The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm Review

June 13, 2023

Tissot sure knows how to keep us on our toes, especially when it comes to the PRX line. Today the brand has announced a new addition to the collection. We know about the existence of 35mm PRX models, but those have only been available in a quartz configuration C until today. Taking direct inspiration from the original 1970s historical watch from which the entire PRX line is based, Tissot is taking the Powermatic 80 automatic movement (ETA 2824-2 base) into this 35mm case design. In essence, this new selection of watches takes everything we like about the more premium Powermatic 40mm watches, and brings them into a more universally fitting C and decidedly unisex C case size. And it's not like Tissot is doing this in some limited fashion. This is a new permanent fixture within the collection, and today we are getting three dial colors to boot: blue, black, green, and a white mother of pearl. At 35mm, these watches sport the same recognizable '70s-injected case design, integrated bracelet, great clasp system, signature waffle dial (not found on the quartz models), three o'clock date aperture, and of course the Powermatic 80 movement with its 80 hours of power reserve. It is visible behind an exhibition caseback, and the case itself is water resistant to 100m. What We Think Smaller watches continue to be a trend in 2023 and I look forward to seeing this continue into the future. From the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Four to the new 37mm Citizen Promaster Diver to now this, we seem to be course correcting from a decade (or two) of beefing up our wristwear. And I have to think that a lot of folks are going to be excited about this release. I spent a week on the wrist with the 40mm PRX Powermatic 80 earlier this year and thoroughly enjoyed the wear experience. As someone who typically springs for 36mm to 39mm watches, the integrated bracelet made the 40mm sizing no issue for me. But it was a lot of metal on the wrist. And given that I would spring for a 37mm Royal Oak from AP if given the choice of size, I think this new 35mm PRX might be my watch of choice in the entry-level integrated bracelet bracket. Now, I say all this with an abundance of caution having not yet seen the watch, but I plan on changing that very soon. But just as I said with the 40mm PRX Powermatic 80, you are getting a lot of watch here. And generally, the one corner that gets cut in this price category (which remains sub-$700 for all but the white dial) is size. For some reason, the less-expensive things get, the larger they get. Well, that's not the case with the new PRX. I think it's pretty amazing that, in a watch size that will appeal to a wide swathe of buyers, you get a reliable movement from the Swatch Group/ETA, an unparalleled bracelet and clasp for the price, and a well-executed dial. Effectively nothing has changed here other than the size, so I can wax horological about everything I enjoy about the PRX full stop, but I already did that in my Week on The Wrist. If you were on the fence about the watch at 40mm, this new sized-down release might mark the time to check the PRX out again. The Basics Brand: TissotModel: PRX Powermatic 80Diameter: 35mmCase Material: Stainless steelDial Color: Blue, black, green, white mother of pearlIndexes: AppliedLume: Super LuminovaWater Resistance: 100mStrap/Bracelet: Integrated bracelet The Movement Caliber: Powermatic 80 (ETA 2824-2 base)Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, datePower Reserve: 80 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 21,600 VPHChronometer Certified: No Pricing & Availability Price: $695 in blue, black, and green; $750 in white mother of pearl Availability: TBDLimited Edition: No Shop this story Hodinkee is an authorized retailer of Tissot Watches. For more on the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 35mm, visit Tissot online.