Goal Worthy: Tissot T-Classic Carson Powermatic 80 – $410.87
Fulfilled by Amazon at post time for the reduced price above. Currently $595 – $725 full retail.
In the arms race for men’s wrists, the trend of the last few years has been bigger = better. But despite many of us taking a measured enjoyment of the trend, that’s only been the last few years. For the vast majority of time since watches moved from men’s pockets to their wrists, diameters have hovered in the mid 30mm to very low 40mm range. And if it was a dress watch, you could expect it to be on the smaller side. Tissot’s newest dress watch walks this line perfectly. At 40mm, it’s slightly larger for a traditionally sized dress watch, but it won’t look minuscule next to today’s beasts. Add in a nice power train and all sorts of wins on the looks side, and you’ve got a watch worth saving up for.
Tissot & Swiss Movement Maker ETA have produced a movement that delivers double the power reserve compared to other automatic/mechanical watches in this price range. While others can run for 40ish hours on a full wind, the Powermatic 80 series can go for, you guessed it, 80 hours. That means you wear it a couple of times to work and maybe once on the weekend when out on the town, and you don’t have to worry about this thing coming to a stop on you. Impressive for the relative investment, even if $400 – $600 is no small investment for most of us.
The more traditional 40mm size. Wears a bit smaller.
The design on the Roman Dial version is so classic, it’s almost unique in today’s market. Sort of odd that a lack of bells & whistles can make a watch stand out, but it falls in line with the new Orient Bambino vintage series. Less = more. A lot more.
Instead of a stark printer-paper white, the dial on these is more like a bone. Not quite eggshell. It’s a small detail, but many dress watches have either a bright white or silver dial. The almost-but-not-quite white knocks the contrast down a little. The hands are a dark grey instead of matching the silver case. That decision to have the hands stand out in a different shade helps the look quite a bit. No day window on the dial, just a date, and that was another good decision by the designers since it keeps the dial extra simple.
Sapphire crystal, exhibition case back, 30m water resistance, and a 20mm wide leather band. The case itself is 9.6mm thick, so despite being not very large across the dial, there’s still the familiar (and welcome) automatic/mechanical substantial feel to the piece once you put it on.
This is a rare one. Totally classic style, a newly developed movement, and a case size that won’t look clunky in the future. There are plenty of less expensive dress-watch options (quartz & automatic alike), but this new option from Tissot is going to be all kinds of perfect looking for years (or decades) to come.
Joe, I usually like minimalist watches, but this one looks cheap. I prefer the look of the Orient Bambino and Symphony.
Two posters on the Dappered Threads forum have recently mentioned Tissot watches that might be good alternatives to the Carson Powermatic.
The Tissot Visodate: http://goo.gl/dqn1RI
Tissot Tradition Chronograph: http://goo.gl/0YR9Ho
This look is exactly what Ive been looking for. I really like the dial with roman numerals, but alas the price. First was the Orient, now this, I hope it continues
Dont forget their Le Locle: http://us.tissotshop.com/men/tissot-le-locle-men-s-silver-automatic-classic-watch.html
I disagree. I do like both the Bambino and Symphony though. But, head to head, I’d take this one myself (not that I did “take” it, it’s not in the personal collection). I like roman numerals over the plain indices, and I won’t repeat word for word all that’s above in the post (hands, dial color, etc) We can certainly agree to disagree,
They’re all nice watches. It comes down to a matter of taste.
I will say that I like the hands on this watch more than the hands on the Orients.
I’m not a watch guy, but this is a pretty little timepiece.
Are you able to hand wind this movement?
Yes indeed.
I don’t normally like Roman numeral dials but this one is really well-executed. The grey hands are a nice touch vs. the standard blue, which normally end up looking cheap and can make the watch look too dressy to be versatile. This one on a brown strap would go with a ton of outfits and styles.
I’m in inclined to agree on the fact that it looks cheap. I’d prefer the Bambino and Symphony, AND the Visodate.
The domed sapphire crystal (yes, domed sapphire!) is amazing on the visodate and the price is nearly the same as this watch.
Nonetheless, great review Joe!
I thought I might be the only one who was anti-Roman numeral. I’ll admit to being a fan of Tissot’s simple and elegant aesthetic, though. Not for me, maybe, but nice watch.
I dig Tissot. In particular those Visodate’s are amazing. A bit pricey for me maybe I’ll pick you up for a special occasion down the road.
Does anyone else HATE that the date cuts off the “III”? Move it over to the left 2 mm!
By far the best looking watch that I’ve seen show up here. Nice to see watches here that have a more timeless (no pun intended) look than the large and busy watches that have been fashionable of late.
I do think it could use a more rounded body with that type of bezel, but that’s just a minor quibble.
Classy watch.Truly a standard piece!