Of the brands I follow and own nowadays, most tend to be microbrands, but every now and again something from the bigger stables will catch my eye, especially when it looks so good, has a timeless, classic look about it and is great value for money – enter the Tissot Heritage Visodate automatic.
Tissot Heritage Visodate. Ref T019.430.16.031.01
Introduced by the Swatch Group in 2010, this is a retro throwback to the model of the same name that was originally released in 1953 (to celebrate Tissot’s centenary); back then it was a smaller case but even then housed a quality, Swiss made movement as does its successor. The later homage aptly incorporated the logo design of the predecessor’s era, applied in polished steel on the dial (and also printed boldly on the movement’s gold-effect/finished rotor) with the vintage ‘T’ also signing the flat and generally over-sized crown.
At the time of release, the watch came in 3 dial colour options: black; an off-white/silvery metallic white (featured here) and a less common, dark metallic blue – with a gold finished model to follow shortly after. I personally opted for the white as I love the subtle, sparkling finish and how it was the only one where the date/day wheel matched the dial colour. Larger than its original, to fall in line with more modern trends, the case is an apt 40mm with 20mm lug width (ideal for a plethora of strap alternatives) and a lug-to-lug width of 47mm, giving an overall perfect wrist presence. The case is all-polished and there is not a dot of lume to be seen, which is in keeping with the vintage feel and look – it is a dress watch, after all.
Tissot Heritage Visodate on ZULUDIVER 1973 British Military Watch Strap: HydraRib
The sapphire crystal is highly domed but cleverly offers little distortion and has a more than sufficient anti-reflective coating to the inside.. The beautifully finished, polished dauphine hands are the perfect design choice, again mimicking those of the original, with a slightly bent tip to the seconds hand – I love this feature, watching the hand float smoothly along the ‘canal’ of the dial’s outer ring is somewhat mesmerising.
The movement is Swatch’s inhouse 26-jewelled ETA 2836-2 (the day/date variant of the date only, venerable 2824-2), which beats at 28,800 BHP, exhibited through the case-back with geneva striping decoration to compliment its eye-pleasing visual appearance. Across the dial lie simple applied, hour batons, with double indices at three of the four cardinal hour markings, for the 6, 9 and 12 positions, with the date/day window taking up position at 3 o’clock.
Tissot Vissodate on Leuven Flat Handmade Horse Leather Watch Strap
The watch was paired with a croc-effect brown leather deployant strap with a signed, vintage Tissot logo on the buckle. Lovely that that was I have chosen to mostly wear mine on an all-brushed Geckota Milanese-bracelet. Ideally this would naturally be worn with a polished variant but the contrasting brushed-finish of this mesh defeats any shininess/bling overkill. The contrast in finish tends to enhance the overall look, plus the smooth, well executed (and thankfully non hair-pulling) finish and easily adjustable buckle, just looks and feels great.
Although this exact model has since ceased production a visually similar (yet slightly larger) model has superseded it and now utilises the Swatch ETA-themed Powermatic 80 movement, offering a longer power-reserve and some slight changes to the dial printing as well as being offered in numerous dial colourways. Alongside the automatic a quartz variant was also released for quick-grab-and-go purposes and being a more affordable option.
Tissot Visodate on ZULUDIVER Maverick (MK II) Sailcloth Waterproof Watch Strap
Returning to the retro Visodate reviewed here, I personally feel this watch is a future classic. It’s already holding good value due to its reliable and sought-after movement and its fine, inoffensive looks. I love how the day/date windows flip over perfectly on the stroke of midnight and how the red, vice black, SUN-day stands out to signify the beginning of a new week; the aforementioned dipping seconds hand; the case’s unusual convex shape (widening to where it meets the wrist); the all round simplicity of the dial. It is a classic dress watch by design and designed with near-perfect proportions, but looks and feels equally suitable and appealing when worn with less formal attire. Maybe this could be shortlisted as a suitable ‘go anywhere/do anything’ (GADA) watch?
So why did I chose this model, specifically?
A few years ago, a significant birthday was fast approaching and I aided my parents’ decision-making as per their wish to buy me something horologically special to mark my milestone achievement. For me this was just the perfect watch; my parents loved it; I loved it. My dear mother passed away just two years after she and my father gifted it to me, so for me it’s an extra special watch. Whereas many other timepieces come and go, this one is certain to stay in my collection, forever.
Technical Specifications:
- Brand: Tissot
- Model: Visodate T019.430.16.031.01
- Price: N/A (ceased production)
- Material: Stainless steel / leather
- Movement: ETA 2836-2 automatic
- Complications: Hours, minutes, seconds, day, date
- Crystal: Double-domed sapphire
- Dial: Round
- Size: 40 mm
- When the reviewer would personally wear it: with a suit or, equally, with anything (I’m not precious or funny on what goes with what)
- A friend we’d recommend it to first: anyone
- Best characteristics of the watch: The whole package
- The worst characteristics of the watch: The flat crown is a little sharp for hand-winding – other than that, it’s hard to fault
