Tissot Gents XXL watch

Recently I had the opportunity to handle this Tissot Gents XXL watch. It is not my watch. The owner hardly used the watch and have kept the watch under lock and key. In fact, had I not asked to look at the watch for a review, the owner would not have known that the battery has expired. Anyway, on with the small review of the watch.

Collection: Gents XXL

Manufacturer: Tissot

Model: T05.1.511.52

Basic specifications:

Functions: Hours, minutes,seconds and date

Case: Stainless steel

Crystal: Sapphire

Movement: Tissot/ ETA 805.111

Water resistant: 3 ATM

CASE

The case is made of 316L stainless steel. It has a polished finish. The finish is very good and you can't see any blemishes on the case. Either the owner has taken very good care of the watch or it is very well made. The case measures 44 mm in diameter, but does not feel large as it is thin at 9 mm. The lug width is 22 mm. I believe the watch is of the 3 piece design, bezel, case and case back.

The bezel contrast the case by having a different finish. It has a brushed finish. I think the choice of polished and brushed finish makes the watch looks good and very classic. It would not be out of place in more formal surroundings.

The crown is at the 3 o'clock position. It measures 5.5 mm in diameter and 3 mm thick. It is very easy to use as the crown is large. It is aided by the fact that there is a slight gap between the crown and the case. The crown is polished and it is signed. There is a large 'T' on the crown.

The case back is off the snap back case design. It is polished and as with the case, it is very well done. It fits the case well and there is hardly a gap, with the exception of the gap to open the case back.

The case back is signed, again 'TISSOT 1853' at the 12 o'clock position. Around the circumference of the case back we find the following engravings, 'STAINLESS STEEL', WATER RESISTANT 30 M' and 'SAPPHIRE CRYSTAL'. At the 6 o'clock position we have the following markings, 'M170/270', 'RKR-BC' and '16515'. I have no idea what these marking signify.

MOVEMENT

The watch comes fitted with the 11.5 ligne ETA 805.111 quartz movement. This movement is a basic 3 hand movement with a date complication. The second hand is centrally mounted and the date display is at the 6 o'clock position. The date has a quick set function. The hand size for the movement is 70/120/20 and is powered by a 397 size 44 month battery. The crown has the usual 3 position setting, IN - normal position, 1 - date adjustment and 2 - for time adjustment.

DIAL

The dial is matte black. I like the dial. The choice of type face used for the hour markers is nice and gives the watch a modern look. The hours are marked by Arabic numerals and a small circle. The hour markers may look like it is luminous but it is not. I find this a failing point of the watch. But in saying that, how far are we from a light source in current times. The dial is easy to read.

The dial is signed 'TISSOT 1853' at the 12 o'clock position and 'SWISS MADE' at the 6 o'clock position. There is a date window at the 6 o'clock position and this is actually balanced by the Tissot signature mentioned above.

HANDS

The hands are well made and is polished. From what I can see, the finish is even throughout the hands. Both the hour and minute hands have a cut-out. The hands are not luminous, another point to note. It would have been easy for Tissot just to fill the cut-out on the hands with luminous material, but they opted not too.

The hour and minute are sufficiently differentiated to make telling the time easy. The minute hand is long and reaches the minute track. The interesting aspect of the hands is the second hand. The balance portion is a 'T' for Tissot.

CRYSTAL

The crystal is sapphire. It does not have any AR coating and is very flat. It is fitted flush to the bezel and I do not expect that it would be easy to damage the crystal without damaging the bezel first.

STRAP

The watch is offered in either black or brown leather strap. The brown leather strap version would have the following model number, T06.1.511.52. The leather strap is well made and I like the use of the white thread for contrast. It makes the watch look sportier then it actually is. The inside of the strap is lined with a brown velvet like material. The strap comes with two strap keeper, one fixed and the other floating.

The strap is signed on the inside, Tissot 1853 on one side and genuine leather on the other. The 'embossing' is good and very clear.

The only complaint I have with the strap is the way the leather is terminated at the lug attachment point. It will break as it is a weak point. I had this happen on my Tissot V8 watch, twice.

The polished buckle that comes with the strap is made of 316L stainless steel and is signed with the Tissot logo. It is nice that they put the logo off-set to the right side so that the tang does not lie on the logo. The buckle is well made though it is a bit on the thin side.

CONCLUSION

I like the watch. I find it beautiful. It has an ultra modern look. The watch looks very trendy, yet at the same time, very classical, discrete and modern. Although it is large, but because the case is slim, it will not snag on your sleeves. The design of the lugs also help to make the watch a comfortable wear. However, it would be great if the watch was also offered in automatic guise. I have to say that at its price point, along with a good brand name, is great value for money.