Tissot PRX introduction – The best affordable Swiss watch of 2021?

Tags: Presentation | Tissot | Men's | Classic | Retro | Traditional

8.4.2021 | 4 MIN

"Tissot PRX is an absolute hit!" "The best Swiss watch of 2021!" "PRX deserves an honorable place in every watch collection!" Tissot PRX has literally exploded on the internet, while being  available for barely 2 months. They will be in our offer in no time and we can't even say how much we are looking forward to them. So let's take a brief look at them and shorten our wait.

When the 70's retro combines with modern workmanship and contemporary Swiss technology, something amazing is created. The almost futuristic look of the square barrel case and the integrated bracelet has pounded the hearts of many watch enthusiasts, and I admit that this enthusiasm has affected me personally as well.

The promo video gives us the retro vibe that is further enhanced by synthwave music, that suits PRX so well.

And yes, maybe it's a little to early to say that PRX is the best available Swiss watch for the whole year 2021  –that is, they were introduced only at the beginning of the year and we certainly have a lot of other great news ahead of us ... Even so, many enthusiasts are reluctant to use this title boldly already. Why is that?

Retro touch and expensive looking design

The greatest charm of the PRX lies in the really high-quality and imaginative workmanship, which makes the watches look more expensive than they actually are. Especially if we talk about the vertical grinding of the case and bracelet, which ingeniously contrasts with the polished surface of the thin bezel laying on a raised dial.

The dominant feature is the flattened shape of the case, which expands in a barrel-shaped manner and slims down again to smoothly transition into the first link of the integrated steel bracelet, which is the second main attraction of the PRX model. Being able to make an integrated bracelent is considered a great challenge as it has to be so well made, that the user doesn't tend to replace it with another bracelet for a while. And according to foreign reviews, Tissot stood up to the challenge very well. Thanks to the narrow links, the bracelet is very airy, fits snugly on the wrist and does not rip hairs out. Supposedly.

The word on the street is that Tissot is coming up with a leather strap that would fit the PRX.

Optically, the PRX looks particularly slim. This effect is amplified by the flatness of the case and, according to Tissot, also by the proximity of the hands to the surface of the sapphire crystal above them. However, the watch is 10 mm "thick", which is not an extraordinary value, but it fits nicely with a pleasant case diameter of 40 mm.

And since PRX is an abbreviation for the words "precise", "robust" and X (Roman numeral 10) for 10 atmospheres of water resistance, we know what to expect from them.

And how is it possible the price is relatively low? According to many people, such watches do not visually fit into the up to CZK 10,000 category ... The price is reduced by a cheaper quartz movement from the Swiss ETY, which many chronomaniacs can't get over.

Inspired by famous models and the greatest designer of watches of the 70's

Until the 1970s, it was not so common for brands to design their own watch designs. Most of the time, they ordered components (such as watch cases, dials, bracelets, etc.) from various suppliers and then only put them together – the look was therefore more influenced by the suppliers rather than the watch companies themselves.

However, that changed when Gérald Genta, an Italian-Swiss jewelry designer who is now also known as the greatest watch designer of all time, entered the watch scene. Gérald Genta amazed people with his new geometric design work and was not afraid to stand out from the crowd. For this reason he also attracted the attention of world-famous brands such as Omega, Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet and others, who later hired him to design their watches.

Probably the greatest "living legends" proposed by Genta are the Royal Oak watches by Audemars Piguet and the Nautilus by Patek Philippe, which were allegedly inspired by the windows of ocean liners.

Source: www.monochrome-watches.com/

These two models captivated the watchmaking world, and thanks to Genta's work, the 1970s became the era of special square shapes and integrated bracelets. Naturally, this wave did not escape Tissot either. In 1978, Tissot introduced their famous Seastar watch, which were inspired by the "oceanic" design of the Nautilus watch. And in terms of design, the current Tissot PRX is surely based on these.

Tissot Seastar from 1978. The similar appearance is not coincidental. Source:www.crazywatches.pl

Color variants

Tissot PRX are offered in three color variants - with a dark blue, black or light silver dial.

However, the various finishes of the dials are more interesting. Vertical grinding was used for the silver model, which smoothly follows the case and bracelet with the same finish.

The model with a sapphire blue dial boasts the sunburst effect - grinding starts in the center of the dial, which evokes the effect of the sun's rays when light is reflected.

The last model got a classic smooth black dial, which looks very elegant.

Prospects for the future

Traditionalists and lovers of mechanics on the PRX were discouraged by the quartz drive (though thanks to it, they gained that affordability). Tissot did not stay put and in March there were news that made mechanical watch lovers rejoice - Tissot PRX with the Powermatic 80 movement will be on sale in no time!

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 will have an interestingly structured dial. Source: www.monochrome-watches.com/