20 BEST Tissot Watches for 2024 (Divers, Chronographs, Etc.)

Tissot originates in the Swiss town of Le Locle within the Jura mountains, where it is still based today. Founded by Charles-Félicien Tissot and Charles-Émile Tissot in 1853, Tissot has since become one of the world’s largest Swiss watchmakers. 

With a comprehensive catalog ranging from robust divers to slim dress pieces, there really is a Tissot for every occasion. Better yet, Tissot remains one of the greatest value-for-money offerings under the Swiss Made nomenclature. 

Renowned for movements like the Powermatic Caliber 80, affordable integrated bracelet-style sports watches, and listening to their enthusiasts, Tissot is making great efforts to be the leading entry-level Swiss Brand. 

You may find yourself asking, “Well, what are the best Tissot watches you can buy today, and which one is right for me?”. 

Let’s have a look, shall we? 

The History of Tissot Watches

As mentioned, Tissot originated 170 years ago in the Jura mountains. Established by a father and son team, Tissot did not wait for permission to start innovating. In fact, Tissot produced the first pocket watch featuring two time zones and the first mass-produced pocket watch, all in 1853. Further innovations included the first anti-magnetic watch in 1929-1930. 

In 1983 Tissot became part of The Swatch Group Ltd, and over the decades, Tissot has continued to innovate while remaining true to their motto of “gold value at silver price”. This meant pushing the envelope on design, but even more so on watch materials. 

First wooden watch? Tissot, 1988. First mother of pearl dial? Tissot, 1987. First timepiece to be made from rock? Tissot, 1985. 

What’s The Status Of Tissot Today?

With the trade market for higher horology seeming more like a stock market, where does the go-to affordable Swiss brand of Tissot find itself today? Well, the fact that I bought my entire family variations of the PRX for Christmas should tell you all you need to know.

Tissot is doubling down on their nature to break free from the mold. Sticking its roots in great design language with innovative materials, Tissot is still one of the 10 largest Swiss watchmakers. They focus on developing luxury at an entry-level price.

Tissot also shook up the entire watch industry in 2021 with the release of the aforementioned PRX. An integrated bracelet design reminiscent of the designs from the 1970s at an affordable price – there’s even a chronograph version.

Tissot has solidified its reputation as value for money, but not at the expense of having something special on your wrist.

Best Chronograph Tissot Watches

Having the ability to tell the time and time an event has always had its upsides, whether it be racing, production, or measuring a heart rate. 200 years after its invention, the chronograph has become a means for watchmakers to flex their column wheel muscles and show a bit of prowess.

1. Tissot Chrono XL Vintage

With a size of 45mm, the Chrono XL Vintage fits in perfectly with contemporary taste. The large dial creates leeway for all the functionalities of a chronograph without spoiling symmetry. The reference can be had in stainless steel and also in black PVD coating, as well as various dial colors.

A Swiss quartz movement is in charge of timekeeping, offering a 1/10th second functionality and a 30-minute totalizer. The Chrono XL is a grab-and-go sports chronograph with a bit of elegance. 

• Diameter: 45mm 
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Functionality: Time, date, and chronograph 
• Water resistance: 100m / 330ft
• Price: $395

2. Tissot Supersport Chrono

Still fitting into contemporary tastes, the Supersport Chrono also boasts a larger size at 45.5mm. Created with a more masculine and dynamic design in mind, it features recessed subdials, an aluminum bezel ring, and minute markers on the rehaut.

With pronounced edges and sharper lines, the Supersport lives up to the name as being a more contemporary chronograph in the Tissot catalog. 

• Diameter: 45.5mm 
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Functionality: Time, date, and chronograph 
• Water resistance: 100m / 330ft
• Price: $525

3. Tissot Seastar 1000 Chronograph

Many claim that the humble dive watch is the perfect watch, and with the Seastar 1000 Chronograph, that might very well be the case. With a 30 bar (300m/100ft) water resistance and a quartz chronograph function, this Seastar reference does it all. Featuring subdials with a similar hue to the main dial and a size of 45.5mm, it fits in perfectly with modern taste.

• Diameter: 45.5mm
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Functionality: Time, date, and chronograph
• Water resistance: 300m / 1000ft
• Price: $550

4. Tissot Couturier Automatic Chronograph

Nestled within the T-Classic range of Tissot sits the Couturier Automatic Chronograph. The Couturier range offers dress pieces at affordable prices, and this Swiss Automatic Chronograph at only $950 fits the mold perfectly. With a sleek and simple design, the watch seems quite elegant, but sporty features like the tachymeter scale and three subdials give it a bit of sportiness. 

