Tissot Powermatic 80: A Closer Look at Tissot’s Powerful Movement
Tissot has been around for quite some time now and has witnessed massive changes in the world of horology. Despite these changes, Tissot continued to thrive, staying in business through sheer passion and constant innovation. One of Tissot’s most impressive achievements is the development of its iconic in-house movement, the Tissot Powermatic 80.
The Tissot Powermatic 80 has established itself as a very versatile powerhouse movement and is used to power a wide range of Tissot timepieces. It is also a movement with an interesting history to boot, considering its ties to an existing, famous ETA movement, the ETA 2824-2. In this guide, we will be telling you all you need to know about the Tissot Powermatic 80, including its origins, specifications, and strengths and limitations. For those whose interest is piqued, we have also collated a list of the 15 best Tissot Powermatic 80 watches available in the market today. Considering how versatile this movement is, and the variety of watches that it has been paired with, you will have no problem finding the perfect Tissot Powermatic 80 timepiece just for you.
15 Best Tissot Powermatic 80 Watches
1. Tissot T-Classic Luxury Powermatic 80 Ref. T086.407.11.031.00
The Tissot T-Classic Luxury Powermatic 80 Ref. T086.407.11.031.00 is probably the simplest timepiece on the list, mainly because of its straightforward, monochrome silver colour scheme. It does not have any outstanding or flamboyant design features, yet it exudes a particular elegance that makes it a viable dress watch. It sports a 42mm stainless steel case which ensures durability, and a sophisticated skeleton caseback that elevates its stylishness. The silver dial offers minimalist aesthetics, featuring only thin silver hands, applied indices, and a date aperture. This watch is equipped with the Tissot Powermatic 80 movement, which provides the basic timekeeping functions with great accuracy and reliability. The price for this watch starts at $600 USD, which is a total bargain if you are in the market for a simple yet stylish watch.
2. Tissot T-Classic Ballade Powermatic 80 Ref. T108.408.26.037.00
If you are fond of a bit of luxurious metal on your watches, then the T-Classic Ballade Powermatic 80 Ref. T108.408.26.037.00 might give you just what you want. Its main selling point is its rose gold-tone bezel, hands, and markers, which blend perfectly with a silver case and dial. With only a 39mm stainless steel case, this watch pairs extravagance with a compact size. Plus, its caseback is transparent, giving wearers a clear view of the Tissot Powermatic 80 calibre at work. It may not be as simple as the previous T-Classic watch, but the Ref. T108.408.26.037.0’s lavish colours make it an incredible, elegant watch to wear on formal occasions. The price for this watch is $820 USD. It is a little costly for a T-Classic watch, but there is no doubt that this is one stylish dress watch that should not be shrugged off.
3. Tissot T-Classic Carson Powermatic 80 Ref. T085.407.11.051.00
Another remarkable T-Classic watch is the T-Classic Carson Powermatic 80 Ref. T085.407.11.051.00. This watch, like the previous ones mentioned, offers a minimalist dial. Tissot has also made sure to add luminous coatings to the watch’s lozenge-shaped hands and hour markers, ensuring excellent legibility, even in the dark. This timepiece has a 40mm stainless steel case, with a see-through caseback and a slick black dial with silver-toned indicators. It also has a date aperture that is located at the 3 o’clock position. The black dial might not be the ideal choice for those who prefer watches with lighter colours, but it still does its job perfectly as a nice formal dress watch—or as a companion on your casual morning walks. This piece retails at $700 USD.
4. Tissot T-Classic Tradition Powermatic 80 Ref. T063.907.11.038.00
The T-Classic Tradition Powermatic 80 Ref. T063.907.11.038.00 offers a new and elegant design that capitalises on the Tissot Powermatic 80 movement. It takes the simplicity of the previous T-Classic designs and adds an aperture that showcases the beauty of the Powermatic 80 movement at work. The 40mm stainless steel case complements the silver guilloche dial for a luxurious aesthetic. It also makes use of silver dauphine hands and hour markers to stay true to its clean design scheme. It is an elegant watch that is perfect for formal occasions. The price of this watch starts at $680 USD. Compared to other watches with skeleton apertures, the T-Classic Tradition is extremely affordable. Where most brands capitalise on this skeletal design scheme with exorbitant prices, Tissot instead saw an opportunity to create an affordable dress watch that looks far more expensive than it is.
