Hamilton vs Tissot: How Do They Compare?

Need help deciding between a Hamilton or a Tissot watch? Read the article below.

Deciding between Hamilton watches or Tissot Watches is a little like choosing a fine wine. Both have their unique flavor and properties. Both are also titans in the watch industry, which makes the decision process all the more difficult.

This article provides a comparison overview of both Swiss brands and what they can offer the modern collector. 

If you’ve been questioning the Hamilton vs Tissot debate for some time, you’re reading the right article. I’m going to show you where both watchmakers stand in the competitive watch market.  

Why the Hamilton vs Tissot Debate Is Such a Worthy One

If you’ve been a part of watch-collecting circles for some time, you’ll have heard people discussing the “which is best” topic. It’s quite fun to discuss with a fellow collector why one prefers a certain brand over another. But if you don’t have a fellow watch nerd on hand right now, this article is the next best thing. 

Today, we’re looking at Tissot vs Hamilton. Both are under the Swatch Group banner, and both are well-known in the industry. They compete on a similar level in terms of style, range, and pricing.

Put it that way, it makes for a pretty interesting debate. First and foremost, Tissot is known for its affordability and incorporates Manufacturing movements into its designs, like the Powermatic 80.

On the other hand, Hamilton is known for its countless appearances in films.  But which is the better brand? Let’s delve into their histories. 

A Brief History of Tissot Watches

Tissot was founded in 1853 in the Swiss town of Le Locle. Charles-Felicien Tissot and his son developed pocket watches to start with. 

Soon, the brand grew in popularity and became a household name. 

Before trade became illegal with Russia in 1919, watches like the Tissot “Banana” proved popular there. 

After that, tonneau-shaped cases and Art Deco-inspired pieces arrived. 

In the same year that Tissot and Omega became partners (1930), Tissot released the world’s first anti-magnetic watch — the Antimagnetique. 

Between then and the Second World War, the brand released the Navigator and was positively thriving.  

During its period of merging with Omega and Lemenia, Tissot had access to some pretty impressive movements. It made the brand’s watches throughout the 1850s and 60s particularly noteworthy. 

During this era, names like the Calatrava, Visodate, and Seastar were emerging. The Tissot 808a even featured a chronograph dial that was designed by the creator of the Paul Newman Daytona by Rolex. 

After producing mainly quartz watches during the 1970s, Tissot drew its attention back to innovation. The brand released watches made from wood, pearl, granite, and even rock. Another revelation was the Two Timer. It offered both analog and digital time displays. 

(Below: Tissot T-Touch)

Over the last three decades, Tissot’s offerings have become multifaceted. 

On the one hand, we have the T-Touch series that has grown into the brand’s smartwatch offerings. 

On the other hand, we have a true celebration of mechanical watchmaking art. 

Models like the PRX are a great example of this. It encapsulates the steel sports watch era with quartz and automatic options, as well as various sizes. 

Over the years, the brand has even enjoyed several prestigious partnerships. These include MotoGP, NBA, WNBA, and the Swiss national basketball team.  

A Brief History of Hamilton Watches  

The history of Hamilton watches is a pretty interesting one. The brand has been going strong since 1892. 

Once established, the brand became the supplier of timekeeping devices (namely the 925 pocket watch) upon which over half of the railroad community in America relied. 

From 1914 onwards, Hamilton began manufacturing watches for America’s armed forces. Wanting to stay at the forefront of Innovation, it produced the 981 — a wristwatch. 

Its pilot’s watches were also used by the military. 

When Hamilton contracted for the US Military during the World Wars, production for the civilian market ceased. This was still however an important time for Hamilton. 

The release of the “Frogmen” film in 1951 solidified the brand’s links to the military in popular culture. The Khaki Field, Khaki Aviation, and Khaki Navy watches are still in production today. 

They signify the commitment Hamilton made to producing precise, robust tool watches for the military during this important era. 

(Below: Hamilton Khaki Field Bronze)

The 1950s and 60s were crucial to the brand’s success. First, the Ventura, the brand’s first battery-powered watch, arrived. This watch with a uniqually shaped case became an instant sensation. It could be spotted on the wrist of celebrities, such as Elvis Presley.  

Secondly, the Pulsar was a watch designed for the film “2001, A Space Odyssey”. It became a sought-after gadget thanks to its LED screen activated by the touch of a button. 

Over the next three decades, Hamilton would star on the silver screen in films like “Men In Black” and “Lethal Weapon”. It would also become part of the Swatch Group family and move its production facilities from America to Biel, Switzerland.  

