By Jovan Krstevski
This year Tissot has been busy with a great number of new models released including the T-Touch Expert Solar II and the popular Tissot Ballade with its silicone hairspring priced at entry-level point. Now let us add the Tissot Heritage 1948 chronograph watch which is literally based on the chronograph models housed in their museum collection from 1948. This is an old design but if you are looking for vintage watches, then nothing comes close to this one.
The Tissot Heritage 1948 sports a 39.6 mm stainless steel case that is water resistant to 30 meters. Unlike newer watches with tough sapphire crystals, this one is fitted with a Hesalite crystal that is prone to scratches. I understand keeping tabs with time but updates are necessary when it comes to improvements and for this, Tissot got some raised eyebrows. Hesalite is good in zero-gravity environment since NASA requested for it but oh well unless you are living and working in space, down here it is a different story. True, Hesalite is almost impossible to break but it could be scratched quickly. On the design factor, Tissot gets an incredible A plus for this watch. I like its simple appearance and although some may call it dated, a great piece always remains in that is why this vintage watch will always be valuable. The polished bezel and pushers are amazing and the sexy crown is somehow lavish.
On the dial side, a strong minimalist approach is taken. The black seconds hand and black chronograph hands seem to blend with the black logo while the rest sports silver shimmer. I like the steel leaf-shaped hour and minute hands in silver since it adds legibility. Everything here is classic such as the Roman numeral 12 o’clock. The result of this nice combination is somehow a dial that is barely off-white. The 3 sub-dials are perfectly balanced at 9 o’clock, 3 o’clock, and 6 o’clock. The date window sits between 4 and 5 o’clock which is noticeably a contemporary approach.
Powering the Tissot Heritage 1948 Chronograph is the ETA 2894–2 chronograph movement using a chronograph module built on top of an ETA 2892–2. This movement is less common than the Valjoux 7750 integrated chronograph movement but design-wise, it is as elemental as the integrated one. Some gripes with this automatic movement is the placement of the date window between 4 and 5 o’clock but that space is already reserved for the chronograph sub-dial so it is understandable.
The Tissot Heritage 1948 watch comes with three different strap and bracelet options. The alligator leather straps are available in black or brown which is good for dressy occasions. The Milanese steel bracelet looks quite sporty. Personally for a heritage watch authentic feel, a good leather is the perfect match but Tissot is kind enough to give us more options.
The retro look and feel of the Tissot Heritage 1948 is remarkable plus it is good to know that one like this remains housed in a museum at least based on it. For more info, please visit tissotwatches.com
