Tissot’s Chemin des Tourelles collection is named after the street in Le Locle, Switzerland, along which the Tissot HQ is based and is designed to represent their core watchmaking ideals: classical and elegant balanced with modernity and technical innovation. For 2023 Tissot have expanded the Chemin des Tourelles collection with seven new references in a broad range of styles and sizes.
While the collection has featured gold PVD models and bi-colour editions in the past, the new watches focus exclusively on stainless steel. Each has a round case with a smooth, curved bezel surrounding a domed sapphire glass. Across the seven new references there are three case sizes present, a large 42mm version, three at 39mm and three at a petite 34mm.
Where the new Chemin des Tourelles get more complex are the dials themselves because there are multiple styles, materials and colours across the seven watches. There are several sunray brushed dials with baton indexes, a pair with Roman numerals set on a Clous de Paris ring and one with a mother-of-pearl disc at the centre. Honestly, it will just be easier on us all if I list out the various combinations.
Ref. T139.407.16.261.00
42mm case with sunray brushed dial in champagne with gold PVD baton hour markers.
Ref. T139.807.11.061.00
39mm case with sunray brushed dial in dark grey with baton hour markers.
Ref. T139.807.16.041.00
39mm case with sunray brushed dial in blue with baton hour markers.
Ref. T139.807.11.048.00
39mm case with Clous de Paris ring on dial in blue with Roman numerals.
Ref. T139.207.11.031.00
34mm case with sunray brushed dial in light grey with baton hour markers.
Ref. T139.207.11.048.00
34mm case with Clous de Paris ring on dial in blue with Roman numerals.
Ref. T139.207.16.111.00
34mm case with mother-of-pearl dial with baton hour markers.
My personal favourite is the 42mm champagne piece, it has a vintage flair that’s really attractive and with those gold coloured markers, it fits the vibe of a dress watch really well. Regardless of which Chemin des Tourelles is your favourite, they all contain the same movement. Specifically, it’s the Powermatic 80, one of Tissot’s premier automatic movements, which is based on the ETA C07.111 (itself based on the 2824-2) and has a huge power reserve of 80-hours.
As expected, they have similar prices to the existing Chemins des Tourelles in steel, ranging from £640 on leather strap to £760 on steel bracelet. At those prices it’s essentially the elegant, classical cousin to the sporty PRX.
Price & Specs:
- Model: Tissot Chemin des Tourelles 2023
- Ref: T139.407.16.261.00 (42mm Champagne)
T139.807.11.061.00 (39mm Dark Grey)
T139.807.16.041.00 (39mm Blue)
T139.807.11.048.00 (39mm Roman Blue)
T139.207.11.031.00 (34mm Light Grey)
T139.207.11.048.00 (34mm Roman Blue)
T139.207.16.111.00 (34mm Red) - Case/dial: 42mm/39mm/34mm diameter, stainless steel case, champagne/dark grey/blue/roman blue/light grey/mother of pearl dial
- Water resistance: 50m (5 bar)
- Movement: Swiss made Nivachron Powermatic calibre 80, automatic
- Frequency: 21,600 vph (3 Hz)
- Power reserve: 80h
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Strap: Leather strap or stainless steel bracelet
- Price/availability: £640 – £760
More details at Tissot.