Hamilton’s own personalized ETA movements arrived in 2011. Since then, we have seen the brand grow even further. Today, it is respected for its robust dive watches from the Seastar line, as well as its reputable Khaki line. 

Tissot vs Hamilton — Pricing 

If you’re really torn between a Hamilton or a Tissot watch, there’s some great news. You won’t have to re-mortgage your home to become an owner of either. Both Hamilton and Tissot Watches are very affordable. 

Like any brand, you can select from the budget-friendly end of the more expensive models. 

Both brands, however, sit in the mid-range sector. Neither brand is dirt cheap because both watchmakers pride themselves on quality, so you know you’re guaranteed longevity with either brand. 

On the pre-owned market, you can pick up a vintage Tissot watch for less than $100. For around $180, you can buy a new quartz. If you’re looking for a quartz chronograph from Tissot, you can expect to pay around $290.

The brand’s Powermatic 80 models, however, are steeper in price. You can own one for around $540. 

For Tissot’s version of the smartwatch, expect to pay around $800. 

With that said, these prices are appealing when you compare them against other competitors producing steel sports watches and smartwatches.

Hamilton watches start a bit higher, but they are still very affordable. 

For around $750, you can own a Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer watch complete with the Calibre H-50 movement. A stainless steel Khaki Navy Frogman costs a similar. 

For a more modern and elegant take on the Hamilton watch, turn to the Ventura, for example. 

The Open Heart Auto affords a view through to the movement on the dial side. It costs around $1,200 in a luxurious gold-plated version.  

(Below: Hamilton Frogman Auto)

You can find examples of even more refined watchmaking in Hamilton’s American Classic range. Here, you can pick up a Railroad Auto for $760 or a chronograph version for around $350 more. 

Probably one of the most expensive watches from this series is the Intra-Matic. Available on a panda or reverse panda dial, it costs around $1800 and delivers precision and functionality in the form of the H-31 movement. 

Hamilton Watches vs Tissot – Built Quality  

Typically, most Tissot Watches are made from stainless steel. There are, however, exceptions. Some more expensive models are crafted from gold or titanium or have a luxurious gold-coated finish.

Experts at the Swiss brand select robust materials like sapphire crystal glass for protecting the dial. This material is tough and highly scratch-resistant compared to other materials. 

Generally, the brand’s watches range from 30 to 100 meters in water resistance, except the Seastar dive watches. 

Hamilton watches are mostly made from stainless steel and sapphire crystal, too. The brand produces watches with water-resistant capabilities in the region of 50-100 meters. 

It also produces analog watches that are powered by quartz or automatic. 

Overall, Tissot offers a wider range of premium materials than Hamilton.  

Tissot vs Hamilton Watches – Design and Style  

Generally, Tissot offers a broader choice of watches for business, casual, and minimalist attire compared to Hamilton. In addition to this, you’ll also find more contemporary designs in Tissot’s range. 

If you like modern styles and simplicity is your preference, Tissot is the answer. Alternatively, Hamilton watches range from classic dress watches to more military-styled timepieces. Its huge collection of Khaki watches is where you can find the ultimate tool watch for outdoor pursuits and extreme sports. 

If you want to take a trip down memory lane, the brand’s sci-fi-inspired Ventura watches make for great collectibles.  

(Below: Tissot PRX Powermatic 80)

You can truly feel a gap between Hamilton and Tissot when it comes to style and design. With both brands offering different styles, a personal choice should easily lead you to make the right decision between the two. 

Which Brand Is Better?: It Depends on What You Want

This article looked at the Hamilton vs Tissot debate. To conclude, both brands are very much on par with one another when it comes to materials, affordability, and quality. 

The key differences lie in the design and style of each watch.

To compare the two, you only really need to go skin deep. It makes the research process much simpler in some ways.

Tissot is known for its vast range of affordable timepieces and its recent use of the Powermatic 80 Movement. Hamilton is noted for its appearance in blockbuster films. \

Based on the factors we have covered here in this article, Tissot seems to come out on top for offering a broader range of styles. The brand is also more affordable, with its higher-priced watches equaling that of Hamilton’s lower range of budget timepieces. 

You could say that Tissot appeals to a wider audience for these reasons. That said, choosing between these two brands is also subjective. 

It’s hard to make that call for every person’s tastes and preferences. Everyone is different, afterall. 

But this article has hopefully helped to highlight the different aspects of each band. Which will you choose? 

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