Tissot Vs Raymond Weil

If you plan to buy your first Swiss watch that won’t break your bank account, try Tissot or Raymond Weil.

Tissot is a significant player in the entry-level Swiss watch industry. At the same time, Raymond Weil is a young Swiss watch manufacturer that only started in 1976 compared to Tissot, which began in 1853. It is a worthy rival. It is one of the flagships of the Swiss watchmaking industry.

However, which of the two is better? Or do they both make an incredible investment piece? You’ll find out in this in-depth Tissot vs. Raymond Weil comparison. Get excited.

TL;DR: Tissot vs Raymond Weil

Tissot Watches

Tissot is a big name in the industry. The brand is famous for producing the world’s first multi-functional tactile watch and anti-magnetic watch. Today, it manufactures quartz, mechanical, and even smartwatches. 

Cases of Tissot are well-made and durable, often made of stainless steel, while some with titanium and gold cases. The dial is made of sapphire crystal, and their Seaster model features 600 meters of resistance. So you can be sure they are durable and high-quality.

Some of the best collections from the Tissot brand are:

• Gentlemen – This line comprises watches with subtly luxurious designs, classic but reimagined for the new generation. Gentlemen’s watches are multi-purpose, both elegant and ergonomic in any circumstance. You can wear it in a business environment or on weekends, adapting quickly to leisure activities.

• Bellisima – You’ll also find small lady watches in this collection. Bellisima watches are famous for using the most substantial material after diamonds and their anti-scratch prowess.

• Seaster – This collection is made for exploring the deep water. These watches have the aquatic ability that can handle up to 30 bar or 1,000 feet of pressure.

• PRX Automatic Chronograph – This Valjoux-powered chronograph collection took a similar retro appeal to its predecessors but somehow stepped out of the hipster zone. Watches from this collection are sporty, handsome, and hold slightly dressier situations. Their designs also draw both millennials and Gen-Z watch lovers.

Related: Is Tissot A Good Watch?

Raymond Weil Watches

This watch brand is primarily credited for sustaining the Swiss watchmaking industry during the quartz crisis. It is also among the few remaining family-run, independent Swiss brands today. The third generation of the Weil-Bernhei family is at the company’s helm.

Some of the best collections from the Raymond Weil brand are:

• Parsifal – carries an original blend of complications, meticulous finish, noble materials, and innovative designs.

• Tradition – this emblematic collection includes a refined, classic style embodying the watchmaking heritage in its simplest version.

• Tango – a blend of aesthetics and functionality with perfectly proportioned rectangular or round cases that received international acclaim.

• Toccata – This line comprises elegant, chic watches for women. They are timeless yet modern; each timepiece comes with a precise quartz caliber. Some of the most beautiful pieces from this collection are the Toccata Ladies Blue Leather Quartz and the 68 Diamonds Two-Tone quartz watch.

In-Depth Comparison: Tissot vs. Raymond Weil

History

Founded in 1853, Tissot takes its brand name from its father-and-son founders, Charles-Félicien and Charles-Émile. They founded the brand in their family home in Crêt-Vaillant, Le Locle, Switzerland, and it stayed there until today while continuing to grow as a company.

The watch company also became a part of The Swatch Group Ltd in 1983 and continues to produce high-quality, albeit affordable mechanical Swiss watches. Foreign competition and growing market pressures also compelled the Swiss watch industry to cooperate and adapt to stay relevant.

In 1999, Tissot produced the world’s first T-Touch Solar, a touchscreen-operated timepiece. It used a capacitive sensor array like modern smartphones to detect electrical variations in the sapphire crystal.

Today, many of Tissot’s watches are sport-related tool watches, owing to the company’s sports timing expertise.

On the other hand, Raymond Weil started in 1976 by producing quartz watches for women. 

Blending modern technology and watchmaking tradition, Raymond Weil left an indelible mark on the industry even when the quartz crisis brought uncertainty. The founder of this namesake brand introduced and marketed their product as an “entry-level luxury watch.” 

He did this while his competitors during the quartz crisis either held out to traditional watchmaking techniques or hopped on the bandwagon of introducing cheap quartz timepieces.

Weil’s novel approach enabled it to make a breakthrough at a crucial time in the Swiss watch industry’s history. 

Furthermore, its watches were, and most are, still powered by quartz crystals with a cachet of Swiss-made. They also incorporated a touch of a traditional Swiss watch and classic designs.

Raymond Weil’s connection to music

Music has always inspired and impacted the family-operated watch company, as seen by their collections since 1983.

It even collaborated with talented artists to create its exclusive Music Special Edition watches, including the Freelancer Cello, equipped with a chronograph and mechanical movement and a 46-hour power reserve. 

For instance, the Maestro Guitar features a 39.5mm stainless steel case with a 38-hour power receive.

Movements

Tissot uses different movements. One famous movement is the Powermatic 80, which boasts 80 hours of power reserve or 1.5 days. They also have Swissmatic, an innovation that enabled the brand to offer its watches at an attractive price. 

In addition, they have mechanical movement and the Nivachron™ balance spring. However, the latter is more resistant than standard springs and unaffected by magnetic fields.

Raymond Weil also uses a house movement named Calibre RW1212, picking up the digits of the company’s address in Switzerland (1212 stands for the Geneva suburb). The Swiss brand paid tribute through this movement to the present, symbolizing the path they traveled so far.

Moreover, this movement offers a self-winding feature, 38 hours of power reserve, and 27 jewels. The biggest party trick of this RW movement is its exposed hairspring, pallet lever, and balance wheel. You can see them through its aperture at the six o’clock position.

