The Tissot PRX series has been one of the biggest new watch industry hits of 2021, thus far, bringing integrated bracelet sports-watch style from the upper echelons of the luxury market to a truly entry-level demographic. While the affordable price point and integrated styling of the original models have drawn acclaim, the PRX’s quartz movement has been a turn-off to some segments of the enthusiast community. Tissot aims to rectify this with its latest release, bringing the robust and modern Powermatic 80 movement to the line while maintaining an impressively affordable price point. The new Tissot PRX 40 205 watch series handsomely and capably brings integrated bracelet sporting style to the masses, delivering a watch that looks to punch above its weight on nearly every front.

The 40mm stainless steel case of the Tissot PRX 40 205 series is mostly shared with the quartz PRX, with a clean angular case profile, narrow polished bezel, and integrated lugs. The overall look nicely captures the spirit of the original PRX from 1978 and showcases a striking blend of finishes, from vertical and horizontal brushing to a mirror-polished case side chamfer in initial images. For the white-dial variant of the PRX 40 205, Tissot also adds rose gold-tone PVD to the bezel for a pop of two-tone color. The PRX 40 205 measures in at only half a millimeter thicker than the quartz variant, with a reasonably slim official measurement of 10.9mm. With this modest increase in thickness comes a new sapphire display caseback to showcase the Powermatic 80 movement, but this new variant maintains the quartz model’s sporty 100-meter water resistance rating.

Tissot offers the PRX 40 205 series with three dial options. The simplest and most versatile option of the trio is the black model, while the deep navy blue sunburst dial captures some of the look and feel of the more expensive icons of the integrated bracelet genre. For a bit more flash, the white sunburst dial option also adds a layer of rose gold-tone to its handset and indices. All three variants share the same tapisserie-style guilloche dial surface, another premium touch that elevates the look of these models above their price range in initial images. The trio also shares the same dial hardware, with beveled baton hands and slim applied indices, as well as the same white date display at 3 o’clock. While this date display works well enough on the white dial model in images, this creates a virtual hole in the black and blue dial variants that disrupt the visual flow of the overall design slightly.

Tissot equips the PRX 40 205 line with the ETA C07.111-based Powermatic 80 automatic movement. Developed exclusively for parent company Swatch Group by ETA, the Powermatic 80 showcases a nicely engraved custom rotor and matching engraved waves across several movement bridges and the balance cock. In terms of performance, the Powermatic 80 offers a hefty 80-hour power reserve at a 21,600 bph beat rate, along with an advanced Nivachron balance spring.

Naturally, much of the character of the Tissot PRX 40 205 line is tied to its trademark integrated stainless steel bracelet. As with the case and dial, this tapering bracelet design shows impressive finishing, with smooth even brushing and sharp faceting across each of its wide single links. Tissot completes the package with a butterfly-style deployant clasp.

By adding an automatic movement and more complex finishing to an already popular and affordable integrated bracelet design, the Tissot PRX 40 205 is likely to be a home run with enthusiasts, and may well be a strong contender for the “Watch of Summer” for 2021. The Tissot PRX 40 205 series is available now through authorized dealers at a price of $650 USD. To learn more visit the Tissot watches website here.