• Diameter: 43mm 
• Movement: ETA caliber C01.211
• Power reserve: 45 hours
• Functionality: Time, date, and chronograph 
• Water resistance: 100m / 330ft
• Price: $950

5. Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph

Released in early 2022, the PRX Chronograph took the watch industry by storm. Reminiscent of the retro 70s look, it features an integrated bracelet design and is finished in brushed stainless steel – Gerald Genta would be impressed.

It’s Offered in two configurations, a blue dial, and a silver dial with rose gold hands. The sleek and angular case houses the Valjoux A05.H31, meaning this modern classic looks the part and has an automatic heart too. A personal favorite. 

• Diameter: 42mm 
• Movement: Valjoux A05.H31
• Power reserve: 60 hours
• Functionality: Time, date, and chronograph 
• Water resistance: 100m / 330ft
• Price: $1750

6. Tissot Heritage 1973

For motorsport enthusiasts, Tissot offers the Heritage 1973. This nugget of modern history is styled after the Tissot Navigator, worn by Formula One driver Loris Kessel in the 70s. The design features the familiar tonneau case shape and matching Panda dial, offering excellent legibility.

Timekeeping is done by the Valjoux A05.H31, which you can view through the back exhibition window. Overall, this design is a modern interpretation of the racing chronographs from yesteryear, and the design was actually finished with the help of Loris Kessel’s own son. 

• Diameter: 43mm 
• Movement: Valjoux A05.H31
• Power reserve: 60 hours
• Functionality: Time, date, and chronograph 
• Water resistance: 100m / 330ft
• Price: $2100

Best Dive Tissot Watches

Dive watches are probably one of the most famous styles of timepieces on the market. Whether you’re diving into the depths of your desk or the trenches of the ocean, having a sporty watch without seeming too cumbersome is rather nice.

Great legibility, the ability to time an event with the rotating bezel, and this sense of “Hey, my watch can do something pretty darn cool” – dive watches. They ought to be your first watch. Couple that with Tissot’s affordable pricing, and you’re bound to find something special. 

1. Tissot Seastar 1000

With a depth rating of 300m/1000ft and a rotating ceramic dive bezel, the Seastar 1000 slots in perfectly as Tissot’s flagship diver. Boasting an automatic caliber inside, the Powermatic 80, this timepiece offers security both in robustness and an 80-hour power reserve. Featuring various dial and strap configurations, it certainly isn’t hard to find the perfect version for you, especially since it is sized to fit contemporary tastes at 43mm.

• Diameter: 43mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time, date, and rotating dive bezel 
• Water resistance: 300m / 1000ft
• Price: $725 – $825

2. Tissot Seastar 2000

If you’d like to double down on your diving capabilities, Tissot has designed the Seastar 2000 for those who dive deeper than the deep end of the pool – it even has an ISO 6425 certification. Not only has the size been beefed up to 46mm from the Seastar 1000’s 43mm, but the 2000 also features an automatic helium escape valve. 

While the watch is undoubtedly more capable, it’s finished with a distinctive blue-to-black gradient dial creating a chic yet brawny aesthetic. Beating within is the same Powermatic 80 movement, which, thanks to copious amounts of SuperLuminova, is always capable of telling the wearer the time. 

• Diameter: 46mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time, date, helium escape valve, and rotating dive bezel 
• Water resistance: 600m / 2000ft
• Price: $1025 – $1125

Best Everyday Tissot Watches

Perhaps the hardest segment for watchmakers to excel in is the everyday watch. With so many different requirements, ranging from having enough water resistance, to being appropriately sized. When the goal is to please everyone with a single watch, the task becomes infinitely harder. Luckily, this is a segment in which Tissot has been excelling for some time.

1. Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80

The Gentleman is perhaps the watch to meet most enthusiasts’ needs, all at an affordable price. Released to be a stylish and elegant package with a hint of sportiness, the Gentleman allows for easy everyday wear with a thickness of only 11.5mm.

Timekeeping duties are dealt with by the tried and tested Powermatic 80 movement with an extended 80-hour power reserve. Along with the perfect size of 40mm and numerous dial configurations, the Gentleman also features 100m/330ft of water resistance, creating the perfect daily watch. Oh! The silicone spring has been altered to increase resistance to magnetism as well – a nice touch. 

