The PRX has fast become Tissot’s cash cow. Having perfectly timed its entry into the ongoing integrated bracelet trend, Tissot has clearly recognized the success of the PRX and smartly made the decision to double down. Since its introduction in 2021, it has seen countless iterations, including the quartz, automatic, and chronograph versions, to say nothing of the dozens of dial variants. All told, Tissot currently has 55 PRX SKUs in its current catalog. The newest is the Tissot PRX UFO Robot Grendizer, inspired by the hit 1970s manga series UFO Robot Grendizer.
UFO Robot Grendizer, sometimes referred to as Goldorak, was a Japanese anime series that spanned 74 episodes across two years from 1975 to 1977 and was part of the larger Maginzer mecha series. The story centers on Duke Fleed and his powerful mecha Grendizer as they battle the evil forces of King Vega. The show was particularly popular in Europe, including in 1978 when the original PRX was introduced. While the show concluded long ago, there have been plenty of other versions since then, and in July 2024, a new remake of the original series was launched as Gendizer U. The launch of this new PRX is set to coincide with the new series and will merge “two iconic characters from the 70s,” as the brand puts it.
The PRX UFO Robot Grendizer has the classic 40mm case of most of the PRX autos, measuring 10.9mm thick, and a 44.25mm lug-to-lug. The case gets a brushed finish with polished chamfers and a polished bezel around the flat sapphire crystal, while water resistance is quoted at 100m. This is still the angular integrated bracelet design that has become common, these days (i.e. Timex Q Timex, Christopher Ward Twelve, Zenith Defy, Citizen Tsuyosa, and Series 8 and Zenshin). The bracelet features a foldover clasp but is not truly integrated, instead featuring very tiny quick-release tabs so it can be swapped for other Tissot or custom-made straps (the lug opening is just 12mm).
Where Tissot had its fun is the dial. It features a sunburst blue base and is embossed with the bust of Grendizer (Tissot says the blue is inspired by the blue in the mecha’s armor). This entire embossed design is filled with Super-LumiNova and glows yellow-green in the dark, with the hands and indices glowing a contrasting blue-green. And I must give a tip of my hat to Tissot for perfectly positioning the dial text within Grendizer’s chest plate. Chef’s kiss on that one. Two additional details pay tribute to Grendizer: the seconds hand is shaped like the crescent blades of Grendizer’s double-haken weapon and engraving on the rehaut shows the original title for Grendizer, “UFO ロボ グレンダイザー.”
The Tissot PRX UFO Robot Grendizer gets the same Powermatic 80 movement seen in all automatic PRX models. The movement is based on the ETA C07 series (versions of which can be found across Swatch Group, including Mido, Hamilton, and Certina) and can be seen through the mineral glass caseback. It has a power reserve of 80 hours at 21,600 vph (the extended PR is achieved by slowing the beat rate). For this special edition, Grendizer’s bust has been engraved onto the rotor.
We don’t usually comment on packaging or boxes or cases or anything of that nature, simply because it’s all usually wasteful, boring, or both. But Tissot delivers the PRX UFO Grendizer in the Spazer, Grendizer’s spaceship (Tissot calls it his UFO, and I know UFO is in the title, but it’s clearly identified). I think this is what will get the otaku excited, as it will look awesome on any bookshelf.
Tissot is not the first watch brand to tap into Japanese pop culture or even anime and manga. Casio has been doing it for years, with Dragon Ball Z and MF Ghost watches; Undone did an Astro Boy watch; and Omega did the Ultraman edition of the Speedmaster. Tissot’s take leans more towards the Ultraman than it does the over-the-top execution to which Casio seems partial. For fans of Grendizer, or even just anime or manga, this will likely be a hit. OR if you just want an awesome spaceship for your shelf. The Tissot PRX UFO Roboto Grendizer is priced at $825 USD. For more information, please visit the Tissot website.