The new Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 40mm in Rose Gold PVD

60 different references… This is how wide Tissot’s best-selling collection, the sporty-elegant integrated PRX watch, has become in about 4 years. Ranging from compact and affordable quartz models to more expensive watches with gold fluted bezels and chronograph movement, and basically everything you can imagine in between (even a forged carbon edition), you’d think the PRX collection is soon to come full circle. Well, the brand is here to prove you wrong as it’s just released a new, luxurious-looking, but accessibly-priced version of the classic PRX Powermatic 80 40mm, now coated with rose gold PVD, paired with a waffle-style blue dial. Quite a cool combo, in all fairness. 

At this point in the lifecycle of the Tissot PRX, I believe that it isn’t necessary to remind you what we’re talking about… The PRX is the brand’s take on the integrated sports watch category, inspired by a 1978 model, modernized to current tastes and accessible enough to have become a hit in stores. In short, the watch that gave Tissot quite some success over the recent years. So let’s focus on what’s new today: a new edition coated in rose gold PVD with a blue dial. A classic combination whose style can hardly be disputed. But it’s not the first time we’re seeing a luxurious (looking) version of the PRX. Right from the earliest days of this collection, the model was available with a gold-coated bezel. Then came slightly more questionable editions with solid gold fluted bezels (which almost triple the price of the watch), and then yellow gold PVD-coated editions with a tone-on-tone dial in 35mm and 40mm. Far from discreet, way too flashy for my taste. But to each his own.

Now, if you’re looking for something with a bit of bling, a cool design and a nice contrasting colour for the dial, then Tissot might have what you want. The classic PRX Powermatic 80 40mm, with a case coated in rose gold PVD and a dark blue dial. For starters, the case and design have not changed a bit. Those familiar with a classic uncoated steel PRX won’t feel lost; it is still the same watch as before. 40mm in diameter, 10.9mm in height and 44mm lug-to-lug (without the first, non-articulated link), a sapphire crystal on top, a see-through caseback and 100m of water-resistance. What’s new is how the steel case has been treated, this time with a rather discreet, soft rose gold PVD coating. And this gives this watch a cool, upscale look without too much flex. Not something that you’ll spot immediately from the other side of the room.

To complement this golden case, the brand doesn’t take many risks and goes for a classic dark blue dial, the same as found in the earliest versions of this watch. It retains the embossed waffle-like pattern of most 40mm models, but its applied hour markers, its hands and the frame around the date window have been equally coated in rose gold. Adding to the consistency of the looks, the logo and model name have also been printed in gold colour, and only the white date disc somehow contrasts in this context. A blue disc would be a great upgrade. Small inclusions of Super-LumiNova are still found on the hands and indexes.

The final touch comes from the equally PVD-coated steel bracelet, which retains the same brushed finish and single-link construction. It is closed by a triple folding clasp with safety push-buttons and includes quick-change spring bars, so you can easily add a rubber strap (available from the brand for about 60 euros). Inside the case is Swatch Group’s Powermatic movement, an upgraded ETA 2824 with extended power reserve of 80 hours, a Nivachron antimagnetic hairspring and a frequency of 3Hz.

Now available from the brand and its retailers, the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 40mm in rose gold PVD retails for EUR 895, CHF 795 or GBP 780. The price in the United States is still listed at USD 825… until further changes. More details at www.tissotwatches.com.