• Diameter: 40mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time and date
• Water resistance: 100m / 330ft
• Price: $750 – $795

2. Tissot PRX Powermatic 80

The PRX (P for Precision, R for reliability, and the X is a Roman numeral 10, standing for 10 atmospheres or 100 meters water resistance) is one of Tissot’s greatest hits – the end. Introduced in 2021, the modern PRX is a homage to the PRX of the 70s, sporting similar style attributes.

Reminiscent of the most popular watches of the 70s, the PRX sports an integrated bracelet, is a wearable size(s) and is finished in stainless steel. With the Powermatic 80 and various textured dial color configurations to choose from, the PRX suits all the needs of hardcore enthusiasts and those who are just looking for a cool-looking watch. 

• Diameter: 40mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time and date
• Water resistance: 100m / 330ft
• Price: $675

3. Tissot Le Locle

The Le Locle is named after the Swiss city Tissot was founded in and still resides today. The Le Locle falls in the T-Classic range and is a rather elegant dress piece. The Roman hour numerals match the leaf-shaped hands and a textured dial to create a charming aesthetic.

The case is a mere 9.8mm thick and 39.3mm wide, making it relatively easy to slip under the cuff of a shirt or jacket. The Le Locle is available in various dial and case finishes, including Rose Gold PVD-coated cases. 

• Diameter: 39.3mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time and date
• Water resistance: 30m / 100ft
• Price: $595 – $875

4. Tissot T-Race Swissmatic

Racing and watches have always had a strong connection, and to celebrate this bond between motorcycle racing and timekeeping, Tissot released the T-Race with the Swissmatic movement. Motorcycle racing is anything but subtle, and the T-Race follows suit having a 45mm case and is available in Rose Gold PVD-coating as well as stainless steel.

The case is reminiscent of the brake disc, while the lugs are designed with the frames of motorcycles as inspiration. Legibility is superb, as you might expect from a racing watch, with sizable luminous-coated hands, applied indexes, and a magnified 3 o’clock date window. 

• Diameter: 45mm 
• Movement: Swissmatic
• Power reserve: 72 hours
• Functionality: Time and date
• Water resistance: 100m / 330ft
• Price: $695

5. Tissot PRS 516

The PRS, or “Particularly, Robust, and Sporty”, was originally released in 1965 and was inspired by motor racing; it even had a perforated bracelet inspired by steering wheels in racing cars that had holes in the spokes. The modern PRS is still true to the name, inspired by motor racing.

The strap still features the perforated design, but the quick-release function allows you to switch to a bracelet in no time at all – which aligns nicely with racing if you ask me. The watch also features a dual day date function, but the 42mm case still allows for excellent legibility. 

• Diameter: 42mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time, day, and date
• Water resistance: 100m / 330ft
• Price: $725

Best Dress Tissot Watches

While the dress watch segment has suffered in the onslaught of sports watches in the past few years, this is beginning to change. The polished, thin, and elegant cases that slip under your cuff with ease are starting to look appealing again.

Mesmerizing dials that serve absolutely no purpose but to look fantastic are something not many people need – yet all watch collectors know that you have to have one. Let’s have a look at Tissots for a special occasion. 

1. Tissot Ballade Powermatic 80

The Ballade features everything the modern wearer might need from a dress watch. A stellar dial design decorated with Rose Gold PVT-coated indexes, diamond-shaped hands, and a Rolex-inspired fluted bezel. The beating heart within this gorgeous dress piece is the Powermatic 80, which features increased magnetic resistance and an 80-hour power reserve. With a 41mm width and a mere 9.6mm thickness, the Ballade exudes elegance without drawing too much attention to itself. 

• Diameter: 41mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time and date 
• Water resistance: 50m / 165ft
• Price: $1095

2. Tissot Visodate

Think of the 50s, and you think of juicy burgers, Coca-Colas, jukebox tunes, and, if you’re a watch enthusiast, the Visodate. The Visodate features a retro Tissot logo at the 12 o’clock position to fit the retro style. The dial features gorgeous Dauphine hands that, along with the dual day date function, give the Visodate great legibility. 

Ticking away within the 42mm case is the trusted ETA-based Powermatic 80 movement. The watch also comes in three dial options, silver opaline, graded blue-black, and black. The timepiece is also available on a strap or stainless steel bracelet; however, I think this watch could benefit greatly from having multiple strap and bracelet options in your collection. 

