Tissot is an innovator by tradition. That part of its DNA is inevitable. If you own a Tissot watch, consider yourself a proud owner of a timeless classic with precision technology that rules the current era. Since the company’s inception, Tissot watches have become a signature of rich elegance and style. Founded in the mid-nineteenth century in a little town called Le Locle in Switzerland, which is also known as pioneer of Swiss watchmaking, this brand has a rich and fascinating history.
Charles-Felicien Tissot, a fitter of gold cases, joined hands with his son Charles-Emile Tissot, who was a watchmaker. They, then combined their areas of expertise, to give birth to the world-class branded watch – Tissot. In the earlier days, Tissot timepieces were initially used as pocket watches, pendant watches etc., designed mainly for the United States, which was the first market. Later on, Russia took over and became the highest seller of Tissot watches.
Since its initiation in the year 1853, the brand has made its way into the league of luxury watches, both in the categories of sport watch and dress watch styles.
The watchmakers at Tissot have also created a couple of trend-setting concept designs for luxury watches as well, which are listed below:
• 1930: TISSOT ANTIMAGNÉTIQUE, the world’s first non-magnetic wristwatch.
• 1951: TISSOT NAVIGATOR, the world’s first self-winding wristwatch with 24 time zones displayed without manipulation.
• 1965: TISSOT PR 516: Particularly Robust (PR) with world’s first registered bracelet with holes.
• 1971: TISSOT ASTROLON, the world’s first plastic mechanical watch. It brings a new solution to the recurring problem of oil, as it is equipped with the “Sytal” system (Tissot auto-lubrication system).
• 1985: TISSOT ROCKWATCH, the world’s first wristwatch with a case made of natural stone (granite and other stones).
• 1986: TISSOT TWO TIMER, the world’s first wristwatch with analogue and digital time and seven functions operated via a single crown.
• 1988: TISSOT PEARL WATCH, the world’s first wrist watch to use mother of pearl in its dial
• 1989: TISSOT WOODWATCH, with a case made of wood.
• 1999: TISSOT T-TOUCH, the world’s first Swiss tactile watch with new instrumental functions (compass, altimeter, barometer, temperature…).
• 2014: TISSOT T-TOUCH SOLAR, the world’s first tactile watch powered by solar energy.
There are many milestones in Tissot’s journey towards the success that the brand has achieved so far. In the current scenario, Tissot serves as top sponsors for the Formula One Teams such as Renault, Lotus and Sauber. The brand has achieved its pinnacle of success by being the sole manufacturers of highly touch sensitive watches with additionally enhanced features like barometer, compass, altimeter and thermometer. Tissot is also credited to be the first manufacturer of watches made of plastic, wood, stones and pearl.
As already mentioned, Tissot is a leading brand in terms of style and luxury. Tissot works with many international sports controlling bodies to develop more accurate timing systems. The company uses the latest available technology to enhance its timing accuracy. In sports, Tissot not only records the timing profile but also it analyzes the step by step performance data of the players. Perhaps, due to its highly acclaimed unique features, Tissot as a company and its watches have become a signature of ‘Timeless Style’.
Many internationally acclaimed sports persons and film stars are the brand ambassadors for the company. As the company rightly puts it, a Tissot watch is ‘More than a watch’.
