Steel Was Just the Start: Tissot’s Boldest PRX Yet In Titanium!

Tissot is doing something interesting with the PRX. Again. After successfully reviving the integrated bracelet sports watch in 2021 at a price point nobody else was touching, and following it up with forged carbon versions that actually looked good, they're now introducing titanium to the collection. More significantly, they're using Damascus steel for the first time in the brand's 172-year history. Not etched patterns. Not decorative treatments. Actual layered Damascus steel for the case and dial. This matters because Tissot has a legitimate history with material experimentation. In 1969, the Sideral used fiberglass when everyone else was still married to steel and gold. The Idea 2001 in 1971 became the world's first mechanical watch made from synthetic materials with the "Sytal" system that eliminated lubrication requirements. The RockWatch in 1985 used granite and stone. These weren't gimmicks—they were genuine attempts to rethink what a watch could be made from. The PRX Damascus and Titanium editions continue that tradition, just with materials that have proven themselves elsewhere and are now being adapted to a $1,000-ish sports watch.

Damascus Steel: Not What You Think
The Damascus steel used here isn't traditionally forged. Tissot uses powder metallurgy—two grades of stainless steel powder with contrasting properties, layered alternately in a mold, then subjected to hot isostatic pressing at temperatures near fusion point and pressures up to 1000 bar. The powders bond at the atomic level, creating a dense, multilayered block comprising 70 successive layers. This block is CNC-machined to create cases and dials. The pattern gets revealed through a combination of polished and satin finishes, creating interplay between light and shadow. Each piece is genuinely unique—the layering creates different patterns depending on where and how the material is cut. It's not traditionally forged Damascus, but it achieves similar visual results with modern manufacturing consistency. The 38mm case maintains the PRX's signature integrated bracelet design, sharp angles, and thin profile. Water resistance is 100 meters, which is practical for a sports watch. The dial features the same Damascus pattern as the case, creating visual continuity that's either harmonious or busy depending on your tolerance for texture. The pattern isn't subtle—it's the dominant visual element, which means you're either buying this watch specifically for that Damascus aesthetic or you're not buying it at all.

Titanium: Finally
The titanium versions make more immediate sense. Grade 5 titanium case and bracelet, same 38mm dimensions, same PRX design language. The weight difference is noticeable—titanium's roughly 45% lighter than stainless steel, which makes the already-compact PRX feel almost insubstantial on the wrist. Tissot offers two titanium variants: one with a dark blue sunray dial, the other with a lighter blue-grey dial that complements the titanium's natural tone. Both use applied indices and dauphine hands, maintaining the PRX's clean, 1970s-inspired aesthetic. The titanium bracelet features brushed center links with polished outer links—standard PRX finishing applied to lighter material. What's interesting is that Tissot waited this long to do titanium in the PRX. The collection launched in 2021, became a commercial hit almost immediately, and spawned dozens of variations—quartz, automatic, chronograph, forged carbon, different dial colors. Titanium seems like an obvious move that should have happened sooner, but Tissot apparently wanted to get the material treatment right rather than rush it to market.

Powermatic 80: Still Reliable
All three versions run on the Powermatic 80 movement—Tissot's modified ETA C07.111 with an 80-hour power reserve courtesy of Nivachron balance spring. It runs at 21,600 vph (3Hz), includes a date function at 3 o'clock, and features a see-through caseback. It's not haute horlogerie, but it's reliable, serviceable, and backed by Swatch Group's global service network. The 80-hour power reserve is practical if you rotate watches—you can set it down Friday night and pick it up Monday morning without rewinding. The Nivachron hairspring provides better resistance to magnetism and temperature variations compared to standard balance springs, which translates to more consistent timekeeping in daily wear. Finishing is functional rather than decorative: perlage on the plates, Côtes de Genève on the rotor, blued screws. Nothing that'll impress movement purists, but everything you need for a watch at this price point to function reliably for years.

Pricing and Positioning
Tissot hasn't released official pricing yet, but expect the titanium versions to land around CHF 950-1,050 (roughly $1,050-1,150 USD), while the Damascus steel model will likely command a premium—possibly CHF 1,200-1,400 ($1,350-1,550 USD) given the material complexity and unique patterning. That positions these watches exactly where the PRX has always sat: accessible luxury sports watches that deliver integrated bracelet design, Swiss movements, and now interesting materials at prices that undercut most competitors by 30-50%. 

Does It Work?
The titanium versions are straightforward wins. Lighter weight, same design, modest price increase. If you wanted a PRX but found the steel version too heavy for extended wear, problem solved. The Damascus steel version is more divisive. The pattern is genuinely unique per piece, which appeals to collectors who value individuality. The material has legitimate historical significance—Damascus steel has been prized for centuries for its strength and beauty. But translating that to a watch case via powder metallurgy and CNC machining rather than traditional forging might feel inauthentic to some. What's undeniable is that Tissot isn't just slapping new dial colors on existing models. They're experimenting with materials in ways that most brands at this price point don't bother with. Damascus steel cases are nearly unheard of in Swiss watchmaking—H. Moser used Damascus steel on limited edition perpetual calendars that cost $50,000+. Bringing it to a sub-$1,500 watch requires completely different manufacturing approaches, and Tissot figured it out.

Final Thoughts
The PRX Powermatic 80 in titanium and Damascus steel proves Tissot is still willing to take material risks even after the collection became a commercial success. The safe move would've been more dial colors, maybe some limited editions with celebrity collaborations. Instead, they're introducing Damascus steel for the first time in 172 years and finally bringing titanium to their best-selling sports watch. The titanium versions will sell well—they solve a practical problem (weight) without compromising design. The Damascus steel version is harder to predict. It's visually bold, genuinely unique per piece, and unlike anything else in this price segment. Whether that translates to commercial success depends entirely on whether enough people want a Damascus steel sports watch at $1,500 or if it remains a curiosity. Either way, it's refreshing to see Tissot continuing the material experimentation that defined their most interesting work in the 1960s-80s. Not every experiment succeeds commercially, but the willingness to try keeps things interesting. The PRX titanium and Damascus steel editions launch November 4, 2025. Expect the titanium versions to be widely available; the Damascus steel might be more limited depending on manufacturing capacity and demand.