Tissot PRC 100 Solar Review

The Tissot PRC 100 Solar is a light-powered Swiss quartz watch that runs for up to 14 months on a full charge, with solar cells hidden in the crystal rather than printed on the dial. It comes in 39mm and 34mm, has 100 metres of water resistance and a three-year warranty, and costs about $450 to $550. If you want a clean, go-anywhere watch you never have to wind or fit with a battery, it's one of the best buys at its price.

Most people buy a quartz watch for one reason: they want to strap it on and forget about it. The Tissot PRC 100 Solar takes that idea and pushes it further. No winding. No battery changes. Just light.

Solar watches aren't new — Citizen and Seiko have made them for decades. What makes this one different is how Tissot hides the technology. Instead of a tell-tale solar dial, the PRC 100 Solar uses Tissot's own Lightmaster system, with tiny solar cells built into the crystal. The result is a solar watch that simply looks like a good-looking Swiss watch.

So is it a genuine step forward, or a clever gimmick? Here's my full PRC 100 Solar review, based on Tissot's specifications and hands-on reports from respected watch publications.

Tissot PRC 100 Solar at a Glance

• Sizes: 39mm and 34mm stainless steel, with black PVD options
• Movement: Lightmaster solar quartz, based on the ETA F06.615
• Power reserve: up to 14 months on a full charge
• Charging: natural and artificial light
• Water resistance: 100 metres
• Crystal: sapphire
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Warranty: three years
• Price: about $450 to $550 in the US

US pricing and warranty details come from Teddy Baldassarre's PRC 100 Solar review.

A Comeback With a Twist

The PRC 100 isn't a new name. The collection first appeared around 2000, known for its distinctive 12-sided bezel. After several quiet years, Tissot brought it back in 2025 with solar power at its heart.

Tissot launched five 39mm versions first, in silver, black and blue sunray dials on straps or bracelets, followed by a smaller 34mm model with additional finishes, including two-tone and gold-tone options.

The Lightmaster Technology: What Makes It Special

This is the real story of the PRC 100 Solar.

On most solar watches, the solar cell sits beneath a semi-transparent dial. That works, but it limits dial design — solar dials often look slightly flat or muted.

Tissot took a different route. As Fratello explains in its behind-the-scenes report, Tissot and its partners developed wafer-thin, hexagon-shaped solar panels that are barely visible to the naked eye, giving an uninterrupted view of the dial and hands below. That's why the PRC 100 Solar can have rich sunray dials that look just like those on a regular Tissot.

The Australian site Watch Advice called Lightmaster a genuine leap forward, noting that putting the solar cells in the crystal instead of the dial gives Tissot design freedom its rivals don't have.

How long does it run?

On a full charge, the Lightmaster movement runs for up to 14 months. And charging doesn't take long: according to Deployant, about 10 minutes of daylight gives roughly 24 hours of running time.

It also charges under indoor lighting, and an "End of Energy" indicator warns you if it's running low. In practice, if you wear it regularly and occasionally see daylight, it should simply never stop.

If you're curious how Tissot's solar tech compares with its smart-solar watches, our review of the Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar covers the brand's more high-tech side. And for a broader look at Tissot's calibres, see Tissot movements explained.

Design: Clean, Versatile and Very Wearable

The PRC 100 Solar is a classic "go anywhere, do anything" watch. The case is brushed throughout, with polished facets on the 12-sided bezel that gives the collection its identity. Time+Tide described it as Tissot's attempt at the ideal go-anywhere, do-anything watch.

The dials are simple and easy to read, with stick markers, a date at 3 o'clock and Super-LumiNova on the hands and indices. Watch Advice even said the lume outperforms many sports watches at higher prices.

Because it's quartz, it's also light and comfortable on the wrist. It's the kind of watch you can wear to the office, the gym and the beach without changing.

39mm or 34mm?

The 39mm suits most men and anyone who likes a moderate, modern size.

The 34mm is ideal for smaller wrists and many women. According to Fratello's hands-on review, it measures 44.6mm lug to lug and just 9.14mm thick, so it wears neatly without feeling tiny.

Price and Value

In the US, the PRC 100 Solar costs roughly $450 to $550, depending on the case finish and whether you choose a strap or bracelet. In the UK, prices run from about £410 to £535.

For that, you get a Swiss-made watch with a sapphire crystal, 100 metres of water resistance, a long-lasting solar movement and a three-year warranty — one year longer than Tissot's usual two years, which Teddy Baldassarre notes is a sign of Tissot's confidence in the movement.

