A Typo in Price or Something More: Hands-On with the Tissot Stylist
Normally, I don't go into the price of a watch too much, as I feel that it is up to the collector to see if it's worth it. Over the years, I have discovered that the price of a watch is a very personal thing with a very personal view. Of course, there are factual numbers, as a $25,000 watch will be viewed differently by somebody making $50,000 a year as opposed to somebody who makes $500,000 a year. However, even when you make the same amount, personal preferences and willingness to spend money on something, can result in a different view.
As a watch journalist, it cannot come as a surprise that I spend a disproportional amount of my income on watches. $275 is probably what I spend on average on a new strap, but at Tissot, they even attach a watch to it because that is what they are asking for their new Stylist. This watch is part of the brand's Heritage collection, as the history of the Stylist dates back to 1965. Back then, it was a fun and fashionable watch, and nearly sixty years later, it still is. With a case size of 32 by 32 mm, it is a comfortable watch to be worn, as it is for most people not too large nor too small. Those who might think it is too small for them will be surprised by the character of this watch, as this makes it look larger than it is.
The first aspect of this is the dial and hands. The smoky-style dial, also known as fumé or ombré, was typical for the 1970s, and at the Stylist it goes from vivid blue at the center to almost black at the edges. Slender Roman numerals and matching hands make the dial look larger than it actually is. The cushion-shaped case also plays a role in this, as its edges are polished while the rest has a brushed finish. This not only highlights its shape but also makes it visually a tad larger than it actually is.
The whole watch feels solid, although I suspect Tissot deliberately kept the strap thinner than we are currently used to. In the 1970s this was normal, so it gives a bit of a vintage feel to the Stylist, underscoring its heritage. Of course, for $275 is this Tissot powered by a quartz movement and that is fine, but not only because of the retail price of the watch. The quartz movement also allows Tissot to give the Stylist a slim profile, which suits the watch. As it only has two hands, you don't immediately notice that it is quartz, which will appeal to watch aficionados.
As the Stylist was also a model that ushered Tissot through the quartz crisis, with generations of this model powered by quartz movements, there is also a historical presence to do so. In the end, the Stylist is one of those watches your heart melts for. It is a very joyous timepiece that makes you smile, and yes, that smile gets even wider when you realize how little money you had to part with to get such a good-looking Tissot.
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