Introducing Tissot Unveils The New 35mm PRX, Now With The Powermatic 80 Movement

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 – and decidedly unisex – 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.

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.

Brand: Tissot
Model: PRX Powermatic 80

Diameter: 35mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Dial Color: Blue, black, green, white mother of pearl
Indexes: Applied
Lume: Super Luminova
Water Resistance: 100m
Strap/Bracelet: Integrated bracelet

Caliber: Powermatic 80 (ETA 2824-2 base)
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
Power Reserve: 80 hours
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 21,600 VPH
Chronometer Certified: No

Price: $695 in blue, black, and green; $750 in white mother of pearl
Availability: TBD
Limited Edition: No