VARYING OPINIONS: TOWARD ONE REALITY
Staying aloof safely from both the extremes, the best way to portray Tissot is – they are mid-range watches that are priced lower than premium Swiss brands like JLC, Lange or Longines – even Rolex or Omega – but higher than ordinary fashion brands that try to copy the Swiss goodness in terms of designs and looks.
Position aside, Tissot Swiss Automatic watches are enough to get you obsessed. Still, many seem to be trying to find an answer to whether Tissot – including its chronometer versions – are luxury timepieces in the $1,000 range?
Getting the obvious out of the way
Now for a Swiss brand mostly at the $1000 range and nothing above; if it claims – even remotely – itself as true (or pure) luxury, then its luxury elements need to be checked.
When Tissot claims the same, you got to keep an eye over their other creations like the Heritage Navigator Limited Edition or the Sculpture Line Men’s Mechanical; the Bridgeport Men’s Automatic Chronograph or the Rose Dream; all of which go above the $5000 mark. Check the Tissot T-Classic Luxury Powermatic 80 Automatic range, you’ll find it sharing a similar kind of luxury. Or, it gives out the same vibes; maybe some more with the Vintage Powermatic 80.
ACHIEVING CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION
You must not confuse with the marine chronometer, used for celestial navigation and determining longitudes. Our concern is about those spring-driven escapement timekeepers, with parts built better than the ordinary standards and the expansion/contraction of the balance spring due to temperature and gravitational variations compensated.
The chronometer boasts about an enhanced efficiency and precision and makes use of jewel bearings and precious metals. This is for taking advantage of the respective physical properties of the materials. However, putting together the tight tolerances, near-perfect jewels and specialized oils with modern manufacturing methods to make a watch run within +4 to +6 seconds of the actual (atomic) time isn’t very difficult today; what matters is how well and masterfully the manufacturer is making use of them as a whole. A Tissot mechanical timepiece – with chronometer specified or not – if finely regulated, keeps up to the chronometer specifics; the COSC certification ensures it a little more. It shows their emphasis more upon the technical aspects than nosediving into aesthetics. You got your answer regarding why Tissot’s looks resemble very closely those 5-figure luxury watches but is not exactly them.
Note: Atomic clocks are the most accurate time and frequency standards known, and are used as primary standards for international time distribution services, to control the wave frequency of television broadcasts, and in global navigation satellite systems such as GPS. [Source: Atomic clock – Wikipedia]
AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
An 80-hour power reserve (Powermatic 80) in a four-figure price bracket is awesome! It’s a fine achievement. Sure, there are 10-days long power reserves from Panerai, Oris and IWC or the week-and-a-day-long running Parmigiani Kalpa Hebdomadaire (the name itself tells); only that you need to add one extra zero (or a positive integer) to the Tissot prices. Someone (in the closed circle) once joked about Tissot being million-dollar watches for thousand bucks. Why, we understand now.
Perhaps that might make a lot of people put them up for special use only! That’s all right, unless you really, really mind winding it up manually every 3 days. Better, keep wearing these watches almost every day, which will keep them wound up.
T-CLASSIC: IS IT A RESPECTABLE TIMEPIECE?
Most definitely so! Tissot deserves a lot of respect for making the T-Classic; for at least going beyond the lofty claims most watches at its price claim; some, even higher. So, is it luxury? Maybe not, but an honorable watch, nonetheless; no matter which way you look at them!
ROLLING OUT THE CLASSICS
I. The Tissot CHEMIN DES TOURELLES POWERMATIC 80: A very special piece, it encapsulates a portion of Tissot’s history, taking its name from the location of the existing Tissot factory in Le Locle, Switzerland. It comes with an elegant case displaying charm, elegance and well, a fair bit of luxury. A practical timekeeping tool with all the right reasons to become a daily wear.
II. The Tissot T-Classic Le Locle: A wonderful, classic timepiece that can also be your first dress automatic. It’s fascinating, with a quality that feels both solid and smooth. Its exquisite elegance comes from the details like the Roman numerals and the traditional Le Locle signature. Could classical be chic?
III. The Tissot T-Classic Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium Automatic: Not just solid watches but also chock full of outdoor specs and features, allowing Tissot to blow away the competition even against some at double its price. The Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium toes excellently the line between ‘dress’ and ‘sports’ and what Tissot does is bring in one hell of a value!
IV. The Tissot T-Classic Carson Powermatic 80: All pieces from this collection offer simplistic elegance in its classic form, a rare combination between satin and spiral finishes. It’s slightly larger for a traditionally sized dress watch; got a nice power train and is a watch worth saving up for!
V. The Tissot T-Classic Tradition: Classic dress watches that can be worn for most occasions, from casual evenings to banquets in suit and tie. Its versatility is of a different level and definitely something you’ll appreciate out of the Tissot Tradition.
VI. The Tissot T-Classic Carson Premium Powermatic 80: The Premium signifies a slightly more luxurious feel than the Carson and its classic style allows it to never go out of date or style. It has a sumptuous look, highlighted by a graceful dial with elongated fine hands.
VII. The Tissot T-Classic Luxury Powermatic 80 Automatic: Tissot transformed watchmaking into a science for this exceptional and ultimate precision piece, making it truly exquisite with unmistakable class. It doesn’t take time for giving in to this luxurious temptation!
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