At a first glance it´s just another ETA caliber. Way off the mark! In analogy to the Sistem 51 caliber from Swatch the Powermatic 80 Automatic caliber is another silent watchmaking revolution.
Tissot has been working hand in hand with ETA for the research and development of this new automatic caliber. Together they thrived to push the limits in terms of precision, power and essentially giving time a new status. The Tissot Powermatic 80 Automatic caliber not only demonstrates ultimate precision but also has 80 hours of power reserve. Standard watches would usually have a barrel that would last 36 to 48 hours before needing to be wound up again. However, with a new construction concept that integrates a new spring barrel, Tissot and ETA were able to provide the piece with a greater power reserve, allowing the watch to go for 80 hours without being worn or wound up.
As if a greater power reserve was not enough, they also found a way of making the movement extremely precise and robust by concentrating on ways to improve the regulator system. One of the factors which contributed to that robustness was a new way of regulating the watch by removing the index-assembly system and replacing this item by an innovative technology. The high-tech escapement has no regulator; the rate is set at the factory with a laser, making the manual rate adjustments normally required by a mechanical watch unnecessary.
Tissot does not tell officially, but I assume the Powermatic 80 Automatic caliber, in analogy to the Swatch Sistem51’s movement, is also entirely made of ARCAP, an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc with exceptional anti-magnetic qualities.
How good and accurate this new caliber is definitively will the next published COSC figures show. I have heard that Tissot easily could send more than a million Powermatic 80 Automatic calibers to Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC) to be certified. This would make Tissot the new number one company in Switzerland in terms of COSC certified calibers and kick Rolex from the throne. Rolex until today is the undisputed king of COSC and Rolex defends its position year by year by sending continuously more movements to COSC. That naturally does not automatically mean that Rolex also sells more watches. Click HERE to learn more…
Imagine! What a shame would this be?
You probably could also send the new Sistem 51 from Swatch to COSC and I am sure the caliber would pass the 14 days test easily. Only the costs for such a test will prevent Swatch doing this. No Swatch client would like to pay extra for a COSC certificate. A Tissot client however will honor a COSC certificate, since it´s a real proof of accuracy and quality. And a COSC certificate will not increase the price of a Tissot dramaticly.
Let us now discover the first Tissot watch equipped with the Powermatic 80 Automatic caliber. You may witness these efforts in the Tissot Luxury Automatic timepieces.
The Tissot Luxury Automatic exudes a majestic essence. The many details strengthened by playfulness between polished and satin surfaces are what give this watch an undeniable richness. The Tissot Luxury Automatic has quite a lot of of facets, its exterior being just merely an added touch that makes it even more irresistible. However, it is thanks to its heart that this timepiece is truly exquisite. Certain models even bear the COSC certification.
The Tissot Luxury Automatic is at the very core of what the brand stands for – luxury at an affordable price.
Yes affordable!
The new COSC certified Tissot Luxury Automatic shown below costs 800 Euro including 20 VAT here in Austria. Any questions?
Features:
• Swiss made
• Powermatic 80 automatic movement
• Powermatic 80 automatic chronometer movement officially certified by COSC
• 316L stainless steel case with yellow gold PVD or rose gold PVD coating options and see-through case back
• Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with antireflective coating
• Water resistance up to a pressure of 5 bar (50 m / 165 feet)
• 316L solid stainless steel bracelet with yellow gold PVD or rose gold PVD coating options or leather strap with butterfly clasp with push buttons
Even a lady´s edition is available… The COSC certified Tissot Luxury Automatic Lady with diamonds costs 1170 Euro including 20 VAT here in Austria
Why they didn’t use the Incabloc shock protection? This is very UNFRIENDLY….
Hi everyone,
I bought a Tissot Powermatic 80 from Barcelona and I’m noticing that I’m losing about 1 minute a day. Is anyone else having this problem? I’m considering sending back for to be inspected.
Hi! Just bought a Tissot Powermatic 80 Day-Date [PRC 200] in Dubai last week. It actually works for nearly 4 days if worn for a day. Really amazing power reserve. Accuracy too seems cool: I mean I sync’ed it with my TIMEX and Citizen quartz Chronometers. Till now all 3 agree on the same time. Am expecting a few sec / day +/-: I’ll have to wait and watch. Got it for US$ 750 in an offer. Sells for $800 here.
Whats the accuracy of the new movement? anyone have checkt it how many secs per day is the deviation?
-5 seconds per day
That is suppose to be good accuracy???
What frequency is the movement running with ??
Regards
Nick
21.600 A/h or 3 Hz
Already have mine, love it. I have the diamonds two tone one, beautiful watch. I get lots of compliments on it, and the side makes it look pretty good on the wrist when worn.
can you tell us how accurate is performing?
It will be too easy to confuse the second’s hand with the minute hand. The minute hand and hour hand should have been made much wider to avoid this problem, or the seconds should have been placed in a separate sub dial. What are other people’s thoughts on this ?
i am not watch saavy, but wouldnt looking at the watch for one second make it clear which hand was the second hand (the one that is moving).
These pieces r wonderfully beautiful and exquisite ..the automatic lady piece appears to be a fine piece of art with the diamonds on the dial itself rather that on the lugs or bazel…
looks like a facelifted ETA-2824 to me.
There is a rumour, saying that in the 1970’s, when ETA lounched the 2824-2, the origin quality was so good, that the engeneers in Grenchen where forced to decrease the quality (for example in the gear train), to assure a serviceperiod of round about four jears.
If it has no regulator, how is it later serviced?
That’s just what I was thinking…
I’ve just ordered one – USD 729. I think the design is adequate for the price. Simple, un-fussy. The side of the case is a little different.
Perhaps they could have done more, but the money has obviously gone into the movement, and I’m okay with that.
We’ll see what it is like in the flesh when it arrives
As soon you have the Tissot, let us step by step know more about your experiences with the watch…
I purchased a TISSOT in Greece aND CANNOT FIND A BATTERY STATESIDE help!
Now if Tissot can just get this caliber in the pipeline in the US promptly so it is available it could be a hit, which could be a challenge. I have been after a Tissot PR516GL for some time now (great review in Watchtime several mo9nths ago, btw), have never seen one in person and finally wound up having to order one. At that, it won’t be in much before late December.
Oh well, the Sistem 51 is delayed in the US also. 🙁
Looking forward to being able to acquire this caliber.
Swatch Sistem 51 will also be late here in Europe. The new Tissot is already in the shops
Jim, I totally do agree with you.
Considering the price, I think this watch is truly outstanding.
What you get is sensational no doubt could just be a little sexier in terms of design
The new calibre 80 seems to be a hit. Compliments to T and ETA. But the design of the watches is – imho – by far not at the same height. I am looking forward to better designed watches from T with this calibre – and then I will buy one.
I agree the design could be much better …
I like the new Certina DS1 with the calibre80
Alex,
My old bad experience prevents me from even thinking of Tissot. With this amount of money i could do better.
One bad experience does not make for a meaningful brand wide conclusion.
My friend had a very unfortunate experience with Rolex. That does not equate with a meaningful brand wide conclusion about reliability or customer service for that matter.
Great movement. This was unfathomable five years ago. Can’t wait to see it in more models.
Awesome ! Really a huge step forward… Hopefully Tissot will get some new, attractive watch designs to combine with these new movements.
Wow! Stunning…. calibre 80 IS super cool. Just not AS cool as Sistem 51 🙂