Hands On: Tissot PRX 35mm Review
The 1970s were a time where brands began introducing luxury sport watches into the market, one of the most well-known was the Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, but not all consumers could afford a Royal Oak. So, when Tissot introduced their 35mm PRX it was met with lots of success because of its style and reliability at an affordable price. The design aligned with some of the higher end models it was competing with and the new quartz movement at the time allowed for a slim case. It also helped that Tissot had been and still is a reliable Swiss brand. The watch did earn its name, PRX, because of its precision and robustness. The X refers to the 10 bar or 100m water resistance. As the other luxury sport watches became staples in the industry the Tissot PRX eventually left the market and found its place in the Company’s archives.
Now, years later Tissot has decided to bring back the PRX and have so far found the same if not better success with the reintroduction of the PRX collection. They originally released it in a revamped 40mm size but wasted no time in releasing an automatic model with the Powermatic 80 movement alongside the quartz version. Watch enthusiasts and consumers loved the piece which was sold out for some time as the brand did not anticipate on how successful the relaunch would really be. The 40mm was met with some feedback. Although it was a loved piece the luxe integrated bracelet that the PRX retained from its original identity from the 70s felt a little rigid around the wrist at that size. The integration didn’t flow freely on all wrists, so fans requested Tissot bring back the original case size. The company listened and delivered.
When Craig and Travis asked if I wanted to review the 35mm PRX I was excited to add to my humble watch collection. The first thing that drew me into the watch was its pretty refined aesthetics. I liked that it was more unisex, and was not a very feminine piece, despite a dial color typically associated with a more feminine watch. My style is mostly toned down, so I gravitate towards simple or uncluttered jewelry, I felt this watch fit my mood. I had my pick of dial color between white, green, navy, or light icy blue. The light blue dial caught my attention the most. It’s a more unique shade, subtle, but still appealing to the eye. I’m very happy with my choice because the light blue dial wears beautifully with almost anything as does the piece itself.
When it comes to any watch or bracelet, I am always weary of how it will fit my small wrists. Sometimes even with smaller watches and adjustable straps the watch doesn’t always fit comfortably. Either it’s too tight or too loose. I was pleasantly surprised at how comfortably the 35mm PRX fit on my wrist. It didn’t look too big, and the tapered integrated bracelet fell nicely around my wrist. I liked that there is a little weight to the case and the bracelet making it feel qualitative without weighing down my wrist. There were times the watch stuck to my wrists too tightly, but only due to heat. We are in July and have had humid days (typical Jersey Summer). Other than those few moments I haven’t experienced any discomfort with the watch.
It's been easy to switch from wearing the Tissot PRX for everyday casual, to pairing it with a dress on a night out. It accents any jewelry I wear alongside it, and I love the overall addition it adds to my outfits. The icy shade of blue on the dial makes it feel pretty and adds the right amount of femininity to the minimal piece. The dial is modest displaying silver indices for the hours and a small date window. The matte links and satin finish on the bracelet complement the sun-brushed finish of the dial. I like the detail of the butterfly clasp and the quick-release interchangeable bracelet.
The Tissot PRX is certainly a watch I will continue to wear. I’ve received compliments on it and have had people approach me and ask for the time, which I feel doesn’t happen as often in a world where everyone has phones.
Tissot recently announced the addition of an automatic movement to the PRX 35mm collection for those who might want the smaller size but not the quartz option. So now there’s a PRX for every wrist.