Tissot and Victorinox are two watch brands that could not be further away from each other in regards to their reputation in the market. Tissot is known for its high precision watches and is considered to be one of the best mid-range luxury Swiss watchmakers in the business. On the other hand, Victorinox focuses on a specific timepiece category, which is a robust tool watch. Victorinox’s timepieces are designed to be as durable and reliable as possible.
This is an exciting match up as we will be able to compare critical qualities about each watch brand’s design with the other. How does Tissot’s watch build compare to the incredibly resilient watch construction of Victorinox? How does Victorinox’s watch movement compare to Tissot? Let’s find out how the two Swiss watch brand stacks up against each other.
Tissot Brand Overview
Tissot began operations back in 1853 and was founded by the father and son duo of Charles-Felicien and Charles-Emile Tissot. The company was initially named as the Charles-Felicien & Son. The company went through several name changes such as Charles-Emile Tissot & Fils (1865), Chs. Tissot & Fils – SA (1917), Tissot Marche Suisse SA (1976), and finally Tissot SA (1982).
From the beginning of Tissot, the company aimed for international recognition as their pocket watches were primarily for export. Within a year of operating, Tissot watches were already being sold in the United States. About five years later, Tissot watches were made available in Russia as well. Their sudden growth of popularity in Russia stemmed from when Charles Tissot settled in the country after marriage. Tissot’s prominence in the country was further increased when their timepieces became the watch of choice of Tsar Alexander II’s court.
Tissot built an impressive repertoire within the watch industry thanks to their fantastic and precise watch movements. They primarily utilize high precision quartz movement, which helps endear them to several companies in the sports industry. Tissot watches are also often seen within the lucrative sports industry. Tissot managed to land several partnerships within the F1 racing circuit.
In 1983, Tissot joined the world-renowned Swiss Swatch Group. At this point, Tissot watches were available in over 160 countries and was the Swatch Group’s top mid-level luxury. Nowadays, Tissot is one of the most respected Swiss watch brands in the market. Throughout the years, they have proven the quality of their timepieces on all fronts. Tissot is also not afraid to take off the cuff watchmaking tactics, which is evident with their WoodWatch, RockWatch, and PearlWatch series.
Victorinox Brand Overview
Victorinox is another noteworthy Swiss watchmaker who has a fascinating history. Victorinox, unlike Tissot, did not start as a watchmaking company. Founded in 1884, Victorinox was initially a manufacturer of army knives, in particular the Swiss Army Knife. Victorinox was one of the primary suppliers of army knives in Switzerland.
Throughout the years, Victorinox was one of the go-to companies if you are looking for a top-notch quality Swiss army knife. Their tagline was that they provide “Original Swiss Army Knives”, and the quality and durability of their knives are undoubted. It wasn’t until 1989 when Victorinox finally entered the watchmaking business. Victorinox took their approach in making robust and reliable army knives and applied it to their watches. What came about are tool watches that provide excellent levels of durability and reliability.
Victorinox’s first crack at this market came when they debuted the Victorinox Swiss Army Watch. It proved to be quite popular with outdoor enthusiasts as well as military and police personnel. In 2005, Victorinox purchased and merged with their longtime rival in the Swiss army knife market, Wenger, which boosted both brands’ standing as their catalog expanded exponentially afterward.
As of this writing, Victorinox manufactures various products under their wing, not just tool watches and tool knives. They make travel equipment and accessories as well as fragrances as well. So, how do Victorinox watches compare to other well-known brands? For the most part, Victorinox timepieces occupy a specific watch category, namely tool watches. In this regard, they do provide excellent and reliable timepieces that also feature their signature rugged sense of style.
Tissot and Victorinox Watch Comparisons
Chronograph Watches:
Tissot PRS 516 Chronograph Review
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🏆 #1 Best Overall
- 【Watch repair tool kit】- JOREST watch repair tool kit contains common tools required for repairing watches, suitable for adjusting and replacing watch straps, opening watch covers, replacing watch batteries, gaskets, etc., and has detailed operations Manual to help you solve watch problems at home and save expensive repair costs.
- 【Adjust the strap】- Metal watch band link remover, watch band holder, pin punches, double-headed hammer and spring bar tool with scale are used to replace various watch straps, adjust the length of the strap to fit your wrist.We are equipped with 15PCS spare needle to improve the service life of the tool, suitable for pin punch and metal watch band link remover.
- 【Suitable for different watch covers】- Watch back case opener is used for watch cases with grooves；watch case opening pry is used for the watch case with a pry opening；Screwdriver is used for watch case fixed by screws；tweezer is used to remove the battery.The use range of the watch back case opener is 15-60mm, and the drill bit spacing is set by rolling the adjusting wheel to fit the groove of your watch back.