5. Tissot T-Sport PRS 516 Powermatic 80 Ref. T100.430.16.041.00
Since the Tissot Powermatic 80 is present in a variety of Tissot watches, it is not surprising to see the T-Sport collection also making an appearance on this list. The T-Sport PRS 516 Powermatic 80 Ref. T100.430.16.041.00 is a prime example of an all-purpose watch due to its versatility in both design and features. It is a sports watch that uses a 42mm stainless steel case with a black bezel and a brown leather strap. The deep blue dial perfectly harmonises with the overall colour scheme of the watch, allowing for a more sporty look. It has a day and date aperture located at 3 o’clock, along with syringe hour hands that glide smoothly around the dial. This $670 USD watch is equipped with 100m of water resistance. It might not be the ultimate sports watch, but Tissot did a great job of incorporating a non-chronograph watch movement into a predisposed sport watch such as this one.
6. Tissot T-Classic Chemin Des Tourelles Ref. T099.207.36.448.00
The T-Classic Chemin Des Tourelles Ref. T099.207.36.448.00 is yet another luxurious watch from Tissot. It offers a nice combination of black and gold, which gives it a particular elegance that is quite unmatched. This watch uses a 32mm gold-toned stainless steel case. Its black dial has a combination of plain and guilloche patterns, giving it a nice touch of artistry. The date aperture is now found at the 6 o’clock position, as a change of pace from the T-Classic collection, which has its date aperture at 3 o’clock. It is a stylish dress watch that promises a suave, lavish look from any angle. This Tissot timepiece retails at $820 USD.
7. Tissot T-Sport Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 Ref. T120.407.11.051.00
Another notable T-Sport watch is the Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 Ref. T120.407.11.051.00, a dive watch that is also powered by the Tissot Powermatic 80 movement. Much like the T-Sport PRS 516 model, the Seastar 1000’s main selling point is its versatility, despite its predisposed purpose as a dive watch. This watch never looks out of place, whether it is in the ocean depths or at a fine dining event. This timepiece has a 43mm stainless steel case with a rotating black ceramic bezel to accommodate its use for diving. As you can see, it recalls the Submariner model design which was popularised by the watchmaking giant Rolex. With a 300m water resistance rating, you can easily go for a dive or engage in any high-impact water sports with this dive piece. The Tissot Powermatic 80 is an interesting choice for this particular watch, but since the Powermatic 80 is very versatile in nature, there is no doubt that the Seastar 1000 is able to maximise its capabilities, even as a dive watch. The price of this watch starts at $640 USD.
8. Tissot T-Classic Chemin Des Tourelles Powermatic 80 Ref. T099.407.16.447.00
Compared to the Chemin Des Tourelles Ref. T099.207.36.448.00, the T-Classic Chemin Des Tourelles Powermatic 80 Ref. T099.407.16.447.00 offers a more simple approach in terms of design. Instead of going for a more luxurious aesthetic, this watch boasts a more understated and refined look, focusing entirely on straightforward timekeeping with top-notch, high-quality materials. It has a 42mm stainless steel case with a simple black dial that has a date aperture at 6 o’clock. Its features simple silver appliques and pencil-shaped silver hands that effortlessly complement its minimalistic dial. Equipped with the Tissot Powermatic 80 movement, this watch can be purchased for $860 USD. A fitting price for a very refined watch.
9. Tissot T-Lady Lady Heart Flower Powermatic 80 Ref. T050.207.37.017.05
The T-Lady Lady Heart Flower Powermatic 80 Ref. T050.207.37.017.05 boasts tasteful femininity that is further emphasised by its flower aperture. Much like the T-Classic Tradition watch, the aperture showcases the Tissot Powermatic 80 calibre at work, but with a more exquisite twist. This watch has a white and rose gold-tone motif that goes hand-in-hand with its overall design. It has a slim 35mm rose gold-tone stainless steel case with a white leather strap. This is a beautiful watch, overflowing with elegance, that will surely bring out its wearer’s femininity. This Tissot timepiece retails at $560 USD.
