Victorinox Concept One: Solar Quartz vs Automatic — The Swiss Watchmaker's Dual Strategy
Victorinox Offers Both Movements in One Collection
For 2026, Victorinox has launched the Concept One — a 39mm watch collection available in both automatic and solar quartz variants with identical styling. This marks the first time Victorinox has offered solar quartz technology, signaling a significant shift in Swiss watchmaking strategy.
The Swiss Solar Renaissance
The Swiss solar watch is experiencing a revival. Once considered a specialty of Asian watchmakers, European brands are now embracing the technology. The Victorinox Concept One Solar uses the Swiss Made Ronda 215 quartz movement, powered by both sunlight and ambient indoor light. On a full charge, the battery lasts approximately eight months.
The Automatic models feature the Swiss Made La Joux-Perret G100 automatic movement with 68 hours of power reserve and an exhibition sapphire caseback. Both versions share the same 39mm steel case, 100 meters water resistance, and AR-coated sapphire crystals.
Price Comparison: Solar vs Automatic
| Model | Movement | Bracelet/Strap | Price (USD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concept One Solar | Ronda 215 Quartz | Rubber Strap | $900 |
| Concept One Solar | Ronda 215 Quartz | Steel Bracelet | $1,100 |
| Concept One Automatic | La Joux-Perret G100 | Rubber Strap | $1,450 |
| Concept One Automatic | La Joux-Perret G100 | Steel Bracelet | $1,650 |
Why Choose Quartz Over Mechanical?
As watch experts explain, quartz offers distinct advantages for practical wearers: superior accuracy, no winding required, and a "dead" solar watch simply needs light exposure rather than battery replacement. Mechanical watches, however, provide enthusiasts with the satisfaction of a self-winding movement that can be observed through exhibition casebacks.
The Victorinox Concept One demonstrates that the choice between solar and mechanical need not be mutually exclusive — brands can now offer both in the same collection with minimal visual differences.
The Dial Engineering Challenge
The Solar models feature slightly different dial textures than their Automatic counterparts. Solar dials are designed to allow sufficient light to pass through to the photovoltaic cell beneath, while maintaining an opaque appearance. The Automatic models feature a vertically brushed dial effect. Despite these functional requirements, Victorinox has managed to maintain aesthetic consistency across both versions.
FAQ
What is the difference between Victorinox Concept One Solar and Automatic?
The main differences are the movement (solar quartz vs automatic), dial texture (matte vs brushed), and caseback (solid vs exhibition). Styling, size, and water resistance remain identical.
Are Swiss solar watches as good as Japanese solar watches?
Swiss solar movements from Ronda and La Joux-Perret offer comparable performance to Japanese alternatives. The Swiss Made Victorinox Concept One Solar uses the Ronda 215, which provides 8 months of power reserve on a full charge.
Sources: aBlogtoWatch (April 2026), Victorinox Official