Though solid carbon might not be a valuable or uncommon materials, it does rely as an unique possibility in watchmaking. Principally reserved for avant-garde creations by high-end manufacturers, it isn’t precisely plentiful on the reasonably priced finish of the spectrum. Effectively, if Tissot has its method, we are able to all get a solid carbon sports activities watch. I spent every week with the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon solely on my wrist to see the way it stacks up.
The cast carbon PRX comes on a rubber strap and is priced at €1,075. That may be a €300 premium over the common metal Powermatic PRX on the metal bracelet. Nevertheless, for this sum, you additionally get an upgraded motion with a silicon hairspring. All in all, it’s a fairly compelling proposition for these with a style for carbon. So, is it any good?
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon is a part of the newest enlargement to the profitable PRX assortment. I first noticed a number of the metal gradient-dial variations, and if you happen to observe my writing, you’ll know I used to be unimpressed. I believed, “Actually? Are we at this stage already with the PRX?” To me, vignette and gradient dials symbolize the final drops of inventive juice that may be squeezed out of an exhausted design. However then I noticed this ominous mannequin in solid carbon, and I used to be intrigued, to place it mildly.
Tissot gave the PRX the standard solid carbon therapy, which is a bit more concerned than merely swapping circumstances. The motion, dial, case again, and crystal are all mounted in or on a central black PVD metal cylinder, whereas the mid-case, bezel, and dial are solid carbon. That is the widespread method of doing it, as discovered on most high-end carbon watches. Cast carbon isn’t very effectively suited to threading, for example, so a central metal housing is smart. In consequence, the case measures just a few tenths of a millimeter larger and thicker than the common metal mannequin.
This additionally means you don’t get the ultra-light impact {that a} titanium watch offers you. There may be merely nonetheless fairly a little bit of metal, brass (motion), and sapphire weighing down the featherweight exterior. For reference, a metal quartz PRX on the rubber strap weighs 86 grams, in comparison with 75 grams for the solid carbon mannequin. Nonetheless, it’s simply over half the burden of the automated metal mannequin on the bracelet. So whereas it isn’t breaking data, it’s definitely comfortably mild.
Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon specs
The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon measures 40.5mm throughout by slightly below 46mm in size and 11.2mm in thickness. Word that the strap flares out considerably, so it seems larger than a typical 40 × 46mm watch. The marginally higher dimensions in comparison with the metal mannequin don’t translate right into a noticeable distinction because the black exterior visually shrinks the watch. A flat sapphire crystal up prime and one other within the case again sandwich the carbon case. Tissot specifies the water resistance at an ample 100 meters.
Inside ticks the broadly used Swatch Group Powermatic 80 motion. This ETA 2824-based caliber ticks at a decelerated 21,600 beats per hour to perform an 80-hour autonomy. The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon shares one key improve with the Tissot Gentleman — a silicon hairspring. A small “Si” signature on the steadiness bridge confirms this function. Different PRX fashions function a Nivachron hairspring.
I like that Tissot features a naked solid carbon dial too. The cast carbon shavings replicate mild individually, making for a dynamic look that means depth. Aesthetically, I discover it fairly a pretty materials that is a bit more attention-grabbing than pure black or anthracite. The watch comes on a black rubber strap with a black PVD-treated buckle and quick-release bayonets. On the time of writing, Tissot doesn’t supply a solid carbon bracelet, which might possible push the worth up considerably.
Sporting the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon
Let me preface this part by admitting I like solid carbon in watchmaking. This isn’t simply all the way down to my appreciation for its seems. The fabric’s power, scratch resistance, and lightness make it improbable for watch exteriors. And sure, seems matter too. As talked about, I benefit from the dynamism and depth solid carbon gives over PVD metal circumstances. I additionally discover it softens the look on the wrist a bit in comparison with actually black watches.
After I strapped the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon to my wrist, my thoughts immediately jumped to the Zenith Defy. I just like the carbon Defy quite a bit, however I don’t suppose I’d ever spend that a lot on what would basically be an outlier in my assortment, supposed just for incidental use. The PRX Cast Carbon abruptly brings a lot of what I like about that watch into attain.
Though there definitely are compromises, which I’ll cowl later, my week with this PRX was considered one of constructive confusion. I consistently felt like I used to be carrying one thing far more costly and unique than a Tissot PRX. If you end up carbon-curious, you actually can not go incorrect right here.
Certainly, it isn’t excellent, proper?
In fact, you can’t have your cake and eat it too. The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon gives a hell of quite a bit, however it isn’t flawless. Let me shortly contact upon just a few issues that didn’t impress me. For starters, legibility varies drastically relying on ambient mild. Mixed with the poor lume efficiency and enormous damaging area on the dial, I really feel Tissot may have experimented with barely extra substantial arms and indices. That would clear up all of the above whereas differentiating the solid carbon mannequin as a real sports activities model much more.
In fact, compromises are vital to supply such a pointy proposition. I all the time want to pay extra to get a screw-down crown and a screw-in case again on a sports activities watch like this. All of the above is subjective, although. I do have yet one more goal difficulty with the PRX typically: the quick-release bayonets are unimaginable to achieve on a number of fashions, wedged between the case again and the strap. The identical applies right here; the system is simply very finicky. Then once more, I’d solely take this strap off if it had been worn out and wanted changing.
Closing ideas
All in all, the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Cast Carbon is a watch I’d fortunately personal and put on. Tissot brings one other nice worth proposition to the market. Moreover, this actually differentiates the choices from rivals.
The sense of carrying one thing a lot fancier than a Tissot (with all due respect to Tissot) simply didn’t go away me. Certain, you see imperfections with a loupe, however this isn’t the kind of watch you’re presupposed to take a loupe to. On the finish of the day, it’s all about the way it makes you’re feeling. And this leaves me feeling fairly impressed!
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