Review of the Tissot PRX 35mm Quartz
I wanted to follow up with the review of the Tissot PRX, which I had received not quite a week ago. While I had talked about it briefly, I wanted to give a more detail.
What is this watch about?
This the smaller version of the PRX (35mm vs. 40mm), and it is a quartz model. I chose quartz because it seemed to be fitting for a watch from the time when quartz was all the rage. The PRX is based on the Tissot Seastar, which was heavily influenced by the Oysterquartz.
Getting started
There were no surprises with the watch itself. It came with the typical packaging with the fold-out of the Tissot headquarters. The watch was in perfect functioning order, and all I had to do was adjust the bracelet.
The bracelet is technically not integrated, and only aftermarket straps made for the PRX will fit. The first link is also locked at 45 degrees, meaning that the lug-to-lug distance can be deceiving. The links are brushed, short and flat, brightly reflecting the light under certain angles. You will certainly notice this in the corner of your eye while wearing the watch. The bracelet uses a butterfly clasp that doesn't open very wide. I was just able to slip the bracelet over my hand.
The advantage of these short links is that the length can be easily adjusted, and two tiny half-links are present. With the butterfly clasp there are no micro-adjustments of any kind. The bracelet uses the same pin type of the Seiko 5s, a form of cotter pin that releases easily once the head is moved out of position. Sizing was a walk in the park.
Fist Impressions
This watch feels small, much smaller than the divers but also the modern dress watches. I had to put my old Seiko SQ100 on my wrist to remind myself that this was once normal.
And here a comparison to the Seiko SRPE:
You will hardly feel the PRX on your wrist, quite in contrast to the automatic SRPE. So yes, it really feels small, and is a watch you might forget about, if it wasn't for the reflection off the bracelet.
Function
The PRX uses and ETA quartz movement, which works quietly and effectively, with the seconds hand landing precisely on the marker. The minute and hour hand are a bit thick, as common with Tissot, and it helps to line up with the lume. There were no malfunctions or QC issues that I was able to detect.
Lume
Yeah, there is some, but if you want lume get the SPRE, instead.
Personal Impressions / Conclusion
While the first part of this review might have been somewhat dry, the watch takes me back to a time when I was hanging out with my best friend in his VW Golf, going from club to club, having a good time just being silly. What I'm trying to say is: This watch delivers on the retro vibe without overdoing it, keeping the relatively clean design it is based on. The appeal might be less for somebody who didn't get to experience the watches the PRX is based on, but to me it works really well.
The only real downside for me remains the clasp. If somebody has a small wrist with a larger hand, the person may not be able to wear this watch. (This is the only deduction in wearability.)
Price
I picket it up on a grey market site for around $300.
Review of the Tissot PRX 35mm Quartz
Yes
No
- Unique retro design
- Well executed. This watch is clean.
- Very comfortable to wear once on the wrist
- Butterfly clasp, even though it looks nice
- Very limited bracelet / strap options by design
- Not a spec-monster. This is a basic quartz watch.
Great review. I bought the gold one for my wife. She loves it.
Great review. I bought the gold one for my wife. She loves it.
I'm glad she does. I'm also glad that Tissot went a little bit out on a limb with this one.
Thanks for the review. I loved the prx when it first came out but the 40mm was just too big for me. The 35mm lots so make better. I have been so close to buying this watch on 4 occasions now. Maybe its time I just pull the trigger
Thanks for the review. I loved the prx when it first came out but the 40mm was just too big for me. The 35mm lots so make better. I have been so close to buying this watch on 4 occasions now. Maybe its time I just pull the trigger
I totally agree - I liked the PRX, but just was too big. I thought I was going to have to save up and get a Wempe Ironwalker quartz 36mm, but this at about 15% the cost, is a MUCH better option!
I totally agree - I liked the PRX, but just was too big. I thought I was going to have to save up and get a Wempe Ironwalker quartz 36mm, but this at about 15% the cost, is a MUCH better option!
