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Tissot PRX 35mm Review: All Wrist Sizes Welcome?

Erin Wilborn
Tissot PRX 35mm Review: All Wrist Sizes Welcome?

With Tissot's revival of its 1978 Seastar design and its transformation into the PRX line back in 2021, the brand seemed to catch lightning in a bottle, offering the watch-collecting world an integrated-bracelet style at an affordable price point. While the PRX collection initially debuted with quartz-powered watches (with price tags to reflect that), the brand built on the initial success of the new identity and further developed its value proposition with the release of PRX models incorporating an automatic mechanical movement — the Powermatic 80 caliber — all while remaining under the $1,000 mark. In the years since, Tissot has only continued to diversify its repertoire of models within the PRX model family, offering a variety of case sizes, additional functionality, and, of course, nearly every color option that you can dream up, still at one of the most competitive price points in the industry. We know it, we love it, and though we aren’t through the decade yet, I think it’s safe to say that the Tissot PRX has solidified itself as one of the most influential watches of the 2020s. Today, I'll focus on none other than the Tissot PRX 35mm.

Inarguably, the 40mm PRX remains the most popular size of the watch, but as someone who makes her preference for smaller watches well-known, I would argue that shaving off just 5mm in diameter has a profound impact on the versatility of the design, especially for those with smaller wrists. 

Tissot PRX History

Tissot PRX

Size comparison: 35mm vs 40mm PRX models

As always, before we dive into the watch at hand in-depth, it's important to lay a foundation for the model in its historical and contemporary context, interspersed with my own philosophies and musings, of course. The only logical jumping-off point to an integrated-bracelet watch (even a contemporary one) is to start in the early 1970s, with the most influential designer of the watchmaking world, Gérald Genta. 

Though I think it's a necessary beginning to the Tissot PRX story, I’m going to keep it brief with the Genta lesson, as his design legacy has gotten more than enough airtime. To put it concisely, the 1972 introduction of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was something of a shock considering the style codes of the watch world at the time, and it was something of a slow burn given its radically unconventional design. Two more Genta-designed watches hit the scene before Tissot debuted its own take on integrated-bracelet sports watches: the Patek Philippe Nautilus in 1976, followed shortly after by the IWC Ingenieur SL. As the initial skepticism waned, other brands followed suit to adopt this new spin on sports watches, and towards the end of the 1970s, Tissot would launch the 20th-century predecessor to the PRX: the aforementioned Seastar in 1978. 

Tissot PRX 35mm

There’s another big-pillar watch history moment that contributed to the release of the Seastar, that being the Quartz Crisis, of course. Both seizing on the integrated-bracelet trend that was getting a foothold in the industry and attempting to adapt to the new quartz technology from Japan that sent the Swiss watchmaking world into a tailspin, the Tissot Seastar was a product that was a perfect amalgamation of its era. The Seastar was novel for its case architecture, offering a bracelet that was not merely a stylistic addition but flowed seamlessly from the case. The Seastar design, despite its timeliness, did not have a very long shelf life and was discontinued by around 1980, and relegated to the brand’s design vault. I think we can argue here that the watch-consuming public was not ready for its boldness at the time of its release. 

That design has proven to meet an audience ready for it here in the 2020s, and the core design elements that are now found across the PRX line are nearly identical to those of  its late-'70s blueprint. The largest differences lie in materials used, finishing, and construction techniques that have advanced over time. The tonneau-shaped case, integrated bracelet style, and 100 meters of water resistance are all present, though the popular 40mm PRX is a few millimeters larger than the sizing of its vintage predecessor. For me, this is a lot of the reason, aside from its reasonably accessible price point, that the Tissot PRX is so charming, that a design that was lost to the past can find another life in the present. 

Tissot PRX 35mm Case

Tissot PRX 35mm

One thing that really works for me in particular with the PRX 35mm sizing is that, while it might not be the most popular size, it is the closest to the original vintage Seastar’s proportions. Of course, the case architecture is a direct callback as well, maintaining the tonneau shape with more modernized brushing and polishing techniques for the finish. 

Something to note when thinking about this particular size is that — because of the relatively short lugs, combined with a lot of dial real estate — the PRX usually tends to wear a little larger than its diameter suggests. Though anecdotally, I’ve seen that people with larger wrist sizes tend to favor the 40mm variation, I’ve found that on my own wrist, the Tissot PRX 35mm in particular really captures the sporty feel of the watch without feeling too bulky or overwhelming as I wear it. 

Another important thing to note is that 35mm is now technically the mid-sized model in the range. Last year, the brand released a micro-mini version of the PRX in 25mm, which is its smallest to date. As to be expected with teeny-tiny watches, the smallest version of the PRX is limited to quartz, while with the 35mm, you have more choices when it comes to movements, but more on that later. 

Tissot PRX 35mm Dials

Tissot PRX 35mm

As we touched on earlier, versatility is the name of the game when it comes to the PRX line as a whole. There really is just about any dial option out there that one could want, including mother-of-pearl, different brushing techniques and finishes, and also some sparkling diamond indices for those unafraid of a little bit of bling. Of course, there’s nearly every color of the rainbow available for your choosing. 

