Vintage Tissot watches: a great watch brand to start a vintage watch collection

Tissot, a renowned Swiss watch brand, was founded in 1853 by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile. From its humble beginnings in Le Locle, a small town in the Swiss Jura mountains, Tissot has carved out a place for itself in the watchmaking industry thanks to its quality, innovation and commitment to Swiss tradition. With over 170 years of history, Tissot is today a true icon among men’s watch brands, producing timepieces that combine craftsmanship with modern technology. Tissot vintage watches are particularly prized by collectors and watch enthusiasts for their timeless style, robustness and reliability. In this article, we explore four iconic vintage Tissot watch models, highlighting their importance in the evolution of the brand and in the history of watchmaking.

Tissot Visodate

History and context of creation

The Tissot Visodate vintage watch was first introduced in 1953 to celebrate the brand’s centenary. It takes its name from the combination of the words « Visa » and « Date » in reference to the innovative date display on the dial. An interesting anecdote is that Tissot was one of the first watch manufacturers to integrate a date window into their automatic models, which was a technological innovation at the time. The Visodate quickly gained popularity for its elegant, timeless design and innovative functionality. Visodate watches were worn by celebrities of the time, such as the American actor James Dean, who helped reinforce their image as sophisticated, fashionable timepieces.

Technical specifications

Dimensions: 40mm Movement used: ETA 2836-2 (automatic) Complication: Date display Case description: Stainless steel with transparent caseback Average price of a vintage/second-hand/second-hand model: 400-600€ The Tissot Visodate vintage watch is distinguished by its minimalist, uncluttered dial, adorned with baton hour markers and Dauphine hands. The combination of date display and day window makes this watch both practical and elegant. The transparent caseback lets you admire the automatic movement inside. One drawback of the Visodate is that its water resistance is limited to 30 meters, making it less suitable for water sports.

Who’s it for?

The Tissot Visodate vintage watch is suitable for watch lovers who appreciate classic, elegant timepieces with a modern touch. It’s for those looking for a versatile watch that can be worn both at work and in the evening. The typical enthusiast profile for this watch would be an urban professional with a taste for timeless designs and a moderate budget.

Style tips

The Tissot Visodate is a dress watch that can be worn with a suit for a business meeting or formal evening. It also pairs well with a cotton poplin shirt, high-waisted sartorial pants and loafers for a chic yet casual outfit. For a more casual look, pair the Visodate with raw denim jeans, a cashmere sweater and minimalist white leather sneakers. You can find Tissot Visodates here.

Tissot Navigator

History and context of creation

The vintage Tissot Navigator watch was launched in 1953, to mark the brand’s centenary and at a time when air travel was becoming increasingly popular. It was designed to meet the needs of international travelers by providing them with a reliable and accurate watch capable of displaying multiple time zones. The Tissot Navigator quickly became a must-have for pilots and travelers the world over. An emblematic model in this range is the Tissot Navigator World Time, which could read the time in 24 different time zones.

In 1962, during the Cuban missile crisis, it is rumored that US President John F. Kennedy consulted a Tissot Navigator to coordinate meetings with his European allies. This anecdote testifies to the historical importance of this watch.

Technical details

Dimensions: Variable Movement used: Variable Complication: World time zone, date Case description: Stainless steel, rotating bezel Average price of a vintage/second-hand/second-hand model: 800-1,200€ The Tissot Navigator vintage watch is distinguished by its ability to display multiple time zones, making it particularly useful for travelers and professionals who operate internationally. The different models present aesthetic and technical variations, but all retain the Navigator DNA. The dials, with their varied colors and indexes, add a touch of elegance and character to this watch.

Who’s it for?

The Tissot Navigator vintage watch is ideal for travelers, pilots and watch enthusiasts interested in watches with complications. The typical enthusiast profile for this watch would be an adventurer or professional frequently on the move, needing a robust and functional watch capable of adapting to different time zones.

Style tips

The Tissot Navigator is a utilitarian watch that can be worn in both casual and professional contexts. For a casual look, pair the Navigator with a chino, a shirt with rolled-up sleeves and loafers. For a dressier look, wear it with a sober suit, a cotton poplin shirt and richelieu shoes. Finally, for a more adventurous style, wear the Navigator with cargo pants, a multi-pocket vest and hiking boots. You can find Tissot Navigators here.

Tissot Seastar

History and context of creation

The vintage Tissot Seastar watch, while not well documented, has a rich history that stretches from the 1960s to the present day. Unfortunately, many of the forgotten watches in watchmaking history are difficult to trace today, and the Seastar is one of them. However, the Seastar is an excellent example of a collector’s item, having been produced in large volume and declined in a multitude of models. These include the Seastar Seven, the Visodate, the T12, quartz versions, chronographs and even superchargers! It’s safe to assume that the Seastar was destined to be a Tissot flagship model at the time of its release, given the volume and variety of its production, as well as the fierce competition between watchmakers in the 1960s and 1970s. Be that as it may, the Tissot Seastar was undeniably a success, given that it is still produced today. Many Seastars were equipped with in-house movements, such as the Tissot caliber 2481, which had a frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour and was shared with Omega (reference 1481). Most models were equipped with a date complication, and among these, the 1970s models often featured a quick-change date function.

