Watch Almanac

Affordable Swiss

Is Tissot a good watch brand?

Yes. Tissot is the best value in Swiss watches: Swatch Group movements like the 80-hour Powermatic 80, sapphire crystals and solid finishing, usually for under $1,000.

Below, the numbers behind that: 21 current Tissot watches we've measured, what they use inside, and what they sell for once they're used.

List prices
$350–$2,150
median $795
Mechanical
56%
of 18 with a known movement
Sapphire crystal
100%
eBay ask vs list
83%
#11 of 18 brands

What Tissot does well

  • Powermatic 80 movements with an 80-hour power reserve
  • Sapphire crystals across most of the range
  • The PRX made integrated bracelets affordable

What to watch out for

  • Powermatic 80 uses a plastic escapement in some versions, which some watchmakers dislike servicing
  • Resale value is modest

Is Tissot a luxury brand?

Not quite. Tissot is the Swatch Group's affordable Swiss brand, priced below Longines. It's a step up from fashion watches, not a luxury brand.

What's inside

Of the 18 Tissot watches we've measured with a known movement: 10 automatic, 6 quartz and 2 solar. The movements are made by Tissot (11), ETA (Tissot) (6) and ETA (1).

See every movement on its caliber page.

Do Tissot watches hold their value?

Across the 17 Tissot references we track on eBay every day, the median asking price is 83% of list. That puts Tissot at #11 of 18 brands we track; the typical brand is at 88%. That's strong: you lose little if you sell.

Asking prices, not sold prices, from live eBay listings. See the market tracker for every reference.

Where to start with Tissot

Or see every Tissot watch with its measurements.

Questions

Is Tissot a good watch brand?
Yes. Tissot is the best value in Swiss watches: Swatch Group movements like the 80-hour Powermatic 80, sapphire crystals and solid finishing, usually for under $1,000.
Is Tissot a luxury brand?
Not quite. Tissot is the Swatch Group's affordable Swiss brand, priced below Longines. It's a step up from fashion watches, not a luxury brand.
Do Tissot watches hold their value?
On eBay, Tissot watches are listed at a median 83% of their list price, across the 17 references we track daily. That ranks 11 of 18 brands we track; the median brand is at 88%.
Where are Tissot watches made?
Tissot is based in Switzerland and was founded in 1853, owned by Swatch Group. Of the Tissot watches we've measured, the movements come from Tissot (11), ETA (Tissot) (6), ETA (1).