Not the best but far from being the worst
Mathey-Tissot is a strange brand when you come to think about it. They can trace their origin back to 1886 and they are a genuine Swiss brand that specialized in chronographs to the point when Breguet partnered with them before and after WW2. One of these collaborations led to Mathey-Tissot manufacturing the first batch of Type XX for the post war French military. It's a respected brand that had its sh*t held very well together. For a time.
And then there is the later Mathey-Tissot brand that seems content to linger at the periphery and cluttering its catalog with cheap junk. Lucky for me there's also Asia Mechanical Watch Group (AMWG), a Facebook group numbering more than 7 thousand members, who's one of the forces pulling MT to make something that can be worn by enthusiasts. The result from one of their first collaboration was the MT369, a more than OK re-creation of the long forgotten Air-King 5500 Explorer from the 50's. The other is the Type XX that I'm wearing today.
I don't know if Mathey-Tissot kept their old files from the time when they were making the original, but this Type XX feels more true to its origins than the fancy wrist accessories sold now by Breguet. The dimensions are closer to the original, that is for sure, but it's also its lack of refinement that plays a big part in turning it into a real Type XX. The Mathey-Tissot Type XX feels rough, simple and in need for a bit of spit and polish to feel luxurious on the wrist.
Which is exactly how in my opinion a Type XX should feel like. The originals were produced on the cheap for a cash strapped post war France, and the only solid specification was that the chronograph had to be able to function for 300 times - something which the SW510 that replaced the original fly-back movement should bemore than capable to do.
I like it when it's on my wrist. It's small and simple without any pretentions of being luxurious and I just wish that Mathey-Tissot will keep digging into its archives to make more watches like it.
I'm a big fan of watches that are interesting because they are either unique, have interesting features, well designed or simply offer a great value for their price.
It's always struck me as just plain nuts that the company that makes all the regular MT fare also went ahead and made that type xx.
Makes me wonder if it was all driven by the collab partners, and MT just agreed to put their name on it. Just speculating. I'd be glad to learn more about how that collaboration actually played out.
I have a Mathey-Tissot Jumbo and while it’s a far cry from the chrono mentioned above, it’s a decent diver/daily wear.
I think it's a fine watch with genuine history and a legitimate claim to the Type XX / XXI design.
They're ridiculously affordable for what they are and I don't understand why they aren't more popular tbh.
I love my M-Ts. Wonderfully finished, run great, affordable. Definitely a fan!
I really like your Type 20. I have yet to decide what to go for if I pull the trigger for mine.
I really like your Type 20. I have yet to decide what to go for if I pull the trigger for mine.
Didn't I already tell you the GDG in Canada still has some?
Yes you generously did but I haven’t yet decided if my choise will be the MT or my original plan of Longines Big Eye. Or maybe the Arian that I gazed at👍
I’ve thought about getting one of these watches from this brand, but for some reason, their design always leaves me wanting more, so I never pulled the trigger, but good luck with yours. It’s a cool watch.
Mathey-Tissot, the company capable of “manufacturing” both the Type XX chronograph and this piece of dropshipped cheap tat:
I really fail to understand this brand. Their overpriced crap watches (JOMW made a review on one of them that had a 24-hour bezel on a 3-hander movement) tarnish the image of their higher end pieces. It all points to a brand that doesn’t know what it is doing and makes me doubt of the quality of their higher end pieces.
I had an AMWG 369 (2nd edition- with fauxtina-photo on my page) I gifted it to my uncle a few months back - hopefully he’s enjoying it. It felt very well made and was a great watch, I really liked it
I had an AMWG 369 (2nd edition- with fauxtina-photo on my page) I gifted it to my uncle a few months back - hopefully he’s enjoying it. It felt very well made and was a great watch, I really liked it
I still own the first gen and it's one of my favorites.