Tissot
Le Locle, Switzerland · Est. 1853
Founded by Charles-Félicien Tissot, Charles-Émile Tissot
Founded in Le Locle in 1853, Tissot is the Swatch Group's entry-to-mid-range brand and one of the most widely recognised Swiss watch names globally. It is the official timekeeper of numerous major sports organisations including MotoGP and basketball, and is celebrated for bringing Swiss Made quality to accessible price points.
- Founded
- 1853
- Headquarters
- Le Locle, Switzerland
- Group
- Swatch Group
- Price Segment
- Mid
- Status
- Active
Key Collections
- PRX — Reissue of the 1978 original with an integrated bracelet design, available in quartz and automatic — the brand's breakout hit of the 2020s.
- Gentleman — Versatile dress/sport watch with Powermatic 80 movement (80-hour power reserve) and COSC chronometer certification available.
- Seastar — Professional diving collection with up to 600m water resistance, ceramic bezels, and helium escape valves on professional models.
- T-Touch — Pioneering tactile watch with a touch-sensitive sapphire crystal controlling compass, altimeter, thermometer, and other functions — the first of its kind when launched in 1999.
- Le Locle — Classic dress watch named after Tissot's home town, featuring elegant dials with fleurier motifs and the Powermatic 80 movement.
Timeline
- 1853 — Charles-Félicien Tissot and his son Charles-Émile found the Comptoir d'Horlogerie Tissot in Le Locle, Switzerland.
- 1930 — Tissot produces the first non-magnetic wristwatch, demonstrating early commitment to technological innovation.
- 1971 — Merges with Omega to form SSIH, which later becomes part of the Swatch Group.
- 1999 — Launches the T-Touch, the world's first tactile watch with a touch-sensitive crystal.
- 2022 — The PRX reissue becomes a cultural phenomenon, driving unprecedented demand and attracting a younger audience to mechanical watches.
- 2025 — PRX collection expands to 60 references including Damascus steel and full titanium 38mm variants. Gains significant market share in North America for the Swatch Group.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tissot
- Who owns Tissot?
- Tissot is owned by the Swatch Group and positioned as the group's key brand in the accessible Swiss-made segment, competing with Seiko, Hamilton, and Mido.
- What is the Powermatic 80?
- The Powermatic 80 is an ETA-developed automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve — nearly double the industry standard. It's used across many Tissot collections and represents exceptional value for the price.