Skip To Main Content
Reinvention edition banner 1180x90
Reinvention edition banner 778x150
Tissot prx

Tissot PRX is Leading a Vintage Quartz Comeback


The crossover between sports and luxury watches was a hallmark of the 1970s, with slimline cases, integrated bracelets, and a focus on everyday wear. In the time since, watches such as the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, and Vacheron Constantin 222 have soared to stratospheric levels of popularity and prices on the secondary market have followed.

It’s true that style was driven from the high-end, but it didn’t take long for Tissot to launch a standout value-minded watch in the ‘Seastar. It was a technologically advanced quartz movement timepiece, but as collectors focused heavily on those with mechanical movements, it would soon be relegated to the draws of the Tissot archive. That is until Tissot CEO Sylvain Dolla began looking through those archives back in 2020.

Related: These are the best Audemars Piguet Royal Oak alternatives we can find.

Tissot prx case thickness 2

The case dimensions are just right, 40mm wide and 10.4mm thick | Image: Man of Many

Far from a coincidence, Dolla would tell Oracle Time that the process was already underway for bringing back the ‘PRX’ as we know it today. “I went up to our archive, where we have 7,000 beautiful, historical watches all refurbished in drawers. I remember looking through and there was a present in every drawer. And then I arrived at the 1970s, where there was a 35mm original PRX. I said how amazing it was and my product manager told me that they had already studied the construction for a potential relaunch. I said we had to go full speed!”

Tissot launched the PRX at the start of 2021 with an enlarged 40mm case. It would be followed by a mechanical self-winding Powermatic 80 model less than 6 months later while a smaller 35mm quartz model and the sought-after chronograph are also on offer today. “Make hay while the sun shines” as the saying goes.

While they’re easier to acquire now (more than a year after release), the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 remains a hot commodity in the watch world. For a moment in time, it was almost as popular as its stablemate in the Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch, although being a more sensible buy in our eyes.

Tissot prx black dial 1

Tissot PRX reference no. T137.410.11.051.00 | Image: Tissot

Tissot PRX Specs and Features

Reference no.: T137.410.11.051.00
Movement: Swiss quartz ETA F06.115
Case diameter: 40mm
Case thickness: 10.4mm
Case material: 316L stainless steel
Water resistance: Up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft)

I’ve been wearing a black dial Tissot PRX 40mm quartz model for the last few weeks, although I have been eyeing the PRX Powermatic 80 with the light blue dial as my next pickup.

Like any want-to-be watch nerd, I’m attracted to the sweeping second-hand that comes with an automatic watch, but I’ve also loved the day-to-day accuracy and techno-vintage look of the quartz-powered PRX.

The comfort is there as you would expect from an integrated bracelet with tight links, and the slim case with flat sapphire crystal glass slips under your jacket or suit coat perfectly. It utilises real 316L stainless steel so you know the longevity is there and I love the premium brushed look.

It attracts the right kind of attention from both sides of the equation, those who don’t know anything about watches but love the 1970s design, and those who know a thing or two about watches and love the PRX in general terms. The good news is that either party can get their hands on one.

The Tissot PRX range starts at $575 AUD for both the 35mm and 40mm variants, while the Chronograph Automatic is priced at $2,900 AUD. Our pick of the bunch has to be the Powermatic 80 that’s priced at $1,100 AUD. Check out the link below for the full collection.

Check out the Tissot PRX

Tissot prx tiffany on wrist shot 6

Tissot PRX reference no. T137.410.11.091.01 | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many

Tissot prx on wrist shot 5

Tissot PRX reference no. T137.410.11.051.00 | Image: Ben McKimm / Man of Many

You’ll also like:
Best Watches Under $1,000
Best Mid-Range Watch Brands
Hands-on with the Tissot Couturier Automatic Chronograph