2021 sees Swiss Tissot debut a brand new generation of its classic Seastar dive watch collection. There are actually over two dozen new Tissot Seastar models this year that come in an array of case sizes, movements, and, of course, colors. What I have on hand today is the Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 version of the watch, with this particular piece being the black on black strap reference T1206071744100.
The Seastar collection has always been about offering traditional dive watch performance in an attractive Swiss-designed package that benefits from Tissot’s democratic pricing. The 2021 collection is no different with Tissot taking a decidedly youthful take on re-rendering a classic diver’s style timepiece. The new Seastar watch collection shares a few things in common including the same overall dial and hands design, along with a similar-looking case. I do appreciate the aesthetic mixture of modern line and bold markers with a youthful sense of big proportions and (especially with other models) spirited colors.
The Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 is the bigger and badder of the two automatic versions of the new Seastar that also includes the 3mm smaller Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80. At a glance these models look very similar even though they have a roughly $300 difference in price. The watches do share the same automatic movements but differ in terms of features and materials. The Seastar 1000’s 43mm-wide case size might be a bit more universal in appeal, but the Seastar 2000 Professional has more things that watch enthusiasts are probably looking for.
So let me go over a few more of the differences between these two otherwise really satisfying new Tissot Seastar models. The 1000’s 43mm-wide case is water resistant to 300 meters and does not have an automatic helium escape valve. The 2000’s 46mm wide case is water resistant to 600 meters (about 2000 feet and meeting ISO 6425 certification standards) and does have an automatic helium release valve. The 1000 has a flat ceramic insert in the uni-directional rotating bezel, while the 2000 has an engraved ceramic insert (which is a bit higher-end looking given the depth). Then there is the matter of the dial design. The 1000 has a more simple dial, whereas the 2000 has a textured wave-style face pattern which is a bit more interesting. Otherwise, the two new Tissot Seastar models are quite similar.
My favorite design elements of the Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional are the Submariner-style hour markers mixed with very bold sword-like hands. This gives the dial a familiar look with the youthful assertiveness that I believe Tissot is going for. The combination of the polished steel case surfaces, ceramic bezel, and dial elements offer a sheen that gives the watch a bit more of a high-end look, as opposed to that pure matte look that many tool watches have. Tissot inherently knows that people like their timepieces to be a bit flashy — even if they are positioned as tool or sport watches.
Dial depth and symmetry is also excellent, with legibility and style taking top priorities. The case has a slightly domed and AR-coated sapphire crystal. Another crystal is affixed to the caseback offering a view of the movement. This is the Powermatic 80, or rather the ETA caliber 80.111. Since ETA is part of the Swatch Group (as is Tissot) I feel comfortable calling this an in-house, or at least semi-exclusive movement. The Powermatic 80 series of movements has been really popular and for good reason. They offer excellent performance at a comparable budget price, especially compared to many other available mechanical movements on the market.
The caliber 80.111 automatic movement operates at 3Hz with an 80-hour power reserve. The Nivachron balance spring is rather advanced and helps ensure good timing performance for the movement despite its slower 3Hz versus 4Hz operation. The movement features include the time and the date. These movements are not traditionally decorated, but Swatch has upped its game a lot, and the Powermatic 80 movement has some fun decoration on parts of the bridges as well as on the automatic rotor.
Tissot offers the Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 watches in a few different strap or bracelet options. Here we see the basic rubber strap, but a metal bracelet option is also available. Note that among the various new Seastar models, Tissot offers at least three different metal bracelet options. On the wrist the rubber strap keeps the otherwise big Seastar 2000’s case steady and comfortable. As a sport or actual diving watch the Seastar 2000 is ideal, assuming you don’t feel it is too large for you as 46mm is on the larger size of timepieces. Despite the wide diameter, the Seastar 2000’s case is only about 52mm lug-to-lug, meaning that the shorter lugs and closely fitting rubber strap make it just as wearable as many 43- to 45mm-wide cases.
At the time of writing, only three of the nearly 30 new Tissot Seastar watches fall within the Seastar 2000 Professional collection. These are certainly going to be the most special and exclusive of the Swiss brand’s latest diver’s watch collection, and mostly intended for serious enthusiasts whereas the standard Seastar 1000 automatic and Seastar 1000 quartz chronograph will be the most pedestrian models. Tissot should be credited with offering a new sport watch product that is both familiar-looking but also stands apart and clearly has some distinctive lines and Tissot DNA too it (don’t miss the “T” shape counterweight on the seconds hand for example). Cost for the watch on the bracelet is just a $30 premium over the price on the rubber strap – which is pretty nice. Price for this reference T1206071744100 Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 watch is $995 USD. Learn more at the Tissot website here.