10. Tissot T-Classic Gentleman Powermatic 80 Ref. T127.407.16.031.01
The T-Classic Gentleman Powermatic 80 Ref. T127.407.16.031.01 features a polished motif on both its case and dial. It is a very fashionable watch that uses its metallic build as a way to emphasise its overall professional design. It has a 40mm stainless steel case that is paired with a dark brown leather strap. It also utilises a polished silver dial, with a set of sword-shaped hands and silver appliques. This T-Classic watch currently costs $650 USD. It is a little on the expensive side, but spending a few extra dollars is definitely worth it for such a clean, extraordinary-looking watch.
11. Tissot Heritage Visodate Powermatic 80 Ref. T118.430.16.271.00
The Tissot Heritage Visodate Powermatic 80 Ref. T118.430.16.271.00 is a classic watch from the Tissot Heritage collection. It successfully recreates the Tissot Visodate 1954 timepiece, while also integrating the Tissot Powermatic 80 watch movement as a modern upgrade. It is a fairly straightforward watch that uses its simple white dial and leather strap as a way to capture the essence of its predecessor. It has a 42mm stainless steel case and a white dial with a day and date aperture at the 3 o’clock position. The long dauphine hands provide a sharp look and ensure excellent legibility. It also has a domed sapphire crystal which creates a magnified effect when reading the time. The price for this watch starts at $560 USD, which is very affordable for a remake of a vintage classic.
12. Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Ref. T127.407.16.051.01
The Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Ref. T127.407.16.051.01 is another standout model that is equipped with the Tissot Powermatic 80 movement. This watch does not skimp on anything, boasting clean lines and the essential timekeeping components like silver hour markers, a sword-shaped handset, and a date aperture at 3 o’clock. It is a beautiful watch that offers a beguiling composition of both dark and light colours. This watch currently retails at $580 USD.
13. Tissot T-Classic Couturier Powermatic 80 Ref. T035.407.11.031.01
The T-Classic Couturier Powermatic 80 Ref. T035.407.11.031.01 uses a unique dial design that sets it apart from its other peers in the T-Classic collection. Instead of placing the day and date aperture at the 3 o’clock position, Tissot decided to change things up, placing the day indicator at 12 o’clock while the date aperture can be found at the 6 o’clock marker. This separation does not hinder the wearer in time-telling at all. This Tissot watch has a 39mm stainless steel case paired with a silver dial and classic dauphine hands. It is a quintessential, elegant timekeeper perfect for dressier events. The price of this watch starts at $480 USD.
14. Tissot T-Classic Le Locle Powermatic 80 Ref. T006.407.22.033.00
If you are fond of gold-toned bezels, the T-Classic Le Locle Powermatic 80 Ref. T006.407.22.033.00 surely delivers in that department. It boasts two renowned luxury designs: an eye-catching guilloche dial pattern and a stateful gold-tone crown and bezel. This watch has a 39.3mm stainless steel case and a suave two-toned bracelet with gold centre links. It is a stylish and extravagant watch that is further emphasised by its use of gold Roman numerals as hour markers. This luxurious timepiece, which runs on the Tissot Powermatic 80 movement, costs just $520 USD.
15. Tissot T-Classic Carson Premium Powermatic 80 Ref. T122.407.16.031.00
Lastly, we have the T-Classic Carson Premium Powermatic 80 Ref. T122.407.16.031.00. This watch offers great versatility and can be worn both at fancy events or for casual wear. It has a 40mm stainless steel case that blends well with its brown leather strap and silver-grey dial. The dial has a striking layout, with two distinctly coloured tones to give it a more layered design. The outer rim of the dial is in silver, while the centre of the dial comes in a bolder grey hue. The date aperture, which is located at 6 o’clock, interestingly straddles both sections of the dial. This watch can be purchased for just $450 USD.