The Ironwalker is probably still in a different category, but as far as the case shape is concerned, they are indeed very similar. (I hadn't even heard of the Ironwalker before.)
driving around too fast in a GTI, Hanging out with my buddy Chris, going windsurfing and chasing girls
that was the late 80s, and a sailing oriented seiko was on my wrist ..
🤔
… I‘d like to visit that time … I need to buy another watch! 😃
driving around too fast in a GTI, Hanging out with my buddy Chris, going windsurfing and chasing girls
that was the late 80s, and a sailing oriented seiko was on my wrist ..
🤔
… I‘d like to visit that time … I need to buy another watch! 😃
Yeah, I couldn't afford a GTI myself. (My brother had one, which was later found burned out under mysterious circumstances.) I wasn't that good at windsurfing, but I did sail. (I think sailing was far more popular than it is now, or maybe that's just my perception.)
In any case, the PRX has that vibe.
That’s a comprehensive review! Thank you. 35mm is too small for my preference. I bought the 40mm instead. 🍻
That’s a comprehensive review! Thank you. 35mm is too small for my preference. I bought the 40mm instead. 🍻
Same for me, in fact the 40mm I still see rather small, so can you imagine how this 35mm will look 😅😅😅. Also more an option for the ladies I think. But hey: wear what you like
Same for me, in fact the 40mm I still see rather small, so can you imagine how this 35mm will look 😅😅😅. Also more an option for the ladies I think. But hey: wear what you like
Agree. But I also think it’s personal preference for both men and ladies regardless whether it is 40mm or 35mm. As you said, wear what you like. 🍻
What’s your wrist size?
What’s your wrist size?
It's 6.5 inches.
It's 6.5 inches.
That’s perfect. I’m just under 6.7” wrist size. So this should for me similar to you. And it appears to fit great on you!
That’s perfect. I’m just under 6.7” wrist size. So this should for me similar to you. And it appears to fit great on you!
Yes, it won't be a problem IMHO. If you are coming from dive watches or larger tool watches it feels small. But this is truly what a regular watch size looked like not too long ago. The benefit of a slim case and the small size is that this watch is really comfortable to wear.
Yes, it won't be a problem IMHO. If you are coming from dive watches or larger tool watches it feels small. But this is truly what a regular watch size looked like not too long ago. The benefit of a slim case and the small size is that this watch is really comfortable to wear.
My biggest watch is 40.5mm. So this should fit perfect too!
My biggest watch is 40.5mm. So this should fit perfect too!
The only problem could be, if you have very large hands compared to your wrists, as the clasp is relatively small. But if normally proportioned that shouldn't be an issue.
The only problem could be, if you have very large hands compared to your wrists, as the clasp is relatively small. But if normally proportioned that shouldn't be an issue.
That actually is something that stood out to me from your review. I might try to attend an AD and have them size it for me before buying. I usually wear my watches tight and above the bone.
That actually is something that stood out to me from your review. I might try to attend an AD and have them size it for me before buying. I usually wear my watches tight and above the bone.
I think that this is a smart move, especially if you are wearing your watch tightly. It's not just the case that is sized down, the rest of the watch and the bracelet follows. That being said, I still love that watch, and it's probably the most GADA watch I own.
If I don't feel like setting a watch in the morning, it's the PRX I'm wearing. 😉
What's the lug width on the 35mm? I'm curious if bracelets for the 40mm will fit.
What's the lug width on the 35mm? I'm curious if bracelets for the 40mm will fit.
The lug-to-lug for the 35 mm is supposedly 39mm. I doubt that the bracelet for the 40mm will fit, as the 40mm would be wider.
The lug-to-lug for the 35 mm is supposedly 39mm. I doubt that the bracelet for the 40mm will fit, as the 40mm would be wider.
Thanks! I was actually interested in finding out the lug width of the 35mm..
Thanks! I was actually interested in finding out the lug width of the 35mm..
Oh sorry, I misunderstood. Based on my calipers it seems to be 11mm.