Hands On With Tissot's New PRC 100 Solar Watches

Tissot is best known for introducing compelling models with Swiss-made craftsmanship, like its fan-favorite PRX line, at some of the market's most competitive price points. Today, the brand is breathing new life into a collection that had lain dormant for the past few years with the new solar quartz-powered PRC 100 Solar. The best part? All of the models retail for under $600. 

Introduced in the mid-2000s, the PRC 100 line is defined by its geometry, namely, the twelve-sided dodecagonal bezel. The line offered several iterations, including both simple time and date options as well as chronograph takes on the model family. In recent years, the brand has focussed its energy elsewhere in its collection, and most of the enthusiast crowd has locked in on its aforementioned array of PRX models, which can be found in just about every color and size option one can dream up. But now, the PRC 100 is back with a bang, complete with all the set it and forget it convenience of quartz, but with a solar-powered twist with the brand’s advanced “Lightmaster” technology. 

There are a number of solar quartz options available on the market today, but Tissot has gone the innovative route with the PRC 100 Solar. Typically, solar-powered watches have relied on solar paneling and cells beneath the dial for charging and often require some dial or bezel transparency for the photovoltaic energy to charge the battery. In the case of the Swiss solar quartz used in these models (which the brand details as the Accumulator type Panasonic CTL920F battery), the solar cells are distributed on the watch face itself, patterned in a discreet honeycomb-like pattern that can be seen up close on the dial, indices, and hands. The solar energy is channeled as the light passes through the crystal, and both sunlight and artificial light are suitable for recharging. Another benefit of solar quartz is that it needs to be changed much less frequently than typical quartz, which makes it a more sustainable option. In the case of the PRC 100 Solar, the brand is offering an extended three-year warranty (over the standard two years) as a testament to its confidence in the longevity of this movement. 

The new PRC 100 Solar debutes with five variations to choose from, all in 39mm sizing. The models feature silver, black, and blue sunray dials, all crafted in stainless steel, including two black PVD-coated models, and the silver and black are offered with either a matching bracelet or a dressy leather strap. The functionality of each of the new PRC 100 Solar models is simple time-and-date timekeeping with the date windows placed at three o’clock. Each model has a healthy dose of Super-Luminova details, and the hands and indices glow a luminous green for easy reading in low-light conditions. Additionally, if you’re ever running low on a solar charge, the seconds hand will begin to jump in four-second increments to let you know you need to power up next to a light source. 

While the silver and blue models feel relatively classic and versatile, the blacked out model stands out to me as the boldest, and I like that the brand has color-matched the date wheel to match the black dial. Overall, the solar reboot of the PRC 100 strikes as a great option for someone who is looking for a watch that can look great in just about any situation and is looking for something that requires a bit less upkeep than a manual movement. The 100 meters of water resistance across the line also enhances the versatility of these models for me, and I think this would work great to just throw on without a second thought. Now that the PRC 100 is back, it will be interesting to see where the brand takes the line moving forward. 

The Tissot PRC 100 Solar is available now on the brand’s website, with prices ranging from $450 to $550. For more information, visit the brand’s website here.