As you look to expand your watch collection, you may be asking, “Are Tissot watches good?”
Tissot watches are indeed very good. A Swiss brand boasting unique innovations in both designs and build quality for an affordable price. With a variety of styles, movement types, and price ranges, Tissot watches are great for beginner and experienced watch lovers alike.
Read on to learn about the storied history of Tissot, some of the most popular models today, and what makes Tissot watches so great.
Is Tissot a Good Brand?
Absolutely. Tissot is a premier Swiss brand in the watch industry today. Tissot is not necessarily the most well-known or expensive Swiss watch luxury brand, but it has undoubtedly left its marks on the industry through its years of innovation.
Several innovations in the watch industry — such as antimagnetic watches and touchscreen watches — can be attributed to Tissot’s painstaking attention to detail, never sacrificing quality in their quest to bring incredible timepieces to watch aficionados the world over.
Further, the past couple of years of releases from Tissot have demonstrated their vision to offer more and more timepieces that are well-built with mechanical movements, at varying price points, and unique, daring styles.
Most notably, the recent PRX and Gentleman models come to mind – both of which became near instant fan favorites. We’ll dive into both a bit more in-depth later in this article.
Where Are Tissot Watches Made?
Tissot makes its watches in its headquarters situated in the Neuchâtel area of Switzerland.
Many watchmakers have moved out of Switzerland in order to streamline their production or reduce the cost of making their watches. However, Tissot has remained true to its origins, never sacrificing quality or integrity.
Who Makes Tissot watches?
Tissot is owned and manufactured by the Swatch Group, which almost entirely manufactures watches for 17 notable watch brands, including Swiss powerhouses.
Other brands owned by the Swatch Group include:
- Breguet
- Blancpain
- Glashutte
- Omega
- Longines
- Rado
- Certina
- Mido
- Hamilton
- Swatch
The Swatch Group is also the Swiss manufacturer behind ETA, which makes some of the most notable Swiss movements in the world, including the legendary ETA 2824-2.
The 2824-2 movement is also the foundation upon which the recent Tissot Powermatic 80 movement, used in many modern Tissot watches, is built upon.
How much do Tissot Watches Cost?
Tissot watches generally cost between $300 and $2,000, depending on the movements and materials used.
The broad price range of Tissot allows watch enthusiasts to find a watch for them with just about any budget.
Even amongst particular lineups of watches from Tissot, the prices may vary.
For example, the quartz version of the Tissot PRX, a recent crowd favorite release, can be found for $400, while the automatic can be had for under $600. On the higher end, an automatic chronograph variation can be found for under $2,000.
There’s no doubt that more expensive Tissot watches have higher quality movements, better fit, and finish. But you can rest assured that even their affordable options are quality timepieces.
Is Tissot a Luxury Brand?
No, Tissot is generally not considered a luxury brand. Tissot watches are considered entry-level by most and entry-level luxury by some.
Their watches are on the relatively affordable end of the spectrum when it comes to Swiss watchmaking, especially compared to other brands owned by the Swatch Group, the subsidiary which owns Tissot.
Who Wears Tissot Watches?
Tissot watches are worn and loved by many notable brand ambassadors around the world, such as:
Damian Lillard
A perennial star, NBA player Damian Lillard has shown his commitment to quality and sportsmanship since being selected as the sixth overall pick in the 2012 NBA Draft.
His attitude toward watches is simple.
”I like attractive, accessible watches that adapt to every style. That’s why I love Tissot.”
Damian Lillard
It’s not hard to see why one of the world’s best athletes chooses to put Tissot on his wrist.
Primož Roglič
Primož Roglič represents Tissot’s quest for excellence as a champion cyclist with a unique path. From humble beginnings in Yugoslavia, he started out as a ski jumper. He won several international titles, including in 2020, when the UCI World Ranking named him the #1 cyclist in the world.
“Time measurement is an essential part of my life and my career. For me, this association with Tissot makes perfect sense.”
