Watches have always been attractive pieces of jewelry. For many years it has been a fashion accessory that adds elegance and sophistication to not only your attire but your personality too. I associate people who wear good quality watches with punctuality and diligence.
There are around 20 types of watches, and even though some are more popular than others, the solar and quartz watches are still well-liked. What makes the solar watch different from the quartz watch?
A solar watch changes light energy (acquired by a solar cell) into electronic energy. The energy is kept in the rechargeable battery used to operate the watch. A quartz watch is activated by a solar cell or battery, which powers the vibrations of a quartz crystal regulated by a microcircuit.
Do you need some advice on which watch to purchase? What are the advantages and disadvantages of solar and quartz watches? Read on to know more about the distinctions between these two popular types of watches and what you can expect from them.
We know the significant difference between a solar watch and a quartz watch in terms of how they operate and accumulate power to work but let us take a deeper look into how reliable and accurate these two types of watches are.
What is a Solar Watch?
A solar watch changes light energy (acquired by a solar cell) into electronic energy. The energy is kept in the rechargeable battery used to operate the watch. Solar watches are trustworthy when it comes to timekeeping.
Their level of accuracy is probably much better than other kinds of watches unless they are stored in darkness for a very long time. Solar watches can last long in darkness; however, keeping them away from a light source for prolonged periods can make them lose their power to recharge completely.
Despite this, a solar watch such as the Casio brand can last up to 20 years if you take proper care of it service the watch after six years or two years if you use it in water.
How To Maintain a Solar Watch?
To maintain a solar watch, I suggest placing it on your window ledge or under a different light source for at least five hours each month or as often as you can. Ensure that the dial faces the sun or the light source.
Setting it directly in the sun will charge the solar watch much faster than laying it under, for example, a LED lamp. Solar watches do not require frequent battery replacements, so you can wear them for years without any issues.
What is a Quartz Watch?
A quartz watch is activated by a solar cell or battery, which powers the vibrations of a quartz crystal regulated by a microcircuit. They might not be as sought-after as their counterparts, but they are more reliable and precise than most mechanical watches.
Quartz watches require battery replacement every two years, depending on the kind of battery it uses. The battery can run much longer, though.
How To Maintain a Quartz Watch?
Aside from replacing the batteries every two or so years, quartz watches are easy to maintain. They are built differently from mechanical watches, so it is unnecessary to provide the same maintenance as a mechanical watch.
To take care of your quartz watch, ensure that you change the batteries properly and clean the watch from all the dirt and dust it has collected.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Solar Watch
Solar Watch Advantages
Solar watches have great attributes. Not only are they fashionable, but convenient, reliable, and accurate in timekeeping. Some of the advantages of solar watches include:
- Low maintenance. Solar watches are easy to maintain since they only need to be stored near a light source.
- Easy charging. You can easily charge your solar watch by placing it in sunlight (recommended) or any artificial light source, e.g., an LED lamp.
- Eco-friendly. Solar watches’ batteries are rechargeable by a light source which means you can use the watch for years to come without replacing it. The internal lithium batteries last longer, reducing the amount of non-biodegradable batteries contributing to environmental contamination.
- Cost-effective. Solar watches require little to no maintenance, so you do not have to spend a ton of money to care for or service your solar watch.
- High energy reserves. Solar watches can last up to six months with a three to four-hour charge. Some brands make power-saving modes for their solar watches.
Solar Watch Disadvantages
Although the advantages outweigh the disadvantages, you still need to consider them before purchasing a solar watch. Here are three disadvantages of solar watches:
- Solar watches are costly. Quality does not come cheap, so expect to pay a hefty amount for a solar watch. It can easily cost you a few thousand bucks. You are lucky to find a good one for a couple of hundred dollars!
- Requires continuous light. To keep your solar watch running smoothly, you must place it under a light source for a certain amount of time.
- Noticeable PV cells. The PV cells are visible on most solar watches and may not look good with your attire.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Quartz Watch
Quartz Watch Advantages
There are good reasons why people choose to purchase a quartz watch, and it is not just because of accurate timekeeping.
- Quartz watches are stylish. You will always find a quartz watch to match the recent trends and fashion.
- Quartz watches are affordable, which means manufacturers can use extra money to make them eye-catching. Automatical and mechanical watch manufacturers have limited budgets to add fashionable attributes.
- Quartz watches are easier to manifacture. These watches are simpler to manufacture than mechanical watches or solar watches because they do not undergo many complex quality checks.
- They are very accurate. Accuracy is probably the main reason why quartz watches are popular. Unlike some other watches, quartz watches maintain their accuracy without GPS, atomic clocks, or other third-party assistance that promotes movement and accuracy.
- Quartz watches are cost-effective. Replacement is not costly, so you will not have to clear your bank account for servicing the watch or replacing it.
- They have low maintenance costs. Typically, quartz watches do not require any servicing. Most quartz watches are made of plastic or metal parts, so servicing is unnecessary unless they feature jewels or mechanical parts that must be lubricated now and then.
Quartz Watch Disadvantages
Like the solar watch, the quartz watch has its disadvantages too, but much like its counterpart, the cons are nothing compared to its pros.
- Repairing a quartz watch is difficult or, at times, impossible. It is not easy to fix a quartz watch or its components. Usually, if one component stops working, the entire watch will cease movement. Manufacturers prefer replacing the whole watch instead of certain parts.
- Quartz watches require regular battery changes. The downside of this watch is the frequent battery replacement, and although it is not costly, it can take a while. Certain jewelers might take weeks to replace the battery. Unfortunately, you would have to keep to this rule to ensure that you properly take care of your quartz.
- Quartz watches do not last long. While they are good quality and affordable, quartz watches do not last as long as you want. Their electronics and components will fail sooner or later, but proper care will certainly prolong the quartz watches’ “life expectancy.”
Conclusion
It is clear to see the visible differences between a solar watch and a quartz watch. While both are of excellent quality, the solar watch is more advantageous in terms of its battery power and durability. The quartz watch is less expensive and does not require any servicing. Both watches have a high accuracy level in timekeeping, but the solar watch is more so.
When you want to make a fashion statement, then a quartz watch is the one for you! They are easy to maintain, are cost-effective, and do not cost you an arm and a leg. However, if you want a durable and long-lasting watch, I recommend investing in a solar watch.