The Tissot Heritage Petite seconde evolved over two consecutive weeks; in the sense, following a release, a re-edition was introduced to the market at a week-long gap. Last year i.e. in 2018, this Swiss brand in Baselworld showed. The dial design changes a bit in the re-edition but the basics of the Tissot Heritage Petite Seconde remains.

The Petite Seconde name is for a sub-second white dial. This is done in dress watches commonly. There’s nothing between hit and miss in all such great-looking watches and it will be a hit within closed circles. It has a beautiful case with a transparent back that shines with a marvelous finish. Everything about it is elegant and clean.

It might be a bit too large for wrists 5 inches or below, A 7.5” wrist does it true justice!

The Petite Seconde looks more ‘vintage’ than ‘classic’; that is a vital reason to keep it for selected company. It resists magnetism well but it’s not antimagnetic. It’s a tribute to the original watch from 1943. It inspired this new release. It is a beautiful watch that’s simple enough to be carried around various societal platforms.  The numerals are exact copies of the numbers in the original watch. Back in the early 40’s, when forward looking ideas just started pouring in. Vertical brushing creates a slight silver shine on the dial and its largeness is largely due to the sub-second dial. It fills in the lower area.

The dial is a prominent, circular pattern created on the main dial. It qualifies as a heritage piece; so much for the long, thin, black leaf hands. It’s built adhering to modern standards. Its hand-wound mechanism completes the vintage feel. It also contributes to legibility; whether its dusk or close to midnight, even a little light is enough to let you read the time.

The case back allows for a perfect view of the movement – a caliber ETA 6498-1 inside. This one doesn’t come often at this price point; far less in normal production-line watches. This 17-Jewel, 45-hours power reserve, hand-wound movement was intended to be used in pocket watches orifginally. Beating at 18.000 vph, this is a classic example of a savonnette or hunter pocket watch movements with a Cotes de Geneve and blued screws.

The Petite Seconde has a somewhat-distressed black/brown looking strap but it’s not what you may call exactly a vintage one. It is soft and comfortable and got some padding towards the top and a deployant buckle at its end. This butterfly or double deployant clasp with push buttons got a brushed finish, with Tissot written on it in a vintage font.

The watch has a really great wrist presence and boasts of its vintage aesthetics. As far as heritage watches go, the Petite Seconde scores big with the crowd who love vintage style watches that don’t come in vintage sizes.

Watch mentioned in this post is listed below.  Click to see details and buy.