Primož Roglič
Klay Thompson
It’s hard to set a higher standard of excellence than winning four NBA championships, which is exactly what Klay Thompson has done in his basketball career. As one of the best shooters the game has ever seen, the decorated pro also boasts an Olympic gold medal, rocketing him to international fame.
“Tissot is a brand that embodies both performance and reliability, which are two critical parts of my game on and off the court.”
Klay Thompson
Marc Márquez
Marc Márquez is known as an ace motorcycle racer. The Spanish motorcycling phenom has 8 World Championship titles under his belt and is the youngest winner in the history of the sport. He must calibrate his position on the bike with the utmost precision, making him a splendid representative of the Tissot brand.
In fact, he even has his own limited edition Tissot, released in 2022.
Me
Ok, I’m not a brand ambassador (Yet. Tissot, reach out!), but I have been enjoying every Tissot I’ve owned. From the Tissot PRX that snuck its way into my collection to the Chrono XL, a beloved gift from my partner that always impresses whenever I wear it.
Popular Tissot Watches and Prices
Let’s take a look at some of the most popular Tissot watches, their key features, and their prices.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80
The Tissot PRX was introduced in 2021, inspiring many Tissot enthusiasts who have loved the Tissot Seastar from the ’70s.
The Powermatic 80 version, which we’ve reviewed previously, boasts an automatic caliber with 80 incredible hours of power reserve. It provides water resistance up to 100m. It’s one of the best antimagnetic watches under $1,000, and well under that, in fact, starting at an attractive $650 price point.
Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium
Perhaps one of the best, somewhat affordable (sub ~$1,000) everyday watches one can buy.
In its simplicity, the Gentleman manages to look both dressy and sporty, adjectives that can be summed to mean “refined”. Basically, it’s a watch as versatile and classic as they come without being stuffy, pretentious, or frankly, old looking.
This watch isn’t just fancy looks, though. It boasts an impressive Powermatic 80 movement, just like the previously mentioned PRX, that has a whopping 80 power reserve. Take this watch off for an entire weekend, and it will still be running when you pick it back up for work the next week.
Tissot Seastar
The Tissot Seastar is a purpose-built dive watch meant for, well, diving.
An entire lineup of different watches at different price points, the Seastar has an option for divers of every level of enthusiasm. From the beginner ‘doggy paddler’ to those looking to explore the depths of the ocean… Or, just for the person who wants to look really ‘cool’ on their watch social media pages (yes, looking at you).
What’s most impressive about the Seastar, across the board, is the level of water resistance they each offer at their own respective price points.
Oh, and don’t feel like you need to be a diver to enjoy one of these cool pieces. They just down-right look awesome, too.
Tissot Le Locle
A fantastic Swiss dress watch at such an affordable price point is hard to find, especially with an automatic caliber and an original design.
Speaking of which, the Le Locle manages to look sophisticated and completely original, standing out amongst a crowd of copycats and homages that look like any other watch.
What really gets the Le Locle apart is the roman numeral indices applied against a smooth outer dial ring, contrasting with a textured inner dial.
Crisp details and classic styling really make the Le Locle the quintessential dress watch – a watch that has the charm of a vintage watch that would have stood the test of time.
Tissot Supersport Chrono
A motorsport-inspired timepiece featuring a quartz chronograph caliber that allows you to look fashionable whether you are in casual, sporty, or dressy attire. The 45.5 mm case wears quite large for somebody looking to make a bold statement.
The Supersport comes in 8 colors, allowing you to match your individual model to your unique style.
Tissot Supersport Gent
Ready for adventure, the Supersport Gent has a classic ’60s diver style. Water resistance of 100m combines with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal to provide a fashionable timepiece that is perfect for diving. And you can customize your strap, choosing between standard buckles, quick-release bracelets, or leather.
Tissot Classic Dream
The Classic Dream watch offers an elegant and dressy look with a quartz movement for those who care more about how their watch looks than having a mechanical movement underneath.
