Tissot is a brand that we do not often write about here. It is not because we have a dislike for the brand – far from it. It’s just that, for whatever reason, they seem to fly under our radar, even with their combination of affordability, styling, and Swiss movement. That certainly changed with one of their latest, the Tissot Visodate Milanais.
This new watch is part of their Heritage collection, and that is fairly evident by taking a look at the styling of the watch – the slightly tapered stick indices, beveled blade hands, domed sapphire crystal, and simple dial all contribute to this “heritage” look without making it feel like the watch is trying to hard to be vintage. Of course, the 40mm case is thoroughly modern, in terms of current size tastes. That case is also where I had my first pleasant surprise for the watch. Take a look at the crown. It actually tucks into the fairly thin outer bezel, keeping nice, clean lines on the case while still protecting the crown.
That crown is interacting with the ETA 2836-2 movement that powers the handset as well as the day/date display; it’s also visible through a display caseback. Sure, it is not a movement that the hard-core collectors will get a worked up about, but I think that is just fine. The movement will serve this watch (and its wearer) well, providing accuracy and a 42 hour power reserve.
All of this is packaged up on a stainless steel mesh, or milanaise, bracelet, tucked into the 20mm lugs. Far from being the stretchy mesh-look expandable bracelet of days gone by, this should give a solid feel, all while conforming to your wrist and allowing some (albeit minimal) airflow to your wrist. It also functions quite nicely as a bracelet for swimming, which you can do with this watch, as it carries a 100m WR rating.
There is no doubt that, within the Swatch Group, there are a wide range of watches, for all manner of tastes (and wallets). When it comes to simpler, or even more “old school” styled watches, I’ve had a tendency to think first and foremost of Hamilton (when it comes to the Swatch Group brands), especially on the affordable end of the spectrum. That said, with the Tissot Visodate Milanais coming in at $695 (available here), this is definitely another point of consideration, perhaps if the Jazzmaster lineup isn’t quite to your liking. For me, it’s hitting a lot of great points, and I think this would be a solid all-around (work, dress, and weekend) watch for many people. tissot.ch
Watch Overview
- Brand & Model: Tissot Visodate Milanais
- Price: $695
- Who we think it might be for: This is a good all-arounder type of watch, particular for someone who likes an more vintage style, but wants some modern updates
- Would I buy one for myself based on what I’ve seen?: Yes, I very probably would
- If I could make one design suggestion, it would be: Let’s throw some additional dial colors in the mix – preferably with color-matched day and date wheels
- What spoke to me the most about this watch: It’s a variety of things. What stands out the most for me is how the crown sets into the case, and the included bracelet.
