The Ice-Blue Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Is As Cool As We Expected It To be

Sometimes, small changes can make a huge difference, and create great enthusiasm. Yes, I know that the topic of the day will just be about a new dial colour. But in all fairness, that was a highly-anticipated one, an addition to an already very popular collection that will only make it more desirable. Tissot, with the PRX collection, seems to have found the sweet spot. Cool, well-made, well-equipped, accessible and answering to the market’s demand, it ticks many boxes. And as the collection evolves, Tissot answers the expectations of its clients. Easy-change rubber straps? Done. Chronograph in cool colours? Check. 35mm Automatic? Not entirely there yet… Ice-Blue dial with automatic movement? Yes, it’s there, and this Ice-Blue Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 is really as cool as we wanted it to be!

When in 2021 Tissot launched the PRX collection, it somehow created a small tsunami. Right in the middle of the hype for 1970s-inspired sporty-chic steel watches with integrated bracelet, the Swatch-owned watchmaker released what was one of the most consistent offerings in the accessible segment. Swiss-made movement, very decent finishing, cool looks, antimagnetic properties, quick-change bracelet, patterned dial and all of that at a fair price. Sure, the watch wasn’t perfect (nothing is) and we’ve heard some complaints. Yet, the overall product was and still is truly attractive.

But of course, with much enthusiasm comes desirability, but also strong expectations. First released with a black or blue dial, in 40mm cases (there was also a two-tone plated version, with a silver dial), Tissot quickly started to bring some updates to the collection. And if these updates came a bit later than some might have expected, it seems clear that Tissot is listening to its fanbase, to bring them what they want. From the very beginning, the watch was equipped with a quick-change bracelet system, opening the door to more options. They came, a bit late, but they came, with leather and rubber straps. Then were the colour updates, first with a cool dark green dial. Tissot then released two highly desirably quartz editions, a 40mm mint green model and a 35mm ice blue version. And of course, the crowd asked for these dials into the 40mm automatic version. Tissot (partially) listened and the Ice-Blue PRX Powermatic 80 is on its way to becoming the new big hit in stores.

So what to know about this new light blue PRX? Well, we’re not going to re-do the entire story here. If you want the nitty-gritty details, you can check our hands-on article here, or look at the video review here. And in a shorter version, apart from the new dial colour, it’s still the same PRX Powermatic 80 as before. It means a 40mm stainless steel tonneau-shaped case, modelled after a vintage 1978 watch, with brushed surfaces and polished accents, a raised circular bezel, a relatively thin profile of 10.8mm, a slightly large length on the wrist (hence why the 35mm is so tightly expected…), a sapphire crystal on top, a see-through caseback and a 100m water-resistance. The dial is still using the same combination of embossed waffle-like pattern and sunray-brushed effect, with applied baton markers and hands, a decent amount of lume and a framed date window.

As with all automatic PRX models, power comes from Swatch Group’s upgraded entry-level self-winding movement, the Powermatic 80. An evolution of the all-time classic 2824, it comes with an 80h power reserve, a 3Hz frequency and an anti-magnetic Nivachron hairspring. And, for the time being, this ice blue edition comes on the classic integrated steel bracelet, still equipped with its butterfly folding clasp and quick-release spring bars – but as said, leather and rubber straps are now available separately from Tissot, for relatively accessible prices (about 60 to 80 euros, including the buckle). So you can play versatile. It’s all very classic PRX…

Except that there’s now a new ice-blue dial. And yes, it sounds over-enthusiastic to say it (because it’s just a new dial colour), but it is as good as we wanted it to be. The dial has a discreet light blue colour – no, it’s not a Tiffany blue, it’s ice blue – that pairs greatly with the cold metallic tone of the steel case and bracelet. And even though it is finished in the exact same way as the dark blue or dark green versions, the effect feels here more pronounced. The dial has more reflections, more shimmer and an overall cool metallic feel. It plays beautifully with the ambient light. And because it is ice blue and not Tiffany blue, it is less gimmick and won’t get out of fashion in the same way. So no, it’s not all hype. This dial, paired with the full steel attire, really works and, according to me and many members of the MONO team, it is the best of all PRXs – for now…

The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Ice-Blue dial (ref. T137.407.11.351.00) is part of the permanent collection and is now available from the brand’s website and retailers. The price is the same as other versions, meaning EUR 745, CHF 675 or USD 675. Still a very fair price for what you get in return. More details at www.tissotwatches.com.