The Tissot PRX is welcoming a pair of new references this week that expand the vast collection into new territory thanks to an additional case size, and a pair of new materials. Considering the evolution that the PRX has experienced since it was first introduced (in modern form) in 2021, it’s a bit surprising that we haven’t seen a 38mm variation yet, but that’s exactly what these new watches bring to the collection. While that may not be the most interesting detail about these two watches, it does open the door for this size to play a bigger role in the collection as a whole. What will catch your eye about these new watches is the materials at use, which are titanium, and Damascus steel.
Titanium feels like a natural step for the PRX, especially in light of their use of steel, gold, and even carbon within the collection in the past. While just two dial options are available in titanium at launch, it is being offered with a full titanium bracelet, something we never got in carbon. Both are automatic PRX variations, housing the Powermatic 80 caliber, as you’d expect, and both remain priced under the $1,000 mark, which feels like a big win. There’s nothing all that exotic going on in terms of finishing here, but the material is slightly tricker to work with compared to steel, so I’m glad that Tissot has managed to keep the PRX’s sensible price point intact.
A 38mm PRX rendered in titanium feels like an obvious choice, and one that will likely generate a refreshed level of excitement around the watch as it begins to age. But there’s another 38mm PRX being released here, and it comes in a far less obvious material choice, that being Damascus steel. Now, that term will likely raise a few eyebrows amongst EDC enthusiasts, and it’s a relatively rare sight in this context, though not unheard of. Damascus steel is produced by folding two different steel alloys together to produce a visible pattern in the end result. Modern Damascus is a bit different from how the material has been produced historically, and Tissot is rather ambiguous about the approach taken here, listing it as “marbled stainless steel Damascus material”.
As this isn’t being used in the context of a knife or sword, I don’t think the finer details of its strength properties are quite as relevant here. But it does look pretty cool. The swirl pattern in the steel itself carries from the case right into the dial. It feels like a follow up to the Carbon PRX, and it’s a trend I’d love to see Tissot continue to lean into. The Damascus PRX is fit to an embossed leather strap with a synthetic back, and it contains the Powermatic 80 caliber within. It’s a relatively tone on tone look, and what it lacks in legibility it more than makes up for in vibes.
The Tissot PRX in Damascus is priced at $1,175, and joins the regular production collection. From the look of it, this could be a fun one to experiment with different strap options, including third party units, once they get 38mm options into production. My only comment with this specific watch is that a dateless option may have allowed a more conceptually compelling design, as the framed aperture becomes the only interruption to the pattern. Overall, this is exactly the kind of thing that keeps the PRX relevant to a new generation. Tissot