Technical specifications

Dimensions: variable Movement used: variable Complication: Date Case description: variable Average observed price of a vintage/second-hand/second-hand model: 200-1,000€ The variety of Tissor Seastar watches is impressive: from the vintage dress watch with a contained diameter to the rigorously utilitarian diver’s watch, including some models that bear a striking resemblance to Cartier’s Santos. A bit like Omega’s Seamaster, there’s something for everyone in this Tissot flagship model. The most emblematic models are those from the 1960s and 1970s, featuring colorful dials and stainless steel cases. The Seastar’s strengths lie in its versatility and value for money, while its main weakness is the variability of models, which can make it difficult for a collector to choose.

Who’s it for?

Again, it all depends on the model: Tissot Seastar vintage diver’s watches are suitable for watch enthusiasts who appreciate reliable, elegant diving watches. It’s for those looking for a versatile watch that can be worn for both water sports and casual occasions. The typical enthusiast profile for this watch would be an adventurer or sportsman with a taste for robust designs and a moderate budget. On the other hand, the older, dressier models will appeal to those looking for a dressy watch on a more restrained budget.

Style tips

Although not the most suitable watch for formal events, the Seastar can be worn with a chino and shirt for a casual yet elegant look. You can find this watch here.

Tissot PR 516

History and context of creation

The Tissot PR516 watch was launched in 1956 and was designed as a tough, sporty watch, hence the abbreviation « PR » for « particulièrement résistante » or « particularly robust ». Initially, the PR516 range included mechanical and automatic watches with three hands, in steel or sometimes gold. The design of these watches, though simple and unadorned, proved highly effective in withstanding the tests of time and sporting activities.

In 1965, Tissot decided to revise its marketing strategy for the PR516 watches, as they were meeting with moderate success. The brand chose to associate these watches with motor sport, and created openworked leather and metal bracelets with holes reminiscent of the steering wheel rims of the sports cars of the time. Thanks to a major advertising campaign, the PR516 range gained in popularity and expanded to include new models, such as the PR516 GL (for Grand Luxe) and chronographs. An alarm version was even added in 1972. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, Tissot expanded the PR516 range by introducing two- and three-counter chronographs, with colored dials and high-quality Lemania movements. The three-counter version was equipped witha Lemania 1873 movement, also used by other prestigious brands such as Omega, Breitling, Bucherer and Chronoswiss. The case of the Tissot PR516, true to the spirit of the range, was stocky and solid, compensating for its modest diameter with clean lines and thick sides. The dials, whether white or red, reflected the charm of the 1970s with straight hands and bright colors. Chronographs also featured an original bezel combining a pulsometric and tachometric scale.

In the 2000s, Tissot relaunched a three-hand version of the PR516, very faithful to the original 1956 « GL » model, as well as new models under the name « PRS 516 ». However, the origin of the number 516 remains an unsolved mystery.

Technical specifications

Dimensions: 40mm Movement used: ETA 2836-2 (automatic) Complication: Date Case description: Stainless steel, bezel with scalloped edges Average retail price for a vintage/second-hand/second-hand model: 500-800€ The vintage Tissot PR 516 watch is distinguished by its integrated steel bracelet and scalloped-edge bezel, giving it a bold, sporty look. Its dial is also striking, with luminous indexes and hands for improved legibility. One drawback of the PR 516 is its water resistance limited to 50 meters, making it less suitable for water sports.

Who’s it for?

The vintage Tissot PR 516 watch is suitable for watch lovers who appreciate sports watches with a distinctive design. It’s for those looking for a watch that reflects their passion for motor sports and racing. The typical enthusiast profile for this watch would be a motorsports enthusiast looking for a robust, elegant watch on a moderate budget.

Style tips

The Tissot PR 516 is a sporty watch that can be worn in casual or semi-formal contexts. For a casual look, pair the PR 516 with jeans, a polo shirt and sneakers. For a dressier look, wear it with a chino, shirt and leather shoes. Finally, for a racing-inspired look, wear the PR 516 with cargo pants, a long-sleeved t-shirt and ankle boots.

In conclusion, Tissot’s vintage Visodate, Navigator, Seastar and PR 516 watches offer a variety of styles and features to suit the needs and preferences of different watch enthusiasts. Whether you’re an urban professional, adventurer, sportsman or motorsports enthusiast, there’s a Tissot vintage watch to suit your lifestyle and budget. In particular, you can find this watch here

Conclusion

To sum up, the Tissot brand has played a decisive role in the history of watchmaking thanks to its ability to innovate and adapt to trends while preserving Swiss quality and tradition. The four vintage watch models presented in this article – the Tissot Visodate, Tissot Navigator, Tissot Seastar and Tissot PR 516 – testify to the brand’s commitment to excellence and diversity in watchmaking. Each model of this men’s watch brand embodies a specific era and style, offering collectors and watch enthusiasts a fascinating insight into the evolution of the brand and the industry in general.