Tissot is known for making affordable entry-level timepieces, but is the PR100 any good? Here’s what we think.
Considered one of the best entry-level Swiss watchmakers, Tissot has a catalog of watches that is broad and encompassing. From super affordable quartz dress watches to above $1,500 chronograph reissues, anyone can find a watch that fits their wrist and style within Tissot’s lineup.
For today, we have the Tissot PR100 up for review. Part of the more affordable line of watches within Tissot, the PR100 is a great dress and everyday watch hybrid.
With the dimensions to fit well on smaller wrists and a rugged capability to handle everyday wear, this is a great watch to consider for your next purchase!
A Brief History of Tissot
Tissot was founded in 1853 by a father and son duo, Charles-Félicien Tissot and Charles-Émile Tissot. They started operating in the Le Locle region of Switzerland, where they are still headquartered.
In the same year as their founding, Tissot introduced the first mass-produced pocket watch and the first pocket watch with two time zones.
Tissot became part of The Swatch Group Ltd. in 1983. Since then, Tissot has continued to innovate.
The brand is currently the official timekeeper of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) and the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).
PR100 Case
Getting on to the watch. The case measures 33mm wide, complemented by a lug-to-lug of 40mm. The small case measurements are a result of the watch being marketed as a women’s watch. However, this does not mean it’s not a good choice for men either.
With its height of only 10mm, this watch fits me well. The understated nature of the case and the short lug-to-lug makes this watch look well-proportioned on my wrist. Not to mention that 33mm is a common size for vintage dress watches.
The case is a mix of everyday and dressy feelings.
The glass is sapphire, so you can rest easy when wearing this piece as an everyday.
The dial has a mirror-polished bezel that leads to the brushed finish moving to the lugs and the case flanks. Separating the case flanks and the bezel is a polished bevel that adds a slight contrast to the timepiece.
The polished crown sports the Tissot “T” branding. The crown has an ample number of grooves that provide enough friction when gripping the crown.
Turning the watch over, we get a glimpse of the sapphire see-through case back. For a watch of this size, getting a look at the movement inside is a welcome addition.
The case back sports the same polishing as the bezel. Surrounding the see-through case back are informational engravings about the watch — water resistance, serial number, materials used, and Tissot in all capitals.
You may be surprised to learn that this watch’s water resistance is rated at a respectable 100 meters — higher than some other watches within this price range.
PR100 Dial
Looking through the sapphire glass, let’s take a look at the watch’s flat black dial.
The dial is minimalist, with not much going on except for the bare minimum to tell the time, owing to its dress watch design.
Printed white minute markers surround the dial and dividing the markers into five-minute intervals are applied polished rectangular steel markers.
Each hand is divided into three facets, with the middle facet receiving a textured grain flanked by polished sides. The hour and minute hands are treated with Super-LumiNova, the only luminosity on the dial. The second hand is a simple polished steel hand sporting the Tissot “T” counterbalance.
Located below the dial is a date wheel in black print over a white background. The date is surrounded by a polished frame that makes finding the date easy.
Above the date are two lines of text showcasing the model of the watch and the movement used in the piece. Also included is the branding “Tissot” in all capital letters, followed by “1853,” the year they were founded, in all white text.
PR100 Movement
Powering this piece is Tissot’s proprietary Powermatic 80.
First announced at Baselword in 2012, this movement has become part of Tissot’s permanent lineup, powering even their more upmarket watches like the Tissot Gentleman and PRX.
The movement bases its design on the ETA caliber C07 series of movements, which in turn were based on the venerable ETA caliber 2824-2.
Being part of the Swatch Group, Tissot has access to the research and development arms of a major watch conglomerate.
What separates the Powermatic 80 from its predecessors are the advancements made to the power reserve and the balance wheel. The Powermatic 80 has a power reserve of 80 hours, hence the name. Tissot achieved this by lowering the beat frequency of the usual 4Hz from the ETA 2824-2 to a slower 3Hz.
The Powermatic 80 sports some design aspects missing from other movements within this price range. The rotor is colored black with white printed flower markings, providing a nice visual contrast. Laser-engraved waves appear on the balance wheel and the automatic works.
The movement has the usual bells and whistles of a modern movement: hand-winding, hacking, and a date complication.
PR100 Bracelet
The PR100 comes with a 316L stainless steel bracelet.
Although designed to look like three separate links, the PR100’s bracelet is a single link bracelet tightened with friction pins. The bracelet features brushing on the two outer links, with a polished center link. The center link has an indentation in the middle, dividing the polished center to give contrast.
From the case, the bracelet starts with a 16mm lug width and tapers down to a slim 13mm by the clasp.
The bracelet locks with a stamped two-button clasp. An embossed Tissot “T” set within a textured grain background is on the clasp. The clasp features four holes of micro-adjustments.
Overall, the bracelet is good for the price of the piece. On my 6-inch wrist, the bracelet fits well and provides enough breathing room for my wrist.
The New Everyday Piece
Overall, for the money, this watch hits many boxes watch aficionados look for.
With the dimensions of a dress watch, mixed with the ruggedness and affordability of an everyday watch, this can do it all. It’s practically the perfect hybrid. And, or smaller wrists, it just fits well. The fact that this comes on a bracelet makes the whole package even better.
If the Tissot PR100 timepiece isn’t on your radar yet, then it definitely should be!
Questions? Comments? Leave them below!
I have the 39mm version of this watch. My first automatic and I absolutely love it. Wear it almost every day, and it works as good now as it did when I bought it back in 2017.