Tissot’s updated Visodate takes vintage vibes to the next level (live pics)
Tom Austin- Tissot reimagines its iconic Visodate, refining the heritage-inspired design while remaining faithful to the original.
- The new Visodate is available in three dial variations: dark blue, black, and silver with gold accents.
- The silver dial version arrives on a brown leather strap, while the others receive a vintage-style beads-of-rice bracelet.
In 2010, Tissot was ahead of the trend with the release of the Heritage Visodate. This was when mainstream brands realised that we, the watch-buying public, were really enjoying these vintage-looking pieces. It coincided with the rise of Instagram and platforms like Tumblr, where watch fans could share their favourite styles, and from there, it was infectious, and never really went away. This became a massive opportunity for some older brands to revisit long-forgotten models from their archives.
The truth is, as much as we loved these kinds of watches at the time, looking back and comparing them to the amazing options we have available to us today, you can tell the refinement wasn’t there. There was too much contemporary influence in the details, and it clearly was an area of the market that had some growing up to do. Well, Tissot has proven it can do just that by reissuing the classic Visodate once more, but this time the details are more refined than ever.
One area in which the previous Heritage Visodate suffered from contemporary influence was the proportions. Around that time, we seemed adamant that everything had to be 40mm or above; however, this latest Visodate addresses this very well. The classically styled stainless steel case is now 39mm in diameter and pleasantly thin at 10.45mm. The lugs feature brushed interiors and polished outer edges to a high sheen, adding refinement in a detail you wouldn’t always spot right away.
The box-shaped sapphire crystal is locked in place with a clean, thin, polished bezel, and the crown takes on a true vintage look, onion-shaped and fluted. The rear of the case still has some modern touches, such as the screw-down exhibition caseback, but it does feature an engraved heritage Tissot logo, so I will let it off the hook. This is required to achieve the un-vintage, modern entry-daily approved water resistance rating of 50 meters, so at least it is there for a reason.
There are three dial variations for the new Visodate, all of which are conservative yet stylish options. First of all, the dial isn’t flat; it’s in fact slightly domed, almost like a pie-pan dial, which allows Tissot to play with the light and different facets on the brushed surface. There are two darker dials: a gorgeous dark blue and a black, both paired with polished hour markers and hands, while the silver-dialled version features gold dial furniture and a gold Tissot logo at 12 o’clock.
Naturally, it wouldn’t be a Visodate without a date window at 3 o’clock; the original was one of the first Tissot watches to feature a date display, after all. Notably, the date window on the new model is framed and flared to match the dial shape, just like the aperture on the original watches’ dial. The black model features a black date wheel as well, for a slightly more subtle look.
The new Visodate is powered by the automatic Powermatic 80 movement, a highly robust calibre that is featured in several other successful Tissot models. As the name suggests, it boasts a substantial 80-hour power reserve, which would, of course, blow the original Visodate out of the water. Additionally, it sports a Nivachron balance spring to preserve the movement’s accuracy and protect it against magnetic fields. These features help push the new Visodate into true everyday-wearer territory.
Finally, the three watches arrive with a couple of options for fixing them to your wrist. The blue and black models arrive with a lovely stainless steel beads-of-rice bracelet, which gives off classy, yet respectfully vintage vibes. The silver-dial model takes the heritage look a little further, featuring a brown leather strap embossed with a crocodile pattern. The brown strap pairs extremely well with the gold details on the dial, so if you’re looking for something that really turns back the clock, the silver variation is the one for you.
Tissot Visodate pricing and availability
The Tissot Visodate is available now from Tissot retailers. Price: A$1,395/US$950 (blue & black dials) A$1,280/US$850 (silver dial)
| Brand | Tissot |
| Model | Visodate |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 10.45mm (T) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Dark blue, silver, and black |
| Bracelet | Stainless steel beads of rice, brown leather strap |
| Movement | Powermatic 80 |
| Power Reserve | 80 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | A$1,395/US$950 (blue & black dials) $1,280/US$850 (silver dial) |