A New Reinterpreted 1970s Tissot PR516 Chronograph Watch in Quartz and Mechanical

Consider yourself a motorsport-minded collector? Check out Tissot’s latest sporty PR516 Chronograph watches.

The Story of the Tissot PR516

Before we get into the new PR516 Chronograph watches by Tissot – a little on the name and where it derives from. Tissot’s PR watch is a story worth telling on its own. The collection has grown a lot since it was afforded the title of the 16th model of Tissot’s 5th water-resistant series (get it?). But the design hasn’t just grown in variation alone. The model’s sharp, sporty characteristics have also grown considerably in popularity amongst enthusiasts. The Tissot PR516 is a retro sports watch with stacks of appeal. It comes in an array of vintage-inspired designs, featuring elements like perforated leather straps and robust steel bracelets. The initial design stretches back to the 1960s but the design was revisited in 2016 with the launch of the PRS 516 quartz chronograph. That very release birthed a whole collection, which now offers chronographs in automatic versions as well, not to mention three-handed iterations.

The designs within the PR516 watch collection nod to sports cars from the 1960s era with racetrack-inspired designs that are remarkably fetching. The 1965 PR watch was born in 1965 – its initials standing for “Particularly Robust”. The 516 model was an offtake of the Seastar watch, heralded for its water-proof qualities and its durability.

These latest models, however, symbolise a whole new piece of the PR516 jigsaw. These models reinterpret the 1970s PR516 - a modern marvel for its time. Its triple register layout was accompanied by luminous hands and a tachymeter bezel, making it incredibly legible. Its design not only appealed to many motorsport fans but racing drivers. Even Peruvian rally legend Henry Bradley wore one and subsequently adorned his Ferrari with the model’s name. Today, the new collection boasts updated vintage elements that come in three quartz variants, as well as a mechanical version.

The New Tissot PR516 Chronograph Watches

The new PR516 Chronograph releases, as mentioned, comprise three quartz models and a mechanical iteration too. The latter is powered by a brand-new movement for Tissot. In terms of the quartz movements, there are two stainless steel versions and one two-tone version. The all-steel versions have a blue and black dial, while the two-tone version has a black dial with gold hands to match the central links of the metal bracelet.  The chronograph models all sound similar on paper but are all slightly different. What they all share are Super-LumiNova-coated dial elements, 100-meter water-resistant cases, and domed sapphire crystals. Let’s take a look at the new Tissot PR516 Chronograph watches in a little more detail.

Tissot PR615 Chronograph Quartz

The three new quartz variants of the Tissot PR516 Chronographs all measure a 40mm diameter. They sit on the wrist at a depth of 11.9mm, which measures around 2mm thinner than the mechanical version. Boasting 1970s tapering cases, they pair seamlessly with their three-link bracelets.

The blue and steel version of the quartz PR516 watch (ref T149.417.11.041.00) features a tachymeter scale with the first quarter of the scale highlighted in white. The three-register layout features a 1/10th of a second function at 2 o’clock, a small seconds dial at 6 o’clock and a 30-minute counter at 10 o’clock. The first five minutes of this counter are also underscored by a lighter shade of blue.

The second model is the black and steel version (ref T1494171105100). Very similar in design to the blue model, the same highlighted section of the tachymeter scale matches the white luminous detailing on the baton hands and markers, promising superb legibility at night. The Tissot 1853 lettering sits underneath the 12 o’clock location and the entire display is protected by a strong piece of anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass.

The third model of the quartz trio is the stylish two-tone design (ref T1494172205100).The steel and yellow gold tones of this model look particularly sporty but undeniably luxurious too. Combined with a crisp black dial, this model features yellow gold-coloured detailing on the hands and markers, not to mention the trim around the tachymeter scale on the bezel. The tachymeter scale, perfect for measuring speed based on distance, completes the motorsport-inspired look of this Tissot PR516 watch. The timepiece is fitted on a bi-coloured stainless steel and yellow gold PVD-coated three-link bracelet, which secures to the underside of the wrist with a Tissot-engraved folding clasp.

The Tissot PR516 Chronograph Mechanical

The final design of the four is the mechanical iteration (ref T149.459.21.051.00). As explained, the watch is powered by a new movement for Tissot. The Valjoux A05.291 movement. Major modifications have been applied to the movement, particularly the removal of the winding block and the placement of a decorated bridge instead. Its modern performance specifications offer a very reasonable 68-hour power reserve and superior magnetic resistance thanks to a Nivachron balance spring. This thoroughly modern movement boasts a whole host of other technological improvements surrounding shock impact, protection and regulation too.

The new Tissot PR516 Chronograph Mechanical watch features a slightly different layout, with sub-counters placed at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock. Tissot experts execute this model with orange detailing against a black dial and frame this display with a matching black ceramic bezel. The zesty orange accents are an attractive touch and have been paired with a light blue colour that highlights the first 10 minutes of the 30-minute sub-dial. Once again, white is used to highlight the first quarter section of the tachymeter bezel and the dial elements have received a generous dose of luminous material. To finish the sporty persona of the PR516, the watch is equipped with a stainless steel bracelet and folding clasp. Hawk-eyed enthusiasts will also notice the difference in the casebacks between the two iterations. While the quartz models feature a laurel wreath and steering wheel engraved decoration, the mechanical watch features a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback that shows off the fine inner workings of the movement.

Today, building a chronograph watch with equal parts sporty, functional and legible is no mean feat but leave it to Tissot and you get a new rolled-out version of the PR516. A beautifully balanced stopwatch display with a tachymeter that keeps the proportions neat. Plus, it’s available in quartz or mechanical versions. It speaks a beautiful language to Tissot fans today. Not only does the PR516 keep all its much-loved features intact but it somehow manages to move forward in a way that keeps it looking modern and fresh.

If you’d like to purchase one of the new Tissot PR516 Chronograph watches, you can call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453 or email us to enquire about availability at help@jurawatches.co.uk