One hundred and sixty-two years ago Charles-Félicien Tissot founded the comptoir Ch. Félicien Tissot & Fils with his son Charles-Emile. They had a modest establishment and, cradled in the heart of Swiss watchmaking, plenty of stiff competition. At this time Tissot timepieces were pocket watches, luxurious pendant watches or complication watches, destined mainly for the United States.
The company, however, snowballed and after becoming a limited company in 1917 strengthened its presence worldwide, leading to a merger with Omega in 1930 to form the first Swiss watchmaking association, the SSIH (Société Suisse pour l’Industrie Horlogère). Tissot has been a powerhouse in the realms of horology ever since, making a number of innovative timepieces and setting many records in the process: the world’s first non-magnetic wristwatch, the world’s first plastic mechanical watch, the world’s first tactile watch powered by solar energy – it has many more accolades in its arsenal.
If not breaking new ground, Tissot’s watch designs hold sentimental value. Many encapsulate an important part of its history, such as the Chemin des Tourelles. It takes its name from the street in the traditional Swiss watchmaking town of Le Locle, where the Tissot manufacture was established in 1907. The company still operates from this location today.
The watch complements the company’s 162 years of expertise with a contemporary design in an elegant case that’s been both polished and brushed, perfectly demonstrating the technical know-how Tissot puts into every piece.
The result is wonderfully luxurious, but Tissot has always maintained an accessible mantra – this is a luxury Swiss Made timepiece that’s not priced for Russian oligarchs. The Tissot Chemin des Tourelles comes in a variety of different versions, but all models pay close attention to detail with sophisticated touches like the mesmerising circular dial pattern and elegant hobnail ‘Clous de Paris’ finish on the minute track.
While time has raced on and innovation enters new realms, the beauty and ingenuity of Tissot remains as intrinsic to the company as it was all those years ago. Charles-Félicien and Charles-Emile would be extremely proud.
FEATURES:
Swiss Made automatic movement, 316L stainless steel case with see-through caseback and domed scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with antireflective coating, Water-resistant up to a pressure of 5 bar (50 m / 165 ft), Leather strap with butterfly clasp or 316L solid stainless steel bracelet with butterfly clasp, Bicolour and rose gold versions are PVD-coated
For more information, visit Tissot.
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