The Powermatic 80 is the product of a collaboration between Tissot and the movement manufacturer ETA, Tissot’s sister company within the Swatch Group. To achieve its unprecedented lengthy power reserve (most comparable movements offer power reserves around 42 hours), its inventors developed a system that strongly reduces the consumption of energy. The oscillation frequency was reduced from 4 Hz to 3 Hz (21,600 vph), a high-performance synthetic material was used in the escapement to reduce friction. Also, the diameter of the barrel-arbor’s core was reduced, which enabled the mainspring to be stretched, thereby increasing the power reserve. The balance was also regulated in a manner that increases the precision.
The movement, officially designated ETA/Tissot C07.111, is 25.6 mm in diameter and 4.6 mm thick, with a total of 143 components including 23 jewels. Its functions are traditional, center-mounted hours and minutes and a date indication at 3 o’clock.
The collection of watches that will use the Powermatic caliber encompasses models for both men and ladies. The Tissot Luxury Automatic Gent models have 316L stainless steel cases, 41 mm in diameter and weighing 155 grams, with sapphire crystals, see-through casebacks, and 50-meter water resistance. The watches come with either a leather strap or stainless steel bracelet, bot with push-button butterfly clasps. Two references are available with 12 Top Wesselton diamonds. Prices range from $1,075 to $1,550. The Luxury Automatic Lady has a smaller case (33-mm diameter and 109 grams) and is available in two versions with 11 Top Wesselton diamonds and one with a mother-of-pearl dial and 56 Top Wesselton diamonds. There are also two-tone models available with yellow-gold or rose-gold PVD. Prices range from $1,225 to $$1,575.
This article was originally published on February 27, 2013, and has been upated with new information.
How such expert as Mark Bernardo could write: “The balance was also regulated in a manner that increases the precision”. This kind text is for preschoolers not for collectors and connoisseurs of the subject.
Mark, do you have any info re: Tissot’s plans to offer the COSC-level Powermatic 80 in their new Seastar (w/ceramic bezel insert), introduced at Baselworld 2014?
Thanks.
They seem to be very nice watches for the money, I have now got to decide between a tissot luxury o
r an Alpina startimer pilot al525b3s6 as both of them are within my £1000 budget.
Thank you