In the previous, Tissot watches had an analogous, fascinating period-specific aesthetic as classic manufacturers like Nivada Grenchen, Mido, Dugena, and lots of others.
Quick ahead to right now, Nivada Grenchen makes devoted recreations of previous fashions, Dugena shouldn’t be presently in enterprise, and Mido and Tissot (owned by the Swatch Group) have been streamlined as entry-level quantity watches that hardly resemble the designs of the previous.
Tissot is the quantity entry-level model of the Swatch Group and whereas the circumstances should not plastic like Swatches, there are typically plastic parts utilized in Tissot watch actions — that are produced in a totally automated method — to scale back prices. Through the years, Tissot has delivered some attention-grabbing improvements such because the T-Contact assortment of tactile watches, the Powermatic 80 with an extended 80-hour energy reserve, and even this retro mannequin referred to as 1973 Tissot Navigator Chronograph, which appears to be like good however not fairly as good because the authentic mannequin it’s primarily based on.
Enter the Tissot PR516 Chronograph Mechanical hand-wound chronograph that has retro cues that harken again to the 1970 mannequin of the identical identify (much like what Tissot is doing with the PRX line) — although the brand new iteration shouldn’t be a wholly devoted model of the PR516 Chronograph (and is marketed as a contemporary T-Sport not Heritage mannequin), in the way in which that Nivada Grenchen, Longines, and even Breitling have been recreating a few of their previous fashions. Nonetheless, it gives a compelling look, extra aligned with barely upscale manufacturers like Oris or Zodiac. The case form resembles the Tudor Black Bay, which is considerably additional upscale in worth, high quality, and status than a Tissot. Contemplating this Tissot is nearly $2K, it’s hopefully the next high quality than the model’s sub $1K fashions.
The Tissot PR516 Chronograph Mechanical (Ref. T1494592105100) is offered in a 41 mm x 13.7 mm stainless-steel case (49 mm lug-to-lug) and has a sapphire crystal on each the entrance (field sort) and caseback (flat), nevertheless, the mounted tachymeter bezel is fabricated from a mineral crystal (identical as is used on Zodiac watches), to scale back prices in comparison with ceramic or sapphire. On the bracelet, which has a stamped clasp, and quick-release mechanism, the PR516 Chronograph Mechanical weighs in at 160 grams, even much less in the event you go for a strap. The watch is depth rated to 100 meters.
Driving the hours, minutes, small seconds, and the chronograph is a Valjoux/ETA 7753 derived manually wound caliber A05.291 which has 12-hour and 30-minute counters, together with a central chronograph seconds hand. The handbook wound motion beats at 4Hz has a 68-hour energy reserve and is totally machine-made with an industrial end.
The Tissot PR516 Chronograph Mechanical (Ref. T1494592105100) retails for $1,850. There are additionally three barely smaller 40 mm Swiss quartz variations with strong casebacks beginning at $495. Whereas the quartz variations are priced comparatively low, the mechanical mannequin shouldn’t be cheap, in a market with lots of choices each new and pre-owned, so whereas the watch appears to be like fairly good — all issues thought of — it’s not going going to be a simple determination for people who know the market effectively.
Photographs by Tissot.
