Hands-on with the Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80
 

Hands-on with the Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80

4 min read
Safie Agar-Hutton

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Tissot

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Safie Agar-Hutton

Brands

Tissot

Categories

Reviews

The Tissot Seastar has been prevalent since its invention in the 1950s. Having originally evolved from Tissot’s ‘Five Star’ series, the Seastar range incorporated a similar water-resistant, anti-magnetic case that could withstand shock, as well as dust, and came equipped with a layer of ‘unbreakable’ glass. The Seastar variants, unlike the Five Star’s that came before them, were completely waterproof thanks to hermetic sealing, hence the name Seastar was born and has since become a staple for the brand.

Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80. Credit: WatchGecko.

 
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The beloved Tissot Seastar Collection is set to expand this year with the release of five new Seastar Automatic models having been announced today.

Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 references. Credit: Tissot.

I was lucky enough to get some hands-on time this week with reference T120.807.11.091.00, a striking rendition of the Seastar that is now offered complete with turquoise dial and an impressive 80-hour power reserve, thanks to the incorporation of Tissot’s very own Powermatic 80 movement.

The Movement

Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80. Credit: WatchGecko.

The Powermatic 80 movement was pioneered by Tissot in 2013 and has been exceeding expectations ever since. Having evolved from the 2824 caliber, the Powermatic 80 was introduced with reduced energy consumption in mind and cuts oscillation frequency from 4 to 3Hz. As a result of a reduction in the diameter of the barrel-arbor’s core and a subsequent lengthening of the mainspring, a significant increase in power reserve is offered. Near doubling the 42-hour power reserve we’ve become used to, the Tissot Seastar 1000 models can be taken off on a Friday evening and will still indicate the right time when reunited with your wrist come Monday morning. Handy? I think so!

The Dial

Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80. Credit: WatchGecko.

Each of the five new references features a vertically brushed dial that fades outwards to black at the edges. Up close the gradient effect is striking, particularly on the reference we have on-hand. Presented with a vivid turquoise dial, brighter in tone than the dial of the PVD-black coated option, the T120.807.11.091.00 would feel right at home beside or in water, both aesthetically and in terms of its impressive 300m water-resistance.

The Case

Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80. Credit: WatchGecko.

Now with an incorporated notch along the edges, the new release of Seastar casing has had a subtle makeover. Each model in the collection has Super-LumiNova coating on the hands and hour markers, as well as a uni-directional steel bezel with a colour-printed mineral glass ring. Two options, including this one, are presented with the same stainless-steel case and bracelet design, there is also a reference which has been enhanced with yellow gold-PVD bezel and bi-colour bracelet, as well as two models with full black-PVD coating, a rarely utilised design on Seastar casing.

Strap Options

Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 (120.407.17.041.00). Credit: Tissot.

 
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The new Tissot Seastar models are offered with two strap options, and we had a chance to get acquainted with the dressier of the two, the three-row bracelet. For occasions that demand a sense of sophistication, the metal bracelet is a fitting and comfortable choice, but it can easily be swapped for the sportier black tropical strap if that's more your thing.

Thanks to Tissot’s interchangeable strap system, the new Seastar models are easy to customize with a variety of compatible straps. One thing that I might have liked to see is a leather option, perhaps not so beach-ready, but definitely my preferred accessory for wear with a daily beater.

Final Thoughts

Overall, the new Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 models are a versatile yet stylish option for life on the go. Seamlessly able to take you from office, to beach, and straight into the ocean, the Seastar collection, with its understated dials and medium case size, is a great everyday option and certainly something I’ve enjoyed getting a proper look at.

Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80. Credit: WatchGecko.

The turquoise dial in particular is stunning in person and the blue to black gradient creates an interesting, texturized effect. Clear and uncluttered, the dial is exactly the kind I’m drawn to, and the bold hour markers and hands really stand out thanks to the use of Super LumiNova. The caseback gives a fascinating look at the Powermatic 80 at work and the combination of polished as well as brushed stainless steel gives the new Seastar models a sleek and timeless feel.

Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80. Credit: WatchGecko.

 
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Will it make its way into my collection? That question is still to be answered. It’s perhaps on the larger size diameter wise compared to what I’d typically go for but perhaps with the addition of one of WatchGecko’s timeless leather strap options, it could be just right.

 

Technical Specifications: 

  • Brand: Tissot 
  • Model: Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 
  • Price: £685
  • Material: Stainless-steel or full black-PVD coated stainless-steel with coloured mineral uni-directional rotating bezel
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal
  • Movement: Powermatic 80, Swiss Made, Nivachron Balance Spring
  • Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
  • Dial: Vertically brushed grey-to-black or blue-to-black fading dial. Super-LumiNova coating on the hour and minute hands. 
  • Size: 40mm diameter 
  • Water Resistance: 30 bar (300m/1000ft water-resistance)
  • Strap: Three-row interchangeable bracelet or black tropical strap 
  • When the reviewer would personally wear it: Honestly, this watch is just about ready to go anywhere with you. It’d be a great one-stop option for a holiday by the water, as you can dress it down on rubber in the day and smarten it up on its metal bracelet for the evening.
  • A friend we’d recommend it to first: Friends who forget to wind and wear their watches consistently, that 80-hour power reserve is a winner.
  • The worst characteristics of the watch: For me personally, a slimmer case size and a few more strap options would sell me on this one.

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Safie Agar-Hutton

About the Author: Safie Agar-Hutton

As the Editor of WatchGecko Magazine, my goal is to engage our readers by delivering insightful news, release updates, and captivating stories from the intriguing world of horology.

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