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Tissot is the breakout watch brand of 2023 that no one saw coming. There are few more talked-about watches than the Swiss maker’s PRX, which has exploded in popularity via TikTok. The PRX is a revived ‘70s icon that came out of the same luxury sport watch trend that produced the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus—only with a way, way more affordable price tag. But Tissot isn’t resting on its laurels—now that it’s got a smash hit on its hands, the brand is keeping its hot streak rolling by dipping into its back catalog once again.
The ‘70s have proven to be a goldmine for Tissot. The brand’s latest release is the Sideral Regatta Timer from 1971, a loud and colorful nautical watch exhumed from Tissot’s archives, which comes in standout shades of orange, blue, red, and yellow. A bit of trivia: The Sideral was the first watch made from fiberglass (I’ll take totally arcane and useless watch knowledge for $800, Alex). Today’s iteration uses stainless steel and carbon fiber to withstand the elements. The latter material gives the yachting watch a fittingly wavy appearance in addition to a super-durable casing.
The PRX and Sideral aren’t the only Tissot throwbacks making noise right now, though. Take the Tissot Seastar, dating back to the 1960s, quickly regarded as a hallmark of the brand for its hermetically sealed waterproofing. Rarely do you see a watch built for the water, usually so chunky, articulated in such a sleek fit. The jewelry-like Milanese bracelet is the winning detail here. Its vintage quality, while promising 1,000-foot coverage underwater, set a new standard for diving watches. Precision and heritage in one watch for under $1,000? That’s a game changer.
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There’s also the recently reissued Telemeter, originally released in 1938, which boasts a stealthy 42mm case, handsome red accents, almond-shaped pushers, and an Italian leather strap. Designed for use in World War II, the watch features a telemeter scale, which allows the wearer to measure their distance from a lightning strike.
Those models are really just the tip of the Tissot archival iceberg (don’t sleep on the legendary Banana watch), which is an exciting prospect for Swiss watch collectors without Swiss bank accounts. The hottest, most desirable watches are normally kept locked away in the private back room of some high-end boutique—and to actually own one, you have to spend years on a waiting list for the chance to blow your entire life savings. Most of Tissot’s red-hot timepieces, meanwhile, are widely available at wildly accessible prices. If you’re looking to jumpstart your watch rotation on a budget, Tissot is arguably the best possible place to start.
