Are you about to make your first jump into high-quality watches and are curious whether a Tissot watch is a good investment?
If yes, then you’re in luck, as I’m sharing everything you need to know about this brand – from price-point, technology, style, and materials. We’ll also look at some of the best Tissot watches as of 2022 for you to better appreciate if Tissot is indeed a good watch.
Let’s dive in.
So, Is Tissot a Good Watch?
Yes, it is. Any Tissot watch is created with Swiss-made precision and quality and offered at affordable pricing. No wonder why it has found many admirers worldwide.
A testament to its success is that the company has partnered with many sporting events, such as the National Hockey League, Ski Jumping World Cup, and more. The brand has indeed become a significant player in entry-level Swiss watches.
With horological roots that span over 160 years, Tissot is one of the world’s most prominent pioneers of watchmaking. Moreover, it is known for offering excellent quality timepieces at an affordable price.
Tissot watches are also durable, the reason why they’re well-liked by athletes and sports enthusiasts. The brand has an impressive collection of bold diver’s watches, sports watches, sporty chronographs, and elegant dress watches.
In short, a Tissot watch is an excellent choice for its quality, selection, and price.
The Heritage of the Tissot Brand
Tissot was founded in Le Locle, Switzerland, by father and son duo Charles Félicien Tissot and Charles Emile-Tissot in 1853. The father, Charles-Felicien, worked as a case maker while his son was a watchmaker.
Worried about losing the skills of the watch artisans in Le Locle over time, Charles-Émile Tissot stressed the value of watchmaking schools to the government.
His influence paved the way for his appointment as the National Inspector in Switzerland. As part of his role, he traveled and made the Tissot watches known in cities like Antwerp, Chicago, and Paris.
Soon, Tissot became famous for its accurate pocket timepieces and for producing watches worn by celebrities. From pendant, complication, and pocket watches, Tissot later transitioned into making higher-end wristwatches.
In 1965, Tissot released the PR 516, while Rolex had the Daytona. The PR 516 was inspired by racecar driving, featuring the first steel bracelet with holes. The design was aesthetically groundbreaking, inspiring other brands to make their versions of it.
In 1980, Tissot became a subsidiary of the Swiss Swatch Group. In the early 1900s, it started incorporating its watch production into a single factory. This setup allowed Tissot to innovate further.
During this period, magnetism was an issue for watchmakers because it reduced the accuracy of mechanical watches. This period led Tissot to create its first antimagnetic watch. They continued to evolve their design language from unique case shapes and bright colors to the first tactile watch and watches made from rock.
Today, Tissot’s reach is more global and found in 160 countries. It may not be the most well-known or expensive Swiss watch brand, but it is almost unmatched compared to other Swiss watch companies due to its widespread global distribution.
Still trying to convince you to buy your first Tissot? Here are my top reasons why it’s worth considering.
7 Reasons to Buy a Tissot Watch
1. Gold Value at Silver Prices
Tissot aimed to provide gold-value watches at silver prices. They created each timepiece with the most precise movements, the best designs, and the highest quality materials without driving the price above a reasonable level.
Owning an affordable high-end watch is hard to come by, giving you an excellent reason to buy a Tissot watch. And the best thing about it is that the Swiss brand retained this watchmaking philosophy throughout its 165 years in the industry.
2. Stays on Trend
The Tissot luxury watch brand has been on trend for over a century. This relevance was made possible by consistently launching new and limited edition watches with unique styles and themed around a current event.
Most of these watches are designed due to the brand’s partnerships in certain events. One example is the official Timekeeper of the NBA. There are also Tissot watches designed simply for aesthetic reasons.
But because the limited edition timepieces are desirable and collectible, they will be uncommon and increase their value as the years pass.
The Tissot T-Touch connect dollar is among the brand’s most popular limited quartz watches. The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Steel and 18K Gold Bezel are also popular in the automatic watches category.
Related: Tissot Vs. Tag Heuer
3. Durability
One of the characteristics of Tissot watches is they’re durable. Take, for instance, the Tissot Seastar. The watch is insanely popular and one of the most value-for-money timepieces.
Its build quality is top-notch and features a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Some people may consider it falls short in terms of aesthetics, but many love its design. The rubber strap of the timepiece is likewise durable.
