Tissot has a sterling history of producing high-quality and innovative watches that spans more than 170 years. Based in the town of Le Locle, in the Swiss Jura Mountains, the Swiss luxury brand was founded by the father-and-son team of Charles-Félicien Tissot and Charles-Émile Tissot in 1853.
In the early days, Tissot focused on producing pocket watches with high-precision movements, many of which were ornately decorated and popular with women, including French actress Sarah Bernhardt and, later, Queen Elisabeth of Belgium and famed singer Carmen Miranda. Its watches housed in domed tonneau cases, such as the Porto of the 1910s — a distinctive Art Nouveau design — foreshadowed the venturesome forms of Art Deco jewelry and landed well ahead of the shaped watch trend, and its anti-magnetic watch beat the world’s best known brands to the punch, too.
While Vacheron Constantin is credited with developing early technology for anti-magnetic timepieces — which protected movements from disruptive magnetic fields — it was Tissot that introduced the Antimagnétique, which is believed to be the world’s first anti-magnetic wristwatch.
The sleek Art Deco-styled accessory made its way to market in 1930 — the same year that saw Tissot merging with Omega to establish the Swiss Society for the Horology Industry — decades before Rolex debuted its Milgauss, which was designed specifically for scientists toiling in the immediate vicinity of strong magnetic fields. IWC, Omega and Jaeger-LeCoultre would introduce their own antimagnetic timepieces in the years that followed, but Tissot was ahead of the game. In keeping with its slogan “Innovators by Tradition,” Tissot introduced the Navigator in 1951, a mass-produced self-winding watch that displayed 24 time zones on its sophisticated oversized dial.
In 1983, Tissot became part of the Swatch Group. Since then, Tissot’s enduring commitment to quality and style has led to even more milestones — the Tissot T-Touch, the first watch to incorporate touch-screen technology, debuted in 1999. In 2011, Tissot took first prize in the International Timing Competition with the Tissot Le Locle watch, which scored a 764 out of 1,000 for accuracy — leaving the next competitor in the dust with 488 points.
Tissot watches continue to be status symbols and have been embraced by the likes of George Clooney and Justin Bieber as well as Angelina Jolie, who sported Tissot watches in both Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Tomb Raiders.
Find vintage Tissot wristwatches and pocket watches on 1stDibs.
Tissot Stainless Steel High Grade Chronograph from The Late 40's / 50's
By Tissot
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Tissot Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Art Deco METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1940's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Leng...
Tissot Vintage Chronograph 808A
By Tissot
Located in Mayfair, London, London
A vintage 34mm stainless steel chronograph by Tissot. Features a silver dial with a tachymeter scale, the three chronograph counters, and pushers. Fitted with plastic glass and a man...
Stainless Steel
Tissot Seastar Chronograph Manual-Wind Stainless Steel Watch, 1970s
By Tissot
Located in Firenze, IT
SHIPPING POLICY: No additional costs will be added to this order. Shipping costs will be totally covered by the seller (customs duties included). A fine and rare manual-winding stai...
Stainless Steel, Steel
Chronographe Suisse Incabloc – 1950s – Manual Wind –Chronograph
Located in London, GB
Chronographe Suisse Incabloc – 1950s – Manual Wind – Waterproof Chronograph – Landeron 248 This Chronographe Suisse Incabloc is a genuinely rare and special find. Dating to the 1950s by serial number, it represents one of the earlier attempts at producing a waterproof chronograph, achieved through a patented case construction designed to protect the movement from moisture — an impressive technical feature for the era. At approximately 35mm, the case size is notably generous compared to many chronographs of its time, giving it excellent presence on the wrist while remaining true to mid‑century proportions. Key Details • Model: Chronographe Suisse Incabloc • Era: 1950s • Case Size: Approx. 35mm • Case Material: Stainless steel • Dial: Black gilt gloss • Hour Markers: Painted Arabic numerals • Hands: Matching gilt/painted hands • Crystal: Acrylic • Caseback: Signed • Movement: Landeron 248 manual wind chronograph with Incabloc shock protection • Strap: Generic leather strap • Water Resistance: Historically waterproof by design; not guaranteed today due to age Condition Report Case: Very good vintage condition with honest wear consistent with age. Dial: Excellent gilt gloss dial with strong colour, clear print and attractive patina. Hands: Original and well matched to the dial. Crystal: Clear acrylic with light age‑appropriate wear. Movement: Clean and operating correctly. Overall: A very strong and well‑preserved example of a rare 1950s chronograph...
Steel
Tissot Steel Seastar Full Size Chronograph with Original Black Dial
By Tissot
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Tissot Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Seastar / Cushion Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1970's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Length 50mm X Diamete...
Stainless Steel
Wittnauer Stainless Steel High Grade Chronograph with Original Dial, 1950's
By Wittnauer
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Wittnauer Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: Two Register Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1950's DIMENSIONS ...
Telda Steel Chronograph with Original Dial, circa 1940's
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Telda Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 2 Register Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel CIRCA / YEAR: 1930's DIMENSIONS / SIZE: Le...
Helbros Stainless Steel Two Register Chronograph Manual Watch, 1940s
By Helbros
Located in Long Beach, CA
FACTORY / HOUSE: Helbros Watch Company STYLE / REFERENCE: 2 Register Chronograph METAL / MATERIAL: Stainless Steel DIMENSIONS: Length 38 mm X Diameter...
Stainless Steel
Heuer Chronograph c.1950 – Valjoux 72, “Big Eyes”, Steel, 38 mm
By Heuer
Located in Berlin, BE
Early Heuer chronograph from around 1950, powered by the legendary Valjoux 72 manual-wind movement. Pre-Carrera design with the sought-after “Big Eyes” sub-dial layout. • Case: Stai...
Steel
Vintage Alsta Inca Bloc Chronograph 1960's Ref. # 732, Valjoux Caliver #7730
Located in Laguna Beach, CA
Vintage Alsta Incabloc Valjoux Chronograph 1960's Ref. 732 Description / Condition: All watches have been professionally scrutinized and serviced prior to being offered for sale. Min...
Stainless Steel
