T-Touch Expert Solar
Tissot combines the best of past and present
One of the perks of being an almost-bicentenary brand is that it can dig into its archives to find the pieces that embody its creativity and skills. This is exactly what Tissot has done with some of its mechanical timepieces. Here are the highlights of three new timepieces before their BaselWorld debut.
By Eric Othenin-Girard
Specialised journalist
While Tissot is internationally renowned for creating high quality watches at very competitive prices, it is also one of the leading brands in the production of gold watches. The proof? Its Vintage collection of gold watches that combine elegance and retro details. Vintage creations are a reference to glamourous pasts and concern both contemporary men and women. Amongst mother-of-pearl sparkling dials sporting gold touches here and there and streamlined anthracite gradient watches, Tissot’s Vintage watches are the “family heirloom”.
Personal touches
Small details help to make the difference in its streamlined and classic quartz versions. For example, using baton indexes instead of Roman numerals enhances the fluidity of their lines.
Its self-winding watches give an even more splendid insight into the range. They feature a guilloché pattern on their dial (also found on versions with mother-of-pearl dials). From a technical point of view, this watch is just as flawless: it features a revolutionary Powermatic 80 movement that guarantees an 80-hour power reserve.
Characteristics
- Swiss Made
- Self-winding movement
- Powermatic 80 or quartz movement
- 18K yellow or pink gold case
- Self-winding models with transparent backs
- Scratch-resistant sapphire glass
- Water resistance to 3 bar (30 m/100ft)
- Leather strap with butterfly pusher clasp
Sporty spirit: the magic of details in a limited edition
In an altogether more contemporary and sporty other genre, the “Tissot T-Race Moto GPTM Automatique Edition Limitée 2015” is an ode to the brand’s sporty spirit. Its contrasting red and black shades and iconic GT stripes complete the new trendy case and new footrest-shaped pushers; it is one of the greatest novelties in the Tissot T-Race collection. This type of watch will most certainly appeal to many motor racing enthusiasts, particularly bikers themselves. And if they want to have it on their wrist, they’d better hurry up since Tissot has only produced 3,333 pieces of this model.
Upon closer inspection, we note that everything about this watch says motorbike racing: the brake wheel on the bezel, the tire imprint at the back of the strap and even the rear suspension bar that links the strap to the case. Its wheel-shaped transparent back reveals the mechanism and allows us to observe how highly refined the production of this Swiss model is. The dial’s indexes are an allusion to starting grids while the Super-LumiNova® hands reinforce the sporty character of the model. Incidentally, the dial features a checkered flag.
Characteristics
- Swiss Made
- Self-winding movement
- 316L stainless steel case with black PVD coating and transparent glass
- Scratch-resistant sapphire glass
- Water resistance to10 bar (100m/330ft)
- Synthetic strap with deployment pusher buckle
- Limited edition of 3,333 pieces
- MotoGP presentation case with embedded winding
Pushing boundaries
The T-Touch is a total hit. It can be classed as an instrument because it combines all the characteristics of a watch with the functions and the information generally found on a measuring instrument.
And to corroborate this success is the new Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar Extension Line. It is part of the revolutionary T-Touch Expert Solar range and is the first touch watch driven by solar energy. These innovating timepieces are equipped with a highly advanced technique and feature details such as the new compass rose bezel and the Super-Luminova® arrow affixed on the minute hand. This guarantees enhanced readability that in turn means both time and directions can be read quickly, even in the dark.
Other functionalities
Some pieces in the collection have two-toned dials that evoke the horizon. Time display is featured on the second shade, which folds into the background so delicately that it almost goes unnoticed. Those who wear these watches will also like its other details. For example, its leather strap with a Velcro stripe and extension, which makes it possible to wear the watch on climbing clothes or to hang it on backpacks to leave hands free. Those who like looking sharp will succumb to the “total-look black” version with a rubber strap.
This is a very complete watch: it is equipped with 20 touch functions including a perpetual calendar with day and week display, two alarms, and a dual time zone. It also features meteorological forecasts with relative pressure, an uneven altimeter, a chronograph (revolution and intermediary time with log book), a compass, a timer, an azimuth, a regatta function and a backlight.
Characteristics
- Swiss Made
- Quartz solar movement with charge accumulator indicator
- Scratch-resistant touch sapphire glass with anti-reflective treatment
- Antimagnetic titanium case with black PVD treatment
- Water resistant to 0 bar (100m/330ft)
- Rubber or titanium strap with deployment pusher buckle or leather or leather/fabric strap with butterfly pusher clasp
A burst of creativity
Last but not least, the Flamingo is, as its name suggests, a reference to flamingo birds. The image of the flamingo elegantly standing on its two thin legs is transposed in the litheness of the watch’s lines, streamlined by fine attachments. Its off-centered lugs and rims “make it a wonderful jewel that will bring a touch of glamour to evening dresses or a sophisticated touch to daily casual looks”, as described by the Le Locle-based maison.
The dial is highlighted by a crown made of delicately domed, polished and non-faceted stones that make them even more sparkly. The piece can take many forms and hence be worn with either chic or casual outfits since some of its versions are available with mother-of-pearl dials. In short, it is a watch that features all the characteristics of absolute Classicism.
Characteristics
- Swiss Made
- Quartz movement
- Scratch-resistant sapphire glass
- 316 L stainless steel case
- Water resistant to 3 bar (30m/100ft)
- Some versions are available in mother-of-pearl
- Varnished leather strap with butterfly clasp or stainless steel butterfly clasp strap.
