The Tissot PRX is the watch that made the integrated steel bracelet affordable. It has the flat case, the slim profile and the flowing bracelet of sports watches that cost many times more, and it comes from a Swiss maker with a long history.
It is also a watch with many versions that look alike in photographs. Two sizes, two kinds of movement and a long list of dials mean it is easy to order the wrong one. This guide explains the choices in order: size first, then movement, then the details. We have 63 PRX watches in stock, from $245 to $1,485.
By the numbers: Switzerland exported CHF 25.9 billion of watches in 2024, 2.8% less than in 2023, in 15.3 million pieces (9.4% fewer), according to the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (swissinfo.ch, 30 January 2025).
Where the PRX comes from
Tissot introduced the original design in 1978. The name describes it: P for precise, R for robust, and X, the Roman numeral ten, for its water resistance of ten atmospheres, or 100 meters.
The modern PRX arrived in 2021, first with a quartz movement and then, in the same year, with the automatic Powermatic 80. A 35 mm size followed, then a chronograph and a small 25 mm model. All of them keep the shape of 1978: a barrel-shaped case with a thin bezel and a bracelet of flat, single links that tapers toward the clasp.
Step one: 35 mm or 40 mm
This is the decision that matters most, because an integrated bracelet changes how a watch fits.
On a normal watch, the strap hangs from the lugs and bends where it meets the case. On the PRX, the first links of the bracelet are part of the shape of the case and hardly bend at all. In practice, the watch covers more of your wrist than its diameter suggests. A 40 mm PRX wears like a larger watch.
| PRX 35 mm | PRX 40 mm | |
|---|---|---|
| Suits | Small and medium wrists, or anyone who likes a 1970s size | Medium and large wrists |
| Looks | Closer to the original watch of 1978 | Bolder, more modern |
| Movements | Quartz or Powermatic 80 | Quartz or Powermatic 80 |
| Water resistance | 100 meters | 100 meters |
A simple rule: if you can see daylight between the end of the bracelet's first link and your wrist, the watch is too large for you. If you are between sizes, the 35 mm is the safer choice. It is not a "ladies' size"; it is the size men's watches were when the PRX was designed.
Each product page has a Real size button that shows the case at its true size on your screen, and our guide to choosing your watch size explains how to measure your wrist.
The range also includes a 25 mm quartz model for the smallest wrists, a 38 mm size, and the PRX Chronograph at 42 mm, which is a thicker, heavier watch with an automatic chronograph movement.
Step two: quartz or Powermatic 80
Both movements are Swiss. They suit different owners.
PRX quartz
The quartz PRX is powered by a battery. It keeps better time than any mechanical watch, needs no winding, and is ready whenever you pick it up. It is also slightly slimmer and costs less.
You can recognize it in a photograph by its smooth dial with a sunburst finish, which shines from the center outward, and by its closed steel case back.
Choose it if you want the look for the lowest price, if you rotate between several watches, or if you simply want a watch that is always right.
PRX Powermatic 80
The Powermatic 80 is an automatic movement: it winds itself with the motion of your wrist. Its name comes from its 80-hour power reserve. Take it off on Friday evening and it is still running on Monday morning, which few automatic watches at any price can do. The seconds hand sweeps smoothly instead of ticking once a second, and you can see the movement through a glass case back.
You can recognize it by its dial with a pattern of small raised squares, often called a waffle dial, and by the word "Powermatic 80" on the dial.
Choose it if you want a mechanical watch, enjoy seeing the movement, or wear the same watch most days.
If you are new to the difference, our guide to automatic and quartz watches explains it in plain terms.
How to read a PRX reference
Tissot references are long, but the first block tells you the size and the movement. For the PRX it begins with T137:
| Reference begins | Watch |
|---|---|
| T137.407 | PRX Powermatic 80, 40 mm |
| T137.410 | PRX quartz, 40 mm |
| T137.207 | PRX Powermatic 80, 35 mm |
| T137.210 | PRX quartz, 35 mm |
| T137.427 | PRX Chronograph, 42 mm |
The last blocks describe the dial. On the 40 mm Powermatic 80 in steel:
| Reference | Dial |
|---|---|
| T137.407.11.041.00 | Blue |
| T137.407.11.051.00 | Black |
| T137.407.11.091.00 | Green |
| T137.407.11.351.00 | Ice blue |
So before you buy, read the first seven characters. T137.407 and T137.410 look almost the same in a small picture; one is automatic and the other is quartz. The reference is shown under the title of every watch on our site.
The bracelet: what to know
The bracelet is the reason most people want a PRX, and it has three practical points.
It cannot be swapped for an ordinary strap. The case has no normal lugs, so a standard leather strap will not fit. Tissot makes its own straps for the PRX, and the bracelet has quick-release bars so that you can change it without tools. Some versions are sold on a rubber or leather strap from the start; check the photographs.
It is sized with links. The clasp is a folding butterfly clasp that disappears into the bracelet when closed. It has no small adjustment holes of the kind found on many dive watches, so the fit depends on the number of links. A watchmaker can size it in a few minutes. If you tell us your wrist size, we will tell you whether the watch will fit as it is.
It shows scratches honestly. The bracelet has broad, flat, brushed surfaces with polished edges. They look superb when new and pick up fine marks with wear, as every watch of this style does. On a pre-owned PRX, look at the photographs of the clasp and the first links.
Finishes and special versions
Beyond plain steel, the PRX is made in several finishes:
- Gold-colored versions have a PVD coating over steel. It is a surface treatment and not solid gold, and it should be treated with a little more care than bare steel.
- Two-tone versions combine steel with a gold-colored bezel or links.
- Special dials and editions, with mother-of-pearl, gradient colors or designs made with partners, appear in limited numbers. The listing says when a watch is one of these.
Prices differ between them. Compare watches with the same first block of the reference so that you are comparing the same size and movement.
What to check before you buy
- The reference. Confirm the size and the movement from the first block: T137.407, T137.410, T137.207 or T137.210.
- The dial in the photographs. Sunburst means quartz; the square pattern means Powermatic 80.
- The bracelet length. Ask how many links are fitted and what wrist size the watch fits.
- Box and papers. The listing states what is included. Our guide to box and papers explains why they matter when you sell.
- Condition. Each listing says whether the watch is new, unworn or pre-owned, and you can ask us for live photographs of the exact watch.
The PRX is often a first good watch. If that is your situation, our guide to choosing your first luxury watch may help you compare it with the alternatives, and you can browse every Tissot we stock.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Tissot PRX 35 mm too small for a man?
No. Because of the integrated bracelet, the PRX wears larger than its diameter, and 35 mm is close to the size of the original watch of 1978. It suits small and medium wrists well. The 40 mm is better on larger wrists.
What is the difference between the PRX quartz and the Powermatic 80?
The quartz PRX runs on a battery, has a smooth sunburst dial and a closed case back, and costs less. The Powermatic 80 is automatic, with an 80-hour power reserve, a dial with a pattern of small squares and a glass case back.
Is the Tissot PRX waterproof?
It is water resistant to 100 meters, which covers rain, washing your hands and swimming. It is not a dive watch. Our guide to water resistance explains what the ratings mean.
Can I put a leather strap on a PRX?
Only a strap made for the PRX. The case has an integrated design without normal lugs, so standard straps do not fit. The original bracelet and straps have quick-release bars and change without tools.
How long does the Powermatic 80 run when I take it off?
About 80 hours when fully wound, which is more than three days.
Is Watchflix NYC an official Tissot retailer?
No. We are an independent retailer and are not affiliated with Tissot. Every watch is checked by our specialist before it ships.