Of course, the Swiss ETA quartz movement in this watch is no slouch, but does offer a few cost-savings and allows you to still get a well-built watch, with scratchproof sapphire crystal, and all, for much more affordably than Tissot’s mechanical offerings.
Tissot PR 100 Sport Chic
The Tissot PR 100 offers a classy look with more gender-neutral colorways. The simplistic aesthetic expresses refined luxury that can be worn for any occasion and anybody. A beautiful rose gold color finishes the stainless steel case, while the Swiss quartz movement ensures accuracy and precision for the most discerning of watch lovers.
Are Tissot Watches Waterproof?
Tissot watches have varying levels of water resistance, with some, like the Tissot Seastar 2000 professional, having an impressive 600 meters, or almost 2,000 feet of WR. That is well beyond the depths that even most professional divers would need, with most opting for an average of 200 meters.
Goes without saying this watch would be complete overkill for somebody just looking to take their watch into the pool, beach, or shower.
But still, at around the $1,000 price point, the watch offers a much better water resistance than so many other dive watches on the market, even many which are much more expensive!
With that said, Tissot does offer a variety of watches with varying water resistance levels, such as:
- 3 bar (30m)
- 5 bar (50m)
- 10 bar (100m)
- 20 bar (200m)
- 30 bar (300m)
Some are more affordable than others and meant for more casual wear.
Are Tissot Watches Made in Switzerland?
Yes, Tissot watches are made in the Jura mountains region of Switzerland, where most high-quality Swiss timepiece makers are based.
Are Tissot Watches Mechanical?
Yes, some of Tissot’s collections are indeed mechanical watches. They also offer the option of automatic, quartz, and even hybrid watches.
The brand tends to make its own high-quality movements based on reputable ETA Swiss movements. A mechanical Tissot watch has 100 finely made parts, on average.
A Brief History of Tissot
Tissot’s slogan is “Innovators by Tradition,” with good reason. Let’s look back at the lengthy history of Tissot to understand how the Tissot collection came to be so renowned:
- 1853: Charles-Félicien Tissot and Charles-Émile Tissot, a father and son duo, founded the company Chs Tissot & Fils in Le Locle — located in Switzerland’s Jura region.
- 1929: Electricity becomes part of everyday life. However, this affects watches’ magnetism and, therefore, their accuracy. In response, Tissot embraces its innovative roots to create the world’s first antimagnetic wristwatch.
- 1933: Tissot launches a new sales strategy by displaying their beautiful watches on window fronts and offering their product guarantees — rocketing them ahead of competitors.
- 1960: The brand’s reputation for excellent watches spreads across the globe, with numerous famous figures visiting Tissot in Switzerland, including Grace Kelly — the Princess of Monaco.
- 1983: The Swatch Group is born, and Tissot joins the newly founded brand to leverage the power of other innovative minds aside from Charles-Émile.
- 1999: As the world became more digital, Tissot led the way with the infamous T-Touch, which boasted a touch screen and a hybrid analog and digital display. In some ways, you could argue Tissot’s innovation set the stage for modern smartwatches, such as the Apple Watch.
Today, Tissot’s continued innovation has led to its place as the #1 selling traditional Swiss watch brand in the world.
Tissot’s Headquarters in Le Locle
Nested in the Jura Mountains of Switzerland, Le Locle has been the headquarters of Tissot since 1853. 90 percent of Swiss watchmakers hail from this region still today — giving it the nickname “Watch Valley, the Land of Precision.”
That being said, Tissot has expanded out of the region to become a truly global brand. You can find Tissot watches in 160 countries around the globe.
Conclusion
Tissot is a fantastic Swiss brand owned by the reputable Swatch Group, an umbrella that also owns and manufactures many of the top luxury Swiss brands known today.
With a wide variety of watch lineups and well-built watches across the style and price spectrum, it’s understandable why Tissot has amassed the following it has.
While they don’t often offer groundbreaking releases that take the watch market by storm (except the PRX, which has become an instant hit among enthusiasts), Tissot watches are always reliable and a cornerstone of many watch collections, including my own.
