Tissot looks to the 70s for more hits
The runaway success of the rebooted 1970s-inspired PRX collection has prompted new 35 mm additions to the family this year, but the watchmaker is also reviving another pioneer from the era – the Sideral
TISSOT’S PRX has been nothing short of a game changer for the brand. Inspired by a 1978 original, the PRX was rebooted in 2021 to roaring success, thanks to its variety of dials, case colours and wallet-friendly prices.
The watches offered plenty of bang for the buck, and the collection’s winning streak does not look like it is coming to an end anytime soon. Influential watch blogs continue to give the thumbs up; Reddit forums are abuzz with reviews; and at some authorised dealers in Singapore, popular colourways and models – such as the newly-launched 35 mm Automatic with blue waffle dial – are still difficult to come by.
A Tissot press statement described it as “the watch that everyone has been waiting for!” – clearly, they’re on the mark. Earlier editions were 40 mm in diameter, which proved too large for some. At 35 mm, it sits perfectly on slender wrists, and also matches the 1978 version.
For 2023, there are six dial colours to choose from: black, blue, green, white mother-of-pearl, ice blue and gold. The latter two were introduced only in August, with the gold version matched to a gold PVD case.
It is not hard to see why so many have fallen for the PRX’s charms, really. With its minimalist dial and integrated bracelet, it has that classic 1970s Gerald Genta aesthetic. The late watchmaker is known for designing some of horology’s most recognisable icons, including Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, IWC’s Ingenieur and Patek Philippe’s Nautilus.
Another big draw for the PRX is the collection’s wallet-friendly price tags. Quartz models sit at around the S$500 mark, while automatic versions come in at just under S$1,000. Naturally, chronographs and those with 18K gold trimmings are slightly pricier.
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With the automatic models, you’re getting a watch with a 170-year brand legacy, a workhorse movement (the Powermatic 80) and the sort of finishing that is typically found only on costlier watches. The alternating polished and satin-brushed elements on the case, bezel and bracelet are visually appealing, catching the light just so.
The Powermatic 80 Calibre is also worth delving into. It is based on the ETA 2824, which itself is used across an array of watches, including several models from fellow Swatch Group brands such as Certina, Hamilton and Longines. And it comes with an 80-hour power reserve, which means you can take off your watch on a Friday night, come back to it on Monday morning, and it will still be running.
Another blast from the past
With the 1970s having given Tissot so much success, the brand decided to stick to the decade and revive another piece from the era this year: the Sideral.
The 1971 original, the Sideral S, was a pioneer in its own right, being the world’s first fibreglass watch. At the time – and still today – fibreglass was used in the construction of planes, boats, cars, surfboards and skis, so having such a tough, industrial material on a wristwatch was a novelty.
To recapture that trailblazing spirit, Tissot cased the 2023 Sideral in forged carbon, known for its lightweight and resilient properties, just as fibreglass was. In terms of functionality, Tissot reprised the diving bezel of the original, but added a regatta countdown feature on the dial. Driving the watch is the same engine that is housed in the PRX, the Powermatic 80, which can be viewed through the transparent case back.
Perforated rubber straps recall 1970s sports watches, while the colours used – yellow, blue and red – make the watch pop and give it a chipper, summertime vibe. The straps come with a unique fastening system, and are interchangeable so you can swap them out with black, green or orange options.
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