Well, it used to be that I could look down on Tissot as a sort of gateway drug to swiss watches. Their portfolio of odd-looking quartz sport watches had zero appeal to me and had more than a slight whiff of Invicta about them. Then one day about 12 years ago they introduced the Heritage Visodate. A very handsome reissue paying homage to their most famous mechanical timepiece. This is a watch I have avoided buying, only because of its ubiquity, it really is a good-looking, high-quality retro timepiece. I admit I have had a few on my eBay watchlist for some time but never quite got the deal I was looking for.
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In general however when someone mentioned Tissot to me, I would be a bit of a contrarian and say something like -“but what about Certina?” or “have you considered Mido?”. And certainly, those Swatch group stablemates of Tissot do deserve more time in the sun however when I look at the Tissot lineup I really cannot justify any apathy towards the brand. They really have a magnificent portfolio right now.
Let’s discuss the elephant in the room, the swatch group watch that everyone wants to own, not flip (Moonswatch) but actually get on their wrist and keep in their collections – the Tissot PRX. Launched in 2021 as quartz only capitalising on the burgeoning integrated bracelet trend that has followed the AP Royal Oak’s resurgence in the popular consciousness. Tissot has priced the Quartz very well, it is well in reach of most buyers in the developed world. Quartz is also very suited to the 70s retro vibe of this watch. I suspect if I bought one I might go for the Quartz. Well, that is if I can resist the blue waffle dial of the Powermatic 80 motivated automatic variant which does look absolutely smashing. Let’s face it, it’s cashing in slightly on the Royal Oak’s vibe but not so much as to be mistaken for a homage. Additionally, the Royal oak lives in such rarefied air these days that it is well out of the reach of all but the top 5% of wealthy people in the world. If you do want a taste of that AP energy, this is a good way to go. Further cashing in on the PRX’s success Tissot recently dropped an automatic Chronograph version. This also happens to be just about the cheapest list price automatic Chronograph you can get from a recognised brand, or perhaps even anywhere. At just $1,700 it is a steal.
Tissot PRX Prices (mid 2022) eBay affiliate link
- Quartz $375
- Automatic $650
- Chronograph $1,700
- Fluted Bezel Auto $650
Look for more on eBay(affiliate link)
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We discussed the popular and perhaps groundbreaking Visodate in the introduction to this article. However, at the minute it is another traditionally designed stainless steel Tissot sports watch that is getting people excited at the moment. The aptly named Gentleman. This is a watch for people who would like a watch in the mould of a Rolex Explorer or Omega Aquaterra but for much less money and to my budget-friendly eyes, actually better looking than either. The Gentleman is powered by the Tissot Powermatic 80, a movement based on the stalwart ETA 2825 with the beat rate reduced to facilitate a longer power reserve. The Swatch group uses variations of this movement in all the lower-tier Swatch group sports watches be it Hamilton, Rado, Mido, Certina or Tissot. Its ubiquity aside, having an 80-hour power reserve on an automatic watch is nothing to be sneezed at. Retailing for a very similar price to the automatic PRX at $650, I would love to see Tissot drop a GMT variant, Please!!!
Look for Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 on eBay(affiliate link)
![](https://tfhorology.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Tissot-Gentleman.jpeg)
With all the hubbub about the launch of the PRX, another retro-styled sports watch completely slipped past me unnoticed. I have to say that is rather shameful on my part because it is exactly the kind of watch I adore and now I long to own one. The Heritage Chronograph is a 1970s-flavoured sports chronograph with a motor racing vibe. It sits in a handsome tonneau-style case and to my eyes does not homage to a particular piece but is rather a very well-put-together collection of period styling features brought together into a very visually satisfying whole. The Heritage Chronograph is powered by the same Valjoux A05.H31 entry-level chronograph movement as the PRX chronograph but it is priced a little higher at $2,100. It is less of a bargain than the PRX but it represents very good value nevertheless.
I found one on eBay. (Affiliate link)
![](https://tfhorology.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Tissot-Heritage-Chronograph.jpeg)
The heritage chronographs do not stop there. Tissot has just this week announced the release of another retro-inspired heritage chronograph harking back further into the history of horology to the 1930s. The Telemetre 1938, homaging a popular sporting chronograph from the 1930s, this new model once more leverages the Valjoux A05.H31 to produce a beautiful and affordable chronograph watch. This watch is not on sale yet but it is expected to sell at around $2,000. The black and stainless version is for me the most compelling. It really is something different and luxurious for very reasonable money.
Not available at the time of publishing but search for other Tissot Chronographs here.(eBay affiliate link)
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![](https://tfhorology.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/Tissot-Telemeter-1938-Chronograph-Heritage-Hands-on-Review-Price.jpeg)
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