Hands-On With The Funky Tissot PRX Powermatic 80

Tissot struck a chord with enthusiasts earlier this year with the release of the PRX, a retro-cool throwback with integrated steel bracelet for under $400. It seemed a foregone conclusion that we’d see an automatic variant down the line, and sure enough, a Powermatic 80 equipped PRX broke cover just in time for summer. At $650 it’s still a tremendous value, but has it lost a bit of charm along the way in taking itself a little more seriously? 

The PRX is an inherently funky watch thanks to the design of the case and bracelet, and Tissot plays up this angle with their vibrant and colorful marketing around the watches, but in terms of color on the watches themselves, things are pretty somber. Black, Navy, and White dial colors are about as classic and restrained as you can get, so for all the fuss about the ‘80s character and retro vibes, this is a watch that feels like it wants to be taken seriously. Unlike Timex, who has taken a more progressive approach with their Q and M79 models, embracing all manner of color and configuration, Tissot is taking a slow role here.