One key element to keep in mind, and a notable differentiator between the quartz and automatic options, is that the waffle dials are limited to the Powermatic 80 models. As a rule of thumb, when confronting the brand’s extensive catalog, if you see a waffle dial, you know that it's got an automatic movement. That being said, especially across the two-toned options or diamond renditions, the brand does still pair non-waffle dials with the Powermatic 80 movement. The way I tend to think about it is, if there is some element of the watch that feels a little bit more elevated, Tissot is going to put in a movement to match. 

Tissot PRX 35mm

PRX 35mm Quartz

For the dial layout, we have the signature simplicity and legibility that is part of what has made the PRX line so successful. We’ve got the stick hour markers that are typically coated with Super-LumiNova, and a date window at 3 o’clock. There is also minimal logo-fication of the dial, keeping the script to a minimum, with just the brand information at 12 and PRX logo at 6 o’clock, helping everything feel balanced. 

Powermatic 80 Movement

Tissot PRX 35mm

As I’ve alluded to before, you do have some options when it comes to the movement of this 35mm version of the PRX, as you can get it either with quartz or the signature Powermatic 80 that the brand leans on for its automatic makes. Of course, there are benefits to both, and choosing between the two comes down to a personal decision.

I’m well aware there are a lot of quartz haters out there, but I choose to look on the bright side of things. If you’re more looking for a watch for ease of use, and aren’t necessarily passionate about adding a mechanical movement to your collection, or just want something that you can use more of as a beater, I would go quartz. It’s also half the price, which isn’t a negligible amount. 

For the automatic takes, we’re working with the Powermatic 80 movement, which remains one of the most cost-effective options on the market. This movement has, you guessed it, a power reserve of 80 hours, and is equipped with a Nivachron balance hairspring for extra reliability, accuracy, and magnetic resistance. I would say that for those looking to dip their toes into the wild and wacky world of mechanical watches, there’s no better place to start than the PRX line. Though it's obviously more costly than the quartz variation, the sub-$800 price point for an automatic watch with integrated bracelet style remains one of the most competitive options on the market today. 

Tissot PRX 35mm Wearability: Bracelet And Strap

Tissot PRX 35mm

As we’ve already touched on, the lasting success of the PRX is due to its integrated bracelet style at an accessible price point, but, in a sense, that is something of a misnomer. In reality, the PRX is not a true integrated-bracelet watch in its construction, as each of the bracelets is now equipped with a quick-change strap system. This is part of an industry-wide shift, offering more versatility and personalization with the ability to easily swap a rubber strap onto a watch you already love to change up its style. 

The 35mm option of the PRX maintains the wearing ease that has also made the line so popular. The flat midcase meets angled lugs at the end, allowing the bracelet element to fit the curvature of the wrist more comfortably, and the bracelet nicely tapers as it meets the clasp. The PRX line comes paired with the matching steel bracelet, but the brand does have an array of options of compatible straps available, if that is your thing. 

Price and Final Thoughts

Tissot PRX 35mm

With the PRX line, Tissot has managed to capture what many contemporary watch brands aspire to – a well-made, affordable, and truly versatile watch with endless possibilities of expansion. It’s an already strong line that only has more potential to grow, and serves as a gateway into the larger watch-collecting and enthusiast world, and has been a great vehicle for those just starting out in watches to really dive into the hobby in a thoughtful yet accessible way. With the move to making the Tissot PRX 35mm sizing automatic with a price of $725, the brand only opened the door to more enthusiasts, especially women like myself, who prefer smaller sizing but don’t necessarily want to compromise on the mechanical inner workings within their collection. I think the only logical next step would be for the brand to start equipping its teeny-tiny offering with its own mechanical movement, too. You can learn more at tissotwatches.com.

Shop This Article

Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm

Technical Specifications

Overview

  • Case Height 10.93 mm
  • Case Size 35 mm
  • Collections PRX
  • Lug To Lug 39 mm
  • Movement Automatic
  • Reference T1372071104100
  • Release Date 2024-02-22
  • Water Resistance 100m

Case

  • Case Back Exhibition
  • Case Material 316L stainless steel
  • Clasp / Buckle Butterfly clasp with push-buttons
  • Crystal Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with antireflective coating
  • Dial Color Blue
  • Strap / Bracelet Material Stainless steel interchangeable quick release bracelet

Movement

  • Base Caliber Auto ETA C07.111
  • Caliber Powermatic 80
  • Features Patented Nivachron balance spring
  • Frequency 3 Hz / 21,600 bph
  • Function Date
  • Jewels 23 Jewels
  • Movement Swiss automatic
  • Power Reserve 80 Hours

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1 Comment

DG
Dan G.

Love the review. I like the watch, but the Gentleman more speaks to me. I’m curious why you don’t mention its similarity to the AP: Similar case, bracelet, butterfly clasp….
Even the waffle face. I watched Jenni Elle’s review on YouTube. She mostly agreed with your take, but she brought up the similarities with the Audemars Piguet. I hadn’t heard that from other reviews. So, is Tissot making an attempt at an homage? Accidentally designed a similar watch? Or, just borrowing a little inspiration? Thoughts?? Dan G.

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