio F-91w is not a solar watch. It is powered by a regular battery and lacks solar cells or a charging circuit. It is a very reliable digital watch.

I remember my brother had a Casio F-91W Solar growing up; those things are built to last!

 

Quartz is probably the best bet for longevity and no maintenance. Just regular battery changes but these are simple and can be done by the owner.

 

My bet for longevity is on this:

Monocoque build, titanium case, sapphire crystal, eco-drive movement.