Tissot is a traditional Swiss watchmaker that makes affordable luxury timepieces. But which other watch brands like Tissot offer the same price-to-quality ratio?
From its solar-powered watches to its classic mechanicals and stylish sports watches, Tissot covers a huge range of timepieces.
The manufacturer’s catalog is incredibly diverse, bridging the gap between tradition and innovation. Some of the company’s most popular models include the PRX, T-Touch, and Seastar.
Above all, Tissot watches are affordable. The company manufactures watches from a range of materials and has become an expert in sports, dress, and digital watches.
Are you in the market for an alternative option to Tissot and not sure which brands fit the bill? Consider this guide a great resource.
I’m going to talk you through why this watchmaker has such a great reputation. I’ll also suggest five alternative brands to Tissot.
On top of that, I’ll provide you with some alternatives to the popular Tissot PRX model. In case you didn’t know, that’s the brand’s best sports watch!
Before we delve into my list of five brands like Tissot, let’s learn more about the manufacturer.
Table of Contents
A Brief Introduction to Tissot
Le Locle-based watchmaker Tissot is synonymous with quality and luxury. The brand offers a huge range of styles that are great for all occasions in life. From formal attire to something more casual at the weekend. You name it — Tissot makes it!
Tissot began making pocket watches during the late 1800s and early 1900s. That was before it ventured into wristwatches for men.
The company also merged with Omega in 1930 to form the SSIH (the Societe Suisse pour L’ Industrie Horlogerie). Its timepieces bore the Omega Watch Co. name across their dials.
In 1988, Tissot joined the Swatch Group. Here, it began directing its focus towards manufacturing affordable luxury.
As well as making some of its movements, the brand has a huge presence in the sporting world. Just some of its partnerships include the NBA, UCI, Tour de France, MotoGP, EPCR, and IIHF Ice Hockey.
Today, the company produces a range of classic sports watches, modern dress watches, and digital timepieces. With such a broad selection on offer, finding alternative brands that match Tissot, both in quality and craftsmanship, is tough. That said, I think I’ve found some.
Watch Brands Like Tissot
Here are just a few options that make for great Tissot alternatives if you’re ready to try something new.
Hamilton
Hamilton is a great alternative option because, like Tissot, it also manufactures affordable Swiss watches. However, the main difference between the two is that Hamilton began its roots in America.
Hamilton began developing pocket watches around the same time as Tissot, supplying these to American railroad workers.
Later, it went on to produce military watches and still boasts a solid reputation in this field of expertise.
Its Khaki collection offers models for land, sea, and sky with its Field, Navy, and Aviation lines, respectively.
Then, there are the brand’s more refined and elegant designs from the Jazzmaster series. This collection is home to skeletonized models and chronographs. You can also find timepieces adorned with open-heart displays that expose the mechanical movement through the dial side.
The Hamilton also manufactures the Ventura. This was the King of Rock and Roll’s choice of wristwatch, featuring a striking triangular, shield-shaped case design.
Both Hamilton and Tissot belong to Swatch Group and are similarly priced. The average price of a Hamilton watch is around $600-1,200. For comparison, the average price of a Tissot watch is around $450-1,100.
Longines
Longines also belongs to the Swatch Group and specializes in remarkably classic dress watches. With a reputation for producing elegant timepieces, fans love collections like the Hydroconquest line.
The latter is a purpose-built dive tool with a distinctively legible dial and a unidirectional rotating bezel for diver safety.
Then there are Longines watches like the Conquest, including those fitted with VHP quartz movements.
Lastly, the Longines Spirit features a COSC-certified movement and offers a warranty that lasts five years.
Longines is a safe bet if you’re looking for alternative brands to Tissot. It focuses on producing high-quality luxury watches for an affordable price.
As one of the oldest registered watchmaking names in history, Longines forges its reputation on craftsmanship, reliability, and performance.
Oris
Oris is a Swiss brand that specializes in pilot’s watches. It also produces an impressive line of dive watches. The brand equips its wristwatches with a mix of third-party and in-house movements, reflecting a flexible price range.
Oris’ trademark is a red rotor, which appears through the back of an Oris timepiece.
There are many reasons why Oris makes a great alternative to Tissot. The brand remains committed to producing affordable wristwatches and shares Tissot’s passion for sport.
