Sleek sports watches with integrated bracelets have long been at the forefront of watch enthusiasts' culture, but these stylish watches were mostly confined to the upper echelons of the luxury market. Tissot changed this by releasing its most successful model of 2021 - the revived Tissot PRX Powermatic 80.
If the original Tissot PRX 40 205 model took the watch market by storm in 1978, the fully revamped PRX Powermatic 80 reimagines the 70s classic for a modern audience, surpassing the original in every respect.
The new Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 series, crafted in a vintage integrated bracelet form, with sharp and detailed finishing, an incredibly intricate dial surface, and an innovative high-performance automatic movement, exceeds its price category in every parameter, creating an instant classic that brings the style and sophistication of the integrated bracelet to the masses.
The clean, angular, and beautifully finished 40mm stainless steel case of the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is versatile enough for nearly any occasion. The overall case profile remains true to the original 1978 design: a high narrow polished bezel, sharply polished case bevels, and wide flat surfaces showcasing Tissot's attractive and consistent vertical brushing.
While the overall integrated form is simple, such fine details as the flat sapphire crystal and polished "T" emblem on the crown reward those who look closer. With an overall thickness of 10.9mm and a relatively slim central case, the PRX Powermatic 80 has an elegant slender profile on the wrist, easily sliding under cuffs yet catching the eye when needed.
Tissot showcases the innovative Powermatic 80 automatic movement in the PRX Powermatic 80 model with a sapphire crystal case back, allowing owners to peer into the beating mechanical heart of the watch. For those seeking a more luxurious two-tone design, Tissot also offers the PRX Powermatic 80 model with a rose gold PVD-coated bezel. The sporty-luxurious look of the PRX Powermatic 80 is not just for show, as the watch is rated for water resistance up to 100 meters.
Tissot lends purity to the lines of the PRX Powermatic 80 model, inspired by the 70s, with a trio of guilloche-style dial options. All three dial variants with intricate tapisserie texture and sunburst finish reflect light beautifully from almost any angle, giving the clean dial design a lively and evolving backdrop. Each model in the trio develops this finely detailed backdrop in its own way.
The clean and classic black dial is the most sporty and straightforward of the three models, bringing the matte and polished details of the faceted baton hands and slim applied indices to the forefront. The deep oceanic tones of the blue dial model lend the classic form a luxurious, slightly nautical flair, reminiscent of the integrated bracelet genre's classics. Finally, the slightly pearlescent sheen of the white dial is complemented by the warm tone of the rose gold hands and dial hardware, making this model stand out with a bolder and more attention-grabbing presence.
Tissot equips the PRX Powermatic 80 series with the high-tech Powermatic 80 automatic movement, developed by ETA specifically for Tissot's parent company, Swatch Group. The Powermatic 80 is a modern automatic movement with an upgraded Nivarox balance spring and a massive 80-hour power reserve for the weekend, operating at a frequency of 21,600 beats per hour. Tissot complements this powerful engine with a custom-engraved rotor, adorned with a radiating wave pattern.
The success or failure of watches with integrated bracelets largely depends on the bracelet quality, and this is where the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 truly stands out.
The wide, tapering single-link bracelet flows smoothly into the main case, creating a sense of unity in the entire design.
Even the clasp continues this flowing image, with an impressively comfortable hidden butterfly clasp that allows the link pattern to remain uninterrupted. While the vertical brushed finish of the wide link surfaces dominates the bracelet's look, Tissot's subtle use of polished chamfered edges at the link junctions gives the PRX Powermatic 80’s bracelet a bright and appealing shine in changing light, greatly enhancing the sense of quality.
By reviving one of its 70s icons and altering the current trend for sports watches with integrated bracelets, the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 offers many impressive elements, but perhaps the most striking is the value proposition. The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is now available through official dealers for only $650 USD, while the two-tone model with rose gold PVD coating is priced at only $675 USD. For more information, visit the brand's website.