Tissot PRX 35mm Powermatic 80 vs Seiko Baby Alpinist spb157
Hey y’all! I just accepted an offer for my summer consulting internship and I want a watch to celebrate! I am torn between the PRX PM80 35mm or the Seiko baby alpinist. Both are watches around $600-700 and are from brands I admire, what are y’all’s opinions? I know the PRX uses a plastic escapement, but according to Teddy Baldessaire and Tissots website, servicing should be around $200. I currently have the Seiko solar panda speedtimer and a Seiko 5 field watch. Thanks!
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Andrew
Welcome to my WatchCrunch profile.
Austin, TX, USA
Member since
Last active: 4 hrs ago
6.00” / 15.24 cm
The 6R35 has some issues, mostly with QC. But still blasts the plastic parts, non-repairable and anti-consumer Powermatic 80 out of the ball park in the long run.
My first decent watch was a Tissot, and it's indeed a decent watch. But these day The Swatch Group is anti consumer, anti independent watchmaker in the extremes, so I avoid them like the plague. They don't repair the movement, they replace it entirely.
Between the two I would go with the Alpinist. I have the 155 green dial and it definitely meets my expectations. As far as the Tissot goes, I’ve never been a fan of the PRX but would consider the Gentleman.
Of course I'm gonna vote for my future watch. 😀
These are two very different flavors my friend 😂. I have the prx and would say seiko for versatility. I got prx for it very specific look.
The 6R35 has some issues, mostly with QC. But still blasts the plastic parts, non-repairable and anti-consumer Powermatic 80 out of the ball park in the long run.
My first decent watch was a Tissot, and it's indeed a decent watch. But these day The Swatch Group is anti consumer, anti independent watchmaker in the extremes, so I avoid them like the plague. They don't repair the movement, they replace it entirely.
Are you able to elaborate on the 6R35 movement’s QC problems? Thanks!
Are you able to elaborate on the 6R35 movement’s QC problems? Thanks!
QC is perhaps the wrong wording. It's a general Seiko thing with 4R and 6R movements, which are basically the same movement base but 6R with extended power reserve.
They put the accuracy rating of the 4R at +45/-35 seconds and the more expensive 6R at +25/-15 per day. So if you get one at +25 per day (or +45 for the 4R, which is in some fairly expensive watches) for 750 euro, it sucks. More likely than not you wont, but there's a chance you will, as it's within their stated accuracy.
It's an easy fix any ways. You can do it yourself, or ask your watchmaker to improve it for like 50 bucks (or as part of the purchase). And opposed to the Powermatic, it's actually adjustable. Powermatic probably is more accurate out of the box, but when it starts losing time, you need a whole new movement as it's made to not be repairable.
Also you get Seiko movements which are very accurate. I have an 4R which was +7 spd out of the box 👍