Our favourite Tissot watches of 2024

Buffy Acacia

Generally speaking, Tissot isn’t a brand that takes many risks. Aside from the PRX that took its integrated bracelet look to the masses several years ago, the Swiss brand under the Swatch umbrella rarely makes serious waves. Instead, it does its civic duty as a provider of high quality Swiss watches at affordable prices, across a huge variety of attractive designs. That’s how it’s become one of the most prevalent entry-level luxury brands world, and perfect for anyone from a university graduate to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. 2024 in particular has witnessed some fantastic releases, and these are our favourites.

Tissot PRX UFO Robot Grendizer

It would be easy to argue that the PRX is currently Tissot’s flagship model, and as such there are too many references across dial colours, case sizes, and movements to keep track. However the PRX UFO Robot Grendizer absolutely stands out due to its depiction of Grendizer on the dial. Anime references in watchmaking are becoming more prevalent, but this particular series from the 1970s is still an incredibly niche choice for a watch dial, and we love how nerdy it is. We even hosted a launch party for this watch at a Melbourne laneway bar, complete with an ultraviolet light show to show off Grendizer’s neon-worshipping lume display. Aside from the dial, the 40mm case hosts (you guessed it) another reliable Powermatic 80 movement with automatic winding and 80 hours of power reserve. Price: US$825

Tissot Heritage 1938 Automatic COSC

Tissot has long championed the affordable segment of the market, bringing excellent value and handsome design. The Heritage 1938 is one of the best examples of that, including a curious, but COSC-certified ETA 2824 instead of the brand’s usual Powermatic 80 for way, way under US$1,000. Though it’s just a new colour, this blue-on-silver variant is especially handsome, and while a manually wound movement would be more period-correct, I don’t think many will complain about its 39mm x 11mm case and 50-metre water resistance. Price: US$875

Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Skeleton

Skeletonisation garners a marmite reaction from most watch enthusiasts, with some appreciating the craft and some feeling that it cheapens the overall look of a watch. As with anything, it really depends on the execution, and can ring true when it comes to more affordable skeletonised options. Thankfully, there’s nothing about the Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Skeleton that feels lazy or gimmicky. Three colour schemes offer vastly different personalities, but it’s impossible to get past the reference in black PVD with a smoky brown dial. It’s almost like the watch was put together by a back alley watchmaker in a dystopian night market, and its industrial charm blends seamlessly with the classical approach of dauphine hands and a brushed sector with applied indices.

At 39mm in diameter and 44mm lug-to-lug, the sizing hits a similar sweet spot as the overall design, and the Powermatic 80 movement continues to please. Price: US$930, blue dial available from the T+T Shop

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Forged Carbon

The carbon craze never took off as successfully as other alternative case materials such as titanium, but it has slowly been popping up in catalogues at nearly every price point. Forged carbon has far overtaken traditional carbon fibre weaves, as a watchmaking material because of its ability to be moulded into 3D shapes more easily, as well as the marbled patterns seeming less abrasive than the harsh lines of woven fabric. With the PRX Powermatic 80 Forged Carbon, the black case, bezel and dial gives the watch a contemporary and tactical look, while the lightweight properties of the case and bracelet make it an effortless wear on the wrist.

Bright indices ensure strong contrast for legibility, and of course the Powermatic 80 is a fan favourite automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve. Price: US$995, with a wide array of PRX models available from the Time+Tide Shop

Tissot PR516 Chronograph

Although Tissot doesn’t solely rely on its vintage back catalogue for new watch releases, the brand does happen to be great at reissuing old favourites. There’s never a bad time to come out with a 1960s racing chronograph, and the Tissot PR516 Chronograph manages to live up to all of those classic expectations without ever feeling derivative. The tachymeter bezel features a white section in its first quarter that can actually be used as a pulsometer for measuring heart rate, something which is legitimately useful in fitness circles and much more likely to be used than the tachymeter itself. The dial’s blocky hands captures that late ‘60s and early ‘70s quirkiness, while the black dial and silver contrasts feels utterly modern.

With a 41mm diameter and a thickness of 13.7mm, it’s actually quite tame for a chronograph. The movement is a Valjoux A05.291 which shares lineage with the 7753, and that has a long history of reliability, serviceability, and great performance. The exhibition caseback is a great touch, and the fact that it’s manually wound for its 60 hour power reserve grants the wearer a more personal connection with the movement on a daily basis. Price: US$1,850, available from the T+T Shop