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Tissot’s 2024 PR516 launch comprises four chronographs: three quartz watches and one hand-wound mechanical model. Launch pricing was €545 for the all-steel quartz watches, €595 for the two-tone quartz version, and €1,975 for the mechanical chronograph. Tissot made the watches available on February 23, 2024.
The four watches at a glance
| Version | Movement | Case size | Launch price | Position in the range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All-steel quartz (two models) | Tissot G10.212 PowerDrive quartz chronograph | 40 mm | €545 each | Lowest-cost, convenience-focused options |
| Two-tone quartz | Tissot G10.212 PowerDrive quartz chronograph | 40 mm | €595 | Quartz format with two-tone case and bracelet styling |
| Mechanical chronograph | Hand-wound Tissot Valjoux A05.291 | 41 mm | €1,975 | Heritage-led, hand-wound flagship |
Prices above are the launch figures reported for the February 23, 2024 release and can vary by market or later retailer pricing.
What the quartz PR516 offers
Movement and daily use
The quartz models use Tissot’s G10.212 PowerDrive chronograph movement. Quartz power makes the watch straightforward to live with: it starts running when the battery is installed, keeps time without daily winding, and provides chronograph functions in a compact 40 mm case.
Documented specifications
Tissot’s 40 mm reference T149.417.11.011.00 is listed with a sapphire crystal, tachymeter bezel, Super-LumiNova, a quick-release bracelet, 100 m water resistance, date display, and 30-minute and 1/10-second chronograph counters. Tissot listed this reference at $575 in the United States at the time of access.
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- Case Size: 40 mm, Band Width: 20 mm, Case Thickness, 12.16 mm
- Swiss Quartz Movement, 316L stainless steel case, Date
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft)
- Case diameter: 40 mm
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Timing scale: Tachymeter bezel
- Chronograph indications: 30-minute and 1/10-second counters
- Calendar: Date
- Luminescence: Super-LumiNova
- Water resistance: 100 m
- Bracelet: 20 mm quick-release system on the documented reference
Those specifications are tied to reference T149.417.11.011.00; check the individual reference before assuming every dial, bracelet or colorway is identical.
What changes with the hand-wound mechanical model
Valjoux A05.291 architecture
The 41 mm mechanical PR516 uses Tissot’s hand-wound Valjoux A05.291, derived from the 7753. Tissot removed the automatic winding block and uses a fixed bridle, creating a manually wound chronograph rather than an automatic one.
68-hour reserve and Nivachron
The movement has a 68-hour power reserve and a Nivachron balance spring. In practical terms, a fully wound watch can run through a typical weekend without needing to be wound again, although the wearer must still wind it regularly when the reserve is exhausted.
Rank #2
- Case Size: 41.00 mm, Band Width: 20, Case Thickness: 14.19 mm
- Automatic movement, 316L stainless steel case, Index dial type
- Stainless steel bracelet, interchangeable quick release bracelet,butterfly clasp with push-buttons closure
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft): suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
- 2 Year International Warranty
Mechanical case and visual design
The mechanical case is about 41 mm wide and approximately 14 mm thick, compared with roughly 40 mm and 12.5 mm for the quartz watches. Its dial follows the 1968-inspired design more closely, with stronger blue and orange accents and a glassbox-style crystal. The quartz models use a more modern, simplified dial layout.
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Choose quartz when convenience and value lead
- You want a chronograph that can sit for periods without winding.
- You prefer the smaller, thinner 40 mm case.
- You want the lowest entry price: €545 for an all-steel launch model.
- You value the documented combination of sapphire crystal, 100 m water resistance, lume and tachymeter styling.
Choose the hand-wound model when interaction and heritage lead
- You enjoy winding a mechanical watch and watching a traditional chronograph movement operate.
- You want the closer visual link to the 1968-era PR516 chronograph.
- You value the A05.291’s 68-hour reserve and Nivachron balance spring.
- You accept a 41 mm, approximately 14 mm case and a launch price of €1,975.
The mechanical watch costs more than three times the €545 all-steel quartz price. That premium pays for the hand-wound movement, longer reserve and more historically focused execution, not a fundamentally different timing purpose: both formats are designed as racing-inspired chronographs.
PR516 history: from 1965 to the 2024 revival
Tissot dates the PR516 design to 1965 and says a chronograph joined the family three years later, in 1968. The name “PR” refers to “Particularly Robust” or “Precision and Resistance.” The original concept was marketed as equipment for active environments, captured in Tissot’s period line: “On the track, in the air, in the water – everywhere!”
Rank #3
- Case Size: 41.00 mm, Band Width: 20, Case Thickness: 13.67 mm
- Mechanical movement, 316L stainless steel case with black PVD coating, Index dial type,
- Stainless steel strap/bracelet, interchangeable quick release bracelet,folding clasp with safety and push-buttons closure
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft)
- 2 Year International Warranty
The 2024 collection uses that history in two ways. The quartz watches reinterpret the formula with a cleaner, more contemporary dial and practical everyday specifications. The hand-wound model stays nearer to the 1968 visual language through its blue-and-orange accents and glassbox-style crystal.
Case sizes, proportions and intended character
| Characteristic | Quartz PR516 | Mechanical PR516 |
|---|---|---|
| Diameter | 40 mm | 41 mm |
| Approximate thickness | 12.5 mm | 14 mm |
| Dial direction | Modern, simplified layout | Closer to the 1968-inspired design |
| Crystal/style noted in launch coverage | Sapphire on documented reference | Glassbox-style crystal |
| Power source | Battery-powered quartz | Manual winding |
The one-millimetre diameter difference is modest, but the mechanical watch’s extra thickness and more prominent crystal give it a stronger wrist presence. Trying both is worthwhile if your preference is sensitive to case height or lug reach.
Is the hand-wound PR516 worth the premium?
There is no universal answer because the price gap reflects a different ownership experience rather than extra basic functionality. The quartz PR516 is the rational choice for inexpensive, low-maintenance timing. The mechanical PR516 is the enthusiast choice: it offers a movement with a 68-hour reserve, Nivachron protection and a more faithful historical presentation, while asking the wearer to wind it and pay €1,975 at launch.
Rank #4
- Case Size: 40.00 mm, Band Width: 20, Case Thickness: 12.16 mm
- Quartz movement, 316L stainless steel case with rose gold PVD coating, Index dial type, Date
- Stainless steel bracelet, interchangeable quick release bracelet,folding clasp with safety and push-buttons closure
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 10 bar (100 m / 330 ft): suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
- 2 Year International Warranty
Buy the mechanical version if the tactile act of winding, the 1968-oriented styling and the movement itself are central to why you want a PR516. Buy quartz if you mainly want the PR516 look, chronograph capability and everyday robustness at a fraction of the cost.
What to check before buying
- Confirm the exact reference, because finishes and specifications can differ among the four watches.
- Check whether the quoted price is a launch price, current Tissot price or retailer price in your country.
- For a replacement strap, verify the lug and quick-release dimensions against the reference; the documented quartz model uses a 20 mm system.
- Decide whether you want battery convenience or the regular winding routine of the A05.291.
- Compare the 40 mm quartz and 41 mm mechanical cases on your wrist, especially if thickness matters.
The Bottom Line
The 2024 Tissot PR516 range gives you three 40 mm quartz chronographs at €545–€595 launch pricing and one 41 mm hand-wound mechanical chronograph at €1,975. Quartz is the value and convenience choice; the mechanical model is the heritage-focused option for buyers who specifically want manual winding, a 68-hour reserve and the closer 1968-inspired design.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