That's strong value. You also avoid the ongoing cost of battery changes. Our guide to how much a Tissot service costs shows what those can add up to on a regular quartz watch.

How It Compares

PRC 100 Solar vs Citizen and Seiko solar watches

Citizen's Eco-Drive and Seiko's solar watches are the obvious rivals, with decades of experience behind them. They often cost less. The PRC 100 Solar's advantages are its Swiss-made build, its sapphire crystal and, most of all, its clean dial thanks to Lightmaster. If design and the Swiss name matter to you, the Tissot is worth the extra.

PRC 100 Solar vs Tissot PRX quartz

The PRX quartz is Tissot's best-selling style icon, with a 1970s integrated bracelet. The PRC 100 Solar is more understated and practical, and it never needs a battery. Choose the PRX for style statements, the PRC 100 Solar for convenience. If you're weighing quartz against automatic in the PRX range, see our PRX Quartz Chronograph vs Automatic comparison.

PRC 100 Solar vs PRC 200

The PRC 200 is the PRC 100's sportier, chunkier sibling, with chronograph options. Our PRC 200 review explains why it's worth a look if you want something bolder.

PRC 100 Solar vs an automatic Tissot

If you love mechanical watches, an automatic like the Gentleman Powermatic 80 offers craftsmanship you can feel, with an 80-hour reserve. But it costs more and needs servicing every few years. Our Gentleman Powermatic 80 review covers that option.

What We Like and What We Don't

What we like:

• Lightmaster keeps the dial clean and attractive — no "solar watch" look
• Up to 14 months of power and fast charging
• No battery changes, ever, in normal use
• Sapphire crystal and 100 metres of water resistance
• Three-year warranty
• Two sensible sizes, 39mm and 34mm

What we don't:

• Solid caseback, so there's no movement to admire
• Japanese solar rivals can be cheaper
• The design is deliberately safe, so it won't turn heads

Who Should Buy the PRC 100 Solar?

Buy it if:

• You want a watch you never have to wind or fit with a battery
• You need one versatile watch for work, weekends and holidays
• You want a Swiss watch under $600 with sapphire and 100 metres of water resistance
• You're buying a practical, long-lasting gift

Skip it if:

• You love the craftsmanship of mechanical movements
• You want a bold, attention-grabbing design

Shopping for a present? See our guide to the best Tissot gift for every budget.

Buying Tips

1. Buy from an authorised retailer to get the full three-year warranty.
2. Charge it fully when it arrives by leaving it in daylight, then wear it as normal.
3. Avoid storing it in a drawer for months. A windowsill or open shelf keeps it topped up.
4. Buying second-hand? Use our 5 ways to verify a Tissot checklist.

Wondering what "Swiss Made" really means on a quartz Tissot? Here's what Swiss Made actually means on a Tissot watch.

The Verdict

The Tissot PRC 100 Solar is one of the smartest everyday watches Tissot has made in years. Lightmaster solves the biggest problem with solar watches — their looks — while keeping all the convenience. Add a 14-month reserve, sapphire crystal, 100 metres of water resistance and a three-year warranty, and you have a watch that's easy to recommend.

It won't excite mechanical-watch purists, and Japanese rivals can be cheaper. But if you want a good-looking Swiss watch that simply keeps going, the PRC 100 Solar is hard to beat at around $500. Watch Advice gave it 9 out of 10, and it's easy to see why.

FAQ

How much is the Tissot PRC 100 Solar?

In the US, the PRC 100 Solar costs about $450 to $550, depending on the case finish and whether you choose a strap or bracelet.

How long does the PRC 100 Solar run on a full charge?

Up to 14 months. About 10 minutes of daylight gives roughly 24 hours of running time.

Does the Tissot PRC 100 Solar need a battery change?

No. It uses a rechargeable cell powered by light, so in normal use it doesn't need regular battery replacements.

What is Tissot Lightmaster?

Lightmaster is Tissot's solar quartz technology. It uses tiny hexagonal solar cells built into the crystal rather than the dial, so the watch can have a normal-looking dial while still charging from light.

What sizes does the PRC 100 Solar come in?

It comes in 39mm and 34mm. The 34mm version is 9.14mm thick with a 44.6mm lug-to-lug length, making it a good fit for smaller wrists.

Is the Tissot PRC 100 Solar waterproof?

It's water resistant to 100 metres, which is suitable for swimming and everyday water exposure.  Our Tissot PRC 100 Solar review: Lightmaster solar cells in the crystal, 14-month reserve, 39mm and 34mm, 100m, three-year warranty, from about $450.