Most of the mechanical watches of Tissot, especially vintage watches, take time to produce. Some are handcrafted for months because the brand values the timepiece’s material. Tissot watches also have a water-resistant quality that allows them to withstand moisture even at great depths.
4. Uses the Highest Quality Movements and Materials
Tissot watches are packed with cutting-edge technology movements, including the Powermatic 80 with a power reserve of 80 hours. Its watch designs have also experimented with gold, titanium, and ceramic.
Each of the materials it uses suits different purposes and has distinct benefits. These reasons allowed the brand to maintain its status as a high-end manufacturer.
Depending on the model, you can find rich leather, stainless steel, and other distinct designs in the Tissot collection. These watches have that “classic luxury” look, different from Seiko watches which tend to be bulkier and sportier.
The two brands (Tissot and Seiko) are often compared because they are in a similar range of luxury timepieces offered at a lower price.
4. Made With Intricate Parts
Another reason to buy a Tissot watch, or why it’s a great choice among other brands, is that it is made with intricate parts. Hundreds of tiny pieces and springs are coupled to form one timepiece.
And while you may be impressed by how smartwatches work, there’s no history involving arts and crafts the way traditional watches do.
Today, Tissot is among a few brands that produce watches that incorporate modern design and features yet retain the original movements and complications of mechanical watches.
Related: Tissot Skeleton Watch Review
5. Long History of Watchmaking Expertise
The Tissot brand has a long and exciting history in the horological industry. Throughout the decades, it became a household name with its timepieces liked by dedicated collectors.
Tissot is proud of its history and often references it in the timepieces they create today. For example, the Tissot Le Locle watch features a dial inspired by the clock tower in the town they’re named for.
6. Impressive Collections
Tissot has an impressive collection of watches that cater to everyone. There are sporty chronographs, dress watches, and dive watches, to name a few.
In terms of movement, there are automatic, and quartz watches. The Swiss watch brand likewise prides itself on helping long-time, and new watch enthusiasts enjoy the hobby of collecting watches regardless of their budget and tastes.
7. Leading the Technology Revolution
Tissot practices progressive craftsmanship methods. It’s a brand with many firsts since its ground-breaking dual time zone timepiece in 1853.
For instance, Tissot launched the Tissot Navigator, the first automatic watch with 24-hour time zones without manipulation. Next, they introduced the first tactile timepiece powered by solar energy.
Tissot is also among the first watch brands to use the T-Touch Expert Solar energy, a touch-screen watch powered by solar energy. Furthermore, Tissot’s connection in the sports industry allowed them to continually improve their technology to record various sports’ timings accurately.
Best Tissot Watches
- Tissot PR 100 Men’s Chronograph
- Tissot Everytime Swissmatic
- Tissot SeaStar 1000
- Tissot Classic
- Tissot Gentleman
People Also Ask: FAQs About Tissot Watches
How long does a battery last in a Tissot watch?
The batteries found on Tissot usually last between two to five years, depending on the movement used. If the battery of your Tissot watch needs replacement, it is best to have a qualified technician do the job.
Are Tissot watches high quality?
Yes. All Tissot watches are made under strict conditions to ensure quality. Its heritage in Swiss-made timepieces makes it an excellent choice for any buyer planning to buy a Swiss watch.
Why does my Tissot watch keep stopping?
There have been complaints that their Tissot watches stopped working after three years, although it’s an issue restricted to the quartz movement watches and not their automatic counterparts.
Do Tissot watches run on a battery?
Not all. Only Tissot watches with quartz movement run on a battery. Meanwhile, Tissot watches built with automatic movement do not run on a battery as they gain energy from the oscillating weight activated in response to the wearer’s wrist.
Wrap Up
Tissot is a great entry point for everyone who wants to own a Swiss watch.
Its devotion to quality and affordability and its rich history have all made it a successful brand. Their watches are worth owning, and I can’t recommend them enough.
Race on over to EvesWatch.com to read our other watch reviews.
My name is Eve Acosta and I’m the person behind this site. Watches are what get me ticking ;).
No, but seriously, I just love watches, I have over 30 myself. It’s an obsession of mine, which is why my husband recommended me to put my hobby into some good use and build this site – so I did.
My passion for timepieces came from the fact that my parents own a small chain of shops selling timepieces. I’ve worked at the shop since I was 11 and fell in love with the merchandise.
