Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Watch Collection Review

Tissot launches an automatic version of its already-popular PRX watch collection – the PRX Powermatic 80 watch. Available in three different dial colours and governed by a self-winding movement that can keep perfect time for up to 80 hours away from the wrist - the steel sports watch with a distinct 80s vibe is set to join many an enthusiast’s collection this year.

Keep doing more of what works. That’s what Tissot is doing with the release of its new PRX watches, now equipped with an automatic movement as opposed to the quartz-only variations that were released earlier this year. It was an unexpected and somewhat interesting design when it launched at the beginning of 2021. On paper, it ticked all the boxes for a classic three-handed time and date watch, but on the wrist, it offers much more in terms of flavour and personality. Quartz-powered steel sports watches are due a renaissance any time soon, we are sure. But for now, Tissot focuses on broadening the scope of the new PRX collection by expanding the range with three timepieces that speak to the tastes of automatic watch collectors. The new models are well-made, reliable and above all, true in many ways to the original 1978 Tissot PRX 40 205 watches from the brand’s archives.

The details of the new Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 watch

With integrated brushed stainless steel bracelets, the new Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 watches create a visual experience that plays with the polished effects around each watch’s bezel. The same could be said for the quartz-powered models, which featured a smooth dial surface, three central hands and a date aperture located at 3 o’clock. At an affordable price point, these automatic variations retain a cool 1980s styling and what really shines about this new sub-collection is that the throwbacks are straightforward, because who wants an over-cluttered sports watch anyway?

The new Tissot PRX watches have broken cover just in time for the seasons to change. As the winter months draw in, collectors are looking for something versatile enough to take to work every day but also something modest enough to pair with smart attire for festive events during the evenings. The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 watch is here to cover all bases. It is both a watch to be taken seriously but one that also offers all the retro charm you could want in a modern-day luxury steel sports watch.

The new Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 watch measures a 39.5mm diameter and is crafted from a mix of vertical satin-brushed and polished stainless steel. The case, with bevelled edges, is also 100-meter water-resistant and measures a depth on the wrist of just 10.9mm. This is still a pretty slim case considering it carries an automatic movement inside. The dials are executed in a stunning Clous de Paris pattern – a repeated square design that makes the hands, indexes and brand lettering pop on the dial. The three dial colours are silver, black and deep blue – each one featuring a date window at 3 o’clock, dressed against a white background to enhance readability. The hour and minute hands, together with the stick hour markers, have been treated with a layer of Super-LumiNova, which makes timekeeping in dark conditions super easy. The silver dial variant has rose gold-coloured elements on the display to match the watch’s rose gold PVD-coated bezel. The black and blue dial iterations, however, feature silver-coloured appliques to match their all-steel cases.

Inside the tonneau-shaped case of the new Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 watch is a reliable self-winding calibre that goes by the name of the Powermatic 80 movement. This engine has featured vastly throughout Tissot’s catalogue and comes fitted with an innovative Nivachron balance hairspring. This component betters the performance of the silicon hairspring, contributing to a reduction in the effects of magnetic damage. The movement is also put on show through a sapphire-backed case and provides an impressive 80-hour power reserve once off the wrist. The top of the case is sealed with the same anti-reflective and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass material, and the watch has an integrated stainless steel bracelet. The metal band is also interchangeable, enabling a different strap to be paired with the blue, silver or black modules when desired. A butterfly clasp engraved with the “T” logo is accompanied by push buttons for added security against the wrist.

The hype around the steel sports watch doesn’t look set to die down any time soon, which is a great thing for Swiss watch manufacturers like Tissot, who can take the design of the PRX Powermatic 80 watch and go in any direction it likes with it. New dial colours and features could be the way forward for this collection. But for now - lug to lug and tip to tip - the watch offers very manageable proportions in a daily beater and for the price point? Well, you certainly can’t grumble.

If you would like to learn more about this new line of Tissot PRX watches, you can check the rest of the details out here. Or call our sales team at Jura Watches on 01334 453453.

Technical specifications of the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 watch

• Case: 39.5mm – stainless steel / stainless steel and rose gold PVD coated - vertical satin-brushed and polished finishes – 100-meter water-resistant – sapphire crystal glass front with AR coating – sapphire crystal glass caseback – tonneau-shaped case
• Dial: Silver / Blue / Black – Clous de Paris surface pattern – luminous central hour and minute hands – slim second hand – date window at 3 o’clock – silver-coloured appliques/rose gold-coloured appliques respective of case materials
• Movement: Powermatic 80 – self-winding – 80-hour power reserve – 23 jewels – Swiss-made - Patented Nivachron balance spring for enhanced resistance to magnetic damage
• Strap: Interchangeable stainless steel bracelet – horizontal satin-brushed links – “T”-engraved folding clasp – push buttons
• Price: Starting from £565
• References: Black dial; T137.407.11.051.00 / Blue dial: T137.407.11.041.00 / Silver dial T137.407.21.031.00