- 【Five-in-one watch screwdriver】- Five types of screwdriver bits are suitable for many situations: watch battery fixing screws, watch case screws, watchband screws, and can also be used for glasses screws. The cover at the end of the screwdriver can be opened, and the inside is hollow for storing other screwdriver bits.
- 【The purpose of the watch case holder】 - The watch case holder can be used with other tools in the kit to help fix the watch and reduce the risk of sliding and scratching the watch. It is suitable for watches of various sizes, and can be used for watches with a diameter of up to 50mm.
The Tissot PRS 516 features a sportier design compared to most of Tissot’s timepieces. This is certainly a departure from Tissot’s typical approach to their sports watch design which usually still comes off with a more luxurious and sophisticated appeal. The PRS 516 Chronograph is a straight-up sports watch from the black PVD coated stainless steel case to the highly flexible black rubber straps.
The Tissot PRS 516 managed to contain everything in a sleek build with its 42mm case. Within the PRS 516 Chronograph is the Swiss Calibre ETA G10.212 Swiss quartz movement. This watch movement is incredibly precise and can provide wearers with a highly dependable timepiece with chronograph functionality.
Of course, while the Tissot PRS 516 might not look the part at first glance, it is a luxury watch through and through. For example, the bezel here is made from ceramic material, and the carbon textured dial gives the watch another layer of detail. The dial is well-protected within a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal window which also utilizes an anti-glare finish.
Also, the build of the PRS 516 Chronograph gives the watch a substantial 100-meter water resistance making it suitable for light and water-based recreational activities such as swimming. If you are looking for a top-notch luxury chronograph timepiece with a contemporary sports flair, the PRS 516 offers all of these at a reasonable price.
Victorinox Swiss Army Alliance Chronograph Review
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Rank #2
- UPGRADE COMPLETE 155 PCS WATCH REPAIR KIT suit for professional and general use, which can solution for most watch repair requirements
- MULTIFUNCTION DELUXE WATCH TOOLS SET has every tool you need, 3 point watch wrench case opener (extra large), watch band link remover tool, pin punch, hammer, pliers, spring bar removal tool, band holder, 5x screwdriver, tweezers, case pry
- INCLUDED XL WATCH WRENCH CASE OPENER up to 55MM, easy to open groove type oversize watches. This kit is perfect for common watch trouble, like opening watch back cover, watchband adjustment, changing watch batteries, watch band remover, watch resize, watch pins remover. You will never pay pricey watchmaker fees again
- THE METAL WATCHMAKING TOOLS are made of high quality solid 304 stainless steel, they are sturdy, portable, practical and very easy to use
- EXCELLENT WEARABILITY NYLON STORAGE BAG holds the whole watch repair set neatly, and this portable zipper case is easy to carry, you can transport it to fix your watch anywhere you want
The Victorinox Swiss Army Alliance incorporates a more luxurious build and design with its stainless-steel case and bracelet construction. In terms of design, the Swiss Army Alliance captures the robust aesthetic that Victorinox is known to deliver. The Swiss Army Alliance comes in at a relatively large 44mm stainless-steel case. The attention to detail is quite impressive as each component is carefully thought of and designed to provide optimum functionality.
First off, the Swiss Army Alliance utilizes quartz movement with analog display. The dial to the sub-dial all works in conjunction with its highly accurate Swiss quartz movement. There is also a date display located just above the 6 o’clock position. The dial window is made from durable sapphire crystal glass, which is also incredibly resistant to scratches. Also, the construction of the Victorinox Swiss Army Alliance gives the timepiece a noteworthy 100-meter water resistance.
In terms of design, the Victorinox Swiss Army Alliance hits all the right notes. The professional and sleek design exudes an air of confidence and sophistication. As for precision, it passes that category with excellent marks as well. We thoroughly enjoy what Victorinox has to offer with this particular chronograph watch. While its watch movement may not be able to match up with the ones you can find on the high-end watch market, it still delivers everything you need with a highly durable and smart-looking timepiece.
Pilot Watches:
Tissot Chrono XL Review
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Rank #3
- Complete Watch Repair & Cleaning Kit: Designed for watch enthusiasts, this kit includes everything needed to clean and maintain your timepieces.
- Precision Tools for Cleaning & Repair: Features a soft-bristle brush for detailing and a microfiber towel for a streak-free finish.
- Restores & Maintains Watches: Effectively removes dirt, oil, and grime while helping to maintain watch components for long-term performance.
- Suitable for Watch Upkeep: Works on stainless steel watches, titanium watches, ceramic watches, gold watches, rubber straps, leather straps and any type of crystal.
- Convenient for Home & Travel: Designed for everyday use and on-the-go watch care.
