This Tissot T-Complication Chronometer (ref. T070.406.16.057.00) was first presented at the Baselworld 2014 trade show. Although the name would better suit something more aggressively designed and equipped with anything less complicated than a tourbillon, the gadget still looks extremely attractive offering a serene, elegant (although some might call it a bit generic) appearance. In fact, the timepiece may be a nice choice for a young person getting their first job in the City.
Overall Impression & Case
Targeting people that look for a dress watch, but still can’t own a Vacheron Constantin Historique or something like a Patek Philippe Calatrava, the gadget comes in a nicely sculpted (albeit, at 43 millimeters wide, too large to my taste and also against the current trend of downsizing wristwatches to more comfortable 35-39 millimeters in diameter) and offers a high-contrast, easily readable dial.
Given its impressive (at least, for a dressy timekeeper) size, the watch predictably takes lots of space on a normal wrist. As you can see on a wrist shot below, the watch covers all widths of the hand, but that, surprisingly, doesn’t look like a bad thing. Thank the ultra-slim bezel for that: it does a good job at making the device look a lot lighter and feel like an elegant homage to pocket watch-based gentleman’s chronometers of the past.
Still, keep in mind that, with its lug-to-lug length of around 51 millimeters, at the end of the day it will rival some diving timepieces in terms of presence.
Dial
As I have already noted, the dial on this new specimen is very good. Some may not like its apparent lack of refinement (at least, for a watch, which is priced well above the €2000 mark), but when it comes to sheer legibility, it is absolutely adequate to the task.
Yes, it doesn’t have any lume on its elements, but, if you only plan to wear this watch during office hours replacing it at nights with something more exciting (like the recent Longines Heritage 1973 Chronograph), this shouldn’t be a problem.
Frankly, the only thing that I find not particularly inspiring is the choice of the hour and minute hands. I can’t just put it into words right now, but the hands are somewhat out of place here: they draw too much attention to themselves and do not play well with the stick-shaped hour markers, the stick-shaped small seconds hand, and the light Arabic “12” numeral.
Mechanism
Of course, its main point of attraction (at least, for those who love watches not only as objects of industrial design but also as wonderful horology machines) is the choice of caliber. While many timekeepers in this segment are usually equipped with nothing more exciting than the time-proven, but still boring ETA 2824-2, this particular model comes equipped with an almost legendary Unitas 6497 hand-wound movement.
Refinished exclusively for Tissot (although truth be told, I don’t see here anything more exciting than the usual Geneva stripes, polished and blued screw heads, and main gears that is decorated with sunburst pattern), the mechanism adheres to the highest standards set by the Swiss COSC authority and is officially certified as a chronometer.
The certification not only guarantees that the watch keeps good time but also implies that the manufacturer didn’t cut too many corners when it comes to quality and that the movement was assembled using the best parts available on the market.
The rest is just perfect. I mean, this is not a new word when it comes to fresh design ideas, but the timepiece is like a Volkswagen in the world of watches: while not terribly original, it is neatly designed, nicely crafted, and carefully assembled.
It will be revealed this spring at Baselworld 2014.
See also: JS Watch Co. Frisland Classic
Photos: Tissot
WWR verdict
Originality 3/5
Build quality: 4.5/5
Usability: 5/5
Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for money: 3.5/5
Tissot T-Complication Chronometer T070.406.16.057.00 specification
Price: €1555 (MSRP)
Movement: Hand-wound, ETA caliber UNITAS 6497, COSC-certified chronometer, Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 17
Movement frequency: 18,000 vph
Power reserve: 53 hours
Movement decoration: Refinished exclusively for Tissot
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 43.00 mm
Dial: Black
Numerals: Arabic
Hour markers: Stick-shaped
Hands: Dauphine
Water resistance: 30 meters
Strap: Black leather strap
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Transparent