For more than 150 years, Tissot has embodied the innovation and tradition of Swiss watch-making. Whether in the technology of its movements, in the research for special materials or in the very functions of the watch itself, Tissot’s engineers and watchmakers have developed pioneering timepieces over the past 150 years.
Some of Tissot’s triumphs over the years include the world’s first plastic watch released in 1971, the Rock watch which set the timepiece’s movement in a stone case made from Swiss Alps granite in 1985 and the Wood watch from 1988 with a completely wooden case.
Tissot uses the best movements from ETA SA Manufacture Horlogère Suisse, the highest quality materials like 316L steel, 18K gold, titanium and scratch proof glass.
History of Tissot
Tissot was founded in 1853 by Charles-Felicien Tissot and his son Charles-Emile who established the Tissot factory in the Swiss city of Le Locle, in the Neuchâtel area of the Jura Mountains.
Tissot introduced the first mass-produced pocket watch and the first pocket watch with two times zones in 1853 and the first anti-magnetic watch in 1929-30.
Charles-Emile Tissot left for Russia in 1858 and succeeded in selling their savonnette pocket watches across the Russian Empire.
Tissot merged with the Omega watch making family in 1930 and Tissot-Omega watches from this era are sought after by collectors.
Still based in Le Locle, Switzerland and present in more than 150 countries around the world, Tissot has been a member of The Swatch Group Ltd., the largest watch producer and distributor in the world, since 1983.
Tissot Today
Tissot is an official timekeeper for the world championships in cycling, motorcycling, fencing and ice hockey, and was used for the Davis Cup in 1957 and Downhill Skiing in Switzerland in 1938.
Tissot was also a key Sponsor for the Formula one teams Lotus, Renault and Sauber.
Tissot has become known in recent years for its tactile, or “T-Touch,” technology; several new watches have touch-sensitive sapphire glasses and include compasses, barometers, altimeters and thermometers.
T-Touch watches have been recently featured on Angelina Jolie’s wrist in the movies Lara Croft Tomb Raider: The Cradle of Life and Mr. & Mrs. Smith.
Famous people who have worn Tissot watches include the actress Sarah Bernhardt, singer Carmen Miranda, Elvis Presley, Grace Kelly, and Nelson Mandela. James Stewart also wears a Tissot watch in the movie “Rear Window”.
Today the company is represented in a variety of sporting fields by English soccer star Michael Owen, IndyCar driver Danica Patrick, and MotoGP world champion Nicky Hayden.
Tissot has been involved with high profile sports events since 1974 when they sponsored a racing car in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, France. Since then Tissot’s timepieces have been chosen as official timekeepers for world championships in cycling, motorcycling, fencing and ice hockey. And Tissot is currently the the official watch and timekeeper of NASCAR.
