This chronograph by Tissot is all about motor sports, and it even comes in a helmet-shaped box that includes a winder. It’s a limited edition of 3,333 pieces, and no doubt it will appeal to young motorcyclists who can relate to the bezel suggesting brake discs, the pushers like motorbike footrests, a tyre tread design on the inside of the strap, a rear suspension rod suggested by the strap’s attachment to the case, and a skeleton wheel shape visible through the transparent caseback. The case is in 316L stainless steel with black PVD coating, with water resistance rated at 10 bar, 100 metres depth. A diameter of just over 43 mm, total width of over 47 mm and a thickness of almost 16 mm make it a large watch, mounted on a plastic strap with folding clasp with push-button for opening and closing.

Movement

The Tissot T-Race MotoGP Automatic Limited Edition 2015 has an automatic movement, the C01.211 by ETA, providing a power reserve of 45 hours. The movement has a plastic escapement, which may worry watch purists, even though it is not necessarily bad in itself because plastic can reduce friction, and in a watch like this it will in any case be accessible in case maintenance is needed. (Unlike the Swatch Sistem 51 where the escapement is in plastic, but inaccessible for repairs).

Reference and price

This watch, reference T092.427.27.061.00, costs $1,395, €1,270. Considering the realm of mechanical watches, this is not expensive, but considering the characteristics of the movement, it’s not exactly cheap either…