Tissot Introduces the PRX, a Value Oriented Integrated Bracelet Sports Watch

Last week Tissot quietly dropped a new and affordable entry in the ever popular stainless steel integrated sports watch market, the PRX. This is a watch that has its roots in the late 70s, a time when watches like this were novel, and nobody could have anticipated something in steel with a slim bracelet and case profile could ever create the type of insanity we’ve seen over the last few years in the Royal Oak and Nautilus worlds, not to mention the endless stream of imitators trying to capitalize on the seeming unavailability of those particular heavy hitters, even for the fantastically well-to-do. The PRX seems like a well timed release for Tissot, coming as it does during a period where demand not just for integrated bracelet sports watches, but vintage inspired watches, is at an all time high. It’s affordable, and we mean very affordable, so it could prove to be something of an unlikely hit for a brand that unfortunately sometimes gets lost in the shuffle. Let’s take a closer look. 

The design here is straight from the 70s and 80s, and appears to be true to the original forward thinking spirit of the early PRX models. Now, of course, that spirit is decidedly retro, but there’s an enduring charm to slim sports watches with bracelets that are purpose built for a sleek case. The cushion style case measures 40mm in diameter and comes in at 10.4mm thick with 100 meters of water resistance, making it a solid candidate for an inexpensive daily wear option. The case appears to have a mix of brushed and polished surfaces, and the bracelet has broad, flat, H-links sitting one on top of the other for a clean and distinctive look. 

Three dial variants are available at launch, with options in blue, black, and white. The blue and black dials have nice sunburst finishes, and the white is accented with gold tone hour markers and hands and has a subtle vertical brushing effect. Indexes are narrow and applied, which further play up the vintage themes of the watch. In what will surely be a turn off for many, the date window at 3:00 is not color matched to the dials of the blue and black versions, creating a somewhat abrupt contrast and break in symmetry. The white date window looks better on the white dial, but you’ve got to be into the gold accents to go for this version. 

The single most compelling feature of the PRX, however, is its price, which is just $375 at retail. Tissot is able to hit this number through the use of a quartz movement, a decision that might cause purists to scoff, but has given Tissot an opportunity to own the integrated bracelet sports watch segment at this price point. The PRX might not check every box for every enthusiast, but at this price it’s hard to dislike what it offers, and if you’ve been craving an opportunity to wear a watch in this style without significant financial pain, it’s a fairly compelling option.

The PRX is currently sold out on the Tissot website, but you can sign up to be notified of its future availability right here.