Welcome to our 2023 comparison of the two best watch brands: Tissot and Victorinox.
In this ultimate Tissot vs. Victorinox match-up, we’ll compare the two brands in terms of their history, movements, design, quality, and durability. We’ll also share in this review some of our most notable picks from the two brands.
Tissot is often spotted in the lucrative sports industry, while Victorinox has consistently proven the durability and quality of its watches on all fronts. After all, Victorinox made and sold Swiss army knives.
All Swiss watches from these brands have always been praised for their precision and high quality. So, if you’re curious about which brand produces the better budget Swiss watch, keep on reading.
TL;DR: Tissot vs Victorinox
Tissot Watches
Source: Amazon
Tissot is a Switzerland-based company that has made significant contributions to the watch industry. For instance, they introduced the world’s first tactile watch.
Today, Tissot distributes its timepieces in over 160 countries on five continents. One watch for which recent generations of wristwatch fans best recognize the brand is the T-Touch. It’s a six-function timepiece with an analog-digital display and a touch screen.
Victorinox Watches
Source: Amazon
Victorinox is a well-respected and well-known company, not just because of its Swiss Army Knife but also of its watches.
Most of their watches have unique military-inspired designs ideal for people who prefer a reasonably priced, high-quality wristwatch. Many watch lovers admire that Victorinox watches don’t include luxury materials or flashy features. Instead, they are functional and are made to last in quality and design.
The Victorinox I.N.O.X. Mechanical alone gives you the impression that it can survive almost any impact. And true enough, it withstands 130 extreme endurance homologation tests. These are durability tests conducted on machines and mechanisms.
Hence, Victorinox had that promotional material for their I.N.O.X. watch. It can withstand being run over by a heavy vehicle and tossed off buildings just to show it is robust enough.
In-Depth Comparison: Tissot vs. Victorinox
History
The History of Tissot
Tissot may be known for its high-tech designs and sponsorships for racers. One example is NASCAR’s Danica Patrick, but the brand has a long history in the watchmaking industry.
It was founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son, Charles-Emile Tissot. As with many Swiss watch companies based during the 19th century, Tissot started as an assembler of parts purchased from other makers in the Jura region of Switzerland.
The watch company delivered between 1,100 to 1,200 watches to that region during the first year of its operation. In 1858, the son Charles-Émile went to Russia and sold the brand’s pocket watches. After that, they produced watchmaking tools and spare parts and finished timepieces.
After several name changes and mergers, the group that Tissot SA now belongs to is the Swatch Group.
The History of Victorinox
The roots of the company date back more than a century ago in Ibach, a beautiful village in Switzerland.
The Swiss cutler Karl Elsener finished his apprenticeship as a knifemaker when he returned home in 1884 during the industrial revolution in Europe. Elsener set up a small cutlery factory in their village with the help of his mother, Victoria. He also trained local farm boys as apprentices.
From producing surgical equipment for doctors and hospitals in and around the region and various pieces of knives, Elsener’s factory later produced pocket knives used by the Swiss Army.
He received the contract between the Swiss Army and Germany-based company Wester & Co. to be awarded to the Association of Swiss Master Cutlers he established. Initially, he didn’t like the idea that the pocket knife to be used by the Swiss army was produced outside Switzerland. That pocket knife later came to be known as the Victorinox Soldier.
Around 1989, Victorinox entered the watch market with its first batch of watches manufactured in Switzerland. The company entered the US with the brand name “Swiss Army” to first test the market. That proved to be a success, and the rest is history.
However, after the 9/11 events on the US mainland, security was tightened in local and foreign airports. Laws were introduced to prevent sharp objects from being carried in hand baggage, and this change hit Victorinox hard.
Yet, it overcame those turbulent times. Today, the global company has five product categories:
- Swiss Army Knives
- Watches
- Household and Professional Knives
- Fragrances
- Travel Gear
Movements
Tissot uses four types of movements: the Powermatic 80, Swissmatic, Mechanical, and Valjoux. Tissot Classic comes in both Swiss automatic and quartz movements.
In the past, Victorinox relied on quartz movement. However, the company focused on mechanical movements in recent years. To be more particular, they’re using the following movements:
- Caliber ETA 2824-2 with 28,800 vph frequency
- ETA Valjoux 7750 with a 48-hour power reserve
- Sellita SW200 with a 38-hour power gauge
Design
Tissot is known by watch enthusiasts for its watchmaking expertise and heritage. All the watches it produces go well on different occasions, even for daily office wear.
The brand evolved its design language from timeless classics to unique cases and bright colors. Many watch fans also love the subtly luxurious design of their watches that can match even the new generation.
Meanwhile, their sports watch collection offers everything one needs from a sports timepiece: they are stylish, durable, precise, and contemporary.
Tissot’s T-Classic collection is an absolute pleasure to the eyes and on your wrist. Its design is rooted in the company’s history. Men and women admire this collection’s versatility, as it never goes out of style.
On the other hand, each Victorinox watch is designed and crafted to strike a balance between timeless elegance and performance. They are also appropriate for every occasion.
All Victorinox watches are recognized for their signature Cross and Shield emblem on the dial. They also have exceptional features, such as a sapphire crystal, luminescent hands and markers, and a water resistance of up to 100m depth.
