We like what we like
Long before I ever became serious about watches, certain brand names remained familiar to me. Rolex, of course. But also Tissot. As part of the Swatch Group these days, Tissot has been pigeon-holed somewhat into what we might consider “entry-level” luxury. But, of course, that wasn’t always the case.
Tissot is a brand with rich history as a manufacture. As a member of any team, however, you play your role. And Tissot plays its role well. The watch world is aflame with the PRX, for example.
Nonetheless, my favourite watch in the modern Tissot stable is a bit of an ugly duckling really. Or perhaps it is a black sheep. Whatever. Choose our own metaphor. It’s the Tissot Heritage 1973 Chronograph.
The PRX is a slender, funky throwback to the 70s—which began its contemporary incarnation as a quartz-powered value proposition. An everyday, versatile watch that can slip under cuffs or rock an integrated rubber strap with your favourite pair of flip flops.
Everything the Heritage 1973 is not.
And yet there you have it. Ours is not to reason why. My name is Brent and I love the Heritage 1973. There. I’ve said it.
Why do I like the Tissot Heritage 1973?
I’m not gonna lie…the fact that it harkens back to my birth year does play a role. But only a small one. I think what I like most is that it runs against the grain. While most watches are trending downward in size, the Heritage 1973 appears to have missed the memo. It’s one fat bastard. Where the PRX is funk. The 1973 is chunk.
While the watch is clearly designed for the track, it is actually an inflated version of the 1970s Tissot Navigator. This new watch is 43mm in diameter, but made more wearable by the tonneau nature of its case shape, which is only 46mm lug to lug. That being said, it’s a thick beast at 14.8mm in height. The finish is spot on here, though, with a smooth polished, mid-case chamfer and a radially brushed bezel with further vertical brushing along the sides. On top of this, we have a beautiful domed sapphire crystal with plenty of AR.
Under this crystal, we find a classic panda dial with touches of colour in two of the subdials and the end of the arrow-tipped chronograph hand. The effect is legibility personified. Classy details include chapter rings in the recessed subregisters and hints of lume in the baton hands and hour markers. The entire dial is surrounded by a tachymeter scale in the angled rehaut.
Tissot’s Motorsport History
I also like that the Heritage 1973 unearths and celebrates a period of time when Tissot was at the top of its game and dallying in all kinds of very cool endeavours. Like motorsport.
During the 70s, Tissot partnered with the dominant Alpine team on the rally circuit. They also worked with Porsche for the 24 Hours of LeMans and dipped their toe into Formula 1 with Swiss pilot, Loris Kessel.
My friend, Salar, even sent me some images of Tissot’s earlier racing exploits dating back to 1958 with another Swiss crew lead by Harry Zweifel, who inspired another Tissot classic chronograph, the PR516.
Today, Tissot works with the Kessel Classics Team, run by Ronnie Kessel—son of the Swiss racer—competing in the Monet-Carlo Rally, the Historique Gran Prix, and the Bernina Granturismo.
The calibre A05.H31
In the undercarriage there is a second piece of sapphire crystal through which we can see the ETA A05.H31 calibre. Based on the Valjoux 7753, this movement has a power reserve of 60 hours and animates the Heritage 1973’s 12-hour, 30-minute, and 60-second chronograph counters, as well as its time and date functions.
Custom strap
Supporting this sizeable piece of metal is a custom built leather rally strap with four oversized ventilation holes on either side. The look is extremely sporty and in keeping with the overall racing aesthetic. It also really helps to balance the out the watch. It’s padded design is as rugged as it is attractive.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 43mm Diameter 46mm Lug to Lug 14.8mm Thick (excluding dome) 22mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown & Case Back 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Dome Panda Dial Date @ 4:30 Printed Markers Baton Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | ETA A05.H31 27 Jewels 28 800bph 60-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Custom Leather Rally Strap /w Steel Buckle |
Tissot Heritage 1973 Chronograph
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Final Thoughts
The Tissot Heritage 1973 does not look like anything else in the current Tissot catalogue. If anything, it looks like an OMEGA Speedmaster Mark II or a Sinn 140 St. It’s a watch with presence and weight. You can’t forget that you have it on wrist. The finishing is spot on. The colourway is inspired. That touch of blue in the subregister is the chef’s kiss. The movement—a modern incarnation of the Valjoux 7753—is the perfect choice, and I just love the satisfying click of the chronograph actuation.
In the end, for me, the Tissot Heritage 1973 is proof that we simply like what we like—regardless of trends and fashions.
Pricing & Availability
The Tissot Heritage 1973 retails for $2100 USD. For more information, please visit the brand website or shop for it at Gem Bijou.
About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.
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I’m really loving the Tissot Heritage series. My Heritage 1938 COSC arrived yesterday (silver dial with blue hands) arrived yesterday and I adore it. It’s my first ever chronometer, so I’m looking forward to seeing how the ETA 2824-2 COSC-grade it stacks up against my other watches with ETA 2824 derived/cloned movements (Hamilton H-10 in my Kkaki Field Automatic, Powermatic 80 in my PRX, Selita SW200-1 in my Glycine Combat Sub).