The new Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 watch redefines heritage

Tissot Le Locle : A timepiece launched in 2003, but it's still popular 20 years later

By Nathan S.R Published January 7, 2025

Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 — Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80 Tissot / Tissot

To pass down the brand’s heritage to new generations, Tissot re-designed an old retro watch after revisiting its history and analyzing its growth: the Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80.

Inspired by the original Tissot Le Locle, this new watch is a solid representation of the brand’s heritage, progress, and history. The original model was first rolled out into the market in 2003 on Tissot’s 150th anniversary, with stick hour markers, a minimalistic white dial, a stainless steel casing, and a brown strap. Everyone loved it, so Tissot introduced more Le Locle watches.

The first-ever Tissot Le Locle model, unveiled in 2003 — The first-ever Tissot Le Locle model, unveiled in 2003 Tissot / Tissot

The latest model is based on Le Locle’s 2003 design, but it has a modern and unique front, accentuated by Roman hour markers, a guilloche pattern, and a stainless steel bracelet. This stylish look is quite different from the minimalistic appearance of the original watch.

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While this new watch was launched 20 years after the first piece, it still paints a clear picture of how things went down before Tissot blew up. The brand has roots in a small town popularly known as Le Locle—this is where everything started in the 19th century.

Elements featured on the Le Locle model, from the inscriptions to the engravings, are designed to honor Tissot’s hometown. Think of this new watch as a miniature version of Le Locle town, downsized into a tiny profile to preserve Tissot’s heritage.

Just below the 12 O’clock denotation, there’s a beautiful inscription—1853, which is the year the brand was established. Hour markers and hands are quite similar to components fitted on church clocks and monuments in Le Locle.

From the 19th to the 21st century, Tissot was the go-to brand for stylish, innovative, and contemporary collections. But everything changed when the Le Locle line was launched in the early 2000s. It’s backed by a rich history and heritage. Turns out this was the missing piece in the puzzle, a complementary aspect that boosts innovation and style.

The brand still rolls out different versions of the Le Locle every few years in varying sizes and colors, the latest one being the Tissot Le Locle Powermatic 80.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nathan has devoted his life to collecting watches, studying horology, reviewing watches, and writing about timepieces. As a…

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Tissot celebrates swiss heritage with Jungfraubahn Alpine railway collaboration

Alpine tribute: Tissot's jungfraubahn partnership celebrates swiss railway heritage

Tissot PR 100 Jungfraubahn

Tissot shows respect for Switzerland's mountain past by working with Jungfraubahn, a well-known cogwheel railway that takes people to the highest train station in the Bernese Alps. The partnership makes five special watches that show the blend of Swiss exact building, mountain grandeur, and watch skill.
The group of watches focuses on two models: the Tissot PR 100 Jungfraubahn and the T-Touch Connect Sport Jungfraubahn. Each watch shows different parts of the mountain railway trip. Snow-covered peaks, trains that run on time, and well-made watches show what Switzerland offers. This cooperation feels right for showing national identity.
The PR 100 Jungfraubahn comes in two sizes, with 40mm and 34mm cases—this makes them good for many wrist sizes while keeping the watch's usual shape. Two different color choices offer looks that show different mountain moods and train design elements.
One version has a dark blue face with nickel minute and hour hands, plus a yellow second hand that points to the Jungfraubahn train's distinct colors. That color mix makes a clear link to the railway trip while keeping the face easy to read—this is important for Swiss exact timekeeping.
The other design has a silver sun-ray face with blue hands. These colors aim to show the clear difference between clean mountain snow and bright mountain sky. This color scheme catches the look of high places and also makes sure you can read the watch in different light.
Both versions have fine Jungfrau mountain carvings right on the watch face. These turn mountain places into art on the watch. Such details add interesting textures and honor the specific mountain area that led to the teamwork.
The words "Jungfrau - Top of Europe" on the back of the case make the watches special. They connect the watches to this respected Swiss place. This writing changes each watch into a real tribute, not just a usual special edition.
The T-Touch Connect Sport Jungfraubahn extends the cooperation into smartwatches, though specific facts about it remain unclear. That addition shows that Tissot wants to respect old railway history through both classic and new watch styles.
The partnership shows how Swiss brands can work together well to celebrate shared culture. They also make products that sell and appeal to people in Switzerland and other countries. The railway is known for being exact and dependable, which fits well with Tissot's Swiss-made quality rules.
These special watches show the charm of mountain travel and respect the building success that makes Switzerland's mountain railways possible. This makes watches that show both nature's beauty and human cleverness.