They also use other movements, such as ETA/Valjoux movements from the Swatch Group. They use this movement for their sports and diver’s watches. 

For instance, their Raymond Weil Nabucco model features a Valjoux 7753 automatic chronograph movement with a 46-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph, and 27 jewels. These features make the nice watch reliable, accurate, and robust. It’s not as fancy as their in-house movement, but it works well.

Design

Tissot offers casual, chronograph, minimalist, and diving watches. They likewise have contemporary styles and designs, especially evident in smartwatches. Meanwhile, Raymond Weil has the typical luxury watch style. They also have diving, chronograph, casual, minimalist, and sports watches. 

A favorite Raymond Weil watches among many collectors is the Raymond Weil Freelancer. It is not a watch for every occasion but for formal occasions or the more innovative side of casual. Still, many of their luxury watches make solid options, and others are available on a leather strap. 

Between the two watch brands, Tissot has more varied styles that cater to the old and new generations.

Related: How Much Do The Most Popular Watches Sell For?

Quality and Durability

The two brands have similar build quality in their timepieces. Most of their watches are suitable for daily wear, although some designs are for more formal occasions.

Many Tissot watches use sapphire crystal, giving them superior screen readability and extremely high resistance to impact. Sapphire crystal is also very durable since they are the most robust material next to diamonds. It provides the timepiece with various looks: ground, concave, flat, and domed.

However, Tissot doesn’t have a good resale value, although they still make an excellent resale.  Depending on the model type and condition, Raymond Weil could also hold a significant value.

Meanwhile, each RM watch undergoes 350 quality checks before they get the brand’s quality label. The brand is also future-oriented, continuously finding new ways to improve its products.

Who Is It Best For?

Tissot is best for people who have an eye for design. Further, it offers various designs for youth, children, sportsmen, women, and big spenders. It is also the official timekeeper for international motorcycling, ice hockey, fencing, and cycling championships to underline its performance and precision values.

Meanwhile, Raymond Weil has been perceived as a “feminine” brand and relatively classic. Over time, 65% of the brand’s production focuses on men’s watches and 35% on ladies’ lines. Simply put, their watches are best for men and women who value quality and aesthetics in their timepieces.

What Do People Say About It?

YouTube

Chisholm Hunter compared the Tissot PRX Quartz and automatic, saying, “Both of these watches have their benefits and downsides… If you want a more accurate watch, maybe the quartz model is for you. But if you want that raw, real feel, maybe go with the automatic.” 

Meanwhile, Teddy Baldassarre Reviews shared, “I think Raymond Weil nailed the size here. [It’s] a perfect size for a modern dress watch, [offering] presence while working with a variety of different wrists out there… Looking within the sapphire crystal, we have a pretty interesting dial with a mix of different textures that work well when paired.

Reddit

In a comparison between the two brands, one Reddit user wrote, “I would prefer Tissot; they have a long history in watchmaking which gives them a huge heritage. Plus, they are Swiss made, either quartz or mechanical.”

In another forum, one user shared a photo of his 2879-STC-65001 RW. “To me, without the roman numerals, the dial design is much less busy, which allows me to focus my attention on the moon phase… So far, the watch has met my expectations. Hopefully, this will stay true for the years to come.” he detailed.

Watch Forums

In a watch forum, one compared the Tissot T-Classic to Raymond Weil Maestro. While commenters believe both are great watches, they still preferred Tissot over RM.

The T-Classic got 60% of the vote, while Maestro earned 40%. One reasoned, “[Tissot is] versatile for most anything you’d wear.” Thus, he believed Tissot made a pretty cool investment.

Another said, “I prefer the RW, but I think it’d look much better on leather.” One who purchased the Raymond Weil Nabucco Rivoluzione said his watch operated “flawlessly in the nine years that followed.”

FAQs About Tissot and Raymond Weil Watch Brands

Is Raymond Weil a luxury brand?

Yes, it is considered an entry-level luxury watch. Raymond Weil’s beautiful watches are also lauded not just in their designs but in their high-quality craftsmanship too.

Is Tissot considered a luxury?

Yes, Tissot has been described as an entry-level Swiss luxury watch brand. The Swatch Group, the brand’s owners, class their timepieces as mid-range market watches. Their prices are also below other Swiss brands, such as Rolex, Omega, and Longines, but above most high-street brands.

What brand is better than Tissot? 

Rolex, Longines, Patek Philippe, A.Lange & Söhne, Omega, IWC Schaffhausen, and Jaeger-LeCoultre have the upper hand in producing high-quality, luxurious watches, and in brand recognition. 

Nevertheless, Tissot is rich in history, and their watches have that exceptional elegance that still makes them a treasured possession. 

The Tissot Seastar is even considered the Swiss entry-level Rolex Submariner, as the two watches have similarities in water resistance and style. Oris Divers, especially the Aquis, is another famous diver watch on the upper end of the Seastar.

Related: Invicta Pro Diver Vs. Rolex Submariner

The Verdict: Which One Should I Buy?

The right watch can become an essential part of your life. You don’t just wear them, you admire them, and they increase in value as they age.

The two renowned watchmakers – Tissot and Raymond Weil – can provide you with the best investment watches that will last longer if you’re willing to take good care of them.

If you prefer classic and timeless designs, go for Raymond Weil watches. But if you prefer timepieces with intuitive high-tech features, go for Tissot watches. They also have good traditions and heritage and follow their designs from decades ago.

Consider these criteria when choosing a watch: long and respected history, reputation or prestige, limited supply and great demand, innovations and pioneering spirit, general in-house production, build quality, market presence, and resale value.

Whatever your choice is, you will surely get your money’s worth.

If you like this article, please read our other reviews at EvesWatch.com.