Quality and Durability
Tissot uses a prestigious alloy (18k gold) comprising 75% pure gold and a mix of silver and copper. This feature gives their watches unmatched longevity. In terms of water resistance, it can withstand from 30 to 200 meters, as indicated on the case back.
Meanwhile, all Victorinox watches are Swiss-made, which means their movements were manufactured and verified in Switzerland. Moreover, at least 60% of their production expenses were incurred in the country.
Victorinox’s watch cases are made of lightweight titanium, 316L stainless steel, and heat-resistant carbon.
The watch brand is an excellent entry-level watch because of its pricing points. But make no mistake about the word “entry-level,” as it doesn’t define its quality. Every Victorinox watch represents the DNA of the company’s Swiss Army Knife – quality, functionality, and credibility paired with iconic designs.
Its I.N.O.X watch survived after being dropped from a three-story building. It also has no problem withstanding an eight-ton pressure resistance.
It was sent down the Olympic course on a bobsleigh to test whether the watch holds its promise after a good shake-up. Despite all the vibrations, it still ticked. So, when you put a Victorinox watch on your wrist, you can guarantee it has undergone over 100 quality control tests.
Best Tissot Watch Collection
- Tissot Seastar
- Tissot PRX
- Tissot Gentleman
- Tissot Supersport
- Tissot T-My Lady
Best Victorinox Watch Collection
- Victorinox I.N.O.X Collection
- Victorinox Field Force Collection
- Victorinox Maverick
- Victorinox Alliance
Who Is It Best For?
Tissot watches are best for men, women, sportsmen, children, and big spenders. Some celebrities wearing Tissot watches include LeBron James, Justin Bieber, and George Clooney.
Moreover, the best candidate for Victorinox watches is the adventurer who packs a Swiss Army knife when traveling.
What Do People Say About It?
YouTube
WatchCrunch reviewed the Tissot PRX. He shared, “I have a confession – I don’t love the PRX. I forced myself to wear it for two weeks every single day.
For an integrated watch with loads of the 70s nostalgia, the PRX has unbeatable value. And if you’re not like me, compulsively looking for shortcomings, you can just focus on the beautiful dial, its versatile style, the superb finishing, then you’ve won the game [with this watch.] But I look at the details, and contrary to what people on the internet will have you believe, it does have flaws that keep me from connecting with this watch.”
In the same video, one user commented, “As a fan of 70’s styling and Tissot watches, the PRX is by far the best value watch in its price point.”
Meanwhile, Watch Report reviewed the Victorinox Swiss Army Maverick. “I love this watch… Every time I pick up this piece, I love the way this watch looks and feels. The case is 43 mm, 12mm thick, and 51mm lug to lug. [It] weighs about 190 grams on the bracelet.”
In a Reddit thread comparing Tissot and Victorinox, one voted for Tissot. He reviewed, “Tissot is classic. [You] can’t go wrong with one.”
Yet, another user opted for Victorinox. In particular, he owned a Victorinox Swiss Army Airboss Watch and said, “I can vouch for the air boss by saying it’s a great watch. I got the black-faced version, and the Arabics are some of the sharpest I’ve seen.
[It] even looks better in real life. The overall build quality is pretty solid, and the Sapphire crystal is apparent.”
Amazon
A buyer of the Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 reviewed on Amazon, “This watch gets noticed; I have received many compliments on it. I give it five stars for the looks and overall quality. As for accuracy, I wear it almost every day, and it loses about 30 seconds a month. So, I reset it about once every two months. The power reserve is also accurately advertised.”
Another reviewed Victorinox Heritage Analog Quartz Watch with Blue Dial and Brown Leather Strap. He wrote, “This is my third Swiss Army Watch. They tend to last about five years. [It also has a] life-long battery version, but it’s about two millimeters thicker.
If you like it or you don’t like it, that doesn’t matter. I’m just here to share my thoughts and opinions. I don’t want it to come across as you should love quartz [watches] too. It’s that whole perception of the quartz crisis of the ’70s…”
FAQs About Tissot and Victorinox Watch Brands
Is Victorinox a luxury watch brand?
Victorinox is generally considered an entry-level Swiss watch based on its pricing points. However, they have various collections, including rugged dive timepieces to luxury watches.
Is Tissot considered a luxury?
Yes, it is. The brand’s heritage and watchmaking expertise elevate it to luxury status. But don’t worry, and it’s a more affordable luxury watch because they’re priced very reasonably.
Is Tissot better than Seiko?
Despite making watches with automatic movements, scratch-resistant sapphire crystals, and leather straps, Tissot and Seiko are unique.
The Verdict: Which One Should I Buy?
Tissot has been the official timekeeper of sporting events because their watches are durable and reliable. So, if you are about a brand’s history, heritage, and craftsmanship, Tissot is an excellent choice.
Meanwhile, choose Victorinox if you value a tough and durable watch.
The manufacturing of durable Swiss knives has been the foundation of Victorinox for manufacturing the same quality level in their wristwear. We believe Victorinox timepieces are durable, high-quality, and worth the money.
If you like this article, please read our other reviews at EvesWatch.com.
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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.