The XL on the Tissot Chrono XL is not just there to make the watch sound cool. This is a legitimately large timepiece that measures in at 45mm. Because of its relatively large build, the dial itself provides excellent legibility. This aspect is vital in pilot and aviation watches. The dial features bold Arabic numerals that incorporate color tones that contrast the dial face. The watch takes on a highly urban aesthetic making it quite an appealing timepiece for modern watch enthusiasts.
The Tissot Chrono XL comes in a variety of designs, making sure it covers as wide a customer base as possible. While most variations of the Chrono XL feature leather bands, there is also a stainless-steel bracelet version if you want something that has a more luxurious appeal. The design of the Chrono XL reels it back quite a bit and is almost minimalist in approach. I prefer a minimalist approach when it comes to my timepiece, making the Chrono XL quite attractive.
As for features, the Tissot Chrono XL features three sub-dials that track minutes (30), seconds (60), and 1/10th of a second. The watch incorporates the ETA calibre G10.212 quartz movement which provides excellent timekeeping accuracy 24/7. The clock is also designed to provide up to 100-meters of water resistance.
Victorinox Airboss Mach 9 Black Edition Review
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Rank #4
- 【2024 Upgraded Adjustable Watch Opener】①Bigger size for better grip;②It is equipped with three different shapes of jaws, which can better adapt to different types of grooves;③The jaws are more stable, and when used with an anti-slip film, they can help you complete the job safely and efficiently.
- 【Multifunctional Screwdriver】We centralized the functions of removing screws from watches and glasses, prying open watch covers, and replacing watch spring bars in this screwdriver, which helps you save storage space and saves you the trouble of keeping multiple tools.
- 【Convenient Storage】Built-in mesh pocket for storing manuals, extra watches and watch straps, etc. Note: The pouch only shows the items that can be stored, the set does not contain these items: watches, straps, batteries.
- 【Replace the Watch Battery & Adjust the Watch Band】Suitable for watch backs with a pry opening, watch backs with grooves or watch backs with screws; The metal link remover and hammer tool can help you adjust the strap length to fit your wrist.
- 【Illustrated Instruction Manual】The instruction manual（in English） describes in detail how to use each tool, which makes it easy for even beginners to get started. This upgraded watch repair tool set is perfect for professional repairers or watch enthusiasts.
The Victorinox Airboss Mach 9 Black Edition is a no non-sense aviation timepiece that is designed for pilots. The highly professional and elegant design speaks volumes of what this Victorinox pilot watch has to offer. True to the brand name, the Airboss Mach 9 is designed with durability, functionality, and practicality in mind. Of course, if you are familiar with Victorinox, you know what to expect when it comes to its design. With a 45mm stainless steel case, this watch leans on over towards a more masculine appeal.
The Victorinox Airboss Mach 9 uses Swiss automatic movement, the ETA VALJOUX 7750, to be exact. Flip the Airboss Mach 9 to the other side, and you’ll notice a transparent back case that will significantly benefit from the intricate watch movement featured inside. Additionally, the watch movement used provides 48-hours of power reserve.
The dial and hands also incorporate a luminous finish for improved visibility, even in low-light environments. Legibility and precision are two of the essential aspects of a pilot watch, two factors that the Victorinox Airboss Mach 9 delivers impressively.
Conclusion: Tissot and Victorinox – Which is Better?
Choosing which is the better watch brand is relatively simple this time around. Tissot has been around crafting amazing timepieces since 1853. While Victorinox, a company that has been around since 1884, only began producing watches in 1989. Also, Tissot is a offers a more traditional collection of timepieces such as dress watches while Victorinox watches are considered to be outdoor and military watches. All in all, go with Victorinox if you prefer something rugged and functional and pick a Tissot watch if you prefer style and finesse.
💰 Best Value
- 【Watch strap adjustment kit】-- The kit includes a metal watch band link remover, a pin punch , a strap replacement tool, a double-headed hammer, a watch band holder, 13PCS spare needles, 20PCS of 1.5Φ spring bars (4* 16/18/20/22/24mm) and an instruction manual.
- 【two kinds of watch strap pins remover use together】-- metal strap remover is more suitable for taking out the strap pin; watch bracket and double-headed hammer is convenient to insert the strap pin, two tools with use more convenient.
- 【13PCS Spare Needles】-- We are equipped with 13PCS spare needle to improve the service life of the tool, suitable for pin punch and metal watch band link remover.
- 【Precautions】-- When you use the metal strap remover and fail to eject the pin, please check whether the following situations occur: 1. The direction of the punching needle is inconsistent with the direction indicated by the arrow on the strap 2. The pin hole of the strap is not aligned the gap at the front end of the metal strap remover; please adjust the strap, otherwise it is easy to cause the punching needle to bend and damage your watch.
- 【Picture Operation Manual】-- The kit comes with a user manual (in English）. The detailed pictures explain the correct use method to you, avoid damaging your watch by wrong operation, and help you solve the watch problem at home.