Are Tissot watches Swiss-made?
Tissot watches are known universally for their precision and quality. They are based in Le Locle in Switzerland, with a long and fascinating history dating back to 1853. Since then they have produced new-generation innovations that have kept them ahead of some major luxury brands.
Tissot was the brand that introduced mass production of pocket watches as well as the first pocket watch with dual time zones in 1853. They were also the first watch brand to introduce the first anti-magnetic watch in 1929 and were one of the first companies to make watches out of plastic, stone, mother of pearls, and wood.
But when talking about high-end watches, all we care about is who is making them and are they swiss-made.
Which company makes Tissot?
Since 1998 the Swatch Watch Group makes Tissot watches in Switzerland.
For the past 170 years(!) Tissot watches have been made in Le-Locle Switzerland, in the watch valley, and even today they are still Swiss-made.
Swatch Group is a massive Swiss conglomerate and the world’s biggest Swiss timepiece manufacturer. The group owns numerous brands like Omega, Longines, and Blancpain. Dating back to 1983, Swatch Group came into an agreement with Tissot and has been manufacturing their watches, enjoying the benefits attached to working with such a renowned company.
Is Tissot a swiss brand?
Tissot is a Swiss watchmaking brand that produces watches, timing devices, and systems. Tissot watches have always been Swiss-made.
The company was founded in Switzerland by Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son, Charles-Émile Tissot, in 1853. Though the original company had undergone a lot of renovations, Tissot SA is still located in Le Locle, Switzerland, and is being run from that location.
Where are Tissot watches designed?
Tissot watches are designed, produced, assembled, and distributed from Le Locle, Canton Neuchâtel, Switzerland.
After 170 years, over 150 retail stores have been set up across the world but the design process is still performed at the founding location in the watch Valley.
Even though they are part of the Swatch conglomerat, Tissot design each one of their timepieces into a unique and quality watches. That being said, sometimes they use specific parts designed by Swatch to save money and time.
Do Tissot watches have parts made in China?
Yes, they do!
Some components may not be made in-house and come from other Swatch group plants scattered around the world, especially in China.
China is well known for partnering up with several brands in the watchmaking industry and helping such brands produce components in bulk quantities. This bulk production of a few components cuts down production costs and is greatly reflected in the affordable price of Tissot watches.
What movement does Tissot use?
Depending on the model of the watch, there are a couple of movements that Tissot SA uses to power their watches.
Such movements are:
· TISSOT POWERMATIC 80
The Powermatic 80 movement boasts 80 hours of power reserve, which is enough to continue telling time accurately even if the watch is not worn for three days. It is an innovative movement that outperforms the competition, whose movements generally provide 36 hours, 1.5 days, of power reserve.
· TISSOT SWISSMATIC
The Swissmatic movement is a true innovation in the watch-making industry.
The Swissmatic 72 movement offers 72 hours of power reserve, which is enough to tell time accurately even if the watch is not worn for three days.
· VALJOUX
The ETA Valjoux caliber is a sturdy, self-winding chronograph movement.
Designed in the 1970s, its reliability and performance have made it a classic across eras. It is one of the most iconic movements in the world of watch-making. ETA movements are commonly used by brands under the Swatch group because Swatch owns ETA and keeps the costs low.
· MECHANICAL MOVEMENTS
A Tissot mechanical movement contains an average of 100 finely manufactured parts.
The balance wheel lies at the heart of the movement and ensures its accuracy.
Is Tissot a good watch brand?
Tissot originated from Switzerland and like all watch brands from Switzerland, you can be guaranteed of its reliability and performance. Unlike its Swiss counterparts, Tissot mostly produces high-quality and affordable watches that are under $1,000.
Even though they come in low prices, Tissot watch brand is one of the most respected Swiss brands in the market.
The same movements used in Tissot watches can be found in much more luxurious watches. An example is the Omega Seamaster and the Tissot Seastar 1000 using the same movement. The crystals are also made of Sapphire Crystal (scratch resistant). This shows that Tissot watches can almost guarantee the same amount of satisfaction that you would also get from buying a more expensive wristwatch.
Is Tissot a luxury brand?
Tissot is often described as an entry-level Swiss luxury watch brand.
If you are looking for a luxury watch within a tight budget, Tissot can be a perfect choice as they offer the best quality per value.
Tissot has a rich history and produces watches with impeccable quality and fine materials that set it apart from the majority of other commercially available watches on the market.
Tissot is positioned as a luxury watch brand in the low-to-mid price range by its parent company, Swatch group.
Who wears Tissot watches?
Tissot watches can be seen on the wrists of some of the world’s finest athletes, actors, and major political leaders.
Tissot has been spotted on the wrists of celebrities for decades, including Elvis Presley, Nelson Mandela, Jimmy Stewart, and Sarah Bernhardt, the famous French star on stage and screen, who was one of the first actors to wear a Tissot.
How Come Swiss-Made Tissot watches Are so affordable?
Tissot watches are in high demand all over the globe. This is because of their ability to hold the Swiss-made label and not cost a fortune.
This affordability is the outcome of Tissot making their watches in bulk, and manufacturing a percentage of their components by outsourcing to third-party companies.
Another reason is that some of their movements are manufactured by the Swatch group and this also helps to reduce production costs.
Why are Tissot watches commonly associated with sporting bodies?
Due to their precision timekeeping, Tissot watches are officially used by several sporting bodies. Beyond producing watches, Tissot is well-known for its latest development of accurate timekeeping for specific events such as having sensors placed on bikes and track tracks then interlinked by computers to display real-time performance data.
This has led to partnerships with sports brands like NBA, FIBA, UCI, MOTO GP, Tour De France, La Vuelta, Women’s National Basketball Association, Fencing World Championships, and many others.
Conclusion
Tissot is one of the finest brands under the Swatch group. They possess great innovations, which other more luxurious brands model after.
The excellent craftsmanship and practicality of these watches come at such affordable prices that would make you wonder if these watches are truly “Swiss-made”.
170 years after being founded, Tissot strives to keep producing swiss, cutting-edge, and next-generation features that will make its watches unique and long-lasting.
