MONDAINE Swiss Railway essence Solar Powered by Light Sustainable Watch 41910LA / 41mm

TIME, POWERED BY LIGHT MONDAINE essence Solar — quite possibly one of the most sustainable watches in the world. Swiss national railway clock brand MONDAINE introduces the new essence Solar powered by light watch series. This collection is powered by light, continuing the brand's minimalist aesthetic and environmental philosophy, showcasing innovation and commitment to sustainable watchmaking. Innovation x Sustainability, Perfectly Timed The new two essence Solar watches are equipped with a Swiss-made Ronda solar movement, entirely powered by light sources, providing stable and precise time display. The design perfectly blends the classic elements of the Swiss Federal Railways clock with modern technology and a sustainable spirit. This Swiss-made watch features a case and strap made from recycled materials, assembled in MONDAINE's own factory—a factory powered by rooftop solar energy systems, embodying its sustainable principles. Bringing Sustainability into Daily Life with Light The Solar powered by light movement can be driven by any light source, whether natural or artificial. Light penetrates the specially designed transparent dial, reaching the solar cell below, converting it into electrical energy and storing it in a rechargeable battery to power the movement. Just 2 minutes of light exposure is enough to wake a completely discharged movement for a full day's operation; once fully charged, it can run for up to 8 months even in complete darkness. This eliminates the hassle of regular battery replacements, being more environmentally friendly, reducing waste batteries, and saving long-term maintenance costs, all while maintaining the consistent Swiss precision quality. Renewable Materials × Swiss Craftsmanship The 41mm case is made from a castor oil-based bioplastic composite material developed by Germany's BASF: The composition includes 40% castor oil, 30% glass fiber, 2% pigments, and 28% fossil-based raw materials. This material is lightweight yet robust, and resistant to brittleness or degradation over long-term use. The two straps are crafted from Recycled PET textile fibers with a natural cork lining, offering both skin-friendly comfort and durability. They also feature a quick-release system, allowing for easy replacement without tools, to match any style. Inheriting Classics, Continuing Innovation The dial design faithfully continues the iconic motif of the national railway clock used in approximately 3,000 Swiss stations since 1944. MONDAINE has held the global exclusive license since 1986. The minimalist dial with strong black and white contrast and the red second hand ensure excellent readability, symbolizing the precise rhythm of the Swiss railways and the brand's design DNA. Simple Style, Sustainable Statement The essence Solar series is available in two sophisticated colorways: ● White case × Ivory white strap ● Black case × Black strap This is not just a watch, but a declaration of responsibility towards the environment and future generations. The sustainable materials and new solar movement adopted by MONDAINE demonstrate the brand's long-term commitment to the environment and the future. All MONDAINE watches are produced in their own advanced Swiss factories, where 80% of the energy comes from solar power, and the remaining 20% is supplemented by local hydropower. Since 2020, the MONDAINE Group and all its products have achieved full carbon neutrality according to the GHG Protocol (Scope 1, 2, and 3), becoming one of the world's most sustainable watchmaking brands by offsetting unavoidable carbon emissions. Important Information: How it Works The solar movement absorbs light (including daylight and artificial light) through the solar cells beneath the dial, converting light energy into electrical energy and storing it in a rechargeable battery to power the watch. This design not only eliminates the need for regular battery replacements but also significantly reduces the environmental impact. In a fully charged state, the watch can continue to operate for approximately 8 months in the absence of light. For optimal performance, it is recommended to expose the watch to natural light periodically for quicker charging. Solar Movement Features ● Solar Powered: Charges with light, no regular battery replacement needed. ● Long-lasting Power: Fully charged can operate for approximately 8 months (no further light exposure required). ● Quick Wake-up: If completely depleted, it can restart with just 2 minutes of sunlight, enough to run for 1 day. ● Protection Design: Built-in overcharge and deep discharge protection. Usage Recommendations: ● Prioritize charging with natural sunlight. ● Before storage, ensure sufficient charge to avoid prolonged deep discharge. ● Avoid high-temperature environments (e.g., direct sun exposure in a car exceeding 60°C). Reference Charging Times (Empty -> Full Charge) Environment Time to Start Time to Full Charge Outdoor Sunny Approx. 1–2 minutes Approx. 7 hours Outdoor Cloudy Approx. 5–11 minutes Approx. 1.5 days Fluorescent Lamp 30W (20cm away) Approx. 20–35 minutes Approx. 5.2 days Normal Indoor Light Approx. 2–4.4 hours Approx. 40 days Recommendation: Primarily use sunlight for charging; indoor light is for maintenance only.