Oris makes motorsport-inspired watches like the ChronOris, packed with plenty of vintage character.
In addition, the watchmaker offers the Oris Aquis series for diving and the retro-inspired Diver’s Sixty-Five collection.
Although Tissot doesn’t specialize in pilot’s watches, Oris does. Its aviation tools, including the Big Crown Pilot’s watches, are some of the most famous of all.
Zenith
Don’t get me wrong, Zenith watches can be pretty expensive. However, the bottom end of the brand’s offerings makes for great watches that are an alternative to Tissot.
The brand first put itself on the map for making the first automatic chronograph caliber, the El Primero.
Since 2017, its successor has been delivering a 1/100th of a second function to avid fans.
Today, popular Zenith watches include those from the Chronomaster line and those fitted with the El Primero 21 Calibre. The movement features two escarpments and beats at a staggering rate of 360,000 vibrations per hour.
Although Zenith gained popularity following its success in manufacturing superior chronograph movements, its sports watches are impressively budget-friendly.
Like Tissot, models like the Defy Skyline are particularly popular. The watch even features a textured dial pattern similar to that of the Tissot PRX.
Baume Et Mercier
The average price of a Baume et Mercier watch is around $1,700. Although slightly up-market compared to Tissot, they are still very affordable.
What’s more, the brand specializes in a particularly striking sports watch — the Riviera.
The Baume et Mercier Riviera actually debuted in the 1970s, capturing the attention of sports watch enthusiasts with its dodecagonal case. It arrived shortly after the iconic Royal Oak and Nautilus.
Looking at the model, you can see where the manufacturer took its inspiration from.
The avant-garde design of the bezel achieves the archetypal steel sports watch aesthetic effortlessly. So, if you’re looking for an alternative brand to Tissot and you want to push the boat out, consider Baume et Mercier.
Tissot PRX Alternatives
The steel sports watch dominates the industry in many ways. Some love a modern sports watch based on an iconic watch from a bygone era. Others love a true vintage sports watch and are happy to pay a good price for one.
Steel sports watches are a symbol of longevity. They have a great build and have become very popular heirlooms over recent years.
The Tissot PRX is a perfect example of this. It is both elegant and available in several different versions.
On the other hand, some collectors feel the Tissot PRX lacks interesting, modern features. If you agree with the above, you may be on the lookout for some Tissot PRX alternatives.
On the other hand, you may just want to pack your collection out with more of what you love — integrated steel sports watches!
Citizen Series 8 870 Mechanical
The Series 8 870 isn’t Citizen’s usual remit, but it does offer something a little more high-end. The watch’s design is similar to the Tissot PRX in that it has a steel case and sloping lugs. Moreover, it features an integrated bracelet.
The sleek design incorporates Citizen’s Chronometer technology, while its 70s-inspired aesthetic is simple, angular, and striking. Also, at 10.9mm thickness, you can’t grumble at its proportions!
Seiko 5 SNK793
The Seiko 5 SNK793 is a nice budget-friendly option if you’re shopping for an affordable alternative to the Tissot PRX. Its unisex options measure 36mm for those with Slender wrists, and a range of dial colors are also available.
The great thing about the Seiko 5 SNK793 is that you can enjoy it on a stainless steel bracelet. Its sporty, timeless look benefits from luminous markers and reliable automatic movement. It also features a Hardlex window, keeping its price down.
Zenith Defy Classic
If your favorite feature of the Tissot PRX is its integrated bracelet, you’ll love the Zenith Defy Classic. It’s a premium-priced sports watch that feels elegant, simple and timeless.
The index markers on the dial are clear and legible and pair well with the straight central hands. At 41mm, this model brings plenty of sporty character to the wrist. Many other Defy watches also come in a titanium case for added comfort and durability.
The Zenith Defy model is incredibly stylish, with modern, rugged design elements that stand out on the wrist. The watch also features a sapphire crystal glass front and case back, allowing you to observe the movement.
Swim with this watch, run with it, or show it off with a suit. However you wear this Zenith Defy Classic watch, its resemblance to the popular PRX watch is undeniable.
Closing Thoughts
With so much competition out there in the field of affordable luxury watches, it’s not easy to find genuine Tissot alternatives. This list of five brands like Tissot, however, should provide you with some food for thought.
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