Go Green: Presenting the New Tissot PRC 100 Solar Collection

Shaping the future of the industry, sustainability has become a key watchmaking aspect for both manufacturers and consumers. With growing environmental awareness, brands are prioritizing eco-friendly materials, ethical sourcing, and responsible production methods. Recycled metals, vegan straps, and solar-powered movements are thus replacing traditional, resource-intensive components. Additionally, companies are focusing on reducing carbon footprints through sustainable packaging and transparent supply chains. 

Tissot is one of the leading watchmaking brands that abide by sustainable horological practices. Exemplifying this commitment is the brand’s newly launched PRC 100 Solar collection that features three new timepieces ― Ref. TI5I.422.11.031.00, with a silver sunray dial, Ref. TI5I.422.11.041.00, sporting a blue sunray dial, and Ref. TISI.422.33.051.00, boasting a black sunray dial. 

Solar-powered watches work by turning light into electricity via a small solar panel, which is often incorporated inside the watch face. This panel converts solar or artificial light into electrical energy that is then stored in a rechargeable battery. The stored energy fuels the watch's movement, allowing it to function without requiring frequent battery replacements. One of the primary benefits of solar-powered watches is their eco-friendliness, as they eliminate battery waste and use renewable energy. Furthermore, these watches require almost no maintenance and boast long-lasting battery life, with some versions lasting for months in the dark after a full charge. 

Two of the models (Ref. T151.422.11.031.00 and Ref. T151.422.11.041.00) have a stainless steel case, a crown at 3 o’clock, and a dodecagonal bezel, while the third one (Ref. T151.422.33.051.00) has a stainless steel with black PVD coating case, a bezel and a crown. Common to all models, housed in 39 mm cases, is a white minute track on the outer periphery of the dial; Super-LumiNova coating can be spotted on the hour markers, and hour, minute, and second hands. Additionally, all models have a date window at 3 o’clock. Powering the models is a quartz solar movement with an Accumulator-type Panasonic CTL920F battery, showcasing an advanced Lightmaster technology. The closed caseback of each watch is crafted either in stainless steel or in stainless steel with black PVD coating. 

Each watch absorbs both natural and artificial light as it passes through the sapphire crystal, where discrete solar panels convert and store it in a rechargeable accumulator. Even in environments with limited sunlight, the watch remains charged under artificial lighting. Tissot has also released two models with a brown leather strap (Ref. T151.422.16.031.00) and a black leather strap (Ref. T151.422.36.051.00), completing the solar collection.