A Closer Look at the Tissot Powermatic 80
History
The Tissot Powermatic 80, or the ETA C07.111, was introduced way back in 2011. This particular movement, based on the ETA 2824-2, was the result of several years of innovation and improvement. The ETA 2824-2 movement may not have been the best calibre out there, but it is definitely one of the most popular, affordable, and reliable watch movements ever made. The Tissot Powermatic 80 doubles down on all the strengths of the ETA 2824-2 calibre, providing reliable timekeeping and a budget-friendly, while also providing upgrades in terms of efficiency and power reserve. The Powermatic 80 represents Tissot’s passion for constant innovation and getting with the times, even as the watchmaking industry continues to change around them. All that said, let us have a closer look at the Tissot Powermatic 80 and see if it is really the powerhouse movement it is said to be.
Image Courtesy of Tissot
Specifications
ETA made a name for themselves in the watchmaking scene with their ever-increasing supply of affordable and reliable movements. That said, ETA movements tend to be used by mid-range brands. Watch enthusiasts who are fond of luxurious watch brands like Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet may disregard the Tissot Powermatic 80 as “just another ETA movement”, but it is actually far more than that. The Tissot Powermatic 80 bolsters its claim as an upgraded descendant of the ETA 2824-2, with its state-of-the-art improvements that will surely make the wearer’s day-to-day life easier. Its main selling point is an impressive 80-hour power reserve, which is a massive jump from the 38-hour capabilities of the ETS 2824-2. In addition, the ETA 2824-2 initially had a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. In order to achieve a higher power reserve threshold, Tissot manufacturers reduced the Powermatic 80’s frequency to 21,700 vibrations per hour. This change might seem like a downgrade at first. However, it actually balances out the speed of its watch with its size, allowing for less wear and tear while also increasing the watch’s power reserve.
Aside from the increase in power reserve, the Tissot Powermatic 80 also has a versatile structure. This allows watchmakers to mix and match and equip the movement with any of the basic timekeeping features they think are necessary. Although the Tissot Powermatic 80 is mainly limited to basic complications, it is still a flexible movement that can and has been used with all sorts of watches.
Tissot is also known for selling watches that are COSC-certified, which means their watches have undergone 15 days of testing to ensure the reliability of the watch and its movement. The Tissot Powermatic 80 watches on this list above are all COSC-certified. Indeed, with the help of the Tissot Powermatic 80, this certification process goes off without a hitch every time, due to its capabilities and reliability.
Image Courtesy of Tissot
Limitations
With all the good, there will always be a bit of a downside. As previously mentioned the Tissot Powermatic 80 is mainly compatible with basic complications. It is unable to power overly complex complications like moon phase indicators or perpetual calendars. As such, you will not be finding the Tissot Powermatic 80 on in any moon phase watches, or the like.
Another problem is that this particular movement has a more generic look, reminiscent of its ETA predecessors. When compared to Seiko’s 6R15 movement, which you can find in the Seiko Mechanical Ref. SARB033, the Tissot Powermatic 80 proves to be rather uninteresting in terms of movement design. Then again, the design of a watch movement does not have any bearing at all in terms of functionality. Despite its lacklustre aesthetics, you always can count on the Tissot Powermatic 80 to give you a reliable, accurate timekeeping experience.
Final Thoughts
The Tissot Powermatic 80 is definitely an impressive watch movement that provides an affordable form of timekeeping. It might not be the fanciest of watch movements, but it is designed to ensure accuracy and versatility above all. Plus, the watches that are equipped with this movement offer a perfect balance of simplicity and elegance when it comes to their designs. All in all, Tissot did an impressive job of improving on an established ETA movement, turning it into one of the best affordable watch movements in the market. Of course, there are a lot of choices when it comes to versatile and accurate watch movements, but it cannot be denied that the Tissot Powermatic 80 is one that instantly comes to mind. And since this is Tissot we are talking about, a future upgrade of the Powermatic 80 is bound to be introduced—or something far better. Who knows? One thing is for sure, you can never go wrong with the Powermatic 80.
Interested in all things Tissot? Check out our Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar review to add to your choices!
All images are courtesy of The Watch Company unless stated otherwise.Featured image courtesy of Tissot.
