Latest Review
If Hollywood stars and trend forecasters are correct about the state of the watch world, it’s that bigger isn’t better anymore. Many brands are finding their sizing guidelines are in a state of flux the past few years, with many enthusiasts opting for classical sizing and subverting notions of gendered expectations. A push for inclusion within the collector community seems to have also correlated with the expansion of hallmark models into different sizing categories. The move serves to bring in new consumers and allows for a greater range of choice amongst all enthusiasts.
The PRX has been Tissot’s tour de force in recent years. The reissue of an original 1970s design by the brand in 2021 sparked a bit of a revolution with enthusiasts – many of whom flocked to the watch for the competitive pricing and quality. The integrated steel bracelet and tonneau-style case shape evokes a groovy callback to the designs of the seventies when quartz movements were truly high-end and sports watches were king.
It makes sense, given the popularity of the Tissot PRX since its initial reissue, why it’s now offered in 59 different variations on the brand’s website today. As many of us know, there can be popular mainstream watches whose constant re-(and re and re-)releases begin to hit a nerve with the collector community after a while. Fortunately, it seems the PRX is one that hasn’t overstayed its welcome – and for good reason.
This new 25mm reference expands the market in a significant way. The first PRX reissue in 2021 featured a 40mm diameter with a lug to lug of around 51mm. Though the model was still extremely popular with the enthusiast market, the sizing effectively limited the wearability to a smaller group who had adequate wrist surface area to spare. Certainly, wrist circumference doesn’t have to limit someone’s collecting tastes, but the fact of the matter is that watches that overhang on the wrist are more susceptible to damage in the form of door-jamb-dings and the like.
A subsequent update to the PRX line shaved off five millimeters for those who wanted a smaller reference to add to the collection. This 35mm model was a better fit for some, but the naturally wide case shape and first few links in an integrated bracelet watch, means this style wears much larger than its diameter might suggest.
Altering the sizing of cases, movements, and all the other components of a watch is a tedious process. It’s not surprising that many brands who offer a model in different sizes tend to stick within four millimeters or so. It’s no small feat then, that Tissot expanded the PRX line in a teeny tiny 25mm version – a full ten millimeters smaller than their previous references. Not only is this new watch a perfect miniature of its siblings, but the versatility of the five new iterations (with different dials, indices, and bracelet colorways) means there is truly something for everyone.
For this review, I was able to get hands-on with the PRX 25mm with a white mother-of-pearl dial for a trip I was taking to San Francisco, CA. I used to believe I was firmly in the camp of the chunky oversized watch. However, my review of the Hamilton Ardmore a few months back made me reevaluate my stance and become a bit sub-30mm-curious. I figured my trip to California would be a great opportunity to put the PRX through its paces, as I would be embarking on a healthy mix of activities – from hiking through the coastal redwoods of the Muir Woods National Monument, to fine dining seaside in Sausalito.
My first impressions of the watch were positive, though I was surprised at just how small it felt when I took it out of the box. Not only was it diminutive in terms of diameter at just 25mm, but the thickness was just over nine millimeters, which caused it to lay very flat against the wrist. The mother-of-pearl dial was stunning and the whole package made it feel like I was wearing a thoughtfully designed piece of jewelry that was also capable of telling the time. The applied stick indices leave the main focus on the dial, but the application of Super-LumiNova on the hands allows for fairly easy readability in the dark.
All five of these new references are made of 316L stainless steel with one reference sporting “carnation gold” PVD coating. The PRX 25mm is powered by a Swiss quartz movement, featuring an End of Life (EOL) indicator. This handy feature allows for wearers to be alerted to a necessary battery replacement through a skipping of the seconds-hand in two to four second intervals. The debate over whether the automatic or quartz movement in the larger references offers a better value proposition is a moot point in this little guy: quartz ensures the watch remains slim against the wrist without introducing unnecessary bulkiness.
Besides just its size, another difference between this reference and the larger PRX models is the lack of a date window. Though some might bemoan this spec adjustment, I think it’s a good thing. Everything is perfectly symmetrical and well-finished on this new reference, and the introduction of a date window would likely throw something out of balance. And the dial is just too small to support a date display in any meaningful way.
The sapphire crystal sports a layer of anti-reflective coating. Though it feels like white dials tend to be less prone to glare than their black dial counterparts anyway, this dial on the PRX 25mm was exceptionally legible and free from glare. From every angle and even in direct sunlight, I had no issue checking the time.
One of the most surprising features of this watch for me came in the form of its water resistance. Typically, I associate dainty watches with many things – beauty and elegance, foremost – but durability isn’t one of them. However, this 25mm PRX has a depth rating of 100 meters, ensuring the watch can go anywhere its wearer does.
The PRX gets many things right, but the bracelet is chief among them. Having tried both the large-sized siblings, I can confidently say the bracelet on this 25mm reference is the winner in terms of comfort. The smaller links allow the bracelet to conform to every curve of the wearer’s wrist. Part of the comfort is likely also due to the diameter itself. While the larger references can cause the watch to pull in one direction or the other depending on one’s wrist shape, this petite option stays put. Integrated bracelets can be tough to do well, and it’s especially impressive that Tissot is able to design a bracelet as nice as this one at the price point.
Something to note about the watch, especially for the “do it yourself” repairers. Much like the watch itself, the screws on the links are incredibly small – smaller than any tool that came with my (albeit rudimentary) watch repair toolkit. I could have purchased a screwdriver online in an effort to solve the problem, but I chose to save myself some time and support a local business instead and brought it to be sized by the experts.
Overall, this 25mm reference would be a great addition for anyone looking to add an integrated bracelet sport watch that doubles as an elegant statement piece. Its unassuming size could also make it a great first watch for someone who wants the convenience of a quartz-powered movement while still prioritizing both brand heritage and high levels of finishing. The comfort of the bracelet and the beauty of the mother-of-pearl dial took me by surprise almost as much as the versatility of the watch as a whole. From hiking to dining to the various other urban explorations on my recent trip, this watch never felt out of place. The 25mm model is a worthy addition to Tissot’s powerhouse line, and this new size will make it easier for a larger market to tap into the PRX fun.
The Tissot PRX 25mm with the mother-of-pearl dial is available on the brand’s website for $325 with other colorways offered at varying price-points.
