5 Tissot watches you shouldn’t miss — a selection for the modern gentleman

There are brands that embody a certain idea of time well spent. Tissot is one of them. Founded in 1853 in Le Locle, Switzerland, the company, owned by the Swatch Group, has always combined precision watchmaking with rare accessibility in this field. For today’s gentleman—the one who travels, lives life to the fullest, and dresses with intention—Tissot represents an ideal entry point into the world of Swiss mechanical watches, without ever sacrificing style for practicality. Here are five models from the brand, which has just opened its first flagship store in Canada at the Centre Eaton in Montréal, that deserve a place on your wrist, and why.

1. Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 — The Essential Modern Icon

If one watch could represent Tissot’s revival, it would be the PRX. Its initials stand for precision, robustness, and water resistance to 10 ATM—but what strikes you most is its design. Inspired by the aesthetic codes of the 1970s, with its integrated bracelet and clean lines, the PRX is reminiscent of some of the great watches of that golden decade of watchmaking, those that are now preserved as heritage objects.

Reintroduced in the early 2020s, it has won over an entire generation of watch enthusiasts. Its Powermatic 80 automatic movement provides an 80-hour power reserve—enough to get you through a long weekend without a second thought. It transitions from a suit to jeans with disconcerting ease. This is a watch to be worn, not kept in a drawer.

2. Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 — The Classic for the Man of Taste

When a watch bears the name “Gentleman,” it had better live up to its promise. This one does. The Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 doesn’t try to do too much: a simple stainless steel case, a clean dial, and a discreet strap. It doesn’t seek to impress—it’s content to be perfect.

Beneath this apparent simplicity lies the same Powermatic 80 movement as in the PRX, with its 80-hour power reserve and 3 Hz frequency for a beautifully smooth second hand. It’s the watch for the office, dinner, and travel. The one you slip on without thinking and always notice on the wrists of well-dressed people. For the gentleman who prefers elegance to ostentation, it’s hard to beat.

3. Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 — A Tribute to Swiss Watchmaking

It is difficult to talk about Tissot without mentioning Le Locle, the town in the Swiss Jura where the company was founded in 1853. The eponymous watch is a true tribute to this heritage—and it makes no secret of it. Its deep green dial, golden Roman numerals, and two-tone steel and gold bracelet give it an immediately noticeable presence on the wrist. This is not a watch that whispers—it speaks with confidence.

The guilloché dial, a finely engraved pattern that gives the surface remarkable texture and depth, is reminiscent of the great codes of fine watchmaking. Under the hood, the Powermatic 80 movement provides 80 hours of power reserve. For the gentleman who is not afraid of colour and who loves pieces with character, the Le Locle is a sovereign choice.

4. Tissot T-Race 45mm — The Sportsman who knows how to behave

The T-Race is the watch of choice for any gentleman: Tissot has infused it with the spirit of motorcycle racing to produce a timepiece that reflects the dynamic nature of the machines, without ever sacrificing elegance.

In its 45mm version, it stands out from its racing cousins with a more sedate character. Its robust and refined stainless steel case (in rose gold PVD in this case) is topped with scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, while its dial—available in deep blue, among other colors—features baton hour markers coated with Super-LumiNova for perfect readability in all circumstances. With a synthetic strap, it is perfect for an active weekend.

This is the watch for the gentleman who loves sports but doesn’t need to shout about it. It asserts character without overdoing it—and that’s precisely what makes it just right.

5. Tissot Savonnette — The Timeless Gentleman

There are some objects that don’t follow trends—they transcend them. The Tissot Savonnette is one of them. This nostalgic pocket watch pays tribute to the craftsmanship of the era and proudly displays the brand’s historic logo, evoking its rich past and tradition. Gentology

Its 49.55 mm stainless steel case houses a retro-vintage dial adorned with Roman numerals, with a minute track running around its circumference. The cover opens with the push of the crown, in an elegant gesture that has remained unchanged since the 19th century. It comes with a chain in the same color for an even more authentic look—and to complement a beautiful suit.

The Savonnette is for the gentleman who fully embraces his originality. The one who doesn’t wear a watch on his wrist, but carries one in his pocket. A detail that, today, says it all.

In conclusion

Tissot embodies a certain idea of good watchmaking sense: Swiss quality, timeless style, accessible innovation. These five watches cover the entire spectrum of the contemporary gentleman — from the resolutely modern PRX to the Savonnette, which revives the art of slowing down, via the Gentleman, the Le Locle, and the T-Race. Five different ways to wear Swiss watchmaking, with only one requirement: never do things by halves. Whichever one catches your eye, one thing is certain: you will never look at the time in the same way again. Discover these watches at the Tissot boutique in Montréal’s Centre Eaton.

If this article has made you want to explore Switzerland, this interview with Jean-Michel Dufaux offers a first glimpse.