One & Done: Chapter Thirteen - Tissot (#defsoneanddone)

Foreword

Welcome and welcome back! If you're new here, I'm exploring the 20 best-selling watch brands of 2022 (as seen on GQ Australia) and answering the question: If I could only have one watch from this brand FOREVER, which would I pick?

Today we are looking at Tissot, but if you want to see my previous article where I covered IWC, follow #defsoneanddone or click the link here!

Picture This: You have never owned a watch in your entire life. You don’t know an IWC from a JLC. Don’t worry, we’ve all been there.

The Issue: You have a friend. A bit of an expensive friend. They’re still cool, and relatively modest all things considered, but they have a bit of a finer taste in life. Maybe they have a higher-paying job. Maybe they review watches for a living. Who knows? In any case, they’ve invited you to a fancy event.

“Wear your best suit,” they say. “Wear a nice watch, too!”

You happily agree. But inside, you’re panicking. What is a good watch? The date of the event looms ever closer. It’s tomorrow night. You scramble to your nearest jeweller, hoping they can hook you up with something good in the dying hours of the day. Gucci Watches? Longines? Raymond Weil? Seiko? Your head is spinning. You have the worst thing any beginner watch buyer can have – Analysis Paralysis. You freeze up. You can get anything in the world, but you don’t know what you can get that could possibly-

But then you see it. The Swiss Flag. The white cross and the red backdrop. Next to it, the black logo, and the white ‘T’– Tissot. Underneath that logo? Your saving grace: The-

#8: Tissot – PRX

The PRX, much like Tissot itself, proves that you can design, assemble, and wear a showstopping watch without breaking the bank. Equipped with the trendy, light-catching integrated bracelet design, sunray brushed dial, and sitting at either 40mm or 35mm, it’s the perfect companion for those looking to add a touch of extravagance or opulence to their wrist without sacrificing their savings or attracting the ire of those ever-pesky watch snobs.

35mm may sound very diminutive, but don’t let the numbers fool you – These wear like a 36-38mm watch due to their integrated bracelet.

The PRX, though undeniably affordable, is also undeniably attractive and undoubtedly versatile. For starters, you can decide between quartz and automatic variants for both sizes – ideal for the watch noob and the avid collector, with the quartz editions sporting the sunray brushed dial, and the automatics adding extra texture with the waffle-cuts. Next, the colour – pick your poison!

Were you looking for an extra air of class? Black or blue dials are the way to go. Elegance? Go green. Is a summer vibe required? The fully-lumed white or the ice blue have you sorted. Want to be a budget billionaire? Go for gold – the PRX quartz models come in full-gold PVD for the modern-day tastemaker.

Although, they didn’t release the gold PRX as an automatic. Shame on you, Tissot! (But not for long – they are notorious for listening to their fans, so it’ll probably come later this year or next.)

*dNg from the future here: I called it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8aRor905cCw

The anthem for every gold PRX wearer, I assume. Also an excuse to link a song I grew up with.

Want to change the strap? That’s available, too – quick change straps for the PRX allow you to go from leather to rubber and back to metal, all at a literal push of a button. Don’t like the provided rubber straps? Grab the aftermarket ones! And they look brilliant, too!

Finally, they are undeniably reliable – Quartz movements are set-and-forget, but the automatic movement is no slouch either. The Powermatic 80, despite just being a slowed-down, 80-hour power reserve version of an ETA movement, is a dependable workhorse. And it’s Swiss Made!

Not least to mention, Tissot is a part of the Swatch Group, who owns ETA, who makes movements for Tissot. So technically, you get an in-house movement too!

Yes, it won't match the quality of other movements a la Omega or Patek Philippe, but if you're looking for a dependable automatic in a pinch, this will do you just fine.

So, when life hands you the occasional yacht party invitation – and hopefully someday, it will – don’t fear. The Tissot PRX will guide your way, shining brightly as a testament to both impeccable taste and savvy financial decisions. It truly walks the line of ‘affordable’ and ‘luxury,’ and reminds the world of haute horlogerie that style is not defined by a price tag.

This was a fun one to write! I hope you enjoyed it! Next, Richard Mille… oh boy. I'm definitely going to be sent to the shadow realm for this one.