• Diameter: 42mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time, day, and date 
• Water resistance: 30m / 100ft
• Price: $675 – $695

3. Tissot Classic Dream

The Classic Dream comes in at 42mm, which fits in perfectly with modern tastes for larger watches. The Classic Dream was designed to radiate class and elegance without breaking the bank. The design might seem simple and undramatic, but that is to be expected of a dress watch.

The dial does feature Dauphine hands and indexes that are split into four parts to make it a bit more special. With the Swissmatic movement taking care of timekeeping duties, this means you can get a fetching automatic Swiss watch at less than $550. 

• Diameter: 42mm 
• Movement: Swissmatic
• Power reserve: 72 hours
• Functionality: Time and date 
• Water resistance: 50m / 165ft
• Price: $525 – $550

4. Tissot Carson Premium

The Carson is a watch that makes no apologies for what it is; a dress watch meant to accompany you on any special occasion. Available in numerous variations, the Premium features the Powermatic 80 within and a clear sapphire exhibition caseback.

On the flip side, the dial is ever so slightly recessed in its center, with a satiated sunray finish on the outer layer and an inner spiral finish. The Carson also features a slightly smaller case compared to the other Tissot dress pieces at 40mm and a thickness of 10.3mm. 

• Diameter: 40mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time and date 
• Water resistance: 50m / 165ft
• Price: $625 – $775

Special Tissot Watches

As stated in the beginning, Tissot is not afraid to try something new, to push the envelope on design, case material, and overall aesthetics. Logically, there are a few special watches in the Tissot catalog ranging from open-heart dials to full skeletonized dials. For those who want something a tad more special and a bit more unique to their timepieces, Tissot is happy to oblige. 

1. Tissot Heritage Memphis

The Memphis design language can be described as a ‘retro aesthetic that opposes brutalism and post-war architecture’, and the Heritage Memphis fits the mold perfectly. A quirky design, to say the least, but an interesting piece of engineering.

Within the inner disc, you’ll find a little dot in charge of seconds. This 3D effect and the unsystematic geometric shapes on the caseback create a watch truly inspired by retro looks. A vivid design for those that want to stand out from the crowd. 

• Diameter: 41mm 
• Movement: Swiss Quartz
• Functionality: Time
• Water resistance: 50m / 165ft
• Price: $395

2. Tissot Gentleman Open Heart

For those who find the everyday wearability of the Gentleman a bit lacking, there is the Open Heart variation. Similar to the regular Gentleman in design, however, the Open Heart features an amalgamation of art and technology on the dial.

The figure-eight-shaped cutout allows the wearer to see the inner workings of the Powermatic 80.601, which is perfectly visible, thanks to the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. The utility of the standard Gentleman is not lost due to the added artistry; it retains its 100m water resistance for those who like to see the innards of their automatic Swiss timepiece. 

• Diameter: 40mm 
• Movement: Powermatic 80
• Power reserve: 80 hours
• Functionality: Time, date, and open-heart 
• Water resistance: 50m / 165ft
• Price: $875

3. Tissot T-Complication Squelette Mechanical

Perhaps the most eye-catching design in the Tissot catalog would be the T-Complication Squelette Mechanical, which features a mechanical skeleton movement visible through the dial. This complication is usually reserved for higher horology, and to find it at a price point south of $2100 is pretty special.

With iridescent blue hands to aid in telling time, they, too, are somewhat skeletonized, allowing you to see even more of the stunning mechanical art that beats within. The 43mm cases house the ETA 6497 movement, which features a 46-hour power reserve. But who am I kidding; you won’t really care about the power reserve function with a design that is so beautiful with such extreme attention to detail. 

• Diameter: 43mm 
• Movement: ETA 6497
• Power reserve: 46 hours
• Functionality: Time and a full skeleton dial
• Water resistance: 50m / 165ft
• Price: $2025

Conclusion

With a catalog as broad as Tissot’s, it’s hard not to find something to fall in love with. It started as a watch brand to meet the timekeeping needs of those in Le Locle, expanded to be a brand with groundbreaking designs and materials, and today finds itself breaking ground for affordable luxury at a reasonable price. Whether you are looking for robust dive watches or slim dress pieces, Tissot holds true to their value of “gold value at silver price”.