Which is more expensive, Tissot or Seiko?

In our catalog the median Tissot lists at $795 and the median Seiko at $585. Tissot ranges $350–$2,150; Seiko ranges $250–$3,300.

Which holds its value better, Tissot or Seiko?

On eBay, Tissot watches ask a median 83% of list and Seiko watches 100%, across the references we track daily, so Seiko holds value better.

Tissot vs Seiko

The most common first-good-watch dilemma. Tissot gives you Swiss-made Swatch Group movements with 80-hour reserves and sapphire crystals under $1,000; Seiko gives you a Japanese in-house movement and a much wider range of designs at the same money.

Choose Tissot if

you want Swiss made, sapphire and a long power reserve at a fair price

Choose Seiko if

you want more character and choice per dollar, and a fully in-house watch

Side by side

	Tissot	Seiko
Founded	1853	1881
Based in	Switzerland	Japan
Owned by	Swatch Group	Seiko Group Corporation
Tier	Affordable Swiss	Affordable
Watches measured	21	49
List prices	$350–$2,150	$250–$3,300
Median list price	$795	$585
Mechanical	56%	86%
Sapphire crystal	100%	51%
Median case	39 mm	40.2 mm
Median lug-to-lug	47 mm	46.4 mm
Median thickness	10.4 mm	12.7 mm
eBay ask vs list	83%	100%
Movements by	Tissot, ETA (Tissot), ETA	Seiko

Figures cover the current watches in our catalog, not each brand's full range. eBay figures are median asking prices against list price, updated daily.

Closest head-to-head matches

For each style both brands make, the two watches closest in size.

Style	Tissot	Seiko
Everyday	Tissot PR516 Powermatic 80 38mm T149.407.11.051.0038 mm · 44 mm L2L · $825	Seiko Prospex Land Mechanical 38mm SPB24938 mm · 46.2 mm L2L · $750
Dive	Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 40mm T120.807.11.051.0040 mm · 46 mm L2L · $875	Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation SPB31741 mm · 46.9 mm L2L · $900
Dress	Tissot Gentleman Powermatic 80 Silicium 40mm T127.407.11.041.0040 mm · 48 mm L2L · $950	Seiko Presage Craftsmanship Series Enamel Dial SPB49540.2 mm · 48 mm L2L · $1,400
Sport	Tissot PRC 100 Solar 39mm T151.422.11.031.0039 mm · — L2L · $575	Seiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph 39mm SSC96139 mm · 45.5 mm L2L · $750

Questions

Is Tissot better than Seiko?: The most common first-good-watch dilemma. Tissot gives you Swiss-made Swatch Group movements with 80-hour reserves and sapphire crystals under $1,000; Seiko gives you a Japanese in-house movement and a much wider range of designs at the same money. Choose Tissot if you want Swiss made, sapphire and a long power reserve at a fair price. Choose Seiko if you want more character and choice per dollar, and a fully in-house watch.
Which is more expensive, Tissot or Seiko?: In our catalog the median Tissot lists at $795 and the median Seiko at $585. Tissot ranges $350–$2,150; Seiko ranges $250–$3,300.
Which holds its value better, Tissot or Seiko?: On eBay, Tissot watches ask a median 83% of list and Seiko watches 100%, across the references we track daily, so Seiko holds value better.