Fashion & Style

Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces Polaris Chronograph in signature ocean grey lacquer

Lacquer mastery: Jaeger-LeCoultre's polaris chronograph features 35-layer ocean grey dial construction

Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Chronograph

Jaeger-LeCoultre adds a new chronograph to its Polaris collection, featuring the brand’s Ocean Grey lacquer dial. This dial is built with impressive complexity: 35 layers of lacquer are applied by hand, with three different finishes giving it depth and character. The 42mm sports watch continues the approach the collection began in 2018, redefining what a modern, sporty, and chic timepiece can be.
The Polaris collection pays tribute to Jaeger-LeCoultre’s diving watches from the 1960s, taking their athletic spirit and translating it into a refined, contemporary design. The Ocean Grey version keeps the line’s signature elements—straight lines, curved lugs, a thin bezel, a glass box crystal, and a mix of brushed and polished surfaces. The large crown and pushers are inspired by the original 1960s model, making them practical and easy to use.
The Ocean Grey dial itself is a showcase of craftsmanship, with a central disc, a middle ring for the hour markers, and an outer ring displaying a tachymeter scale. Sunray brushing on the central disc subtly contrasts with the polished hour ring, while the gradual color shift from light to dark adds visual depth across the dial.
Creating the dial requires meticulous handwork. It starts with a clear varnish base coat, followed by four layers of color and a black layer to create the gradient. Achieving a consistent gradient across the dial’s two main sections is a challenge, and then 30 more transparent lacquer layers are added to create the final sense of depth and richness.
The chronograph’s layout is designed for clarity. A central seconds hand provides precise measurement, with a 30-minute counter at three o’clock and a running seconds subdial at nine o’clock. Circular graining adds visual texture, contrasting with the polished central disc and the textured hour ring. Orange accents highlight key indicators and add a dynamic touch to the overall look.
Inside, the automatic Caliber 761 is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s in-house chronograph movement, combining technical performance with mechanical elegance. Two barrels power the column wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch, offering a 65-hour power reserve. The movement is finely finished, with blued screws, Côtes de Genève decoration, and an open-worked rotor bearing the ‘JL’ logo.
The entire movement is designed, produced, and assembled in Jaeger-LeCoultre’s Manufactory in Switzerland’s Vallée de Joux, making it a true in-house creation. The sapphire crystal case back reveals the movement and maintains 10-bar water resistance, ready for adventure.
The watch offers versatility with two strap options: a blue-grey canvas and a textured black rubber strap. An interchangeable folding buckle system makes it easy to switch straps, allowing the watch to adapt from casual elegance to active sports use.

Fashion & Style

Oris Hölstein edition 2025: A timepiece redefining luxury

The Oris Hölstein 2025: Where Swiss craftsmanship meets modern elegance

Oris Hölstein Edition 2025 with illuminated green dial

Oris unveils its Hölstein Edition 2025, a masterpiece blending Swiss precision with avant-garde design. This year’s release is just 250 pieces, an exclusive offering celebrating the brand’s heritage while pushing horological boundaries. The 40mm stainless steel case features a sleek, polished finish, while the gradient green dial—inspired by the dense forests of Hölstein—captures light with mesmerizing depth.

Celebrating the marvel of movement