[watch2seek]

I'm looking for a solar diver, and although I've searched the forum at length I'd like your advice in case new models have come to market. Would you please include recommendations for models with case diameters between 38mm and 45mm costing less than $1500? I was thinking this thread could serve as a list of solar divers for others in my shoes. That being said, I've looked into Citizen and Seiko at length, and I would especially appreciate learning about less well known models.

Thank you for your help.

 

[admit-to-im]

Vaer makes a couple solar divers in 38 mm and under $500. I don't have personal hands on experience but i've generally heard good things about Vaer.

 

[Diesels]

Can't go wrong with Seiko or Citizen. They offer a wide range of styles, sizes, and prices. They also offer long term reliability. Not sure about other brands.

 

[SixtyLion]

I'm looking for a solar diver, and although I've searched the forum at length I'd like your advice in case new models have come to market. Would you please include recommendations for models with case diameters between 38mm and 45mm costing less than $1500? I was thinking this thread could serve as a list of solar divers for others in my shoes. That being said, I've looked into Citizen and Seiko at length, and I would especially appreciate learning about less well known models.

Thank you for your help.

Lum Tec has two models Vortex and Solar Marine, both watches are solar powered. Lum Tec makes very tough watches, assembly is done by hand in the US, and lifetime warranty, which includes free seal cleaning and pressure testing services.
Maybe Casio Oceanus series, not strictly a dive watch, yet exceptionally well made solar timepieces. Momentum makes several solar powered watches including a diver called Torpedo.

 

[Nokie]

Seiko, the JDM stuff.

 

[Pachanga]

Vaer makes a couple solar divers in 38 mm and under $500. I don't have personal hands on experience but i've generally heard good things about Vaer.
View attachment 16670143 View attachment 16670144

These are excellent watches. I have one and really enjoy it. Perfect grab and go and the finishing on it is much nicer than other solar diver options I’ve seen.

 

[Aero2001]

I'm partial to Citizen's lineup of Eco-Drive divers in titanium. For some reason, Citizen's site only includes the version with a black dial on a bracelet, but it's also available with blue dial on blue strap, and orange dial with black strap. I have the orange, and it's now on a Hirsch strap. I've read somewhere on here that this family is being discontinued, which hopefully means we'll get a new line of Eco-Drive titanium divers.

 

[Alex SBD]

Posting this as the OP suggested this thread serve as a resource for those looking for solar divers. Price is out of range at $3000. Tag aquaracer solargraph. Coming out later this year. 40mm.

 

[VinceWatch]

In my book if you want a solar powered watch there is only one brand, Citizen. They have been making them longer and better than any other company in the business. My favoite is this one the BN-7020. I put mine on a stevral titanium bracelet. Including the bracelet it was less than $1500.

 

[brandon\]

Posting this as the OP suggested this thread serve as a resource for those looking for solar divers. Price is out of range at $3000. Tag aquaracer solargraph. Coming out later this year. 40mm.

View attachment 16671120

I was going to recommend this, too. Here's a much better pic from Monochrome. But like you said, out of budget. Still a really cool entry to solar dive watches.

 

[watch2seek]

Vaer makes a couple solar divers in 38 mm and under $500. I don't have personal hands on experience but i've generally heard good things about Vaer.
View attachment 16670143 View attachment 16670144

I think those Vaer D4s look really nice. That's a great recommendation.

 

[watch2seek]

Lum Tec has two models Vortex and Solar Marine, both watches are solar powered. Lum Tec makes very tough watches, assembly is done by hand in the US, and lifetime warranty, which includes free seal cleaning and pressure testing services.
Maybe Casio Oceanus series, not strictly a dive watch, yet exceptionally well made solar timepieces. Momentum makes several solar powered watches including a diver called Torpedo.

I had not heard of Lum Tech. Thanks for bringing them up. Their website states that those models have a 2 year warranty but lifetime pressure testing and seal cleaning.

 

[watch2seek]

aracer solargrap

I'm partial to Citizen's lineup of Eco-Drive divers in titanium. For some reason, Citizen's site only includes the version with a black dial on a bracelet, but it's also available with blue dial on blue strap, and orange dial with black strap. I have the orange, and it's now on a Hirsch strap. I've read somewhere on here that this family is being discontinue, which hopefully means we'll get a new line of Eco-Drive titanium divers.

View attachment 16671089

I agree that Citizen makes great solar divers. I have also noticed that their US website does not list some of their models.

 

[watch2seek]

Tag aquaracer solargraph

Glad you included it. That thing is impressive.

 

[watch2seek]

In my book if you want a solar powered watch there is only one brand, Citizen. They have been making them longer and better than any other company in the business. My favoite is this one the BN-7020. I put mine on a stevral titanium bracelet. Including the bracelet it was less than $1500.

I have read before that Citizen is the way to go for solar powered watches, and I appreciate your input. It's not a bad idea to go with a big reliable experienced brand.

 

[msig81]

Pic stolen from WUS

 

[SixtyLion]

View attachment 16671584
Pic stolen from WUS

I have SNE573, black dial with tropic strap it is an excellent watch. Seiko did a good job with these mid-size divers, I had some doubts about the size but the watch wears extremely well and disappears under a sleeve. Bezel alignment is excellent, second hand hits markers almost perfectly, sapphire is another huge plus. That blue dial looks great!

 

[brandon\]

Momentum Torpedo Eclipse.

 

[Robbie_roy]

I can't say these are exactly not well-known, but I adore solar divers. Some ideas below but FYI I'm more of a 39-40mm guy, so I could be missing some larger ones.

SBDN017 / SBDN019 / SBDN035 (38.8mm) -- All just different color variations. Japanese market only but you can find them online.

SNE569, SNE571, SNE573, SNE575 (and some other newer numbers I'm forgetting) (38.5mm). @msig81 beat me to this one, so I am seconding it.

BN0000-04h (unfortunately discontinued but they pop up online) (40.5mm) I wish Citizen did an update to this in the same size but with new styling.

BN0200-XX. I wish this one was a touch smaller, but since you said up to 45mm is OK. This one is 44mm. Also seconding this one from @Aero2001.

SSC017, SSC618, etc. (lot of color variations of this one) (43.5mm) Not one I own but like the looks of.

 

[bdev]

Seiko baby tuna solar. SUT403. 38.6mm/11mm/41mm.