Are Tissot Watches Good? Our Take

Tissot is a brand with a 170-year heritage to look back on. But are its watches any good? Find out in this article.

Tissot watches are pretty cool. The mid-range brand has become respected in all four corners of the globe. Its versatile and affordable timepieces are both classic and timeless. But does the brand play things a little too safe?

In this day and age, luxury watchmakers have to shout a little louder to get noticed. The industry is brimming with competition and horological talent. 

What sets a brand apart from others are its unique selling point(s) (USPs). Luckily for Tissot, it doesn’t have to try too hard. The brand has a hugely respected history and a fan base that has steadily grown over time.

While the brand’s catalog ranges from elegant dress watches to sports models, it’s not the first choice for everyone. 

Some believe Tissot Watches don’t push the boundaries enough. Others swear by their faultless designs. 

How Good Are Tissot Watches? The Facts.

With some Tissot Watches proving relatively cheap, many wonder whether the brand represents Swiss horology purely enough.

Generally speaking, the top names in the industry come at a high price. Yet Tissot Watches have always been accessible. 

They may not be reinventing the wheel, but they’re made from high-quality materials and boast authentic designs.

 Thanks to the brand’s use of precise movements, Tissot’s commitment to accuracy is unwavering.

The History of Tissot Watches

Tissot was one of the very first few Swiss brands to venture into mass production. The company was founded by a man named Charles-Felicien Tissot and his son, Charles-Emile Tissot. They built the foundations of the company from the ground up in the town Le Locle Switzerland.

One particular milestone of Tissot’s is its Antimagnetique watch in 1930. As you’ll already have guessed, its design was resistant to the detrimental effects of magnetism. 

Its production ran up to the 1950s. 

The second Innovation was in 1951. The brand released the Navigator with a slide rule bezel for assisting with complex air-bound calculations.

The 1980s and 1990s were important for Tissot. It marked an era when the brand began experimenting with unusual materials. In doing so, the Rockwatch (made out of real stone) was released in 1975, followed by a watch made from wood. 

Tissot was a catalyst for the mother-of-pearl watch trend, too.

The 1990s are remembered for Tissot’s T-Tough generation of watches. The collection lives on today amongst a myriad of other classic and sporty designs. 

Strengthening its ties to the sporting world, it is also the official timekeeper for the International Basketball Federation. 

Now, let’s take a look at some of the brand’s most popular collections.

The Most popular Tissot Watch Collections

From precision-driven Swiss quartz movements to automatic watches, Tissot’s commitment to accuracy is commendable. The brand’s range of timepieces caters to a large audience of discerning watch enthusiasts. 

Below, I’ve summed up many of the brand’s most popular watch collections:

Tissot Seastar

The Tissot Seastar is one of the brand’s most popular watch collections, and it’s not difficult to see why. 

Packed with an impressive level of water resistance and a legible dial, Seastar watches are ideal for water sports and outdoor adventures. 

(Below: Tissot Seastar)

Some models from the range come in chronograph versions, like the Seastar 1000. They boast a water resistance of 1000ft (300m).

Tissot PRX

The design of the Tissot PRX is a throwback to 1978. Its sporty look is unmissable, thanks to an integrated bracelet. 

The steel models from this range are classic and sporty, promising a resolutely thin case for wearing underneath work attire if needed. Their solid designs are inspired by the steel sports watch era during the 1970s. 

They’ll also appeal to you if you like retro designs paired with modern technology. 

(Below: Tissot PRX)

An example would be the Powermatic 80 movement seen in some models. The engine features a silicone component that helps resist the damaging effects of magnetism.  

The Tissot T-Touch

Tissot T-Touch watches arrived in the 1990s and brought an entirely new concept to the wrist. The tactile watch was dynamic for its time and packed in a whole itinerary of technological functions. 

(Below: Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar)

Later, Tissot released a solar-powered version of the T-Touch watch, which remains incredibly popular today. Its long power reserve and avant-garde design enable you to enjoy a whole host of cutting-edge technological features.

The Tissot Powermatic 80

As I mentioned, the Powermatic 80 referenced in the name of this watch refers to the movement. These models are equipped with an innovative movement renowned for its anti-magnetic qualities. 

(Below: Tissot Gentleman Powermatic Silicium)

It promises better all-round mechanical performance and features in models like the Le Locle. The classic design of the Powermatic 80 watch is reserved and refined. All the while, the movement promises a total power reserve of 80 hours.

Why Are Tissot Watches Good Value?

For a watch to hold its value, it must offer a combination of things. Its design must be unique and interesting. 

The Submariner by Rolex, for example, offers a unidirectional rotating black ceramic bezel. Although the feature is common today, not so back in the day. Other reasons why the Submariner is especially collectible are because it was one of the first dive watches of its time and came housed in the famous Oyster case. 

The revolutionary and robust Oyster Case has formed the backbone of its entire portfolio.

For Tissot, there are fewer goldmines to explore, but the quality of its timepieces is at least consistent. 

Its “Tiffany” dials, however, are highly coveted. Named after the Tiffany-blue color, they bear a resemblance to the iconic jewelry retailer. Their turquoise dials make for an instantly recognizable design and are found in the T-Classic and PRX collections. 

These models, similar to Tiffany’s official collaborations, are hugely sought-after. Other Tissot watches may not return such a great investment, but they do promise reliability and robustness for daily wear.  

Watches that hold their value well are often made by brands with an interesting history. Tissot’s backstory, from the T-Touch concept to its solar-powered watches, is nothing short of fascinating. 

You can trace the brand’s lineage right back to the start and recognize key characteristics that are still used today. One reason why Tissot watches are so affordable is due to their accessibility. 

There are no waiting lists for Tissot watches, unlike some elite brands. In the case of Tissot, this lack of exclusivity is in no way reflective of the brand’s commitment to quality.  

FAQs

If you want the question “Are Tissot Watches Good? ” answered once and for all, these FAQs may help.

Is Tissot a Good Quality Watch?

Tissot makes good quality watches for an affordable price. It is just one reason why the brand has become so well respected. 

Tissot watches cover all watch genres, too. 

Its sports watches are incredibly robust, each one housing a reliable quartz or automatic movement.

Is Tissot a Luxury Brand?

Tissot is a luxury watch brand in Switzerland. It occupies the mid-sector range, making its watches more expensive than some but affordable compared to Rolex and Omega.

Where does Tissot Rank in Watches?

Tissot is a well-respected watch brand that ranks lower than Patek Philippe and Rolex but higher than Casio and Timex. Its watches are known for combining Swiss precision with high-quality materials for an affordable price.

What makes Tissot such a reputable brand is its authentic Swiss roots. 

The company’s collections are equipped with a mix of quartz models and automatic watches, depending on price. While the industry is hugely competitive, Tissot does stand out for its quality and affordability. 

Conclusion: Tissot Makes Quality Watches

So, are Tissot Watches Good? The answer, in short, is “yes”. 

When it comes to this Swiss brand, the value lies in its classic designs. Most of its timepieces are elegant and sporty but with a modern twist. This distinctive style enables Tissot to leverage its brand presence and reach a wider audience.  

Tissot gets some flak for not pushing the boundaries of technical innovation enough. But surely not everyone needs or wants a complex-looking timepiece. 

What is certain is that Tissot watches are the gateway into affordable Swiss luxury watch collecting. If that’s what you’re looking for, Tissot watches are pretty foolproof. 

In a time when so many brands are associated with lofty price tags, Tissot provides refreshing affordability.

Its honest designs are easy to access, and that’s what most of us want today. So many budding enthusiasts begin their collection with a Tissot watch. Will you?

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