The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80, where design, quality & budget come together!

 

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80: A Game-Changer in Affordable Luxury Watches

Having sold Tissot watches for over 25 years, I’ve always appreciated their quality and craftsmanship but felt they lacked a certain style factor. That all changed when I picked up my first Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 with a blue dial earlier this year. The late ’70s and early ’80s futuristic design, combined with exceptional build quality and affordability, instantly clicked for me.

This watch stands in a league of its own, offering a design and value that no other brand truly competes with. While it may seem like a new direction for Tissot, the PRX is actually a revival of the late 1970s Seastar, renamed and re-engineered with modern specifications. The original version, available only in quartz, took inspiration from Gérald Genta’s legendary integrated-bracelet sports watches, like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (1972). Last year, Tissot officially brought the PRX back—first in quartz, followed by an automatic version that quickly became a sensation.

When collectors with multi-million-dollar watch collections—including some of the finest luxury and independent brands—start wearing and praising the PRX Powermatic 80, you know it’s something special. For those looking to enter the world of watches with serious street cred, the PRX offers an unbeatable value at just $650 (now $725 retail) for the automatic and $375 (now $395) for the quartz version in the 40mm size on a bracelet.

The attention to detail is remarkable—from the brushed stainless steel case (which wears more like a 42mm), the integrated bracelet with a double butterfly deployment clasp, to the precise finishing and movement. While I usually avoid watches with date windows and blue dials, I made an exception because the coolness factor of the PRX is simply off the charts.

My daily wearer has always been a Rolex Submariner, but ever since I got the Tissot PRX, my Sub has barely seen wrist time—that’s how obsessed I am with this watch.

A Perfect Balance of Form and Function

It’s rare to find a watch where the inside matches the outside—one element often overshadows the other. But that’s not the case with the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80. From the moment I bought it, I expected it to be a budget-friendly alternative to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak—a way to get that integrated-bracelet sports watch look without taking out a second mortgage.

However, I quickly realized that the PRX Powermatic 80 is far from a Royal Oak knockoff. This watch has a heritage of its own, dating back to the late 1970s Seastar, and it confidently stands on its own identity and legacy. It’s effortlessly versatile, pairing just as well with jeans and a T-shirt as it does with a tailored suit, making it a true go-anywhere timepiece.

Its brushed edges, polished case surfaces, and refined bracelet design make it instantly recognizable, but the real magic is inside. Unlike most automatic three-hand watches with a date function, which typically offer 36 to 44 hours of power reserve, the PRX Powermatic 80 delivers a remarkable 80-hour power reserve—enough to keep ticking accurately even if left unworn for three days.

Advanced Anti-Magnetic Technology

One of the standout features of the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is its anti-magnetic capability, thanks to its Nivachron balance spring—a patented titanium-based alloy that offers significantly greater resistance to magnetic fields than a standard balance spring.

Why does this matter? In today’s world, we are constantly surrounded by magnetic interference from everyday technology, including smartphones, laptops, microwaves, and other household appliances. These fields can disrupt a watch’s movement, leading to inaccurate timekeeping.

With Nivachron integrated into the Powermatic 80 movement, the PRX ensures a higher level of accuracy and reliability, reducing the risk of magnetic disturbances affecting performance. This proprietary innovation is a game-changer, offering peace of mind to modern watch enthusiasts who demand both style and precision in their timepieces.

A show stopping bracelet  

For me, the highlight of the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is its bracelet. It immediately reminds me of the Rolex OysterQuartz bracelet, a design I’ve always admired, but with the addition of a double butterfly clasp that enhances both functionality and elegance.

Beyond its sleek and stylish appearance, the bracelet is incredibly comfortable to wear, thanks to its expert craftsmanship. The all-brushed finish, accented by polished surfaces between the links, creates a striking contrast, allowing the bracelet to shimmer under different lighting conditions, giving each link its own moment to shine.

Its design has a deconstructed, machined aesthetic, where the fine brushed strokes add a level of refinement typically found on much more expensive timepieces. The push-button double butterfly clasp ensures effortless wearability, making it slip on and off the wrist with ease and precision.

 

Interchangeable Strap System Adds Even More Versatility

In the past five to ten years, high-end luxury brands like IWC, Cartier, and others have begun incorporating quick-release systems that allow wearers to seamlessly switch between a bracelet and a strap—no tools required. This feature has become a hallmark of modern luxury watches, yet it remains rarely seen in timepieces under $1,000.

Tissot takes the PRX Powermatic 80 to the next level by including an interchangeable strap system, making it one of the most versatile watches in its class. By simply squeezing the two spring-loaded screws located on either side of the bracelet attachment, wearers can effortlessly swap out the bracelet for a strap, instantly transforming the watch’s look and feel.

