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Sep 10, 2020
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Tissot is a brand with a lot of heritage. Today it is owned by Swatch Group and is the entry-level Swiss brand. Motorsports play a big part in Tissot's history and the PRS 516 is a integral part of the brand's take on motor inspired timepieces.
DESCRIPTION
Tissot PRS 516 series takes time to reflect on its 1960s motorsport-inspired origins. Wearers of the Tissot PRS models are equipped with timepieces integrating the innovations in Swiss watchmaking to complement nostalgic design elements from the racetrack. On some of these models, the movement can be seen in action through the distinctive case back shaped like the steering wheel of a pioneering sports car.
TECHNICAL SPECS
ABOUT THE WATCHCASE & CRYSTALMOVEMENTDIALSTRAP
- Reference
T1004301105100 - Origin
Swiss made - Warranty
2 Years of Warranty - Collection
T-Sport - Weight (g)
197 - Water resistance
Water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft)
- Case shape
ROUND - Case Material
316L stainless steel case with ceramic bezel - Length
42 - Width
42 - Lugs
20 - Thickness
12.9 - Case options
See-through case back - Crystal
Domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with double-sided antireflective coating
- Movement
Swiss automatic - Model
POWERMATIC 80.121 - Caliber
11 1/2''' - Caliber Diameter (mm)
25,6 - Jewels
23 - Energy
Automatic - Dial
HMSDD - Power reserve
power reserve up to 80 hours
- Strap reference
T605037160 - Strap details
Stainless steel - Strap color
Grey - Buckle
butterfly clasp with push-buttons - Links reference
T613037208 - Lugs
20
https://www.jomashop.com/jomasearch?query=PRS 516 POWERMATIC 80
Manufacturer | Tissot |
Caliber Number | Powermatic 80, Powermatic 80.111, PM80 |
Base Caliber | ETA C07.111 (based on the ETA 2824-2) |
Lignes | 11.5”’ |
Diameter | 25.6mm |
Height | 4.6mm (needs confirmed) |
Jewels | 23 or 25 |
Power Reserve | 80 hours |
Lift Angle | Unknown |
Vibrations Per Hour | 21,600 bph, 3Hz |
Anti-Shock | Novodiac by Incabloc |
Rotor Style | Ball bearing |
Regulator | None |
Hacking? | Yes |
Hand-Windable? | Yes |
Functions | Hours, minutes, central seconds, date (3:00 or 6:00) |
Country of Manufacture | Switzerland |
Known Models | Tissot Luxury, Tissot Seastar 1000, Tissot Carson Premium, Tissot Chemin Des Tourelles, Tissot Le Locle, Tissot Gentleman, Tissot Tradition Open Heart, Tissot Ballade COSC, Tissot Couturier, Tissot PR 100, Tissot PRC 200, Tissot Lady Heart Flower |
ALMOST MYSTERIOUS:
Tissot offers almost no information about the Powermatic 80 or the ETA base calibers. The official Tissot site provides large images of each movement, but they do a good job of hiding the ETA caliber designation near the balance wheel. The image above was one of the few available with a blurry glimpse at the base caliber number. Furthermore, ETA does not provide any official documentation on the C07 series, and these movements appear to be exclusive to Swatch Group brands only (as is currently the case for all ETA mechanical movements).
POWER RESERVE:
This caliber’s claim to fame is the high 80 hours power reserve. In contrast, the standard ETA 2824-2 is rated at about 38 hours power reserve when fully wound. Obtaining an 80 power reserve was achieved with the combination of a more efficient spring barrel and reducing the frequency from 4Hz to 3Hz. This means that the PM80 beats at 21,600 bph compared to a 2824-2 beating at 28,800.
NO REGULATOR:
The Powermatic 80 is not equipped with an ETAChron or other type of regulating system. Similar to the Sistem51, the Powermatic 80 laser regulated at the factory. This is what Tissot refers to as their “High-Tech” escapement. This doesn’t necessarily mean that the movement is impossible to adjust or service, but good luck finding parts or a watchmaker who will want to work on it. This is something for hardcore mechanical watch lovers to take into consideration before spending $1,000+ on a two-tone Tissot Luxury.
