Hands-On With The Tissot PRX in Lightweight Forged Carbon

The Tissot PRX is a well-understood concept at this point, and it’s a watch that’s been widely embraced for good reason. Tissot tapped into something powerful when it released the PRX in 2021, and the model has proven to be remarkably versatile in the intervening years. It has remained largely accessible along the way, which is worth applauding. The crux of the PRX’s success boils down to its thoughtful execution, making it more than an attempt to leverage a passing trend. A variety of configurations have fleshed out the concept further, perhaps none moreso than this example that features a case rendered in forged carbon. 

It’s worth pausing to appreciate the fact that ‘exotic’ materials such as forged carbon have made their way into the sub-$1,000 range of watches. Once regarded as reserved for the world of haute horlogerie, forged carbon composite materials can now be produced in a way that allows for such broad applications. It’s been embraced in the small, independent-brand space by the likes of Formex and Norqain (see a list of 12 right here) and the net result is more enthusiasts getting a chance to own watches made of the stuff. But it’s not just for small brands anymore. Tissot has put it to good use in this new PRX in what feels like a very organic pairing. 

The Tissot PRX is an integrated-bracelet sport watch that was released at the height of that genre's trend. It sat alongside a myriad of other watches looking to capitalize on the trend, but there was something different about Tissot’s approach. The PRX was based on a historic Seastar reference from 1978, and in resurrecting the design Tissot took great care in crafting a modern personality that would make it more than your typical throwback. The brand also kept the price under $400 thanks to the use of a quartz movement. The result is a watch that’s found some staying power, and today, three years after its release, Tissot is able to keep things interesting with new iterations showcasing a range of colorways, movements, sizes, and now, materials. 

As great as the design of the PRX is, its longterm success is owed, in part, to just how great it is on the wrist and in use. The original was 40mm in diameter and 10.4mm in thickness. When Tissot brought the Powermatic 80 automatic movement to the PRX, it grew to 11mm in thickness, keeping the on-wrist experience largely in check. Being an integrated-bracelet design, the diameter is a bit harder to judge as you normally might, but the lug-to-lug distance of 44.6mm should give you a pretty good idea of just how tidy this watch is on the wrist. 

(You should know that there is also a 35mm variation of the PRX that uses both quartz and automatic movements.)

It helps to start with such a strong foundation before venturing into new materials, and that’s exactly what Tissot has done with this new PRX in carbon. It’s the same formula that we know and love, but there’s an entirely different dimension to it here. First, the case has grown slightly to 40.5mm in diameter, and 11.2mm in thickness, but the differences are largely imperceptible thanks to the lightweight nature of the material at use. The PRX Powermatic 80 in carbon weighs a mere 75 grams in total, which is nearly half the weight of the steel PRX with a Powermatic 80 movement, which tips the scales at nearly 140 grams on its bracelet. It’s an immediate and noticeable difference. 

If you’re anything like me, you’ve likely been eagerly awaiting the arrival of a titanium PRX with a full bracelet. While that’s a watch I’d still love to see made, this carbon example is the next best thing, shaving off even more weight in the process. But it does so while limited to strap options, which can be swapped on the fly thanks to a quick-release mechanism. In total, this is a featherweight on the wrist that you’ll barely notice throughout the day, but it does come with some unique aesthetic trade offs. 

Forged carbon composite, as seen here, is a rich, matte black with a blasted finish. There are visible veins of resin and fibers that have been compressed, meaning each case will look slightly different. Tissot has doubled down on this uniqueness by using the same material for the dial itself, resulting in a stealthy black-on-black look. Visually, this is a very stark watch, which will work just fine in some scenarios, but it certainly won’t be quite as versatile as the steel models, which could even be dressed up to a degree. A titanium PRX would get closer to solving both issues, but the Carbon PRX leans fully into the sport/casual category. 

That said, this is a cool-looking watch. It’s somewhat aggressive in its presentation, but works perfectly naturally on the wrist and in context. It might not be a great single-watch option, but this PRX would make for a fantastic third or fourth watch slotting into that wildcard space. If you’re into carbon, this will undoubtedly bring a smile to your face with each wear. It’s just a fun take on an already fun watch, and now that the case exists, I’d love to see Tissot push it further with different colored dials and straps. 

Pulling duty on the inside you’ll find Tissot’s excellent Powermatic 80 automatic movement, which provides 80 hours of power reserve and a decent enough view through the exhibition caseback. This movement uses a silicon balance spring (as labeled on the balance bridge itself, lest you forget), meaning it will be less susceptible to fluctuations in magnetic fields. It’s about as good a movement as you could hope for at this price point. 

Overall, this is an excellent take on an already fantastic watch from Tissot. It brings a new material to the forefront, and does so without too much of a compromise to the price point. At $995, this is one of very few watches made of this material to be had for under $1,000 (see the list above for reference), and it does so with Tissot’s own battle-proven movement. Further, this watch pushes the PRX formula further than ever before, and pulls it off. This watch shows just how versatile the PRX is, and opens the door to more opportunities with the material to further bring its distinctive personality to life in exciting ways.