This level of convenience is typically reserved for watches at a much higher price point, further proving that the Tissot PRX delivers premium features at an unbeatable value.

Endless Strap Customization Options

Currently, Tissot offers just two official strap options for the PRX—a blue leather and a black leather strap, both priced at a very reasonable $55. While it’s always ideal to purchase OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) strapsdirectly from the brand for the best fit and quality, sometimes the selection is limited, and you may not find the exact style you’re looking for.

Fortunately, with the PRX’s versatile design and interchangeable strap system, the possibilities for personalization are endless. The market is filled with third-party strap makers offering a wide range of materials, colors, and styles, allowing PRX owners to create a completely unique look that matches their style, whether it’s a sporty rubber strap, an elegant leather band, or a bold custom design.

Sapphire Crystal at an Unmatched Value

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 features an AR-coated sapphire crystal on the front and an additional sapphire case back—a remarkable inclusion for a watch in this price range. Many timepieces priced at $1,000 and above still use mineral glass crystals to keep costs down, making sapphire crystal a rare find in more affordable models.

Sapphire is highly scratch-resistant, ensuring long-term durability and crystal-clear visibility. The fact that Tissotincludes it on both the dial and case back further reinforces the PRX’s exceptional value, offering a premium touch at a fraction of the cost of luxury alternatives.

Surprisingly Impressive Water Resistance

You wouldn’t necessarily expect a watch like the Tissot PRX to offer significant water resistance, especially since it doesn’t have a screw-down crown. Yet, it boasts an impressive 100 meters (336 feet) of water resistance—a feature that far exceeds expectations in its price range. To put this into perspective, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 41mm in steel, which costs $20,000+, has just 50 meters of water resistance despite having a screw-down crown.

During a recent vacation, I was initially hesitant to jump into the pool with my PRX, even though I knew it was more than capable. I had never taken a watch into water without a screw-down crown before, but after a few minutes, I completely forgot about it and just took the plunge—literally.

Many watch owners end up paying hefty repair costs due to water damage from improperly secured screw-down crowns. The Tissot PRX changes the game, proving that traditional design standards aren’t always necessary. Tissot has set a new precedent, showing that you don’t need a screw-down crown to achieve 100m of water resistance. Let’s be honest—who has time to constantly check if their crown is screwed down? It turns out, we don’t need to anymore.

Why the Blue Dial Stands Out

My dial of choice for the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 was blue—an unusual pick for me. Having grown up in the watch industry, I’ve always avoided blue dials, seeing them as too trendy. This sentiment still holds some truth, considering that over the past five years, blue dials have dominated the market, becoming a staple in both major luxury brands and independent watchmakers.

Typically, I gravitate toward silver or black dials, but in the case of the PRX, the blue dial is simply the best-looking option. From the waffle-textured pattern to the applied indices and hands, everything comes together perfectly. The way light interacts with the dial, giving it depth, contrast, and character, makes it incredibly versatile—it stands out yet remains refined in any setting. The blue adds a pop of color and crispness that makes the watch feel alive.

Nighttime Visibility & Lume Performance

Thanks to Super-LumiNova, the Tissot PRX offers decent nighttime visibility, though it’s not the strongest or longest-lasting lume I’ve encountered. While I’ve seen watches with more powerful illumination, this has never been a deal-breaker for me.

For some collectors, lume performance is a top priority, and while the PRX’s lume does look impressive when fully charged, it tends to fade relatively quickly compared to higher-end dive watches. That said, given the PRX’s focus on design, versatility, and everyday wear, the lume is more of a bonus feature rather than a defining characteristic.

Things to consider & the bottom line

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 isn’t without its minor flaws. The winding crown is slightly small, making it a bit challenging to wind at times. And much like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the PRX’s finely finished case and bracelet are prone to scratches and fingerprints. But in all honesty, these are fixable issues, and I have no doubt that Tissot will refine them in future iterations.

That being said, I can’t think of another automatic watch for $725 that has garnered this level of respect and attention in the watch world. The PRX Powermatic 80 plays in the big leagues, standing alongside top luxury brands, earning the admiration of collectors, industry experts, and the press—a rare feat for a watch in this price range.

The bottom line? Whether you’re new to watches or looking to expand your collection, the PRX Powermatic 80 delivers iconic design, exceptional quality, and serious credibility—all for a fraction of the price of the most sought-after timepieces in the world. If you haven’t added one to your collection yet, it’s time to get yourself a Tissot PRX Powermatic 80!