ETA C07 BASE MOVEMENT:
As mentioned above, the Tissot Powermatic 80 movements are based on the ETA caliber C07 series. At the time of this post, there are at least four variations of the C07 (C07.111, C07.141, C07.611, C07.651, C07.811) being used in Tissot timepieces labeled Powermatic 80, but Tissot does not give clear indication which models are powered by which version. We’re doing our best to gather as much information as possible to keep this list updated. Here’s what we have so far:
HOW TO TELL THE DIFFERENCE?
An easy way to distinguish the difference between the base calibers in Tissot Powermatic 80 models is to look at the features and/or text on the rotor:
Powermatic 80.111 (ETA C07.111)
- Features: Date at 3:00 or 6:00
- Rotor: High-Tech Escapement / Twenty-Three 23 Jewels / Swiss Made
- Features: Date at 3:00 or 6:00
- Rotor: High-Tech Escapement / Twenty-Three 23 Jewels / Swiss Made
Powermatic 80.121 (ETA C07.141)
- Features: Day at 3:00 or wide date at 12:00, date at 3:00 or wide date at 6:00
- Rotor (black): High-Tech Escapement / Twenty-Three 23 Jewels / Swiss Made
Another Note: Although the image of the movement in the Couturier looks like ETA C07.141, it’s partially covered by the balance. As of this post, there is absolutely nothing to be found about this caliber number anywhere online. If you have a watch with this movement, please confirm in the comments below if we have the correct ETA caliber number.
Powermatic 80.601 (ETA C07.111)
- Features: Date at 3:00 or 6:00
- Rotor (black): High-Tech Escapement / Twenty-Five 25 Jewels / Swiss Made
- Features: Open escapement at 12:00
- Rotor (black): Twenty-Five 25 Jewels / Swiss Made
- Features: Silicium hairspring, date at 3:00
- Rotor: Silicon Balance Spring / Twenty-Five 25 Jewels / Swiss Made
- Features: Certified Chronometer, Silicium hairspring, “Si” logo near the balance wheel, date at 3:00 or 6:00
- Rotor: Silicon Balance Spring / Chronometer / Swiss Made / Twenty-Five 25 Jewels
There is confusion about whether or not the Powermatic 80 movement uses plastic parts (similar to the Sistem51). First, it’s important to acknowledge that there is more than one Powermatic 80 caliber. For example, The Tissot Luxury line has the Powermatic 80.111 with 23 jewels and uses plastic parts. The COSC rated Powermatic 80.811 found in the Tissot Ballade does not.
ARCAP INSIDE?
Ever since the release of the Powermatic 80, there has been speculation in the watch industry as to the materials they used to make it. Following the release of the Swatch caliber Sistem51, a movement made entirely of ARCAP, an alloy of copper, nickel and zinc, the Powermatic 80 is believed to be constructed (at least in part) from similar a material. If this is true, it would give the movement resistance against magnetism.
SILICON BALANCE SPRING:
Furthering the resistance to magnetism is the use of a patented silicon balance spring in some Tissot Powermatic 80 models. As mentioned above, movements containing the silicon balance spring will have it written on the rotor, but you can also find a Silicium logo (Si) near the balance wheel. Silicium is another word for silicon, Si is the symbol for silicon on the periodic table of elements.
https://www.tissotwatches.com/assets/usermanuals/157-en.pdf
https://watch-insider.com/news/tiss...-ultra-precise-low-cost-mechanical-movements/
A Technical Perspective Swatch Group’s Powermatic Movement, a Powerful Entry-Level Engine
The Powermatic movement, the silent hero that gives power to the people.
https://monochrome-watches.com/swatch-groups-powermatic-movement-a-powerful-entry-level-engine/
Have you ever wondered how Swatch Group brands like Tissot, Certina, Hamilton and Mido can make reliable, robust and accurate mechanical watches of good quality at very reasonable prices? Take a look inside the cases and you’ll see the answer ticking there: the movement that seriously raises the bar for the entire industry. Its name: Powermatic. Entry-level, yes, but without being cheap.
MONOCHROME is more about the high-end segment of the watchmaking industry; the complicated movements, the perpetual calendars, the chiming watches, the exotic regulators, the independent watchmakers who create the most complex indications or tell the time in unusual ways. But this time, we dive deeper into one of the workhorses that drive Swatch Group growth, the Powermatic movement.